Unconventional Color: 5 Tips To Perfect The Design Process

5 Tips That Will Take The Fear Out Of Unconventional Color
PRAVANA recently hosted their annual Show Us You Artistry Awards and the entries were nothing short of showstopping. We talked to Grand Prize Winner Kelsey Pebler (@bohobrushed) about her STUNNING winning entry and got all of the details about what inspired her to enter and how she brought her vision to life. Thinking about your own creative color design, but don’t know where to start? Keep scrollin’ for five tips to slay the process from start to finish!

Check Out The Shots From Kelsey’s Show Us Your Artistry Winning Shoot!

STYLIST: Kelsey Pebler PRAVANA Show Us Your Artistry 2019 Grand Prize Winner

STYLIST: Kelsey Pebler PRAVANA Show Us Your Artistry 2019 Grand Prize Winner

STYLIST: Kelsey Pebler PRAVANA Show Us Your Artistry 2019 Grand Prize Winner

Products Used

Direct Dye

ChromaSilk VIVIDS

PRAVANA

Kelsey’s Beautiful Grand Prize Winning Entry

Instagram via @bohobrushed

Instagram via @bohobrushed

Instagram via @bohobrushed

Instagram via @bohobrushed

1. Find Your Inspiration

While dreaming up the inspiration behind her winning look, Kelsey says she was heavily inspired by the fashion and decor of the ’60s. “I saw this old wallpaper with these beautiful peonies flowers in yellows, oranges, and reds and wanted to recreate that on hair,” shares Kelsey. 

2. Graphic Design: Break Down The Process Step-By-Step

The KEY to tackling unconventional color is breaking it down into simple steps. Here is Kelsey’s step-by-step breakdown:

• Step 1: Use yellow and orange/red colors to create the flowers.
• Step 2: Outline the flowers in black to really make them stand out.
• Step 3: Strategically place extensions in the hair : “I did flowers on the top layer and a layer of them on the sides by the parietal ridge,” shares Kelsey. “That way, as the hair moves around you will always be able to see flowers.”
• Step 4: Create a smooth sleek finish to show off the flowers as much as possible.
• Step 5: Balayage the remaining hair with PRAVANA Vivids Yellow mixed with a little clear, adding some yellow in the face framing for a final pop.

Pro Tip: Use extensions for a cleaner, more flexible canvas and work with sections 1/4″ or smaller for defined results.

Kelsey created a video of the process to help you visualize! Watch here:

 

 

 

 

 

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Here is a video of me creating my Pravana Show Us Your Artistry entry. I painted these flowers on @hairtalkusa extensions and a hair piece using Pravana Vivids. I then balayaged my models hair using Pravana Yellow. Then I applied the hair piece and taped in the extensions on my model. I wanted there to be layers of the flowers so no matter how she moved her head you would see flowers. Watch the process of me creating the color, getting the model ready for the photoshoot, the photoshoot and then end result! #flowerpower #hairtalkusa #extensions #hairtalksocialambassador #showusyourartistry #pravanavivids #myfirstigtv @pravana

A post shared by Hairstylist | St. Paul, MN (@bohobrushed) on Nov 6, 2019 at 2:01pm PST

3. Get Creative & Make The Design Pop!

When it comes to creating an overall mood for a photo, makeup and wardrobe are also incredibly important. For her makeup inspo, Kelsey pulled from another ’60s element. “My mindset for the photoshoot was a modern Twiggy,” shares Kelsey. “I had my makeup artist recreate the famous Twiggy eye makeup, but a toned down version. I also noticed that clear raincoats were popular in the ’60 so I incorporated that into the wardrobe while still keeping a more modern day feel.”

4. Bringing Your Vision To Life

Don’t be afraid to ask for help or collaborate with others to bring your full vision to life. “Makeup and photography are not something I excel at, so I found a team to help me with those aspects,” shares Kelsey. “Plus, you get to work with like-minded artists in your community which is an amazing thing!

I learned so much from my makeup artist Grace Wittuhn (@gracewittuhn) and my photographer Hammed (@flytouchstudio).” Trust the process. If you’re feeling stuck or frustrated, Kelsey suggests taking a step back to avoid overthinking. 

5. Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

Doing things that scare you can seem impossible sometimes, but Kelsey feels it’s so important to do them anyways. “Get out of your head and just create what YOU love. Don’t worry about if it’s commercial enough or if others will like it. Just paint what you like and show yourself through your art. Show YOUR artistry because that’s truly what this competition is about. I have learned that you have to go after what you want. Even if it’s out of your comfort zone. If you want something bad enough, and you work hard, ANYTHING is possible!!!”