3 Tips For Adding Natural Depth To Copper Highlights

Do This To Add Natural Highlights & Lowlights To Red Hair

Red hair is one of spring’s biggest hair color trends, so we had Joico Master Artist Brandon Corbitt (@brandoncorbitthair) demo how to get rich copper tones with natural depth! Keep scrolling for his expert advice on creating a lived-in shadow root, adding dimensional highlights and lowlights without teasing and avoiding lines of demarcation.

Don’t forget to watch the full video tutorial above, plus check out the finished look and grab the formulas!

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 1. Placement Hack For Applying The Base

To create natural depth in the client’s hair, Brandon prefers to apply the base color at an angle in alternating sections instead of traditional back-to-back horizontal partings. This allows him to create a dimensional, lived-in shadow root that appears like it’s growing out of the scalp.

Here’s how he does it:

• Section off an angled part at the root and apply the base formula.

   

• Elevate the section and drag the formula down, then flip it over and saturate the other side.

   

• Continue using alternating sections until you finish the applying the base.

Here Are The Formula’s Brandon Used With Swatches!

2. Use A Circle Weave To Avoid Teasing

If you’re not a fan of backcombing the hair when foiling, try using a circle weave instead. This achieves a similar look with less work. Foiling along the curvature of the client’s head allows you to contour the highlights and lowlights to the client’s head shape. Here’s how it works:

• Start foiling at the nape by taking out a circular section.

   

• Next, use a tail comb to weave out the hair in a circular motion (instead of an up and down motion) to create an organic look with natural depth and lowlights.

   

• This technique will allow you to work more efficiently, no backcombing necessary!

Check Out The Before & After!

3. Blend Out Lightener As You Apply

A common mistake beginner stylists make when highlighting is not blending out the lightener as it’s placed on the hair. Lightener starts working immediately—especially the Joico Blonde Life™ Lightening Powder Brandon uses—so instead of placing the lightener and then blending, feather it out as you apply it for a seamless blend.

RELATED: Transitioning Blonde To Red With These Time-Saving Tricks