Kendall Jenner's blonde hair debuted on Instagram yesterday and has got clients – and hairdressers – talking...
Keep on reading to see Siobhan Jones five tips for lifting dark hair.
Firstly, is it a wig?
Yissel Tucent Herrera, Senior Colourist at HARI’s says: "It doesn’t appear to be a wig (however wigs are amazing and sometimes undetectable these days!) but the blended root smudge suggests it’s her natural hair.
She was very dark before, but it is possible (and I have before) taken a client from dark to light in one sitting just like this. It's so important to use Wellaplex or Olaplex to protect the hair from breakage and damage when going from dark to light."
How would you describe the colour? Do you like it?
Yissel says: "It’s a beautiful golden blonde with a root melt on the top to blend the blonde with her natural hair.
Roman Sys, Brooks & Brooks: "Kendall Jenner's new blonde look is a departure from her usual dark hair, but it really suits her. The blonde hair adds a touch of brightness to her overall look and gives her a more youthful and playful appearance."
How would you adapt it for your clients?
Yissel says: "I would achieve it first by doing highlights then a root melt and finish with a golden blonde toner. The root smudge makes its perfectly low maintenance, plus tones it down from beach blonde to something still bright but perfectly transitional for Autumn into Winter.The golden toner also is the key factor that makes this feel fresh yet autumnal."
Roman says: "Kendall's blonde look is a refreshing change that shows how
versatile and trendy blonde hair can be. It's a great option for those looking to switch up their look and add a bit of brightness to their style."
Five tips for lifting dark hair
As Kendall Jenner lightens her hair for New York Fashion Week, L’Oréal Professionnel Global Ambassador Siobhan Jones offers her top tips for lifting darker hair this AW24.
1 Leave negative space. If a client wants something lighter without going all-over blonde, work with their own colour, leaving sections of natural hair colour between the lightened areas. This technique will ensure any lifted sections appear even lighter and cooler, creating more depth and lift to the overall look. Use products such as L’Oreal Professionnel Blond Studio Purple Lightening Balm.
2 Less is more. Don’t be too heavy-handed. It’s often better to focus on lifting fewer sections and spend more time getting the areas you are lifting lighter.
3 Start lifting at the front. For a lifting effect that is more visible, start creating lighter sections at the front of the hair for a more immediate impact. This is particularly effective for a client who has not had colour before and has hard-to-lift hair. The client will be happy as they will see a noticeable difference from the first appointment. You can then gradually work in more light sections in subsequent appointments, taking the client on a colour journey rather than offering a one-off experience.
4 Take thin sections. When using lighter sections to lift a client’s darker hair colour, it’s worth remembering that the thinner the sections you work with, the lighter they will lift.
5 Use foil. While many colourists opt for a freehand approach to colour, when it comes to lifting darker hair, choose foils. Foil generates heat, which generates lift. So even if you are colouring freehand, enclose it in foil.
