Soft Rainbow Ribbon Curls & Blonde Base
By Pati Rodriguez
This eye-catching blended blonde with strategically placed rainbow pops is a summer mood. Perfect for prelightened clients of any texture, allow Matrix Global Educator Patricia Rodriguez (@pati.rodrigz) to take you through this look from start to finish. Get Patricia’s placement tips, go-to rainbow formulas and her signature styling tips for perfectly defined curls that accentuate the rainbow ribbons. We’re breaking it all down below.
Who is the ideal client for a soft rainbow look?
Although these perfectly placed rainbow pieces were painted on curls, this technique can be used on any hair texture. “This look is for anyone looking to add a pop of color and some flair to their hair! This is a look that can be worn by all hair types,” Patricia explains.
The Process: Since the client had prelightened hair, Patricia went straight to painting in the rainbow pieces, glossed the remainder of the hair and set it into flexi rods. “The majority of the time was spent styling and finishing this look,” Patricia adds.
Color Maintenance: From In-Salon To At-Home
Don’t fall victim to fast fading—save Patricia’s recommended salon schedule and at-home maintenance must-dos to keep your client’s color fresh until their next appointment:
- In-Salon Maintenance: Patricia schedules clients every 8 to 12 weeks for a color re-touch.
- At-Home Maintenance: Restrict washes to 2 to 3 times per month with cool water only, per Patricia’s recommendations.
- Recommended Products: Lastly, Patricia’s go-to is Matrix Food For Soft Shampoo and Conditioner. “Keeping the hair hydrated will help the color fade-out look less dry and drab,” she explains.
Products Used
COLOR FORMULAS 
FORMULA STEPS
1. Before: “The goal for this look was to accentuate the client’s current hair situation and add soft rainbow pops to what she currently had,” Patricia shares. “She had just been freshly highlighted (by her local hairdresser) and had a lot of lightness from previous services. She was all about, ‘The more blonde, the better.'”
2. To create the rainbow section: Start with a half-inch wide circle section around the head. In the front of the head, keep the section about an inch away from the front hairline and ears, closing the section over the bottom of the occipital. Clip away the remainder of the hair. Refer to the headsheet below:
3. Working in five-inch wide sections, use foils longer than the length of the hair to isolate and prevent unwanted bleeding as you alternate formulas.
4. Begin the rainbow application with Formula A, applying the color two inches away from the scalp. Use your hands to blend to create softness. To create the rainbow effect, you will be working in two-inch increments with each formula, layering and blending the colors on one section at a time.
5. Continue application with Formula B, applying in two-inch increments and blending with your hands. Repeat with the remaining colors (Formula C, D, E and F).
6. Follow this color pattern until the entire subsection is finished and cover with foil.
7. Apply Formula G (the gloss formula) to the remaining hair outside the foils, clipping away the rainbow subsection for protection.
8. Process for 20 minutes.
9. Rinse the rainbow hair by gently opening the foils and rinsing the hair with cool, low-pressure water. Then, rinse the entire head to remove the gloss.
10. Shampoo with Matrix Food For Soft Shampoo and rinse. Follow with Matrix Food For Soft Rich Hydrating Treatment Mask, sit for 10 minutes and rinse.
Bonus: How To Style Voluminous Curls
1. Apply a nickel-size amount of Matrix A Curl Can Dream Light Hold Gel on your palm and rub your hands together.
2. On wet hair, take a horizontal section (starting at the nape) and place the section between your palms, gliding the product down the hair to the ends for even distribution.
3. Layer a dime-size amount of Matrix Food For Soft Multi-Use Hair Oil Serum and repeat the same application technique, ensuring that the ends are heavily saturated.
4. Using orange flexi rods, take one-inch square sections and ribbon wrap the hair (keep the hair flat like a ribbon) around the rod from roots to ends and secure each rod.
5. Repeat throughout the entire head, wrapping the hair in the same direction. Pro Tip: “Keep the hair wet as you set the hair, this will keep the hair smooth and frizz-free,” Patricia advises.
6. Dry the hair under a hooded dryer: “The hair MUST be 100 percent dry, which takes approximately three hours,” Patricia instructs.
7. After drying, gently unwrap the rods and separate and shake out the curls.
