Sandy Lived-In Blonde

No matter the season, the requests for lived-in blondes never let up. That's because the look works for all hair types and textures to create a low-maintenance yet high-impact look.

To achieve the above sandy lived-in blonde look, we asked Austin-based colorist Janae Miller (@janaeraquelmiller) the tips, techniques and gentle formula she used on her curly client who had previously colored, chemically straightened hair.

1. How long did this color service take & how did you price it?

This transformation took Janae about four hours and the client was charged $550 for an "all inclusive package."

2. Who is the ideal client for this type of technique?

"The clients I serve are mostly professional women who wear their virgin curls for the majority of the year," said Janae. "My average client comes to me once a year for a major hair color transformation. As a result, a 'lived-in' Balayage technique is ideal for the woman seeking a low-maintenance transformation with a high-impact result."

3. What does maintenance look like for this color? (At-home care, toner, touch-ups, etc.)

Janae shared many of her clients shampoo every other week, meaning their toners tend to last longer.

Here is her average client's maintenance schedule:

Gloss touch-up: Four times a year
Balayage retouch: Once a year

4. The 3 things all blonding clients should know:

When asked for any must-know tips for a lived-in balayage, Janae assures other stylists that, "The look is very forgiving."

Here are Janae's three important tips that every client should know:

Hair coloring is a journey, not just a destination
Have patience
Set realistic (color) goals and trust the process

The Formulas

Formula A (in-foil lightener): Matrix Light Master Lightening Powder + 10-Volume Cream Developer
Formula B (highlights): Matrix Tonal Control Pre-Bonded Acidic Gel-Cream Toner 9V + 10-Volume Cream Developer
Formula C (lowlights): Matrix Tonal Control Pre-Bonded Acidic Gel-Cream Toner 5NA + 10-Volume Cream Developer

Steps

1. Using your go-to foiliage technique, apply Formula A concentrating around the face. Process for 40 minutes.

2. While Formula A is processing, use Formula C to pre-tone the hair that was left out of the foils to create lowlights. Let process for 20 minutes then cleanse both.

Photo Credit: Instagram via @janaeraquelmiller

3. Apply Formula B all over and let process for 20 minutes before rinsing. "Even with her hair history, the hair remains healthy and bouncy!" says Janae, attributing that to Tonal Control's gentle formula.