Sonya Dove Shares Her Personal Color Formula

1. The thing I value the most about specializing in color is… mastering the ability to be able to keep changing someone’s personality by changing their color often without sacrificing their hair condition. It still blows me away how different colors on a person can create different personalities. I love explaining a color that I would like to achieve by taking real everyday things. It also allows me to use my down to earth sense of humor when describing color to my clients – like Red Wine, Cappuccino, Cinnamon, etc. I guess that’s where my love of food and drinking comes in.
2. A colorist should always have… a good understanding of the basic color wheel, their favorite color brushes and an authentic, caring personality so they can advise whether a certain color is going to suit the clients, skin tone and eye color… Oh, and also patience and a good listening ear!
3. What I love about Wella hair color is… that it’s true to tone, conditioning, has a large palette of colors to choose from and that it’s always ahead in innovation and trends. And the reds!!!!!!!!!
4. The most challenging moment has been… when a guest brings in Pinterest pictures of what she would like and usually it’s not realistic for the amount of time they have and for the amount of money they want to pay. I explain to them that the person in front of me is far more important to me than the person in the picture. I really enjoy consultations and spend a lot of time on them, I guess I am a big chatterbox!
5. If I wasn’t a colorist I would be… a nutritionist advising people what to eat concerning a health issue. Unfortunately I would not have lead by example as I like to eat meat very often and I drink red wine every night!!! I am sure there are many unhealthy nutritionists and fuller figured dietitians.
6. The most special colorist moment I’ve recently had is… taking Sophie Turner (Sansa) from Game of Thrones from a redhead for many years to a very light blonde. It is such a pleasure to have done this and I still color her hair for Wella North America. She truly is such a down-to-earth person and overtime I see her we always have such a lot of fun.
7. I can’t work without my… apron! Because of its pockets which hold my glasses, phone for social media moments, favorite combs for foiling and a pack of mints. Ladies clothes are lacking in pockets usually…
8. Before retiring I would like to… do creative retreats for hairdressers in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. They would be a combination of food, wine, nature and art with my guidance so that I can help unleash their own personal inner creativity.
9. My main source of inspiration is… Nature. I’m a huge outdoors person and everyday I’m blown away by Mother Nature. I try and take short breaks to get off the grid whenever I can, just to be quiet… and this is when I am most inspired. That’s why I love Burningman and outdoor music festivals.
10. My specialty when it comes to color is… a work smarter not harder approach to color and having simple placement, which produces maximum results. I love hair colors that have between 2 to 4 depths of the same tone within one head. I guess I am known for my reds… but I love all colors!

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