Color Without Compromise: Blondes Shine with Goldwell LightDimensions SilkLift Strong and Colorance
Are your blondes feeling blah? Give ’em a lift with LightDimensions SilkLift Strong
Sponsored by Goldwell
How this Toasted Coconut Hair Went Viral
August 15, 2018 might have been a typical day at the salon for Atlanta-based artist Kayluh Stewart. But when she posted an image of a lob with a deep base and iced-out ends, she captioned it "Toasted Coconut," and Instagram fell in love.
September 12, 2018
3 min to read
August 15, 2018 might have been a typical day at the salon for Atlanta-based artist Kayluh Stewart (@kayluhskolors). But when she posted an image of a lob with a deep base and iced-out ends, she captioned it "Toasted Coconut," and Instagram fell in love.
"When I posted the picture, my life changed," Stewart says. "It immediately blew up. Every single day I woke up to numerous website editors reaching out to me for permission to publish and share my work."
Stewart opened her salon, Elysian Studio, last December, where she is known for her work with blondes. She says she has noticed clients coming in who are fascinated by the icy hair trend. Stewart's marketing manager, Ella, was also looking to partake in this trend. But neither one of them anticipated the success the post would have.
"We started with her natural level 7 base," Stewart says. "We used some darker tones for depth, but Ella really wanted her ends to be as icy as they could be. We decided on an extreme contrast of colors. I deepened her base with Wella Color Touch 5/0 and 5/81, and I added 7/0 into my formula for lowlights with some 7/3 to fill. I then toned the look with Schwarzkopf Vibrance 9/1 with clear. I also used Olaplex, as always. We were able to achieve the final look in one sitting."
Stewart posted three different images of the hair, but the second image was the most popular.
MODERN reposted that particular picture on August 16, and it has since received more than 6,100 likes and 110 comments. Stewart says having MODERN repost the image meant so much.
"This time last year, I had just found out I won the hair contest Blonde's Best Friend by Keune and MODERN SALON," she says. "You changed my career then and there. I was flown to New York to do Artist Session, and it changed everything; I learned so much."
Since the day of the original post, the image and Stewart have been featured in publications such as Vogue, Allure, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Elle and several other websites .
"I was crying daily," Stewart says. "It was published in Singapore, Germany, Italy, Barcelona, Russsa; I was an emotional mess. I woke up to hundred of new followers daily and tons of new messages from potential clients and fellow hairstylists."
Stewart says the post has changed the way she looks at and uses social media.
"Having social media as a tool to share and to learn so much has been such a gift," she says. "I am always learning new things from other artists on here. In the past two years since becoming licensed, I have built a full clientele from social media. Every single day is like a dream; I can't believe it's my life I'm living."
View this post on InstagramServing up one final look at the coveted #toastedcoconut - straight, smooth and seamless🥥❄️
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
More Color
ColorFest 2026: The Hair Color Formulas and Creative Techniques Everyone Will Be Talking About
Trending, fool-proof, and fantastic formulas.
4 Express Salon Add-On Services That Boost Revenue and Keep Clients Coming Back
Schwarzkopf Professional Ambassadors Carly Zanoni and Brendnetta Ashley share the express color and treatment services helping stylists deliver great results in under 30 minutes while creating new opportunities for client retention and revenue growth.
by Anne Moratto
PRAVANA Expands HydraGloss Line with Two Red-Violet Shades Inspired by the “Cherry Cola” Trend
As rich red-violet tones continue trending, the brand introduces two new demi shades designed for depth, shine, and dimensional color.
by Staff
Something Special: Amelia Fugitt's Stunning Transformations
In an industry with so many options and opportunities, we asked artists what made them niche down and select a specialty. Amelia Fugitt (@ameliahairmakeup) says choosing to focus on transformations has transformed her career.
The Rise of “Naturals”: How Foundational Shades Are Driving Salon Growth
From gray blending to glossing services, stylists are redefining low-maintenance hair color and building more consistent, profitable salon business.
by Anne Moratto
Shampoo, Rinse, Repeat: Salon Clients Face a Water Cycle Crisis of Mineral Buildup on Hair
Neutralizing the damaging effects of water benefits the hair from texture to shine to color longevity, and it’s the science behind Malibu C products.
Sponsored by Malibu Wellness
Dazzle With Shiny Haircolor
Craft with confidence, challenge your creativity, work from inspiration. Prepare your chair for every canvas with Moroccanoil's expanded color lines and advanced technology.
Sponsored by Moroccanoil
Step-by-Step: How to Create the Modern Ombre
Create a look of quiet luxury with this modern take on ombré, featuring beautiful dimension and depth with strategic pops of blonde around the face and ends. The initial effect is bright and beautiful, with purposefully placed depth creating longevity as the hair grows out.
From Consultation to Correction: Managing Expectations and Getting Color Right
A master colorist on why great hair color is never “simple.”
by Anne Moratto
Meet Wella's New BlondorPlex 9 with Built-In Metal Purifier
Meet the next generation of lightening with cleaner lift, less breakage, and built-in Metal Purifier Technology.
Sponsored by Wella
Oligo Professionnel Redefines At-Home Blonde Hair Care with New Blacklight Blonde Science Product Line
Oligo Professionnel, the Montreal-based hair color powerhouse, expands beyond the salon with a new routine-driven system designed specifically for blondes and those with highlighted hair.
Magical Creatures: Why These Stylists Love Creating Fantasy Hair Color
These stylists practice hairdresser magic, transforming clients into unicorns, mermaids, rainbows and living works of art.
by Anne Moratto
Alysa Liu’s ‘Halo Hair’ Takes Gold on the Ice by Kelsey Miller Using Schwarzkopf Professional
Ahead of the Winter Olympics, Alysa partnered with St. Louis–based color specialist Kelsey Miller to elevate her DIY bleach work into clean, high-contrast halo placements.
Pink Is for Everyone: PRAVANA Launches Sugarcoated VIVIDS Shades
PRAVANA Sugarcoated expands the ChromaSilk VIVIDS line with two new pink shades, Juicy and Crush.
The American Blonde: The Look That Traveled the World
Blonde hair is as All-American as baseball, apple pie, and Stars and Stripes forever. And as America approaches her 250th birthday next year, we celebrate the birth of the Global Blonde.
Follow the Formula: Garnet Flame and Cherry Red
Two reds that get raves, these looks were designed using Alfaparf Milano. Get all the steps, processing, and expert tips to add these recipes to your rotation.
by Anne Moratto