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 TO Get Graduated Color by Martino Cartier
Martino Cartier is so OVER Ombre. His new Color Flow technique is the next generation of "Graduated Color". Here he offers his step by step.
April 5, 2013
1/5
2 min to read
Martino Cartier, International Artistic Director for Keratin Complex, is so over the word OMBRE, but lets face...it IS a practical and pretty color design. Martino has come up with the 2013 version of this "color flow", a fave for clients and a fun design for colorists to create.
"It's more of a color melt or a color explosion," he says. "It's graduated color, giving a ton of different depths of tone and lightness. It's fun and easy."
Here Martino offers steps to get the best results:
1. Divide the hair in two sections, one above and one below the rounds of the head. Divide using large, deep V sections, for an exaggerated zig zag.
2. Split the triangle in half, overdirect and twist.
3. Wrap the section around a foiling comb and slide down.
4. Take the twisted base and secure in a rubber band.
5. Create about 6 of these below the zig zag and about 6 above the zig zag parting so that the ponytails are stacked.
6. Using "It's a Blonde Thing" blended with 40 volume developer (all Keratin Complex), paint the top and bottom only of each ponytail. Begin the coloring on the lower ponytails, going back and forth from side to side, working to the back of the head.
7. Then go to the top ponytails, again painting just the top and bottom of each (this will allow the bottom color to process faster).
8. Process for 15 minutes and then shampoo and condition the hair.
"The sectioning and the ponytail kicks it up a notch," adds Martino, "and gives a lot of movement. When its all said and done, the result is quite natural. The twisting takes away any line of demarkation and leaves so much dimension... beautiful, seamless color."
Check out the video to see how Martino creates the ponytails, followed by the finished result.
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