Techniques, Products, Tools, and Photography Tips by Ivan Hernandez
Techniques, Products, Tools, and Photography Tips by Ivan Hernandez
Creating stunning highlights, especially on clients with fine hair, requires a blend of technique, product knowledge, and the right tools. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you master the art of hair painting, featuring essential tips for handling delicate hair, product recommendations, and advice on capturing your work beautifully in photos.
Technique: Painting Fine Hair
When working with clients who have fine-textured hair, remember that their hair can lift faster than thicker hair. To avoid over-processing and potential damage, start by sectioning out about an inch of hair at the hairline. Here’s a step-by-step approach to ensure a gentle and even lift:
- Sectioning: Begin by sectioning out about an inch of hair at the hairline. This helps in managing the hair better and preventing over-processing.
- Painting: Once the initial sectioning is done, divide the hairline into four sections. Gently over direct these sections back and away from the face before painting.
- Application: Apply the lightener carefully, ensuring an even distribution to avoid any patchiness.
- Gentle Handling: Over directing the hair away from the face and painting ensures that the lift is gentle and controlled, maintaining the integrity of the delicate hairline.
This method helps achieve a natural, beautiful lift while protecting the hair’s health.
Products: The Right Mix for Perfect Balayage
Using the right products can make a significant difference in the results of your hair painting or balayage. My go-to products for this process include:
Blacklight Lightener: This is my preferred lightener due to its effectiveness and reliability.
Mixing Formula: Combine 1oz of Oligo Blacklight Extra Blonde with 0.5oz of Blacklight Balayage Clay Lightener, using a 20 volume Blacklight SMART developer. This blend provides the perfect consistency and lift.
Toning with Calura Gloss: For toning, I use a combination of levels 8-10 in tones of neutrals, neutral browns, V (violet), GI (golden iridescent), and GV (golden violet) shades. These shades help achieve a bright, elegant tone that complements the highlights beautifully.
Tools: Essentials for Precision and Cleanliness
Having the right tools is crucial for precision and maintaining cleanliness during the hair painting process. My favorite tools include:
- Power Paint Brush from FRAMAR: This brush offers excellent control and precision, making the application process smoother.
- Damp Towel: Always keep a damp towel on hand to wipe and clean your hands or gloves. This helps maintain a clean working environment.
- Dry Color Brush: Use a dry colour brush to remove any excess lightener. Think of it as using an eraser to perfect your work.
Photography: Capturing the Perfect Shot
Once you’ve achieved the perfect highlights, capturing them in photographs is essential to showcase your work. Here are some tips for effective photography:
- Clean Background: Use a clean background, such as a white or black backdrop, to keep the focus on the hair.
- Natural Lighting: Utilize natural lighting whenever possible to capture the true colour and tone of the hair accurately.
- Consistent Display: Remember that colours may appear differently on various screens. Adjust your lighting setup to ensure consistency.
- Ring Light: When using a backdrop, create a dark, deep area and adjust your ring light to add depth while highlighting your subject. This enhances the overall presentation of the hair’s colour and tone.
By following these techniques and tips, you can achieve beautiful, professional results that highlight your skills and creativity in hair painting. Happy painting!