Embracing our grays has never been more popular. And the latest trend in naturally working in those silver stands for that easy, breezy, low-maintenance vibe is the very chic-sounding (and looking) French blending.
A color-application technique created by L’Oréal Professionnel, French blending strategically places color to blend your gray hair seamlessly. It’s a bespoke experience, says L’Oréal Professionnel ambassador Krista Bartik, where placement and tone are tailored to each client. “[It’s] much softer and more modern,” Bartik explains to Vogue. “Instead of covering grays, we blend them into the overall color using depth and dimension.”
How It Works
Bartik says there are three types of French blending to choose from—first blending, retouch blending, and total blending—and that the one you choose depends on how many grays you have.
First blending involves adding soft lowlights and naturally blended clusters of grays to the hair. It’s an ideal choice for those experiencing their first grays. Retouch blending is more about maintaining a blended look: You soften the regrowth line at the root and add light and dimension to the lengths and ends. Total blending has the biggest impact, she says, as it covers the entire head of hair and combines balayage and other coloring techniques for a diffused, natural finish.
Kadi Lee, celebrity colorist and founder of Highbrow Hippie, says French blending doesn’t necessarily vary by hair texture. Colorists usually have their own systems when applying these methods to a client’s specific hair needs, she says, and French blending generally works for all hair textures. “What changes is the application [of the French blending],” agrees Bartik. “I adjust my formula, sectioning, and saturation based on the hair’s texture so the blend looks as seamless as possible based on the client’s hair type.”
It can be broken down as follows:
For Straight Hair
Celebrity colorist Jenna Perry says that French blending on fine, straight hair is kept incredibly delicate. Think minimal baby highlights to avoid harsh lines or overprocessing, focusing on translucency and shine, she says.
For Wavy Hair
Lee says that French blending on wavy hair is particularly forgiving, as the natural movement and texture of the waves help color blend more effortlessly. Perry would place soft, ribbon-like highlights through the natural bends of the hair and gloss everything into an even tone. She also likes finishing it with a cut that enhances movement. “So the bend reads effortless and sunlit,” she says.
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