Color How-To: Root Smudge + Toning Techniques

Watch The Color Application How-To Below
How can you create back-to-back subtle ribbons of highs and lows, aka those soft low-maintenance blends clients want? By painting a rich base and alternating several application techniques and colors, of course! We’re sharing a video how-to for a permanent root smudge and high-gloss toning techniques for a bright and rich brunette.

BTC Team Member Carolynn Judd (@styled_by_carolynn) and Redken’s Spencer Henry (@spencerhenry) went live from the BTC House to break down these coloring techniques step-by-step, so watch the video and get the formulas below!

Products Used

Hair Color

Flash Lift Lightening Powder

Redken

Hair Color

Color Gels Lacquers

Redken

Demi-Permanent Color

Shades EQ

Redken

Watch The Color Application Below

Peep The Finished Look!

Tap The Beaker For The Color Formulas!

• Formula A (highlights around hairline):

  Redken Flash Lift Lightener + 10-volume developer

• Formula B (foils):

  Redken Flash Lift Lightener + 20-volume developer

• Formula C (root smudge):

  equal parts Color Gels Lacquers 6NA + 5N + 10-volume developer

• Formula D (mids):

  equal parts Shades EQ 7N + 6NB + Shades EQ Processing Solution

• Formula E (ends):

  equal parts Shades EQ 9T + 9V + Shades EQ Processing Solution

• Formula F (hairline toner on roots):

  equal parts Color Gels Lacquers 6NA + 5N + 10-volume developer

• Formula G (hairline toner on mids to ends):

  equal parts Shades EQ 9T + 9V + Shades EQ Processing Solution

Hair Cheat: How to make the color POP?
Spencer styled this braid to showcase that gorgeous dimension!

Slide Through The Before & After