Sandy Lived-In Blonde
No matter the season, the requests for lived-in blondes never let up. That’s because the look works for all hair types and textures to create a low-maintenance yet high-impact look.
To achieve the above sandy lived-in blonde look, we asked Austin-based colorist Janae Miller (@janaeraquelmiller) the tips, techniques and gentle formula she used on her curly client who had previously colored, chemically straightened hair.
1. How long did this color service take & how did you price it?
This transformation took Janae about four hours and the client was charged $550 for an “all inclusive package.”
2. Who is the ideal client for this type of technique?
“The clients I serve are mostly professional women who wear their virgin curls for the majority of the year,” said Janae. “My average client comes to me once a year for a major hair color transformation. As a result, a ‘lived-in’ Balayage technique is ideal for the woman seeking a low-maintenance transformation with a high-impact result.”
3. What does maintenance look like for this color? (At-home care, toner, touch-ups, etc.)
- Gloss touch-up: Four times a year
- Balayage retouch: Once a year
4. The 3 things all blonding clients should know:
When asked for any must-know tips for a lived-in balayage, Janae assures other stylists that, “The look is very forgiving.”
Here are Janae’s three important tips that every client should know:
- Hair coloring is a journey, not just a destination
- Have patience
- Set realistic (color) goals and trust the process
Products Used
COLOR FORMULAS 
FORMULA STEPS
1. Using your go-to foiliage technique, apply Formula A concentrating around the face. Process for 40 minutes.
2. While Formula A is processing, use Formula C to pre-tone the hair that was left out of the foils to create lowlights. Let process for 20 minutes then cleanse both.
3. Apply Formula B all over and let process for 20 minutes before rinsing. “Even with her hair history, the hair remains healthy and bouncy!” says Janae, attributing that to Tonal Control’s gentle formula.
