Modern Salon
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

TRANSFORMATION: From Box To Balayage Blonde To Platinum

Heather Wyko (@heatherwyko) of  Peroxide Beauty and Barbershop, Hermosa Beach, California, says "My client and friend Kelsey used to do her blonde hair at home but started growing it out last September because she wanted to ...

Maggie Mulhern
Maggie MulhernBeauty and Fashion Director, MODERN SALON
Read Maggie's Posts
April 17, 2016
TRANSFORMATION: From Box To Balayage Blonde To Platinum

 

3 min to read


Heather Wyko (@heatherwyko) of  Peroxide Beauty and Barbershop, Hermosa Beach, California, says "My client and friend Kelsey used to do her blonde hair at home but started growing it out last September because she wanted to have healthy, long hair. I told her that there is such a thing as a healthy blonde, it just depends on how you get to that blonde and how you care for it in between color services. Between then and now I've done a partial balayage on her twice so she wouldn't have a harsh line of demarcation while growing out her blonde. We have also been doing Olaplex treatments followed by Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Keratriplex treatments, regular haircuts and, after I religiously preached to her about the importance of proper hair product, she has made sure to use Paul Mitchell Hot Off the Press heat protectant before ironing her hair and Paul Mitchell Forever Blonde for her shampoo and conditioner. Her hair is in a much stronger condition than it was in September. Recently, Kelsey texted me and said 'Heatherrrrrr I need to be platinum again' with which I responded 'I've been hoping you might say that.' She freaked out on me via text because she thought I'd tell her no but with my trusty sidekick Olaplex I feel like almost anything is possible."

Here Wyko shares how she created a healthy, gorgeous bright blonde in her own words:

Ad Loading...

I used a technique called the "Platinum Card" that was taught to me by my boyfriend who is a Paul Mitchell educator. I divided the hair in to four quadrants and starting in the back, bottom right section (where the hair was the darkest and hadn't been colored since September). I took 1/8" or 1/4" slices, depending how dense the hair was. I used Wella Blondor 40 volume, 30 volume and 20 volume, all with Olaplex which reduces those down to 30 volume, 20 volume and 10 volume. I heavily applied the lightener about 1/4" away from the scalp and I left out her pre lightened ends. She had different levels of darkness/lightness from the grow out and the balayage so I used the appropriate level of lightener depending on what was needed - sometimes using all three levels on the same slice. Once her entire head was folded up in foils I went back to where I started and applied 30 volume and Olaplex to her roots. Once I was finished with that I opened up her foils, checked that they were either at the level or almost the level I needed and removed the foils. 

I thoroughly rinsed her lightener out, toned her with one part UTP and one part UTA from Paul Mitchell for about 7 minutes to cancel out any warmth. I rinsed that, towel dried, and applied 10SM from Kenra with 9 volume for about 10 minutes. I used two different toners because the UT's from Paul Mitchell are just tone and no level, so those just helped to give me a nice, cool canvas to put the 10SM on. Then applied Olaplex #2 for 10 minutes. From start to finish including a hair cut and style this all took 4 hours. 

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

More Career

Ad Loading...
Michelle Bowden works on a hair piece on a mannequin
Career|Articles|Apr 15, 2026

How Michelle Bowden Had a Breakout Year (and How Other Stylists Can, Too)

From working backstage at multiple Paris Fashion Week shows to collaborating on four creative collections and expanding her international stage work, Michelle Bowden has had an incredible year of growth. Here, we break down her approach that drove her momentum, offering a framework for stylists looking to elevate their own careers.

Ad Loading...
Career|Articles|Jan 9, 2026

Beautiful Careers Happen Here

Ulta Beauty is always innovating to meet professionals where they are. Amazing transformations happened at The Salon at Ulta Beauty in 2025, and Ulta Beauty artistry and education will be everywhere you want to go in the year ahead. Come see all The Salon at Ulta Beauty has planned for you in 2026!

Sponsored by Ulta Beauty

Ad Loading...