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How-To: Marbled Color for Dimensional Curls
This marbled hair color technique by Mona Baltazar brings her client's curls to life with movement and dimension.
Elizabeth Jakaitis・Assistant Editor
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2 min to read
Clients who lighten and brighten during summer will often turn to multi-dimensional highlights and lowlights in the fall for color that has vibrancy and depth. Mona Baltazar (@monabaltazar), hairstylist and colorist at MuzeSalon in New York, gave her client marbled color that complements the hair’s texture.
Baltazar used Wella Koleston Perfect Innosense to create this color design, and the look was inspired by Wella’s Autumn/Winter 2016 Salon Collection.
“I wanted to create multi-dimensional color that would go with my client’s texture,” Baltazar says. “She is young and wanted something that would stand out from the crowd, something noticeable to her friends. We did not want a traditional highlight.”
Baltazar gave her client a full head of highlights using 3 different colors, plus her natural, level 4 color. This made the curls appear to have more movement and fluidity. “It draws your attention to her hair as you try to find all the colors that are placed in it,” Baltazar says.
FORMULAS
Color 1: Blondor Powder 30vol
Color 2: Koleston Perfect Innosense 8/3 40vol
Color 3: Koleston Perfect Innosense 9/81 40vol
Toner: 8/3 and 0/0 KP Innosense + 4.0% Developer+ Elements Conditioner = Equal parts
PLACEMENT
Baltazar randomly painted in the three different formulas all over, making sure the color was balanced on both sides.
“There is no specific pattern,” Baltazar says. “Along with her natural texture, it created a marbled effect once it was styled. I like to combine cool and warm tones to create a softer look.”
COLORING TEXTURED HAIR
Baltazar says that curly hair looks its best when there is dimension in the color, especially for those with very thick hair. The color variation doesn’t need to be drastic, either. For example, subtle highlights just two levels lighter than the client’s natural color can make a big different.
Baltazar prefers to paint on textured hair because she says that it’s easier to find the best placement within the curls.
“When coloring curly hair you must remember that there is a pattern to consider,” Baltazar says. “The last thing you want to do is disturb the pattern and make the curls loosen up.”
She also makes sure to have a thorough consultation with her client regarding color history.
“If you want to take someone lighter, you must make sure the hair can take it based on texture. Otherwise, take it slowly and complete the transition over several visits.”
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