Subtle Dimension: Formula Guide to Babylights, Undertones, and Sombre Effects
Get ready to dye: rich, natural color and subtle highlighting are trending in the new year and Joico has gathered the formulas for the most stunning celebrity looks to recreate on your clients.
Elizabeth Jakaitis・Assistant Editor
January 15, 2015
3 min to read
Get ready to dye: rich, natural color and subtle highlighting are trending in the new year and Joico has gathered the formulas for the most stunning celebrity looks to recreate on your clients.
Rich, vibrant color is already standing out as a trend in 2015, with added dimension ensuring that the lavish hues look entirely natural. Moving away from bold highlighting and stark ombre fade, understated sombre and babylights are this year’s answer to achieving natural depth and variation. Here are four celebrity looks and four formulas that can inspire rich, natural color for clients.
Golden Undertones
Reese Witherspoon’s buttery blonde is the perfect hue for fair-skinned ladies looking to lighten their locks without fear of appearing washed out. The gold undertones add warmth and tend to make the color more flattering (and less maintenance) than platinum.
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GET THE LOOK: Natural level: 6/7 Highlights: Joico Vero K-PAK Color equal parts HLN High Lift Natural and High Lift Golden + 30-volume developer. Apply full head, foil highlights Base: “Smudge” the roots with Joico Base Breaker + 20-volume developer Gloss: Joico 1 oz. Vero K-PAK Chrome Clear + ¼ oz. 9G for shine and to seal the cuticle
Sombre Highlights
All-over dark hair color can be severe, but Nina Dobrev’s subtle chocolate highlights brighten her dark locks and add gorgeous dimension. The sombre effect of these highlights, slightly lighter and brighter at the ends and around the face, make this a wearable, natural look that enhances the hair’s texture. Plus, upkeep is minimal since the highlights look most natural when they start mid-shaft and frame the face.
GET THE LOOK: Natural level: 5 Highlights: Joico Vero K-PAK Color HLA High Lift Ash + 30-volume developer—applied two inches from the roots in a soft, jagged application at the base and pulled through to the ends. Gloss: Joico Vero K-PAK Chrome 1/3 Clear + 1/3 V9 + 1/3 A9 to cancel unwanted warmth
Russet Red Lowlights
Julianne Moore’s rich copper with hints of brown is youthful and vibrant without being over the top. This bright and bold hue brings out any eye color and is perfectly suited to fair complexions. For a dramatic and long lasting shine, use a glossing wash after the color treatment.
GET THE LOOK: Natural level: 5/6 w/50% gray Base: Joico Vero K-PAK ½ 6N + ½ 6RC + 20-volume developer Ends: Joico Vero K-PAK Color 7RC Bright Red Copper + 10-volume developer Lowlights: Add lowlights throughout the head; equal parts of Vero K-PAK Chrome RC8 Orange Crush and G6 Sandalwood. Final Glaze for stunning shine, 1 oz. Vero K-PAK Chrome Clear + ¼ RC8 Orange Crush
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Sun-kissed Blonde Babylights
Rosamund Pike’s blonde babylights – subtle, natural-looking highlights – mimic the effect of a hair lightened by a summer in the sun. Think natural highlights with a smoother and more gradual change than ombre. Babylights are a great way to add dimension and they’re easy to maintain with little upkeep and natural grow-out.
GET THE LOOK: Natural level: 7 Highlights: Joico Vero K-PAK Color 9A Light Ash Blonde + 30-volume developer. Apply very fine foil highlights throughout the head, beginning about ½ inch from the roots for a bit of natural-looking depth. Low-Lights: Add a few low-lights from scalp to mids throughout the head; Vero K-PAK Chrome N8 Teak + B7 Latte Final Glaze: Equal Parts Vero K-PAK Chrome Clear + Vero K-PAK Color 9A Light Ash Blonde for beautiful shine and tonal control
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