4 Simple Steps To Lightening Curls With Mesh Panels

Maintaining a client’s natural curl pattern when lightening can be stressful. Lucky for us, L’Oréal Professionnel and Mizani Artist Tippi Shorter (@tippishorter) is here to share her blonding secrets.

Keep scrolling for four easy steps Tippi uses when lightening curls and texture. Then, check out how celebrity stylist celebrity stylist Derick Monroe (@derickmonroe) gives his styles a flawless finish and the products he uses to achieve them.

Clients tired of dry, frizzy curls? Shop the must-have moisture products here!

1. Don’t Skip This Important Prep Step

To prep, Tippi starts with her L’Oréal Professionnel Metal Detox Metal Neutralizer Pre-Treatment to purify the client’s hair. Then, she gently detangles using her fingers to keep the hair from being weighed down. 

2. Choose A Lightener That Won’t Dry Out Curls

To maintain dimension, Tippi opts to lighten 75 percent of the client’s hair. Using the L’Oréal Professionnel Blond Studio 9 Lightening Powder, she demonstrates how to lift a client from a Level 1 to a Level 9 without causing damage.

3. The No.1 Secret: Use Mesh Instead Of Foils!

Encapsulate sections with the L’Oréal Professionnel Platinium Sweet Mechés instead of foils. Why? Foils tend to heat up quickly, resulting in a faster processing time, which can lead to damage. So Tippi opts for mesh to maintain control of her processing and avoid overprocessing. 

Another reason why Tippi prefers to use mesh panels with delicate and textured hair is because they are easier to check how the hair is processing without removing any panels. 

4. How To Keep Curls Intact While Lightening

Tippi feathers on the lightener in a downward motion to keep cuticles intact. Moving your brush in the same direction of the hair won’t damage the natural growth pattern. After, she uses the L’Oréal Professionnel Metal Detox Shampoo, then dries the hair with a towel or a diffuser. She follows with the L’Oréal Professionnel DIA Light 9NV Pearl Milkshake Toner, which processes for ten minutes. 

The results? A dimensional, curly balayage that both looks and feels fresh. Check it out below.

Hit play above to learn Derick’s curly styling tips for a complete look!