3 Fast Toning + Base Break Techniques

Express Services: Toning + Base Breaking Techniques
Express services are a MUST when salons reopen. Here’s why: You can expect a rush of clients returning to your chair with months of outgrowth, so speedy color refresh services will help you maximize your appointment times—plus, they can help you make more money fast! Keep scrolling for quick toning and base breaking strategies below.

Olivia Smalley (@omgartistry) went live on BTC’s Facebook during Joico’s #HairJoi Digital Show to share her moneymaking base break technique and fast toning tips. By adding base breakers (only ONE service!) to her color routine, Olivia made an extra $35,000 in one year—and you can too. Here’s how!

DID YOU KNOW? Joico is giving away up to $1,000 EVERY WEEK to help hairdressers with expenses incurred during COVID-19 closures. Click here for a chance to win!

Products Used

Glossing/ Toning

Blonde Life Quick Tone Liqui-Crème Toner

Joico

Hair Color

Vero K-Pak Base Breaker Cool

Joico

Haircare

Defy Damage Pro-Series 1

Joico

Haircare

Defy Damage Pro-Series 2

Joico

1. Base Break Technique

Let’s break down when to use this technique, the super fast application process and how to charge for this quick lift-and-blend service.

When To Break The Base:

• Balayage + Highlights: Bumping the base creates less contrast in the transition area, so you can easily blur out any imperfections and color melt on top to achieve a more successful blend.

• Rooty Color Blends: If clients enjoy how their roots are growing out but don’t like the dramatic high contrast, a base break will blend out the natural root area. Then, tone to brighten the ends.

• Gray Hair: For clients who want to break up the pepper at the roots but like how their gray shines through, utilize a combo of highlights and a base break. To enhance their gray shine, Olivia tones with Joico Blonde Life Quick Tone Silver.

• Topknot Blondes: If clients put their hair up a lot, this will pack a punch of lightness around the base that blends cohesively.

How To Apply:

• Prep the hair with Joico Defy Damage ProSeries 1 for even porosity.
• After highlights or balayage services, shampoo and apply directly at the shampoo bowl.
• Always apply the base breaker to wet hair.
• Process for 10 minutes to lift one level. For half a level of lift, process for only 5 minutes.
• Rinse, then tone or color melt.
• Finish with Joico Defy Damage ProSeries 2 to strengthen bonds.

Tap The Beaker For Olivia’s Go-To Base Break Formula!

• Formula A (base break)

  Joico Vero K-Pak Base Breaker Cool + 20-volume LumiShine Developer (1:1)

• Formula B (toner)

  Joico Blonde Life Quick Tone Liqui-Créme Toner Silver + 5-volume LumiShine Developer (1:1)

Service Pricing: Olivia recommends charging the same way you would a toner.

2. Toning in 5 Minutes Or Less
Remember, time is money! For fast toning at the shampoo bowl, Olivia recommends using Joico Blonde Life Quick Tone Liqui-Créme Toners that only need up to 5 minutes to process. Here’s a shade breakdown:

4 Different Shades – You can mix the tones.

• Silver: Silver base for cool, silver-blonde results.
• Violet: Violet base for cool, violet and pearl-blonde results.
• Sand: Tan base for warm, beige-blonde results.
• Clear: Customize formulas or slow down the process on porous hair.

Formulation Tip: Prevent Platinum From Toning Green
Are you seeing unwanted green tones in your platinum blondes? If you use a violet toner on super platinum hair, it can turn green. Instead, Olivia suggests using a beige toner like Sand because its red violet undertone will create a beautifully bright, natural blend.

3. Toning Bottle Trick
We know that bottle applications are faster than using a brush, but here’s a tip from Ricardo Santiago (@stylistricardosantiago) for even FASTER toning services. If the bottle applicator is shallow, cut the tip so the product can come out more quickly. Remember to buff the top after you trim, so it stays smooth against the client’s scalp.

Pro Tip: If your bottle applicator has measurements on the side, Olivia recommends directly mixing the toner formula in the bottle instead of a scale to save time.

Click Through The Finished Looks From Olivia’s Live!

Watch Olivia’s segment (starts at 4:05), plus 7+ hours of live education on express services, business tips and MORE co-hosted by BTC’s Mary Rector (@marybehindthechair)! 

Want even more Joico education? Visit Joico’s On Demand Education page now!