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HOW TO: Intense Brunette to Blonde Makeover by Meri Kate O'Connor

Learn the details of this intense makeover by Meri Kate O'Connor, colorist at the Eva Scrivo Salon. This natural blonde client turned dark brunette returned to a light blonde with a lot of care and attention.

Maggie Mulhern
Maggie MulhernBeauty and Fashion Director, MODERN SALON
Read Maggie's Posts
April 18, 2014
2 min to read


Meri Kate O'Connor, a colorist at the Eva Scrivo Salon in NYC, finds that making over clients requires skill and patience and has become one of her favorite things to do as a salon professional. Recently she took a natural blonde client back to a light blonde after her journey as a deep brunette.

Step 1: Shampoo hair.

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Step 2: Apply Vanish Color Remover to hair for 20 minutes with heat. Rinse and then shampoo the hair.

Step 3: At the sink, run lightener (Goldwell Silklift Lightener with 20 volume developer and 1 Keratin Complex Vital Shot) through the ends. Continue rinsing until all the Vanish is out of the hair.

Step 4: Glaze the root area with Richess 7N and 15 volume developer to ensure a deeper root. Cancel out the remaining color with Redken Shades EQ 9V.

Step 5: Rinse out, condition and blow dry.

Step 6: Balayage the entire head with Goldwell Silklift Lightener and 2 Keratin Complex Vital Shots, changing the developer throughout the process (from 20 - 40 volume) for even lift and timing.

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Step 7: Process the balayage to pale yellow. Rinse and shampoo.

Step 8: Towel dry and gloss for 3 minutes at the sink with Redken Shades EQ Clear with a drop of 9V and 9NB for maximum shine.

Step 9: Rinse, towel dry and finish with a Kerastase Fusio-Dose treatment.

Make sure to follow O'Connor on Instagram: @merikateo

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