The Cut
Step1
The hair must be below the ears with moderately long layers in order to achieve this look.
Step2
The hair should be at least 3 to 4 inches all over. If it is not, then it should be trimmed every 8 weeks approximately an 1/8 of an inch until the desired length is reached.
Step3
A stylist will be needed to cut your hair in this manner. Find a good stylist and take her the picture above or one that you find that gives you the desired look.
Step4
Your stylist should cut the hair into 3- to 4-inch layers all over the head.
Step5
The bang should be left approximately 2 inches below the eyebrow.
Step6
The sides should not be completely blended with the bang, but overextended to create the illusion of unevenness.
Step7
The entire head should be "chipped" into on the ends.
Step8
When the cut is complete, the whole head of hair should be texturized, especially the face framing portion, to give the ends a fringy effect.
Step9
When the cut is complete, if hair is curly, flat iron it, then rub a small amount of texture cream into your palms and apply to the hair.
Step10
To achieve the separated effect, pull pieces that have texturizing cream on them through individual sections of your hair using your thumb and index finger to give definition.
Step11
If your hair is straight, skip the flat iron and move straight to the texturizing step.
The Color and Highlights
Step1
To achieve the look even on shorter hair, it is necessary to have a medium blond to dark blond-neutral base color. This is a color that is applied to the whole head. If the natural color is already a medium to dark blond (level 6 or 7) color, then this step can be skipped.
Step2
Mix the color you have chosen, which should be a neutral level 6 or 7, and either medium or dark blond. A darker blond will appear darker when first applied, but highlights will stand out more clearly on this color.
Step3
Do a patch test. After the color is mixed, apply a pea-sized drop to the inside of your arm. Wait for at least 15 minutes. If there is an allergy, it will become obvious when the arm turns bright red and itches or burns. It is pretty common to have a mild itching or burning, but anything more than a mild reaction indicates an allergy and you should not continue with the base color. Because the lightener does not touch the scalp, it may be possible to do the highlighting, but proceed with caution.
Step4
To ensure optimal results, do a strand test. This is done by taking one section of hair that includes about 20 or so individual hairs and applying the color. Leave it on for at least 20 minutes. After it is rubbed off with soap and a towel, check the results. If they match the medium to dark blond base color Ryan Hansen has in the picture, continue application on the entire head.
Step5
Color is mixed according to instructions and applied to the entire head. It is not necessary to do the root first, since the whole head will be covered. Leave on for at least 25 minutes. If there is any burning, remove immediately as that may indicate an allergic reaction. Make sure the hair is saturated completely and no spots have been missed.
Step6
Next, the hair is either heavily foil-highlighted at a hair salon by a licensed stylist, or it is cap-highlighted at home. Take Ryan Hansen's picture to a stylist so that you can be sure to get the right results.
Step7
If you choose a home cap-highlighting kit, then they can be picked up at any regular drugstore. The below steps will guide you in the process for home highlighting.
Step8
The hair is brushed into the desired style and left completely dry.
Step9
The cap is put on the head and tied tightly under the chin.
Step10
The hair is pulled in the direction of hair growth through the cap in a very even pattern. In this case every hole in the cap would be used.
Step11
The hair that is pulled through the cap is then brushed or combed to remove all knots.
Step12
After the hair is pulled through the cap, the mixture provided in the kit is applied to all the hair. The consistency of the mixture should not be too runny, as you do not want it to bleed through the holes in the cap.
Step13
After the mixture is applied to the hair, it should stay on until the color attained has as little red and gold as possible. This can take quite awhile.
Step14
The mixture should be wiped off with a towel about halfway through the process to check the color.
Step15
If it is not the desired color, then more mixture is applied and it is allowed to stay on longer.
Step16
Once the desired color is achieved, rinse and shampoo the lightener off with the cap still on. Then remove the cap and shampoo, rinse and condition.