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
Pro To The Rescue: Black Box Color Disaster
Gina Atkinson (@ginaatkinson), based in Las Vegas at Sola Salon, is known for her beautiful transformations and color corrections. When we saw how she corrected this "box color situation", we had to know how she was able to create such ...
December 15, 2014
2 min to read
Gina Atkinson (@ginaatkinson), based in Las Vegas at Sola Salon, is known for her beautiful transformations and color corrections. When we saw how she corrected this "box color situation", we had to know how she was able to create such a beautiful finish.
"This client had previously 'ombred' her hair and when she was over it, decided to go for the black box dye at CVS," says Atkinson. "So knowing her history...that the hair had been previously lightened and damaged before the box dye...I decided to take a slower pace to insure the integrity of her hair. The tricky part was deciphering where here natural hair stopped and where the box dye started. To complicate matters, this client has naturally black hair."
Here Atkinson shares the how-to:
Step 1 : Blend Redken Blonde Dimensions with 10 volume developer. Section out a mohawk section while straddling her part. Create a heavy diagonal forward slice below the mohawk section.
Step 2: Us ing the same formula, place balayage highlights within the mohawk.
Step 3: Check first foils to get an idea of where her natural hair was lifting versus the box dye.
Step 4: Using this as a reference, apply Redken Flashlift with 25 volume. Tease/highlight the remaining hair. Check foils frequently. (In this case, the client processed for approximately 30 minutes.)
Step 5: Remove foils and thoroughly rinse and towel dry the hair.
Step 6: Apply Paul Mitchell 4n with 10 volume to the base where her natural hair lifted.
Step 7: Then apply Redken Shines EQ 6n with EQ developer to the mid shaft to ends (to the line of demarcation of the box dye).
Step 8: Process for 20 minutes and then condition with AG Reconstructive Treatment.
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