How-Tos > Hair Color > Lived-In Blonde with Johnny Ramirez
Last updated: December 19, 2017

Lived-In Blonde with Johnny Ramirez

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open color formula
close formula
  • Starting Formula

    9, golden blonde with 3 inches of Level 8 regrowth

  • Formula A

    L’Oréal Professionnel DIA Light ½ 5N + ½ 7.13 + 6-volume developer

  • Formula B (lightener)

    L’Oreal Professionnel Blond Studio Multi-Techniques Powder 8+ + 20-volume developer + 4 mL Smartbond

  • Formula C

    L’Oréal Professionnel DIA Light ½ 7.13 + ½ 6N + 6-volume developer

  • Formula D

    L’Oréal Professionnel DIA Light ½ tube 10.13 + 6-volume developer

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Lived-In Blonde with Johnny Ramirez

It’s not every day you get invited to the famous Ramirez | Tran Salon in Beverly Hills to get your hair colored by Johnny Ramirez (@johnnyramirez1). And when Johnny agrees to demo his process AND give away some of his haircolor secrets—you have to share the wealth with the BTC Community! 

 

Here, Johnny and his assistant Maggie Garcia (@maggiegarciacolor) share how they transformed BTC editor Haley from an uneven, faded golden blonde to a bright, lived-in, California blonde—with a gorgeous pop of color around her face. 

 

Artist: Johnny Ramirez
Colorist: Johnny Rameriz

COLOR FORMULAS

  • Starting Formula

    9, golden blonde with 3 inches of Level 8 regrowth

  • Formula A

    L’Oréal Professionnel DIA Light ½ 5N + ½ 7.13 + 6-volume developer

  • Formula B (lightener)

    L’Oreal Professionnel Blond Studio Multi-Techniques Powder 8+ + 20-volume developer + 4 mL Smartbond

  • Formula C

    L’Oréal Professionnel DIA Light ½ 7.13 + ½ 6N + 6-volume developer

  • Formula D

    L’Oréal Professionnel DIA Light ½ tube 10.13 + 6-volume developer

Products Used

HOW-TO STEPS

  • open color formula
    close formula
    • Starting Formula

      9, golden blonde with 3 inches of Level 8 regrowth

    • Formula A

      L’Oréal Professionnel DIA Light ½ 5N + ½ 7.13 + 6-volume developer

    • Formula B (lightener)

      L’Oreal Professionnel Blond Studio Multi-Techniques Powder 8+ + 20-volume developer + 4 mL Smartbond

    • Formula C

      L’Oréal Professionnel DIA Light ½ 7.13 + ½ 6N + 6-volume developer

    • Formula D

      L’Oréal Professionnel DIA Light ½ tube 10.13 + 6-volume developer

    1

    Before 

  • open color formula
    close formula
    • Starting Formula

      9, golden blonde with 3 inches of Level 8 regrowth

    • Formula A

      L’Oréal Professionnel DIA Light ½ 5N + ½ 7.13 + 6-volume developer

    • Formula B (lightener)

      L’Oreal Professionnel Blond Studio Multi-Techniques Powder 8+ + 20-volume developer + 4 mL Smartbond

    • Formula C

      L’Oréal Professionnel DIA Light ½ 7.13 + ½ 6N + 6-volume developer

    • Formula D

      L’Oréal Professionnel DIA Light ½ tube 10.13 + 6-volume developer

    2

    Start by toning the midlengths with Formula A (this is what gives Johnny’s colors so much depth). Use a double-pronged detangling comb to comb through and blend. Rinse, and blow-dry.

  • open color formula
    close formula
    • Starting Formula

      9, golden blonde with 3 inches of Level 8 regrowth

    • Formula A

      L’Oréal Professionnel DIA Light ½ 5N + ½ 7.13 + 6-volume developer

    • Formula B (lightener)

      L’Oreal Professionnel Blond Studio Multi-Techniques Powder 8+ + 20-volume developer + 4 mL Smartbond

    • Formula C

      L’Oréal Professionnel DIA Light ½ 7.13 + ½ 6N + 6-volume developer

    • Formula D

      L’Oréal Professionnel DIA Light ½ tube 10.13 + 6-volume developer

    3

    Ask your client to part their hair naturally. This is where you’ll create the money piece. Working in diagonal back sections around the face, backcomb and apply Formula B to create “pops” of color.

  • open color formula
    close formula
    • Starting Formula

      9, golden blonde with 3 inches of Level 8 regrowth

    • Formula A

      L’Oréal Professionnel DIA Light ½ 5N + ½ 7.13 + 6-volume developer

    • Formula B (lightener)

      L’Oreal Professionnel Blond Studio Multi-Techniques Powder 8+ + 20-volume developer + 4 mL Smartbond

    • Formula C

      L’Oréal Professionnel DIA Light ½ 7.13 + ½ 6N + 6-volume developer

    • Formula D

      L’Oréal Professionnel DIA Light ½ tube 10.13 + 6-volume developer

    4

    Continue backcombing around the head, creating pops of color in diagonal back sections. Foil pieces where you want to see more brightness, or on sections that have color buildup. Mirror both sides, finishing in the back. 

  • open color formula
    close formula
    • Starting Formula

      9, golden blonde with 3 inches of Level 8 regrowth

    • Formula A

      L’Oréal Professionnel DIA Light ½ 5N + ½ 7.13 + 6-volume developer

    • Formula B (lightener)

      L’Oreal Professionnel Blond Studio Multi-Techniques Powder 8+ + 20-volume developer + 4 mL Smartbond

    • Formula C

      L’Oréal Professionnel DIA Light ½ 7.13 + ½ 6N + 6-volume developer

    • Formula D

      L’Oréal Professionnel DIA Light ½ tube 10.13 + 6-volume developer

    5

    Starting in the back (the last section), use a diffuser to add heat. Using a diffuser will give you more control and allow the color to process evenly. After a few minutes, check the foils, leave out any ends that have already reached your desired lift, spray the ends with water and re-apply heat where necessary. For this process, Johnny was aiming for “baby banana” yellow—not quite yellow and not quite white.

  • open color formula
    close formula
    • Starting Formula

      9, golden blonde with 3 inches of Level 8 regrowth

    • Formula A

      L’Oréal Professionnel DIA Light ½ 5N + ½ 7.13 + 6-volume developer

    • Formula B (lightener)

      L’Oreal Professionnel Blond Studio Multi-Techniques Powder 8+ + 20-volume developer + 4 mL Smartbond

    • Formula C

      L’Oréal Professionnel DIA Light ½ 7.13 + ½ 6N + 6-volume developer

    • Formula D

      L’Oréal Professionnel DIA Light ½ tube 10.13 + 6-volume developer

    6

    At the bowl, remove the foils. Lightly rinse, making sure NOT to remove any backcombing or knots yet and smudge the bleach until the line is diffused. Rinse, starting in the back and working your way to the front. Shampoo using L’Oreal Professionnel Serie Expert Absolut Repair Lipidium Shampoo, then apply Serie Expert Absolut Repair Masque. Massage in with your fingertips. Do not rinse.

  • open color formula
    close formula
    • Starting Formula

      9, golden blonde with 3 inches of Level 8 regrowth

    • Formula A

      L’Oréal Professionnel DIA Light ½ 5N + ½ 7.13 + 6-volume developer

    • Formula B (lightener)

      L’Oreal Professionnel Blond Studio Multi-Techniques Powder 8+ + 20-volume developer + 4 mL Smartbond

    • Formula C

      L’Oréal Professionnel DIA Light ½ 7.13 + ½ 6N + 6-volume developer

    • Formula D

      L’Oréal Professionnel DIA Light ½ tube 10.13 + 6-volume developer

    7

    Using a Tangle Teezer, comb out the backcombed pieces, working from the bottom to the top. Rinse, towel-dry, then comb smooth. Apply L’Oréal Professionnel Mythic Oil, and blow-dry.

  • open color formula
    close formula
    • Starting Formula

      9, golden blonde with 3 inches of Level 8 regrowth

    • Formula A

      L’Oréal Professionnel DIA Light ½ 5N + ½ 7.13 + 6-volume developer

    • Formula B (lightener)

      L’Oreal Professionnel Blond Studio Multi-Techniques Powder 8+ + 20-volume developer + 4 mL Smartbond

    • Formula C

      L’Oréal Professionnel DIA Light ½ 7.13 + ½ 6N + 6-volume developer

    • Formula D

      L’Oréal Professionnel DIA Light ½ tube 10.13 + 6-volume developer

    8

    Apply global highlights using Formula B, lifting to “baby banana” yellow once more. Rinse.

  • open color formula
    close formula
    • Starting Formula

      9, golden blonde with 3 inches of Level 8 regrowth

    • Formula A

      L’Oréal Professionnel DIA Light ½ 5N + ½ 7.13 + 6-volume developer

    • Formula B (lightener)

      L’Oreal Professionnel Blond Studio Multi-Techniques Powder 8+ + 20-volume developer + 4 mL Smartbond

    • Formula C

      L’Oréal Professionnel DIA Light ½ 7.13 + ½ 6N + 6-volume developer

    • Formula D

      L’Oréal Professionnel DIA Light ½ tube 10.13 + 6-volume developer

    9

    Gloss using Formula C at the roots, then Formula D all over. Rinse, then mix 1 cap of L’Oreal Professionnel Serie Expert Powermix Force with 1 cap of Powermix Base. Apply from midlengths to ends, and process for five minutes. Rinse, blow-dry and style! 

  • open color formula
    close formula
    • Starting Formula

      9, golden blonde with 3 inches of Level 8 regrowth

    • Formula A

      L’Oréal Professionnel DIA Light ½ 5N + ½ 7.13 + 6-volume developer

    • Formula B (lightener)

      L’Oreal Professionnel Blond Studio Multi-Techniques Powder 8+ + 20-volume developer + 4 mL Smartbond

    • Formula C

      L’Oréal Professionnel DIA Light ½ 7.13 + ½ 6N + 6-volume developer

    • Formula D

      L’Oréal Professionnel DIA Light ½ tube 10.13 + 6-volume developer

    10

    Finished look. 

  • open color formula
    close formula
    • Starting Formula

      9, golden blonde with 3 inches of Level 8 regrowth

    • Formula A

      L’Oréal Professionnel DIA Light ½ 5N + ½ 7.13 + 6-volume developer

    • Formula B (lightener)

      L’Oreal Professionnel Blond Studio Multi-Techniques Powder 8+ + 20-volume developer + 4 mL Smartbond

    • Formula C

      L’Oréal Professionnel DIA Light ½ 7.13 + ½ 6N + 6-volume developer

    • Formula D

      L’Oréal Professionnel DIA Light ½ tube 10.13 + 6-volume developer

    11

    Finished look. 

  • open color formula
    close formula
    • Starting Formula

      9, golden blonde with 3 inches of Level 8 regrowth

    • Formula A

      L’Oréal Professionnel DIA Light ½ 5N + ½ 7.13 + 6-volume developer

    • Formula B (lightener)

      L’Oreal Professionnel Blond Studio Multi-Techniques Powder 8+ + 20-volume developer + 4 mL Smartbond

    • Formula C

      L’Oréal Professionnel DIA Light ½ 7.13 + ½ 6N + 6-volume developer

    • Formula D

      L’Oréal Professionnel DIA Light ½ tube 10.13 + 6-volume developer

    12

    Finished look. 

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