3 Things That Make or Break a Vivid Color Application

3 Things That Make or Break a Vivid Color Application · Behindthechair | Behindthechair.com

High-contrast vivid color leaves very little room for error. From preventing color transfer to creating custom shades with less waste, #ONESHOT Winner and PRAVANA Creator Kimberly Ibbotson (@kimberlytayhair) shares the techniques she relies on to keep high-contrast color placements crisp, intentional and low-maintenance.

Looking for inspo? Scroll through some of Kimberly's vivid color work:

green n blue kimberly everyday vivids plastic Photo Credit Instagram via @kimberlytayhair

kimberly everyday vivids after @kimberlytayhair

1. Secure Every Section

In her BTC University class, Everyday Vivids, Kimberly shares one simple habit that helps prevent color transfer before application even begins. "We want to make sure that there are a lot of clips to secure everything in place. Because we're doing such a high-contrast color palette, we don't want to get anything that we don't want where we don't want it, because it will be harder to correct."

Because correcting color bleed is far more difficult than preventing it, Kimberly prioritizes clean sectioning and extra security before application begins. "Making sure that you have really clean, very precise sectioning and secure clips is going to make a big difference in the process."

2. Start With Clear, Not Color

"If you start with your base color of vivids and then you need to soften it, you're going to end up usually wasting a lot more product in the end," she says. "Always start with your base and add your color to create that palette for you, because you'll save yourself time and a lot of product."

When creating softer, vivid shades, Kimberly starts with PRAVANA ChromaSilk VIVIDS Clear - Pastel and gradually adds pigment until she reaches her desired tone.

Kimberly says Clear - Pastel can be used to:

Amplify color in a lighter shade
Dilute a shade for a soft, more pastel result
Give you more control when customizing color

3. Keep Your Color Zones Separate

"One of my favorite pro tips is to use some sort of plastic or a bib that you can use around your client's drape," Kimberly shares.

While the barrier helps protect the drape during application, she also uses it as a tool to separate different color zones throughout the service. "I also like using this for sectioning between the vivid palette and the hydro gloss that we're going to be using on top."

These application strategies are just one part of Kimberly's complete creative color system. In Everyday Vivids, she breaks down her signature placement techniques, custom color mixing, color melt application and low-maintenance creative color strategies designed to help stylists confidently introduce vivid services behind the chair.