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THE JOURNEY: 11 Hours To Slate

Crystal Ponnuchamy, a master stylist at Beauty Brands, Lawton, Oklahoma, posted this incredible makeover that she says was "the most challenging hair transformation I have ever done." This journey, not surprisingly, took ...

Maggie Mulhern
Maggie MulhernBeauty and Fashion Director, MODERN SALON
Read Maggie's Posts
April 17, 2015
THE JOURNEY: 11 Hours To Slate
THE JOURNEY: 11 Hours To Slate
THE JOURNEY: 11 Hours To Slate
THE JOURNEY: 11 Hours To Slate
THE JOURNEY: 11 Hours To Slate
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2 min to read


Crystal Ponnuchamy, a master stylist at Beauty Brands, Lawton, Oklahoma, posted this incredible makeover that she says was "the most challenging hair transformation I have ever done." This journey, not surprisingly, took hours!

The "black to red ombre" (photo 1) needed multiple extractions to cleanse the canvas to prepare for the ultimate slate desired. Here Ponnuchamy shares the how to:

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Step 1: Do a double Pravana color extraction under the drier for about 25 minutes (each) and then dry the hair.

Step 2: Apply Redken Flash Lift (blended with

a bond builder

) with 40 volume on the mid shaft and 30 volume developer on the ends and new growth. Apply in foils throughout the hair.

Step 3: Process for 3 hours. Treat with a bond builder at the bowl (photo 2). Send client home with Macadamia Intensive Repair Mask and It's a 10 Keratin Miracle leave In treatment.

Step 4: Three and a half weeks later go over the entire length of hair with Redken Flash Lift + 30 + a bond builder. Process with a cap for about two hours lifting to a very pale  blonde (photo 3). Dry the hair.

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Step 5: Apply the final toner: Redken Silver Fox:  6oz 12ab plus 3 dots (about an inch and a half)  of 1b. Blend with a bond builder.

Step 6: Process for 30 minutes.

"Total work time including blow drying in between applications was about 11 hours and a small part of my soul."

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