Tai Kieu (@taitkieuapril05), a stylist at Bebe Salon, Garden Grove, Orange County, CA,  says "My client been getting highlights for the last 2 years on her natural Asian level 2 hair. When she first came to my chair, her hair is highlighted to level 7 and 8 with random pieces of level 5 and her natural level 2 roots had been growing out for about 2 to 3 months."

Here Kieu shares the details for this transformation:

Step 1: Using a tease/ombre balayage technique, apply lightener with 30 volume at the mids and 20 with Olaplex at the ends ("The tease technique was used so all her hair is fully saturated with the lightener and does not dry out so I can achieve a good lightness with minimal of brass.") Lift to level 9 at mids to level 10 at the ends (about 30 to 35 minutes) and then rinse. Towel dry.

Step 2: Tone with Wella Color Touch with 8 volume developer:

A: 5/1 whole tube with 3 inches of 2/0
B: 7/89 half + 8/81 half + 1 inch of 2/0
C: 8/81 half + 10/81 half + 1/2 inch of 2/0

Apply formula A to roots and teased parts smudging down to B at mids and C at the ends. Smudge color together to create a seamless blend.
Watch toner carefully until desire color achieved, about 10 to 15 minutes, and then rinse. ("When rinsing color formula A, lift ends up so the hair doesn't get toned down to dark.")

Step 3: Apply Olaplex #2 for 10 minutes. Wash, condition and style.