Hair Color Correction | Correcting Unwanted Red Undertones | Creating Golden Blonde Hair

Posted on December 3, 2012 by TheRoyalHairTreatment.com (Laura-The Mane Hair Studio)

A while back, I received a call from a potential new client.  Her name is Janeth and she had found me on the internet.  I’m Laura, a hairdresser from The Mane Hair Studio (at Sola Salon Suites) in Torrance, CA.  One of the best independently owned and operated South Bay Hair Salons and Hair Color Correction Specialists.

Janeth before from front

Although the original color translated pretty on Janeth. She wanted to be a lot blonder.

Janeth had recently been to another hairdresser requesting hair color similar to Jennifer Aniston and was disappointed by the results achieved after that service.  Upon further investigation over the telephone, I found out that Janeth’s natural hair color is a very dark shade of brown, almost black.  I explained to her that becoming a blonde when your natural shade is so dark is time-consuming and costly.  She was ready for both the time in my chair and the price that comes with it.

Janeth Top of Hair

Janeth sent me this photo in a text message after our first telephone consultation.

After several minutes of telephone consultation, I asked Janeth to send me a photograph so that I could see the current state of her hair color.  From the photo I received, I was able to determine that I could help her meet her goals and made an appointment to see her the following Friday.

The first hairdresser had achieved the results shown in these two photos.  After receiving the photo of the top of Janeth’s hair, I explained that she could expect to be with me for 3 to 4 hours.

Janeth’s natural hair had already been lifted. In other words, her hair color now had exposed warmth of deep red undertones with stripes of golden highlights.  This created a complex puzzle for me to work with, as I was now about to re-create the wheel so to speak.

Now that Janeth was in my chair, she explained that she had a new goal.  It was to achieve a color similar to Beth Ostronsky (which is almost a platinum blonde and achieved with a traditional foil highlight, therefore, it has a softer appearance as it grows out).  I can only speculate, but, I believe that Beth’s natural hair color is probably a light brown. I explained to Janeth that achieving the same results from her current hair color was going to be challenging to say the least.  This new goal might have to be long term.  But, I would happily help her work toward that goal.

This is what Janeth’s hair color looked like after 3 hours of hair color correction.

Janeth after from the back

Janeth after close up

Before, during and after my services, I explained many things to Janeth about maintaining her hair color using the proper shampoos, conditioners and styling aids, as well as, her need to return for regrowth touch ups every 5-6 weeks.  In addition, we talked about potentially making her even blonder in the future.  As a result, maintaining the health of her hair by adding regular trims to her routine will be very important too.

I will also begin to plan a long-term goal for her hair care maintenance.  For example, maybe we can simply retouch her roots with a high lift tint next time I see her.  My future approach will be based on several things, how often she comes to see me, her goals at the time, what it takes to meet those goals and her budget.

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Hair Color Correction | From Cool Red to Neutral Blonde | South Bay Hairdresser

Posted on August 23, 2012 by TheRoyalHairTreatment.com (Laura-The Mane Hair Studio)

One of the biggest challenges hairdressers face is hair color correction (for example, taking clients from box red’s to blonde). It’s time consuming and can be expensive. But, getting it right makes it well worth it.  This blog is dedicated to the box color girls and women that are in need of a change. Those that are ready to come back to a professional to get the job done right. When done well, color correction can have minimal damage and look great.

Recently, my new client Donna was one of these women. Here’s a photo of Donna from our initial consultation.

Our initial consultation.

She explained that she had been a red head for about 10 years.  She had been coloring her own hair, using do it yourself cool reds.  In addition, she had recently had hair extensions.  The nearly black color on the bottom of her hair (shown in the picture), had come from matching the extensions.  Although, the extensions where gone, the dark hair color remained.

Donna was ready for my help and was willing to go through the necessary steps to become a blonde.  She seemed rather knowledgeable on the subject and understood that this would be a process, not just a simple fix.

There are many different hair color removers on the market.  For Donna, I decided to use Rusk Eliminate.  It works great without damage.  I followed the package directions mixing steps 1 with 2 and applied and processed it twice.  With each application, she spent several minutes under the dryer.  I followed those applications with step 3, to make sure the dark red pigment wasn’t coming back.   At this point, I was confident that I had achieved the lightest result I could get.

Before and during a hair color correction, there are many choices that the client and hairdresser make together.   We could have taken this correction in many different directions.  One approach would have been to simply highlight over the brassy orange hair that I’d achieved after using Rusk Eliminate.  Doing this would have resulted in a warm blonde hair color.  This approach can also be quite beautiful depending on the skin tone of the client.

However, I explained to Donna that she would need to give her hair a rest for about a week before we could continue.  She decided that she would rather be a neutral to warm shade of brown, than to live with the brassy result for a week.  In addition, in the end, Donna wanted to have a more neutral blonde hair color,  rather than a warm blonde.

Results achieved after appointment #1

I advised Donna to give herself a couple of really good deep conditioning treatments before our next appointment.  This would be in preparation for the highlighting service the next time I saw her.

This is what Donna’s hair looked like when she returned to me the following weekend.

As you can see during the week that Donna was conditioning and waiting for her next appointment, the neutral brown shade that I had put on her faded to a great base from which to start my highlight.

At this point, I did a traditional bleach weave on Donna with foils.  The result was a beautiful neutral blonde with very little warmth.

Results achieved after Donna’s 2nd appointment

I spoke to Donna the other day.  She’s almost ready to come back in for her first regrowth touch up.  She understands that for her, being a blonde requires maintenance.  She has continued to give herself deep conditioning treatments.

I had advised her that Joico’s K Pak Reconstructor is an excellent deep conditioner for these types of situations.

When I see Donna next, we’ll decide what route is best .  Some of the brass will have come back and I know she still wants to be even blonder.  There will be choices to make and budgets to consider.  But I’ll be there for her, to help her hair color dreams come true.

Filed under: Hair Color Correction in Torrance, Hair Salon, Hairdresser, hairstylist | Tagged: , | Leave a comment »

Dream Catchers Hair Extensions | Qualified Technician | Greater Los Angeles | South Bay | Torrance, CA | and Orange Counties

Posted on February 21, 2012 by TheRoyalHairTreatment.com (Laura-The Mane Hair Studio)

ImageI am so excited to have added Dream Catchers Hair Extensions to my list of services.  Dream Catchers Hair Extensions are permanent and reusable hair extensions that I can add to your natural hair using their micro cylinder technology.  That means that there is no wax, glue, sewing or heat used in the process.

With proper care and maintenance, they can be used over and over and can last from several months to a couple of years.

Here are a couple of before and after photos of my client Lily.

ImageLily will come in to see me for maintenance about every 4 – 6 weeks.  This will ensure that her Dream Catchers stay in optimum condition.  Therefore, allowing Lily to get the most use out of her permanent and reusable Dream Catchers Hair Extensions.

If you have always dreamed of having long, luxurious hair.  What are you waiting for?  Call Laura at 310-200-7242 to make an appointment for your complimentary Dream Catchers Hair Extension consultation and be on your way to the hair of your dreams.

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Do you have naturally curly hair? | Hairdresser | Torrance, CA |MY BOOKS ARE CLOSED – NOT ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS AT THIS TIME! PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR FUTURE UPDATES!

Posted on November 28, 2011 by TheRoyalHairTreatment.com (Laura-The Mane Hair Studio)

Curly Hair-Natural Curls? How you can get shiny healthy hair.

I’m Laura, a hairdresser from Torrance, California and when I entered the hairdressing profession several years ago, it was all about long, straight hair.  During those years, so many women weren’t willing to give their flat irons a rest.  So instead of fighting the trend, I became part of it.  Deciding that as a new hairdresser, if I couldn’t beat it, I’d join it.

Granted, I still love creating beautiful blow outs, but, I wanted to add a new dimension to my craft.  So, I started to study up on curly hair.

As a curly-haired girl myself, I’d spent much of my time blowing out my own hair so that the image that I reflected, was an image people in my local area could relate to.  I’d blow my hair out several times a week.  I’d cut it in short layers so that it would have movement and height at the crown .  I beat my fragile curly hair up so much that I needed to cut it really often or risk showing its fragile state.  If you’re a curly girl, with fragile hair and went with the trend, you know what I mean.

My own layered and naturally curly hair blown out straight

I had fun with it, but, over time realized that maybe it was time to reinvent myself again.  This time, I’d let the natural state of my hair work for me, instead of against me.  As you can tell, I’ve thought a lot about curly hair lately.  So much so, that I decided to conduct my own curly hair experiment.  I began to follow the advice of an expert on the subject.

For years, I’d heard buzz about a book called Curly Girl.  Over those years, I’d gotten plenty of training and experience working with straight hair styles and felt ready to take it to a new level.  I decided that it was a good time for me to check it out.  Here in Southern California, curly hairstyles are finally making a comeback.  “In a big way.”

I gave my curly-haired client Lily a beautifully full and bouncy layered cut with subtle highlights

If you have naturally curly hair and are ready to bring it back to life, I recommend you get this book (Curly Girl).  But, here are just a few of the tips and tricks I’ve learned (in my own words) from the original curly girl, a curly-haired hairdressing expert from New York named Lorraine Massey and her friend/writer Deborah Chiel.

Curly hair:

  • looks thick because of its volume.  It’s actually often quite fine, fragile and dry.  Did I say it’s dry…, yes, I did, it’s dry…
  • loves moisture.  It hates harsh chemicals like sodium laurel sulfate (which is found in many shampoos and dish washing liquids).
  • can be cleansed with water and conditioning cleanser(s).  There is little to no need for traditional shampoos.
    • “I’ve done this for about 2 months now and my hair is so much shinier and has fuller curls.”
  • has a spring factor.   During a haircut consultation, your hairdresser (that could be me) needs to consider your individual spring factor before cutting.
  • should be treated very gently when drying with a diffuser. Start at the nape of the neck and scrunch and dry the root areas first.  Dry the outside layer or canopy last.  This helps reduce frizz.

In this photo, I had given Lily and her curls even more layering with less volume at the bottom and a few more dimensional highlights

Here are a few products that I have used and recommend for curly hair:

  • Deva Curl (they have a great 3 step regimen, among other things)
  • Toni and Guy (Catwalk – Curls Rock and Bed Head – Foxy Curls products)
  • ISO (Bouncy Spray and Creme)
  • “and I’ve heard” that Redken – Smooth Lock Butter Silk is great for unruly curls too

If you want to set your curly locks free, these are just a few of many things about curly hair that I’d like to share with you.  If you’re local to Torrance California and are looking for a hairdresser that understands the nature of curly hair.  Come in to see me and let me give you “TheRoyalHairTreatment”.

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How I choose the right haircolor for your skintone

Posted on August 24, 2011 by TheRoyalHairTreatment.com (Laura-The Mane Hair Studio)

Did you know that before coloring your hair, it’s important to choose the right hair color for you, based on your skin tone?

  • This is something that I consider, as a professional colorist, during every hair color consultation.

Let’s say you come to see me for that fantastic new shade of color you saw on your favorite celebrity in a fashion magazine.  Before you can talk me in to creating that look for you, I analyze whether or not it will work for you.  This analysis is based on your personal skin tone, in addition to considering your personal taste and budget. 

Is your skin tone “warm” or “cool”?

To determine a warm skin tone, I ask myself a few simple questions:

  • Do you have brown or dark eyes with olive, golden or dark skin?  If the answer is yes, you are likely a warm hair color candidate (i.e., golden tones like, caramel, bronze, copper) in a darker shade than your skin, will very likely look great on you.

As an example, notice my lovely client Manju standing in the natural sunlight.  I created beautifully bronzed hair color, that is darker than her own complexion.  It’s a perfect match for her, don’t you think?


To determine a cool skin tone, I ask myself these simple questions:

  1. Do you have blue or green eyes with fair skin?  If the answer is yes, you are likely a cool hair color candidate (i.e., ash blonde and cool browns work best).

As an example, notice my lovely client Lily.  She has a beautiful combination of light and dark ash.  Like with many rules, some are meant to be broken, so she looks great with a bit of gold in her color as well.

There are many considerations when determining the right hair color for you.  So come in and see me and let me, give you, The Royal Hair Treatment.

Look for future editions of  http://www.theroyalhairtreatment.com/ blog.   Thanks for taking the time to check it out!

Filed under: Hair Color Correction in Torrance, Hair Dresser, Hair Salon | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a comment »