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SEARCHMODERN's Associate Editor, Jamie, took to Silvio Mato's chair, owner, colorist and stylist at Ricci Kapricci salon in Chicago, to try out GKhair's new Miami Beach Bombshell blue balayage lightening powder.
No foils. No fuss.
GKhair’sMiami Beach Bombshell clay blue lightening powder was created specifically for hair painting. The balayage-specific lightener goes on as a cream, then hardens directly on hair once applied.
“The best part about this product is that there is no need foils,” says Silvio Mato, owner, stylist and colorist at Ricci Kapricci salon in Chicago. “It's all free-hand painting balayage.”
I sat down in Mato’s chair to experience the new product for myself. I already had existing balayage highlights from an ongoing color journey that began last September, which had most recently been updated in May with a touch up of a few balayage highlights. By now, my highlights were grown out and a bit brassy from neglecting to use a purple shampoo once a week as recommended.
The Miami Beach Bombshell lightener is GKhair’s first blue base clay lightener. That means it doesn’t just easily lift color (up to six levels), but it also neutralizes brassy tones in a one-step highlighting process. It is fortified with Juvexin, a keratin anti-aging protein blend, to achieve a healthy blonde hue.
I told Mato I wanted lighter, brighter highlights that better framed my face. He told me he would do just that, along with bring up my existing highlights a bit and blend into my natural base shade, about a level 6 brunette.
FORMULA:
Balayage highlights: Miami Beach Bombshell lightener mixed with 40 volume developer
Glaze: GK Cream Color 10.1 mixed with 8 volume developer
HOW-TO:
STEP 1: Balayage paint highlights and let process for 50 minutes (no heat).
STEP 2: Rinse, tone with glaze and let process for five minutes.
STEP 3: Rinse, blowdry and style.
This was the first time a colorist didn’t use foils, cotton or plastic during a balayage service I’ve experienced. Because it is a clay lightener, there is no need to worry about bleeding. This is how my hair looked while it processed:
And take a look at the finished result:
I asked Mato how long it would be until my next visit (and how long my hair would look THIS good for) and he said balayage can last anywhere from two to six months (two to three months is ideal for the next appointment, but some clients can stretch it between four and six). Because the service lasts so long, and clients have to come in less frequently than other color services, he recommends colorist charge more for balayage than they would for traditional highlights.
Do you think I can stretch it to three months looking this dimentional and bright if I am diligent with my purple shampoo this time? Wish me luck.
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