Soft Blended Blonde on Level 4 Base
When creating a soft blonde with subtle golden undertones on dark natural Levels, you must take steps to intentionally balance warmth throughout your process. Learn how Texas-based lived-in blonding specialist Olivia May (@oliviadoesmyhair_) approaches lifting a Level 4 base to achieve a soft, blended result. Scroll on for her pro tips, toner formulas and more!
What is a must-know tip for lightening naturally dark Levels?
“For darker-haired clients, I don’t over-pack my foils. Finer amounts of hair in the foil ensures a clean lift and less mess!” Olivia shares.
Since Olivia’s client has a Level 4 base, she knows that in eight to ten weeks, she will be managing natural regrowth and toner fading. Olivia solves this by maintaining brightness throughout the face frame and ends to create a focal point—while allowing the lowlights to blend the growout to blur any lines as her darker roots come in. “I always tell my clients I’m creating an illusion with your hair,” Olivia explains.
Video Credit: Instagram via @oliviadoesmyhair
Products Used
COLOR FORMULAS 
FORMULA STEPS
1. Strategically lighten the hair with Formula A, creating a focal point around the face by emphasizing brightness through the face frame and ends.
2. Process to your desired lift and rinse. Pro Tip: “I never use heat while processing clients. In her case, I like to place a towel over her foils to help incubate the lightener,” Olivia shares.
3. Apply Formula B to tone the roots, Formula C to tone the mids and Formula D to tone the ends. Process per manufacturer’s instructions and rinse.
4. Style as desired. Olivia set her client’s hair in rollers:
