Does this sound like you? Get highlights, LOVE the highlights. Watch the roots grow, hate the grow out. Decide you’re done with highlighting, so you dye it dark to “give it a break” from highlighting. Hate it dark, so you re-highlight and repeat?
While frequent trips to the salon can give you that boost you have been looking for, it is inevitably going to be a bummer (for your hair and your pocketbook) when weeks later you’re dying for your next touch-up! That’s where a “lived in” colour treatment comes in.
What is “lived in”? If you’re like me, your mind goes to those perfect fitting jeans that are tattered and janky, but you don’t have the heart to throw away. While those hip huggers serve their “lived in” purpose, this hair colour technique is anything but dingy. The term was coined by the Beverly Hills celebrity colourist, Johnny Ramirez, and refers to a colour placement that remains beautiful during the grow-out process.
This involves highlighting the hair and afterwards blending the natural root colour downward into the foiled area to blur the transition from light to dark giving the appearance of a soft, low maintenance result. Your barista isn’t the only one whose skill is needed for the perfect “blend”. This technique requires a seasoned colourist to get it just right, as placement and colour choice is key to ensuring the perfect mix of light and dark, allowing you to indulge in that “first sip” feeling every time you see the blendiest-blend in your hair.
While this service takes a little bit longer as there are a few added steps, this means that you can save money in the long run as some “lived-in” looks can last up to 8 months! This technique is also customizable, so whether you are looking for a bright blonde or rich brunette lived in colour, your colourist can mix up a pallet that best compliments your hair and skin tone, ensuring you leave with Pinterest worthy hair.
What is the difference between a lived-in colour and a balayage? While the two are similar in that they each have a rooted look, the difference is simple in that the “lived in” technique has less root and can be a great first step towards a balayage. A balayage is typically a bright pop of lighter colour around the face and throughout the ends, while maintaining more of your natural darkness throughout the back. There is a lot of verbiage out there that can be confusing when deciding which route you would like to go and if you are unsure, book in for a consultation with one of Frankie’s trained professionals and they can help you decide what would be best for you!
Do you have grey hair and still want a lived in colour look? The answer is yes, however there are a few different things to take into account beforehand. Read our “Colouring grey hair” blog for more details!
Finally, a realistic hair look that can be enjoyed AS IS for months! No more beauty delusion or hair colour mourning periods! But that doesn’t mean you can just forget about your hair completely until your next trip to the salon. When you get any kind of colouring, keeping your strands happy and hydrated is a must to retain colour vibrancy and reduce damage. Maybe with a custom hair care routine perhaps? At Frankie salon we specialize in Lived-in colour and balayage services, so book now and one of our talented colourists can make your hair dreams come true.