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
Wet Balayage Can Become Your Go-To When Highlighting Short Hair
Naturally, the way to approach short hair for a color service is different than that of medium or longer lengths. Short hair has its own set of best practices.
January 3, 2020
2 min to read
Naturally, the way to approach short hair for a color service is different than that of medium or longer lengths. Short hair has its own set of best practices.
Carlos Rojas is a Dallas-based colorist and member of MODERN SALON's Artist Connective. He specializes in beautiful, sunkissed balayage--on hair of any length.
So often we talk about balayage on long hair, we wanted to pick Roja's brain about the best ways to approach a lightening service on short hair.
Before even lifting up your color brush for any color service on short hair, remember to make sure the haircut is completed first. Rojas says this is vital for perfect placement.
"The worst thing is having cheetah spotted highlights on the back of your head," he says.
Once the haircut is finish, be purposeful with your color application--from placement to contrast.
Choose your sectioning pattern carefully and thoughtfully, depending on the look you're trying to achieve. For example, Rojas rarely goes past the occipital bone when highlighting short hair, as that is what he calls his "no-no zone."
"Remember, short hair shows every mistake," Rojas says. "Be neat with your placement of whatever technique you use whether that be balayage or foil work."
As a soft way to add contrast, Rojas uses a wet balayage technique. He says it’s a more forgiving method because the water acts as a buffer.
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