High Lift Blonde Hair Colour: Everything You Need to Know (2024)

Formulas

Techniques

Colour

Put simply, high lift is a permanent colour that lifts and tones natural hair in a single application. So, instead of using two separate products (lightener and toner), you can achieve your client’s blonde shade with just one hard-working formula. At Wella Professionals, our go-to high lift hair colour is Koleston Perfect Special Blonde, with a palette of 11 blonde hues that team lightening with lustrous shine. From high lift ash blonde to high lift golden blonde, these flawless shades are a must in every pro's hair colour arsenal.

Expert tip: You can also add Koleston Perfect Special Mix shades to your formula for added neutralization or tone.

If you want to create blonde hair bleach-free, high lift colours are the perfect option. They’re recommended for clients with virgin, uncoloured hair who want to try blonding services for the first time, or regular blondes who want to lighten locks while avoiding bleach. High lift hues are also perfect when you’re aiming for a subtler shift in colour. While they may not take your client from dark brunette to platinum blonde, they can lift and tone light brown hair to a honey blonde, or dark hair to a rich bronde (brown blonde) in one swift step.

Time also comes into it. While no hair masterpiece should ever be rushed, the Special Blonde hues give you pro precision and reliable results quickly – ideal for clients (and colourists) on a busy schedule.

To Recap, High Lift Colour is Best For:

• Clients coming to the hair salon with virgin locks (or just roots) that haven’t been previously lightened or coloured. The Special Blonde hues will lift and tone natural pigment on any hair type.
• Subtle blonde transitions with a natural-looking finish. Remember: if your client wants a platinum high lift hair colour shade, their hair would need to be no darker than a medium blonde to begin with.
• Single process hair services to minimize damage to the hair shaft and reduce the orange and yellow tones you can sometimes see in freshly pre-lightened hair.

Image Credit: @jaripekka.wella

Roots: Koleston Perfect Special Blonde 12/16 + 12/89 + 6% 1:2.

Lengths A: Koleston Perfect 10/96 + 10/86 + 10/38 + 1.9% 1:2.

Lengths B: Koleston Perfect 9/16 + 9/8 + 9/38 + 1.9% 1:2.

Image Credit: @nicolerevish

Lightener: Koleston Perfect Special Blonde 12/22 + 12% volume developer in back-to-back foils.

Glaze: Shinefinity Color Glaze 07/34 + 08/34.

Image Credit: @brianacisneros

Lengths and Ends: Koleston Perfect Special Blonde 12/11 + 12% applied to the ends and melted upwards to the roots.

It completely depends on the result your client wants. First up, check that your client's hair hasn't been previously coloured. If it has, then you should use a lightener and toner. However, if they have virgin hair (or even just natural roots), a high lift hue could be ideal, as it will take hair blonde within five levels of their existing base.

But if your client has naturally very dark hair or has previous colour in the hair, they may need corrective work with a pre-lightening service. In this case, you could use BlondorPlex followed by a toner (such as permanent Koleston Perfect or Color Touch demi-permanent hair colour). Not only will BlondorPlex help you achieve up to nine levels of lift, but it's also infused with WellaPlex bond building technology for up to 97% less hair breakage*.

1. Pick a Special Blonde Hair Colour

First up, pick your client’s perfect colour from the Koleston Perfect Special Blonde palette. There are 11 to choose from, and they’re easy to recognize. Simply look for the shades that begin with the number 12 before the stroke.

2. Mix the Colour With the Right Developer

Next, mix the colour 1:2 with the right Welloxon Perfect developer. Use 9% for up to three levels of lift and 12% for up to five levels of lift.

3. Apply With Your Client's Chosen Technique

Once you’ve mixed the colour, apply it to dry hair using a tint brush. You can apply Special Blonde shades with any technique your client likes, whether that’s balayage, highlights, or all over for maximum impact.

4. Wrap Sections of Hair in Foils

If you’re working off the scalp for highlights or balayage services, wrap the sections of hair up in foils. Then, allow to develop for no more than 60 minutes – or much less if you're aiming for a subtler lift.

5. Rinse Hair and Style As Usual

Finally, rinse the colour out. Because it’s a permanent hair colour with ammonia, you’ll also need to neutralize with INVIGO Color Service Post Color Treatment to complete the look. Finish with shampoo and conditioner, before drying and styling locks to perfection.

*When using Wellaplex N°2 with Blondorplex, versus Blondorplex alone