FORMULA: Balayage and Toning For The Perfect Blonde

Renee Spinale (@___thedollhouse) of Wakefield, Mass, sent in this gorgeous pix which is made so much more magical with proper toning.

Her guest arrived with level 6 all over and some outgrown foils which had lifted to a brassy level 9. To create a perfect finish, Spinale applies toner to the roots first, then the ends "I blend the middle color last to get the colors to melt perfectly," she says. "I feel like when you do roots to middle to ends you don't get the right effect - the middle color expands too much and takes over the end color. I don't really want to actually see a middle color, just blend it out so there was no line of demarkation."

Here Spinale shares how some great toning created the perfect blonde: 

Step 1: Balayage with Matrix Light Master (and Colorphlex) and 30 volume. Process under a heat lamp for 20 minutes.

Step 2: Rinse out the lightener and apply Colorphlex step 2. Process at the bowl for 15 minutes. Rinse.

Step 3: At the root, apply Goldwell Colorance 6N.

Step 4: Blend equal parts Goldwell Colorance 8BA and 9NA and apply to the lighter ends.

Step 5: Blend equal parts 7NA and 6N and apply to the mids, gently blending into the roots and ends.  Process for 25 minutes. Rinse.

Step 6: Finish with Kenra Blowdry Spray and dry completely. Wrap with a  1 1/4 curling iron for some lose waves.