What’s Your Fantasy? (color, that is…)

Eat Your heart out Nicki....

Recently I’ve been getting a lot of questions about how to achieve fantasy color with Lakme. Magazines are inundated with photos of rock stars and celebrities sporting exciting, colorful coiffes…yes, some are wigs and clip ins, however you can most certainly achieve the same looks with hair color! How about some bright peacock blue peek a boo’s or a killer hot pink like Nicki Minaj? Or maybe something more subtle like a sophisticated silver a la Jay Emmanuel? Look no further my friends! Rainbow Bright and her merry band of colorists will show you how it’s done!

First and foremost, let’s take a look at Lakme’s mix tones-

In Collage:

0/70 – blue

0/10- green

0/31 – polar yellow

0/02 – silver  (one of my favorites!!)

0/30 – yellow

0/20 – violet

0/50 – mahogany red

0/40 – orange

In Gloss:

0/20 – violet

0/40 – orange

0/90 – intense red

Mix tones can be used independently or in combination with any other shade to either enhance or neutralize tones. Independently, it will create fantasy color on PRE LIGHTENED hair- meaning- the hair must be decolorized with K Blonde to the appropriate level in order to achieve the desired result.

For example:

If I were to apply 0/40 in Gloss on a level 4 brunette with 6 volume developer my end result would just be a warmer, richer brunette. However, if I applied the same formula to hair that has been prelightened to a level 7 or 8, the result will be vibrant orange.

Notice that the first number before the slash on all of the mixtones is  0. This  indicates that there is no level- so it will assume the level of the hair that it is applied to. Therefore, it is imperative that you decolorize to the appropriate level prior to application. 

A basic guide line:

The “cooler” your target color, the more you have to lift.  For blue or purple, the hair must be pale yellow otherwise the blue will be green and the purple will be muddy as violet neutralizes yellow (think color wheel). On the flip side, if your desired end result is intense red, you shouldn’t lift higher than orange (yellow orange at the most) otherwise your color will be lighter than anticipated and won’t last as long.

When using Gloss for fantasy color, always use the Gloss Developing Emulsion Long Lasting 6 volume developer (purple bottle). Mix at the normal 1 part color, 2 part developer mix ratio.

When using Collage, you can use Hydrox 10 volume developer OR Gloss 6 volume.  Either way, you always mix to the ratio of the COLOR that you are using- in this case, 1 part color 1-1/2 parts developer.

AND…here’s an insider tip for you….

If you have not decolorized the hair pale enough for your cooler tones like blue, purple or silver, rather than reapplying K Blonde, use Pearl or Silver toner to neutralize the unwanted warmth, then apply the mix tone. Works like a charm every time!

And of course….to maximize the longevity of your masterpiece, clients should only be shampooing with Teknia and utilizing Ultra Copper and Ultra Red when applicable.

Try some of these great formulas:

sky blue  -  3 parts 0/00 + 1 part 0/70

pastel pink  -  3 parts 0/00 + 1 part 0/50

mother of pearl  -  3 parts 0/00 + 1 part 0/02

peach  -  3 parts 0/00 + 1 part 0/40

 Note that 0/00 can be used to lighten any of the mix tones. Choose the proportion that best suits the desired level of intensity.

So my friends, don’t be afraid to take it up a notch! Whatever your color aspirations, Lakme’s range of mix tones can help you create your vision!  Remember, that’s what Lakme is about….

Happy coloring!!!