A root smudge is an easy color technique for creating subtle dimension while giving clients a natural, low-maintenance look, but does your toner consistently pull too warm? Gina Bianca (@the_hair_doctor) has a solution and she recently shared her toning hack with her 187k Instagram followers. Get the color formulas and how-to steps below, then watch how she does it!

Products Used

Demi-Permanent Color

The Demi

Paul Mitchell

Watch The Video How-To Below

 

A post shared by Gina Bianca▪CT Blonde Expert (@the_hair_doctor) on Feb 17, 2018 at 8:22pm PST

Color Formulas

Formula A: Paul Mitchell The Demi 9A + Processing Liquid
Formula B: Paul Mitchell The Demi 3BV + 4N + Processing Liquid

How-To

1. Start by applying a layer of conditioner over freshly rinsed and shampooed hair to avoid over-processing and to ensure the toner doesn’t pull too dark.

2. Then, apply Formula A from the scalp to the ends as the second layer.

3. Layer Formula B over the roots only, leaving out a thin section for a money piece. “When layered over the first two layers, this formula comes out about a Level 5,” shares Gina. “Overlaying a Level 5 toner over a Level 9 creates a perfect Level 7/8 tone because layering dilutes the formulas.”

4. Apply Formula B to the money piece last to maintain brightness, then use a wide-tooth comb to blend the root formula down into the midlengths. 

Check out some of Gina’s finished looks using this technique!

Have time for another quickie? Check out this micro root smudge quickie from @prettylittleombre!