Colour melting: how to achieve a flawless result

Colour melting, or multi melting, is becoming more on trend in the salon as 2022 begins to draw to a close. As we move into the autumn and winter months, clients are looking for a change, which often means going darker or toning their old blonde. “The Colour Melting technique is a low maintenance colour service that can transform old colours by adding a multi-dimensional finish,” says Matrix Artist Ambassador Michelle Summers Davies. “It can be creative by using several different tones of highs and lows to give a natural subtle organic feel, using tones such as SoColor Sync Acidic NGA range to create a natural lived-in bronde or Neutral Gold Ash tones that gives the perfect mix of cool and warm to create a beautiful soft beige result.” This technique is so inviting as it gives a seamless colour that is different from ombre; colour melting gives a perfectly blended finish by removing old colour demarcation lines to correcting banding or bleeding from a bad foiling job. “This can be quick and you can use a multitude of shades giving a bespoke service that is unique for your client's hair needs. It's so versatile and requires minimal re-touching, offering a superb condition and shine finish.” There are a few ways you can apply this technique of colour, using different levels from dark to light, from vivid to pastels, mixing cool and warm tones. “I would look at the hair and see where the light is reflecting the highs and lows naturally, rather than working with the same tone, using different levels at the root area to give a multi-dimensional finish. Think of it like a beach ball and work in quadrants around the head using narrow or wide sections, or map out the section where the natural light or shaded areas are. One of the most popular applications is ribboning, this effect can give more of a highlighted finish by taking small or large sections and applying lightness around the face frame and darker towards the back. “Each time you can switch this up to make it unique for your client that only you as a colourist in your salon offer. It' a very personalised service,” Michelle adds. Michelle’s Top Tips for Colour Melting 1.  For a perfect colour melt use a semi-permanent hair colour, as we are adding depth and not wanting to lighten or cover grey. It can be applied on damp hair, giving an even colour result, preventing any splotchiness in the final result. 2. Change your gloves if needed along the way, or use a damp cloth to keep your hands free of the last application of colour. I like to have a bowl of clear as this will help to melt tones more evenly, giving me control of the application. 3 Keep your area, bowls and brushes as clean as you can - working with a clean eye will give you a clearer way of working, with a neat application for that mastery finish. 4. Don’t cross the colour wheel; use tones that complement each other. (Avoid combinations such as  red/green, yellow/purple or orange/blue). These won’t work as this will create a colour recipe for a melted muddy pie! 5. When choosing shades like pastels, these won’t have the same staining power as saturated hues. Explain to your clients when choosing the right choice of colour that the darker the tone, the longer it lasts. The lighter the tone, the quicker it fades. Use an analogy like putting on a false tan, each time you shower another layer washes off. Read next: How to Keep  Profits High and Client's Colour Vibrant