Warm Papaya Glow
By Meri Kate O'Connor
When the weather starts to cools off, it’s about that time to spice up our client’s color with rich, warm hues. For those routine-highlight blondes who are looking to transition into their *fall era* without committing to going darker, consider opting for an on-trend gloss service. This will give your guest the feeling of a major transformation, without having to say goodbye to their blonde you’ve spent months building underneath.
When Meri Kate O’Connor (@merikateoconnor), a colorist at Salon Benjamin in West Hollywood, posted this dreamy warm papaya gloss, we simply had to get the details. Snag the color formulas, read Meri Kate’s tips and get her how-to steps below.
Toning gold, copper or warm spice? See the demi GLOSS SHADES!
1. Who is the ideal client candidate for this look? How did you approach lifting the base knowing you would be toning to a warmer/apricot hue?
The ideal candidate for this look is someone who wants to have fun and play with color while being non-committal. My client likes to keep her base color warmer, so since she is a natural Level 6, we lifted her with permanent color in 9A and 20-volume developer. Get all of the color formulas below.
2. Why did you reach for The Demi Ginger Spice shade Collection?
I wanted to create a more sheer/translucent look and Paul Mitchell’s The Demi Ginger Spice line has copper tones in Levels 9 and 10 which a lot of color lines don’t. I love 10NC, it is just enough copper to put on a warm blonde to create a warmer look while still keeping it light and bright. When using light levels of color (9s and 10s), [the shades] typically tend to give a more sheer look…which we wanted but we wanted to anchor it a bit more and make it a little bit stronger so I added [one drop of] 6OR.
3. How long does this process generally take and how long does it last? How does The Demi help you work more efficiently?
The total time of this process was about 1.5 hours including the [blowout]. The Demi’s gel-like consistency makes the application process much neater and cleaner, so it’s easy to apply at the chair without color dripping everywhere. The consistency also makes it easier to apply colors in different sections and keep them separate without bleeding onto the other.
4. Can you explain the in-salon maintenance required for this look?
For a root touch-up, 4 to 6 weeks is the typical time-frame when there is enough root to touch-up. To keep this specific gloss, you will need to touch it up every 6 weeks, however if you frequently shampoo your hair, you may need to do it sooner. My client’s color started to fade after 3 weeks, and she came back at 6 weeks for a gloss.
Who Did It
Products Used
COLOR FORMULAS 
FORMULA STEPS
Before – “I think it’s important to note that my client had Level 9 and 10 blonde highlights in her hair that we were able to gloss over,” says Meri Kate. “You will need to do this on hair that is a Level 9/10 in order to see the results. You could still apply it to a Level 8, however it won’t be as vibrant.”
1. Apply Formula A to the roots to lift the base. Process for 20 minutes.
Pro Tip: Because her client’s natural is a Level 6, the 9A will lift the base just high enough to go warmer and lighter while the ash in the color controls it from lifting too warm, Meri Kate shared.
2. Rinse shampoo and towel-dry.
3. Apply Formula B globally and process for 20 minutes. Rinse, wash with Paul Mitchell Bond Rx Shampoo and Conditioner and blow-dry to finish.
Finished Look
This content is sponsored.
