What's cooler than being cool?! Ice cold...and that's exactly what our blonde clients want to see—a naturally cool base with ribbons of blonde dimension that frame their face! So, we're sharing this pearl blonde how-to from John Paul Mitchell Systems Artistic Director of Color Colin Caruso (@colincaruso). Keep scrollin' to see Colin break down how to combine hand painting, lowlights and toning techniques to achieve a smoky cool blonde. Plus, tap the beaker for all of the color formulas you need!
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Formula
Formulas
- Formula A (base)
Paul Mitchell Color XG 0.75 oz. 8PA + 0.75 oz. 6PA + 0.5 oz. 8AA + 2 oz. 20-volume Cream Developer
- Formula B (hand painting)
1 scoop of Paul Mitchell Skylight™ Hand-Painting Clay Lightener + 1.5. oz. 30-volume Cream Developer
- Formula C (lowlights)
Color XG 1 oz. 8PA + 1 oz. 7PN + 2 oz. 10-volume Cream Developer
- Formula D (gloss)
Color XG 10PA + 5-volume Cream Developer
Formula
Show Steps
Before
Formula
- Formula A (base)
Paul Mitchell Color XG 0.75 oz. 8PA + 0.75 oz. 6PA + 0.5 oz. 8AA + 2 oz. 20-volume Cream Developer
- Formula B (hand painting)
1 scoop of Paul Mitchell Skylight™ Hand-Painting Clay Lightener + 1.5. oz. 30-volume Cream Developer
- Formula C (lowlights)
Color XG 1 oz. 8PA + 1 oz. 7PN + 2 oz. 10-volume Cream Developer
- Formula D (gloss)
Color XG 10PA + 5-volume Cream Developer
Formula
Show Steps
Section the hair into quadrants.
Formula
- Formula A (base)
Paul Mitchell Color XG 0.75 oz. 8PA + 0.75 oz. 6PA + 0.5 oz. 8AA + 2 oz. 20-volume Cream Developer
- Formula B (hand painting)
1 scoop of Paul Mitchell Skylight™ Hand-Painting Clay Lightener + 1.5. oz. 30-volume Cream Developer
- Formula C (lowlights)
Color XG 1 oz. 8PA + 1 oz. 7PN + 2 oz. 10-volume Cream Developer
- Formula D (gloss)
Color XG 10PA + 5-volume Cream Developer
Formula
Show Steps
Start by applying Formula A to the base and feather down to ensure blending. Process for 35 minutes and rinse well, then wash with Paul Mitchell Color Protect® Post Color Shampoo and condition. Blow-dry.
Pro Tip: Colin recommends using the new Paul Mitchell Color XG 8AA for lifting natural levels to get a cool result with over-depositing ash.
Formula
- Formula A (base)
Paul Mitchell Color XG 0.75 oz. 8PA + 0.75 oz. 6PA + 0.5 oz. 8AA + 2 oz. 20-volume Cream Developer
- Formula B (hand painting)
1 scoop of Paul Mitchell Skylight™ Hand-Painting Clay Lightener + 1.5. oz. 30-volume Cream Developer
- Formula C (lowlights)
Color XG 1 oz. 8PA + 1 oz. 7PN + 2 oz. 10-volume Cream Developer
- Formula D (gloss)
Color XG 10PA + 5-volume Cream Developer
Formula
Show Steps
Create three total sections—both sides and the top section. Take a horseshoe parting following the parietal ridge and through the crown. Then, separate the rest of the hair from the back of the crown to the nape.
Formula
- Formula A (base)
Paul Mitchell Color XG 0.75 oz. 8PA + 0.75 oz. 6PA + 0.5 oz. 8AA + 2 oz. 20-volume Cream Developer
- Formula B (hand painting)
1 scoop of Paul Mitchell Skylight™ Hand-Painting Clay Lightener + 1.5. oz. 30-volume Cream Developer
- Formula C (lowlights)
Color XG 1 oz. 8PA + 1 oz. 7PN + 2 oz. 10-volume Cream Developer
- Formula D (gloss)
Color XG 10PA + 5-volume Cream Developer
Formula
Show Steps
Starting at the front hairline just above the ear, take a diagonal-back V-shaped section and hand paint with Formula B. Continue to hand paint in diagonal sections, adding lowlights with Formula C every third section for depth.
Formula
- Formula A (base)
Paul Mitchell Color XG 0.75 oz. 8PA + 0.75 oz. 6PA + 0.5 oz. 8AA + 2 oz. 20-volume Cream Developer
- Formula B (hand painting)
1 scoop of Paul Mitchell Skylight™ Hand-Painting Clay Lightener + 1.5. oz. 30-volume Cream Developer
- Formula C (lowlights)
Color XG 1 oz. 8PA + 1 oz. 7PN + 2 oz. 10-volume Cream Developer
- Formula D (gloss)
Color XG 10PA + 5-volume Cream Developer
Formula
Show Steps
Continue up the head in V-shaped sections.
Formula
- Formula A (base)
Paul Mitchell Color XG 0.75 oz. 8PA + 0.75 oz. 6PA + 0.5 oz. 8AA + 2 oz. 20-volume Cream Developer
- Formula B (hand painting)
1 scoop of Paul Mitchell Skylight™ Hand-Painting Clay Lightener + 1.5. oz. 30-volume Cream Developer
- Formula C (lowlights)
Color XG 1 oz. 8PA + 1 oz. 7PN + 2 oz. 10-volume Cream Developer
- Formula D (gloss)
Color XG 10PA + 5-volume Cream Developer
Formula
Show Steps
Move to the top. Starting in the crown, take horizontal slices and hand paint with Formula B. Paint with Formula C every 3 to 4 sections for dimension.
Formula
- Formula A (base)
Paul Mitchell Color XG 0.75 oz. 8PA + 0.75 oz. 6PA + 0.5 oz. 8AA + 2 oz. 20-volume Cream Developer
- Formula B (hand painting)
1 scoop of Paul Mitchell Skylight™ Hand-Painting Clay Lightener + 1.5. oz. 30-volume Cream Developer
- Formula C (lowlights)
Color XG 1 oz. 8PA + 1 oz. 7PN + 2 oz. 10-volume Cream Developer
- Formula D (gloss)
Color XG 10PA + 5-volume Cream Developer
Formula
Show Steps
Process for 25 minutes (or until desired lightness is achieved) and rinse well. Wash with Color Protect Post Color Shampoo and towel-dry.
Formula
- Formula A (base)
Paul Mitchell Color XG 0.75 oz. 8PA + 0.75 oz. 6PA + 0.5 oz. 8AA + 2 oz. 20-volume Cream Developer
- Formula B (hand painting)
1 scoop of Paul Mitchell Skylight™ Hand-Painting Clay Lightener + 1.5. oz. 30-volume Cream Developer
- Formula C (lowlights)
Color XG 1 oz. 8PA + 1 oz. 7PN + 2 oz. 10-volume Cream Developer
- Formula D (gloss)
Color XG 10PA + 5-volume Cream Developer
Formula
Show Steps
Apply Formula D all over for a cool-toned finish. Process for 10 minutes, then lightly cleanse with Color Protect Post Color Shampoo and condition.
Formula
- Formula A (base)
Paul Mitchell Color XG 0.75 oz. 8PA + 0.75 oz. 6PA + 0.5 oz. 8AA + 2 oz. 20-volume Cream Developer
- Formula B (hand painting)
1 scoop of Paul Mitchell Skylight™ Hand-Painting Clay Lightener + 1.5. oz. 30-volume Cream Developer
- Formula C (lowlights)
Color XG 1 oz. 8PA + 1 oz. 7PN + 2 oz. 10-volume Cream Developer
- Formula D (gloss)
Color XG 10PA + 5-volume Cream Developer
Formula
Show Steps
Blow-dry and style in waves to accentuate the dimensional color.
Formula
- Formula A (base)
Paul Mitchell Color XG 0.75 oz. 8PA + 0.75 oz. 6PA + 0.5 oz. 8AA + 2 oz. 20-volume Cream Developer
- Formula B (hand painting)
1 scoop of Paul Mitchell Skylight™ Hand-Painting Clay Lightener + 1.5. oz. 30-volume Cream Developer
- Formula C (lowlights)
Color XG 1 oz. 8PA + 1 oz. 7PN + 2 oz. 10-volume Cream Developer
- Formula D (gloss)
Color XG 10PA + 5-volume Cream Developer
Formula
Show Steps
Finished Look
Formula
- Formula A (base)
Paul Mitchell Color XG 0.75 oz. 8PA + 0.75 oz. 6PA + 0.5 oz. 8AA + 2 oz. 20-volume Cream Developer
- Formula B (hand painting)
1 scoop of Paul Mitchell Skylight™ Hand-Painting Clay Lightener + 1.5. oz. 30-volume Cream Developer
- Formula C (lowlights)
Color XG 1 oz. 8PA + 1 oz. 7PN + 2 oz. 10-volume Cream Developer
- Formula D (gloss)
Color XG 10PA + 5-volume Cream Developer
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