Vivid Methodology Intro
What is so special about a vivid approach to color?
Its the lift pattern.
Permanent Haircolor is not actually permanent pigment, permanent oxidative color, permanently alters the hair shaft. So eventually, the exact pattern you lift in, and what levels you lift to, (light vs. dark) will become visible. This is why so many people start out with at home color and try one time, and it works ok-ish, but the second application doesn’t respond the same way and people end up with black, to “even out the canvas” which is absolutely, not going to even out the canvas. The black just camouflages the canvas and is specifically why stylists who are often dealing with this situation, may refuse to take someone platinum.
We legit laugh inside when we see a request for silver and your hair is level 1 black. Not because the client did anything wrong, but because we know the chances are slim to zilch that’s gonna happen. Often, it will be these people with un realistic expectations who will say something like… “my aunts cousin dropped out of beauty school and she said”… or “my neighbor can do it for $XX I cant believe you want to charge me $XXXX.”
Trust the professionals.
Step away from the oxidative color.
But I digress, lets continue.
Every shortcut that that made by a well intentioned stylist, is revealed as color fades off the hair. Pigment fades and what is left is the very warm raw lift of your hair.
Most traditional color appointments are set up to keep that same pattern for the rest of ever.
Yes, I did say for the rest of EVER. If you want that exact same hair this works.
If you want to bounce from dark to light to dark, this is a big GIANT problem.
I will explain why going dark to preserve your hair is crushing all your dreams unnecessarily in another post.
You will hear me ramble about the light/dark pattern over and over, because I do believe it is the most important piece of the hair puzzle. (Scroll to the end for more on this.)
In the pic above, you can see a very sassy kid and their low maintenance vivid color, how that color faded out, and how it looked new with just a pigment refresh.
( Nevermind the writing on the faded hair pic, that’s just the pic they sent.)
Once we can grasp this concept-
Concept 1: the pattern will show in time or with lifting.
Stylists that want to create a vivid canvas start to navigate color, very differently.
Vivid Canvas: A specific lift pattern made to make colors pop in artistic, intentional ways, with or without longevity in mind. A vivid canvas capable of changing color every 6-12 weeks depending on depth of tone and quality of products used. I tell my clients, they get to really switch it up and cross the color wheel every other appointment.
Vivid Specialists are working toward the clients ultimate hair goals in every appointment. Anticipating big changes to the Goals almost every appointment while maintaining the integrity of the hair.
Concept 2: a GOOD base.
Vivid clients are complex platinum Clients.
These clients have their at home care down to a science. Platinum hair is missing pigment and protein. This makes that fancy white hair prone to breakage from heat, chemicals, and friction damage(read: messy buns). All Platinum clients NEED regular conditioning treatments. Honestly, ALL clients need Deep conditioning treatments.
Sound expensive? If you use good at home products you might be able to get away with using your conditioner. More on that later.
Platinum clients maintain tone, through the use of pigmented shampoos and conditioners. These pigmented conditioning treatments for vivid clients are often called “color bombs.”
PSA: Purple shampoo doesn’t make your hair lighter and can build up on the hair creating an unwanted dark cast. Regardless of at home care, Hair lifts warm All hair lifts warm. If it is not warm there’s a great chance your cuticle is busted. that sweet ashy bright blonde is maintained through regular gloss sessions, also called a glaze, or toning.
Side Note: If you want to see what vivid at home maintenance looks like click here.
Where was I?
Ah, yes, a flawless base.
Every Vivid specialist is a Blonding Specialist,
but not every Blonding specialist is a vivid specialist.
Platinum clients need a really flawless base.
Its really easy to damage, overlap, over process,
and every flaw stands out on a platinum client.
Add vivid color and the base will show every flaw that was barely visible when it was blonde.
Concept 3: Vivids accentuate every Flaw.
Every uneven lift, every band, all accentuated with vivid color. Imagine a piece of raw wood. if you paint it, stain does weird things, and if you paint it, strip it, sand it, any paint remnants will show up in your stain. Vivids are like a stain for your hair.
Thank you for hanging on to read this far. I appreciate you.
I have an obsession with color.
Eventually, we will get into more concepts that guide my vivid approach to color with ways to preserve the ability to do epic rainbow hair. This will include lots of color theory and I plan on creating resources for people playing in semi-permanents at home, and more resources for my clients. All will happen in time, I just wanted to let you in on the methods behind the madness.
xoxo,
Shell
Do you want to see your current light/dark pattern?
Take a pic and put a black and white filter on it. you will immediately see the lift pattern of your hair.
Fully natural unaltered hair will show as DARK and all the levels of lift will reflect as lighter. By making my main/mane focus your pattern, We create a beautiful blonde base that will supports 95% of color.
Warning: Some colors Do require a full platinum head to show up appropriately.
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