Color Blocking on Curly Hair

Curly hair naturally adds contours and movement to your color that might otherwise look one dimensional. Have you ever considered color blocking to add even more variation to your curl-friends?

Wella Brand Educator, 2020 BEA Natural Texture Artist of the Year and Curl Expert Akela Douglass (@akelashairstudio) shares a wearable creative color placement using color blocking that will keep your curly clients bouncing back for more!

Always begin with an analysis of your clients’ hair goals and its current condition. Akela recommends staying within two levels in each of your formulas for a dimensionalized, natural finish. For this technique, Akela uses three formulas throughout her sections.

Once you have your formula game plan, begin by carefully sectioning out the hair to create a roadmap you’ll be able to easily follow, and have lots of clips on hand to keep your sections clean. Since the sections are carefully placed around the head, no foils should be required as the subsections will not touch one another. Akela’s selected formulas help brighten the hair around the hairline and add lots of interior dimension throughout the rest. This halo of color helps diffuse, but is enough variation that allow each curl to pop.

Begin by establishing a middle part, then section out the front hairline. Separate the front and back by creating a section across the top of the head from ear to ear. Divide the front panel into three triangular sections with the widest part of each section behind the hairline. Move to the back of the head and take two small sections at back hair line. Create a section for the nape area just below the occipital. Finally, divide the remaining back panel into 3 triangular sections.

Once you’ve finished sectioning your client’s hair, it’s time to mix and apply. Starting at the back of the head, work one section at a time. Begin by outlining each section with the appropriate formula, then subdivide that section and cover the root area before saturating the mid lengths and ends. Once you’re finished with each section, carefully twist and allow the hair to rest below the section. Continue section by section working from back to front until the whole head has been completed. Determine your processing time based on the formulas that you choose.

Akela shares her tips for this color blocking technique and tips for finishing this beautiful look in the video below. Like, comment and share if you’re as curl-thirsty as we are for more creative, curly techniques!