Salons Direct is happy to introduce you to the new hair colouring technique currently dominating the industry – Smoky Hair with L’Oréal Professionnel.

We think that if it hasn’t happened already, it won’t be long until hairstylists across the UK become inundated with requests for Smoky Hair…

So, what exactly is the Smoky Hair technique? What does it entail? How do professionals achieve the look? Read on to find out everything you need to know about the Smoky Hair technique by L’Oréal Professionnel…

What is Smoky Hair?

The classic smoky eye is a well-known make-up technique – so well known that it’s found its way into the world of hair colouring. The new trend taking the industry by storm – Smoky Hair.

Playing with a mix of blended shades whilst also using multi-dimensional tones to create contrast from root to tip – this new technique truly embodies the Smoky Eye and all of its appealing factors. 

The Smoky Hair technique is a great option for clients who prefer a natural look and a low maintenance hair colour. The Smoky Hair technique is also suitable for all hair types and all hair colours. 

This technique is also versatile and can be altered to suit the preferences of clients – no matter how subtle or dramatic the desired finish is.  

Why is the Smoky Hair technique so popular?

Smoky Hair allows professionals to seamlessly blend colour tones, which appears effortless to the untrained eye – but it requires real technique. Smoky Hair can only be created to its fullest potential by a professional hairstylist. 

It’s safe to say the Smoky Hair colouring technique creates colour results that everyone will love. We highly recommend getting acquainted with Smoky Hair to prepare your salon with the tools and knowledge you need to give your clients a vibrant, faultless finish that radiates sophistication. 

Learn the Smoky Hair look 

Once you learn how to achieve Smoky Hair, you’ll likely need to prepare to become your client’s favourite salon! 

If you’re still in need of more information surrounding the smoky hair technique after reading this blog, we highly recommend checking out L’Oréal Access. You’ll find specific information and all the details you need to feel confident giving your clients the best. 

 

 The Smoky Hair Technique 

Let’s get to it, shall we! The Smoky Hair trend is the perfect hair colour service to entice your clients back into the care of a professional. 

Smoky Hair is achievable with a complete colour palette of warm and cool tones, leaving the results personalised and suitable for all hair types and colours. 

 

Just like the Smoky Eye, the Smoky Hair technique is achieved by placing the darkest shade at the root combined with a reflective lighter shade at the ends with a smudge and blend of tones in the middle which is the crucial step to achieve a flawless finish.

 

No matter what colour palette you’re working with, you can create bespoke and personalised colour results. The Smoky Hair technique is done in three simple steps:

Step one

Start by applying what is essentially a cool-coloured shadow at the roots. Comparable to when you apply the darker pigment onto the outer corner of the eye when creating a Smoky eye make-up look.

Step two

Apply a reflective lighter shade on the lengths and ends, exactly as you would apply the lighter shade onto the inner corner of the eye when creating a Smoky eye make-up look

This will help with adding either a subtle or dramatic fade finish throughout the hair, depending on the request of your client. 

Step three

The final step is essential to achieve the overall Smoky Hair finish. Start by blending the shades in the middle section to create a flawless finish. This step is key and should not be overlooked! 

Step three is the reason why L’Oréal Professionnel believes that this is a technique only a professional stylist can do. To really nail the Smoky Hair finish, practitioners must be experienced in the art of blending hair colours seamlessly.

This may sound easy, but it requires professional precision and skill. Salons will already be well acquainted with the popular balayage service, which is achieved by freehand painting on hair colour to give a very blended, natural look with no obvious regrowth. 

The result of a well-applied balayage or ombre should appear multi-tonal, with an overall natural-looking blend of colour tones that melt into one another – just like Smoky Hair. If you can achieve a flawless balayage or ombre technique, you can achieve a flawless finish using the Smoky Hair technique. 

Whether you are working on short or long hair, blonde or brunette – Smoky Hair is versatile and sophisticated, which can be altered and adapted to suit the unique preference of the client. 

 

Discover the new shades

If your client enters your salon wanting professional colour with bespoke results, the Smoky Hair technique can provide that. 

L’Oréal Professionnel has an expert range, so practitioners can choose from an extensive colour palette of warm and cool shades to deliver a personalised look, that can be matched to fit the preference of the client.  

Smoky Hair can also be created using any of the other colour shades within the L’Oréal Professionnel Majirel range, such as the Majirel Glow, Majirel Cool Cover and Majirel Cool Inforced.

 

If you have clients that prefer to trust the expertise of a professional during a colour job, picking the right shade to perfectly suit them can sometimes be tricky. 

If you ever need help deciding which shades will work best to create a Smoky Hair look, the Style My Hair Pro app can help. It’s now available with a new 3D Smoky Hair filter, so you can see what the technique would look like on your clients for the ultimate customised look.

Style My Hair Pro is another perfect way to convert your repeat cut and blow-dry clients to colour at the consultation. Just use the virtual hair try-on tool!

Download the Style My Hair Pro app from the Google Play Store or Apple Store and help your client decide which shades they love. You can then find the perfect L’Oréal Professionnel shade to suit them and create the perfect Smoky Hair Look. 

Client Smoky Hair maintenance at home

A great salon service doesn’t end in the chair – don’t forget to encourage your clients to care for their Smoky Hair colour at home with L’Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert. This range will help to maintain results achieved in the salon for longer.  

The L’Oréal Serie Expert Vitamino Color range is a great option, as the collection will ensure their colour stays radiant for longer. 

To maintain cool tones, we recommend the L’Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Blondifier range. This will help your client to maintain what’s created in the salon, preventing any yellow brassy tones from coming through. This range is also suitable for lighter ash blonde Smoky Hair, as it’ll also work to keep the colour fresh in between salon appointments.  

Shop the L’Oréal Professionnel range at Salons Direct now.

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