Hair extensions provide endless opportunities for placement creativity, commitment-free color, length additions and volume enhancements. What’s not to love?

Recently, we saw work by New Jersey stylist Tucker Cinalli that stopped us in our tracks—likely because the transformation was on a redhead, not necessarily the every-day extensions transformation we’re used to seeing.

Outside of the seamless application and creative color pop placement, we wanted to figure out why we were so drawn to the finished look. When we spoke with Cinalli, he shared that it’s because the red was created with contrast in mind, versus a solid natural.

“The appropriate amount of natural contrast in your red extension installations will ensure the most seamless and natural outcome,” says Cinalli, an artist and educator for Hairtalk Hair Extensions. “This transformation is a true ode to the power of color combination with your tape-in extension application!”

Frequently, he hears stylists mention they struggle with matching a natural redhead using tape-in extensions but, he says, the solution is right in your toolbox by simply avoiding a solid natural.

“Red has been approached as a solid natural all too often—you will never create a natural-looking red using one color,” says Cinalli, who uses tape-ins from Hairtalk Hair Extensions. “I like to approach my reds as if I’m working on a blonde. Begin by choosing a base tone (#29), my highlight shade (#30) and my natural lowlight (#7). Then we threw in our pops of color in YL/613r for a fun modern money piece that is 100% commitment-free and, voila, we have hair fit for a princess.”

VIDEO: See the transformation in action

He finished the look with a seamless cut using his Hattori Hanzo shears, styled with Aiir ProfessionalSmoothing Cream & Finishing Spray (coming fall 2019) and his curling wand from Brazilian Professionals.

Follow Cinalli on his Instagram page @tuckerjstyle.