Florida Cosmetology Licensing ExamHair ServicesMedium
A client requests a significant change from their natural dark brown hair to a vibrant, light blonde. The cosmetologist assesses the hair and determines it is healthy with no prior color treatments. To achieve the desired level of lift and tone, which of the following processes is most appropriate?
- AUsing a demi-permanent blonde color to gradually lighten.
- BPerforming a decolorizing service followed by a toner.
- CApplying a permanent dark blonde color directly to the hair.
- DApplying a single process, high-lift blonde color.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Performing a decolorizing service followed by a toner.
To achieve a vibrant, light blonde from dark brown virgin hair, decolorizing (bleaching) is necessary to remove the natural pigment. A toner is then applied to neutralize unwanted warm undertones and achieve the desired blonde shade.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Demi-permanent colors do not have the lifting power to achieve a vibrant light blonde from dark brown hair; they deposit color and can only slightly darken or tone existing color.
- C. Applying a permanent dark blonde color to dark brown hair would likely result in minimal lift or a slightly warmer dark brown, not a vibrant light blonde.
- D. A single process high-lift blonde color is generally not effective enough to lift dark brown hair to a vibrant light blonde without significant warmth and potential damage.
Two-Step Hair Lightening
A hair coloring process involving two distinct stages: first, lightening the hair by removing natural pigment, and second, applying a toner or color to achieve the desired final shade.
- Used for significant lift (e.g., dark to light blonde).
- Decolorizer (bleach) removes pigment.
- Toner refines the final color and neutralizes undertones.
Memory trick: Dark to light, first you strip the night, then you paint the bright.