With spring just around the corner (hopefully!), let Craig Purves inspire you with some sun-kissed balayage to brighten your client’s look. Take a look at the video for the full tutorial, and check out some of Craig’s pro tips!
1. Craig used 20vol Redken Flash Lift lightener for the balayage, mixed to the consistency of cream cheese, making sure to keep to a chevron pattern.
2. Take thin, 1.5 inch sections throughout the main bulk of the hair, and keep the pressure light to ensure the lightener stays on just the top. This gives a softer, more diffused result. Craig also worked with finer baby light sections around the front hairline/parting to ensure a super low maintenance grow out.
3. Lift the color a pale yellow, level 10. Craig always likes to lift a balayage/high light up enough to eliminate as much warmth as possible. His aesthetic is for a softer, natural, translucent blonde. He warns that trying to kill a lot of excess warmth at any level with a toner will only give you flat and “muddy” results. And, if in doubt, process for another 5 minutes!
4. After shampooing and rough-drying, use Shades EQ to enhance shine! Craig has been using this high gloss, demi color on blondes for over 15 years, and claims that the results are not only dependable, but it leaves the hair so soft and reflective that’s it’s hard to beat.
5. The formula that Craig used on Magdalena is one of his long time favorites for a seamless, soft beige tone. He claims that it’s great for cancelling out unwanted yellow in lighter base levels: 40ml Clear + 20ml 9NB + 20ml 9N + 80ml Processing Solution.
With this step-by-step process and the accompanying video, time to go forth and balayage as we head into spring!