Mika Abdalla's Bronzed Brown & Honey Ribbon Highlights
After “Off Campus” premiered, actress Mika Abdalla’s heavily layered shag quickly became one of the internet’s most requested haircuts. In our recent interview, hairstylist Marisa Mitchell (@marisacuts) broke down the architecture behind “The Allie”—the heavily layered shag that’s drawing comparisons to this generation’s Rachel. Read the full interview with expert cutting tips.
Now, Mika’s colorist, Madison Alexis (@itsmadisonalexis), is sharing how she created the dimensional brunette that gives the cut its movement, making every curl, layer and face frame stand out.
“We really wanted the color to enhance her haircut and the texture that her natural curls give,” said Madison. “It’s so easy for natural hair color to look flat. Mika’s naturally a brunette so we wanted richness without too much red and those contoured ribbon highlights to show off the curls.”
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The finished result is what Madison describes as a bronzed brown—or teddy brown—with honey ribbon highlights.
We Asked: How Did The Color Support Allie’s Character?
“Her character very much lives for herself and in the moment,” said Madison. “She’s the hot, cool girl. I think the fact that her look isn’t too trendy makes it extra playful and effortless. She clearly cares and wants to set herself apart, but it doesn’t read like she’s playing into trends.”
The Highlight Placement That Makes Every Layer Pop
Instead of creating an all-over lighter brunette, Madison strategically placed ribbon highlights throughout the haircut to emphasize the shag’s shape and Mika’s natural curl pattern.
“Having those ribbons of highlighting throughout really breaks up the curls so you can see their shape and where every layer in her haircut is hitting. I want a lot of pockets of depth but I also want a highlight to kiss parts throughout the ends of her hair to tie everything together. I call it contoured highlighting.”
Madison concentrated slightly more brightness around the face and part line, where the haircut’s shortest layers live.
“We focused on having a little more around the face and across the part. Those are where her shortest layers are so it’s really important. I feel it really defines and pulls the look together so that when it’s both styled and air-dried you can clearly tell she is rocking a shag.”
By framing the shortest layers with a little extra brightness, the color helps define the haircut whether it’s air-dried or styled.
Madison’s Advice for Colorists
“Really look at where the client’s hair falls and where you want to enhance the shape of the cut,” Madison shared. “Less is more with the highlighting, especially with curly hair. We want to have enough depth under the highlights so that they pop. It won’t look too chunky or stripey, I promise.”
How Madison Keeps The Color Low Maintenance
“I love low-maintenance hair, and so do my clients, ” said Madison. “I always encourage 8 to 12 weeks post-highlight for an overall tone refresh and base, if needed. Highlighting twice a year. If you’re always trimming the bangs, you may need a little highlight refresh around the face and across the part quarterly.”
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