Finally nailed a perfect root shadow on a level 6 client yesterday

I've been seeing so many people just throw a darker toner all over and call it a root shadow, but that's not how it works. You have to actually section and apply it just at the base, then blend down only about a half inch. My client came in with grown out platinum and wanted low maintenance, and after 3 tries on my practice head I finally got the fade right. Anyone else have a technique that took way more practice than you expected?

2 comments

2 Comments

tyler36814d ago

You know, something I don't see people talk about enough is how much the shampoo matters right after you do the root shadow. Like, you spend all this time getting that perfect fade at the bowl, then you wash them out with some random clarifying shampoo and it strips half the tone you just put in. I had this happen twice before I realized I needed to use a gentler, color-safe shampoo for the first wash, and even then I only lather at the scalp and let it run through the ends. Maybe it's just me but I think that step messes up more root shadows than the actual application does.

scott.grace14d ago

Wait... hold on. You're saying you used a clarifying shampoo on fresh color? Oh no, no, no. That's like scrubbing a brand new tattoo with sandpaper, right? My jaw actually dropped reading that.