Neon Sunset Formula + Creative Color Tips

Alix Maya (@alix_maya), global artistic director for Manic Panic Professional, collaborated with fellow Unicorn Tribe member Brook Gilmore (@waterslog) to create this stunning neon sunset color. Using her signature sectioning technique, Alix and Brook sliced in three different formulas to create a seamless blend of vibrant orange, pink and purple hues. Check out the finished look and get a few tips from Alix below.

Alix’s background is in painting and graffiti art, so her understanding of color principles and placement started even before she became a hair colorist. Here are a few key tips to keep in mind when working with creative color.

Choosing Colors

• “First I ask my clients what colors they don’t want in their hair,” Alix says. “I show them swatches and get them a little more acclimated to the colors that are available to them.”
• From there, create a juxtaposing color pattern, making sure there is something that is bouncing off of something else.
• For example: If the end result is mostly pink, like a rose shade, a peach shade and a bright pink shade, place in a pop of yellow so there is always a dark and a light color combo going on.

Uneven base? No problem!

• You don’t need to reach an even, pale blonde on the whole head for creative color. In fact, Alix prefers to work on a multi-tonal, dimensional base.
• “I’ll use four different shades of blonde on a natural Level 6 before I add a direct dye,” she says. It’ll give a more organic, more dimensional end result.