TRENDING TECHNIQUES

These old and new colour techniques are set to be big news for 2022 – the experts share the colour service trends that you need to know about

HAIR FROSTING

TRACEY DEVINE SMITH FOR ASP

Hair frosting is one of the buzziest hair colour trends that’s sweeping social media. But what makes it different to traditional highlights? The technique involves lifting fine ribbons of hair to a lighter colour with a freehand technique. The contrast against a darker base gives a soft glistening effect to the hair, much like its namesake suggests.

“Hair frosting or thread lights is a beautiful way to intricately place colour, giving the illusion of a shimmer and shine running through the middle and ends of the hair,” says ASP ambassador, Tracey Devine Smith. “It’s a subtle effect which works best on lighter bases of 7 and above. My go-to product for this is Spirit Lights by ASP. It’s our version of a clay lightener and is ideal for hand painting or threading baby lights.

Use on small sections in the mid-lengths for best results," she says.

LUXURY BRUNETTE

With supermodels and celebrities making the switch to the dark side, Neville Hair & Beauty colour artistic director Seniz Alkan has devised the ‘Luxury Brunette’ colour service.

BARRY MADDOCKS AND JO EYKYN

Seniz explains: "We’re moving away from the flat one tone all over, which can be achieved by anyone, and instead focusing on multiple shades to achieve dimension by intermixing different tones, and creating custom blends that will best suit your facial features and skin tone. This hair shimmers and glimmers in natural light, the end result is multi-dimensional with depth.” Seniz recommends discussing what the deepest and lightest shades will be during your client’s consultation, placing them to enhance their hairstyle and completing with a high-shine finish to tap into this growing trend.

FRENCH GLOSSING

Adam Reed, L’Oréal Professionnel Paris editorial ambassador, explains how French Glossing takes a twist on the traditional gloss services, with a bespoke approach. “This is such a beautiful technique because it creates depth on the roots that grows lighter at the ends, and it works with every hair type and texture,” says Adam.

L’ORÉAL PROFESSIONNEL

“Rather than an all over rinse, French Glossing involves a two-step technique where permanent hair colour is applied at the roots, and a gloss is added on the lengths and ends,” he says. “This revives the colour and creates a smooth gradient.” The result? "A seamless colour that screams ‘Parisian chic’," says Adam.

PINTURA

Pintura – Spanish for painting – is the perfect technique for clients with curls or textured hair who are looking to add dimension says Sharley Viola, Afro and textured hair educator for Blue Tit London.

ROBERT EATON, BRITISH HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR

“Pintura highlights is a great technique to use when you want to achieve curls that pop with colour, as opposed to traditional highlights that can easily get lost amongst the curls,” she explains. “The pintura highlighting method involves working with the natural curl pattern, picking up the curls where you would like to see colour and freehand painting.”

SHATUSH

DOMENICO CASELLA

Similar to Balayage, Shatush involves wrapping the hair around a cone and free-hand painting the lengths with your fingertips.

“Shatush is a free-hand technique that only highlights hair that would be naturally sun-kissed.

It’s the perfect colour service for those wishing to add dimension to their hair,” says Domenico Casella, senior colourist at Neville Hair & Beauty. Hair that is closer to the cone remains darker, whereas hair towards the outside looks lighter, resulting in a naturally sun-kissed finish. “Shatush is graduated at the roots, but lighter around the face and on the lengths and tips of the hair. The look suits everyone wanting to achieve a natural looking colour, and is perfect for the hair health conscious as the technique does not require foils,” adds Domenico.

SHINEFINITY GLAZE

With liquid hair and hair health at the forefront of client’s wants, glosses and glazes add richness to the hair while imparting shine, with less damage. “Shinefinity is all about soft, low commitment, zero damage and zero lift results,” says Jordanna Cobella, Wella colour craft expert. “The palette is divided into cool warm and natural tones, leaving the hair with incredible shine and soft beautiful tones.” It’s ideal for clients who are looking to experiment with colour for the very first time, or to refresh hair in between colour services.