In with the bold! These days, the call for fashion-forward hair color has never been higher. From hydrangea pink and dusty spearmint to storm cloud grey, the range of requests for creative color is never-ending, which gives you the opportunity to mix up an endless assortment of fabulous hair colors. The one downside? Often these direct dyes slip away sooner than you and your client would like, shifting from vivid to “meh” way too soon. But now there’s a solution for gone-too-soon and faded hues. Matrix SoColor Cult is formulated with their high chromatic dyes, for ultimate long-lasting vibrancy. Plus, the longevity is completely customizable. Matrix has condensed the SoColor Cult portfolio into 13 intermixable customizable semi-permanent shades that empower the stylists to let their creativity shine through.
SoColor Cult includes primary must-haves in red, yellow and blue; pastels like Bubblegum Pink and Lavender Macaron; along with neutral mix-ins that come in grey, clear, and black options. Conditioning ingredients are blended into every shade, to ensure your clients leave with healthy, shiny hair. SoColor Cult is also odor-free, free of ammonia and vegan.
Matrix Brand Ambassador Constance Robbins (@constancerobbins) is a SoColor Cult fan, as she uses it on a wide range of clients. Here are some of her tips for making the most of these unique color options:
- “To introduce clients to more colorful ways of thinking, wear SoColor Cult in your own hair,” she advises. “It could be face-framing highlights a small accent in your fringe or a pastel toner over existing highlights—anything to invite questions from your clients about changing up their own hair.”
- “When pre-lightening, take the time you need to lighten the hair as evenly as possible before applying the final SoColor Cult formula. The more even your canvas, the better your end result and fade out will look.”
- “When applying SoColor Cult, take small sections and saturate the hair fully.”
- “Wipe down the hairline immediately after application to prevent scalp staining.”
- “When formulating base color formulas, add a little bit of coolness or a muted tone to prevent the scalp area from appearing too hot. Even the most intense shades will look more natural with this technique.”
- “If a client is shy about trying color, introduce them to pastel tones over existing highlights first. It’s a great way to play with color that doesn’t require a commitment. Bubblegum Pink and Lavender Macaron are client favorites and fade back to blonde beautifully.”
- “Finish every Cult color service with Matrix Total Results Keep Me Vivid Laminator Spray at the backbar for ultimate longevity. Also send clients home with the Keep Me Vivid range to protect their color investment.”
Here are three looks by Matrix ambassadors and artists, showing the collections incredible range and Insta-worthy results.
Fuego by Matrix Ambassador, Constance Robbins @constancerobbins
Products Used:
- Formula A:
½ oz (15g) SoColor Pre-Vonded HDRV
½ oz (15g) SoColor Pre-Bonded HDRR
1 oz (30ml) 10 Volume (3%) Matrix Cream Developer
- Formula B:
½ oz (15g) SoColor Pre-Bonded HDRV
½ oz (15g) SoColor Pre-Bonded HDRR
1 oz (30ml) 20 Volume (6%) Matrix Cream Developer
- Formula C:
SoColor Cult Red Hot
- Formula D:
15g SoColor Cult Lucky Duck Yellow
15g SoColor Cult Red Hot
Step-By-Step:
- Section It:
- Divide hair into four quadrants.
- Color It:
- Starting in the back left quadrant, use 1/4” sections and apply Formula A to the base. Complete the quadrant, then repeat throughout the head until the base application is complete.
- Lightly mist Instacure on the previously lightened hair, then move to the back left quadrant and take a ¼” section. Apply Formula B to the mids, melting into Formula A at the base.
- Continue applying Formula B to the mids until the line of demarcation, then use your pointer and middle fingers to slightly melt Formula B into the first 2-3” of previously lightened hair to create a seamless transition.
- Process for 30 minutes at room temperature, then rinse, shampoo, and condition with Color Obsessed.
- Melt It:
- Dry the hair, then re-section into four quadrants.
- Starting in the back left quadrant, use the same ¼” sections as the previous application and apply Formula C to the remaining previously lightened mids, blending up towards the previously colored hair.
- Within the same section, apply Formula D to the ends, using your index finger and middle fingers to melt each formula together to create a seamless result.
- Continue working up through the back quadrant, applying Formula C to the mids and melting into Formula D on the ends until complete, then repeat the application through the remaining quadrants until all previously lightened hair has been colored.
- Process for 30 minutes at room temperature, then shampoo, rinse and condition with Keep Me Vivid.
Utopia by Matrix Artist, Pati Rodriguez @pati.rodrigz
Products Used:
- Formula A:
15g (1 scoop) Light Master Pre-Bonded
1 oz (30ml) 20 Volume (6%) Matrix Cream Developer
- Formula B:
1 oz (30g) SoColor Pre-Bonded 6RR
- 1 oz (30ml) 20 Volume (6%) Matrix Cream Developer
- Formula C:
½ oz (15g) SoColor Sync Pre-Bonded 8V
½ oz (15g) SoColor Sync Pre-Bonded 8AA
½ oz (15g) SoColor Sync Pre-Bonded 8AG
1 ½ oz (45ml) 10 Volume (3%) Matrix Cream Developer
- Formula D:
1 oz (30g) SoColor Sync Pre-Bonded 10PV
1 oz (30g) SoColor Sync Pre-Bonded 10PA
2 oz (60ml) 10 Volume (3%) Cream Developer
- Formula E:
30g SoColor Cult Lavender Macaroon
30g SoColor Cult Flamenco Fuchsia
Step-By-Step
- Section It:
- Separate the top from the bottom by using a horizontal parting that starts at the front temple + extends to the back of the head, ending at the opposite side of the head at the front temple.
- In the top section, separate from the back by using a vertical parting beginning at the top of the head and extending to the top of the ear. Repeat on the opposite side.
- In the top back section, sub-divide hair into 2 quadrants by using a vertical parting that starts at the top of the head and extends down to the horizontal parting.
- In the top front section, use horizontal partings to create a mohawk section at the top of the head.
- Pre-Lighten It:
- Starting in the back right quadrant, perform a partial highlighting service by taking a ¼” diagonal back section with a regular stitch. Place section on a foil, then apply Formula A to the section, saturating completely.
- Leaving ¼” between sections, take another ¼” diagonal back section with a regular stitch and place a foil. Repeat the same application as the previous section and apply Formula A.
- Continue dropping down sections + applying Formula A until the entire back quadrant is complete. Then repeat on the opposite side.
- Move to the front right quadrant and continue applying Formula A using the same ¼” diagonal section as the previous quadrants. Work up through the quadrant until you reach the mohawk section, and then repeat on the opposite side.
- Starting at the back of the mohawk section, take a ¼” horizontal section with a regular stitch. Place a foil and then apply Formula A.
- Leaving ¼” between sections, take another ¼” horizontal section with a regular stitch, place a foil, and repeat the same application with Formula A.
- Continue working through the mohawk section towards the front hairline until complete.
- Process until the hair reaches a pale yellow, or up to 50 minutes at room temperature. Then rinse, shampoo, and condition with Unbreak My Blond
- Color It:
- After drying, use the same horizontal parting as the previous application to re-section hair into top and bottom sections. Then divide into four quadrants.
- Beginning at the bottom section, use ¼” vertical partings to apply Formula B to the base.
- Once base application within the bottom section is complete, process for 10 minutes, then move to the top section and use 1/4” diagonal sections to apply Formula C to the base. Continue working through all sections until complete.
- Once base application is complete continue working on the top section and apply Formula D to the mids and ends, melting into Formula C at the base. Continue working through all four quadrants within the top section until complete.
- Process for an additional 20 minutes at room temperature (30 minutes total) then rinse, shampoo, and condition with Color Obsessed.
- After drying the hair, use the same horizontal parting as the previous application to re-section the hair into top and bottom sections.
- Beginning at the nape, take ¼” horizontal sections and apply Formula E from base to ends.
- Without leaving hair between sections, drop another ¼” horizontal section and continue to apply Formula E from base to ends, saturating completely.
- Continue taking ¼” horizontal sections and applying Formula E from base to ends, working upwards through the bottom section until complete.
- Process for 30 minuets at room temperature, then rinse, shampoo, and condition with Keep Me Vivid.
Under The Sea by Matrix Ambassador, Cynthia Lumzy @cynthialumzy
Product Used:
- Formula A:
SoColor Cult Admiral Navy
- Formula B:
30g SoColor Cult Lucky Duck Yellow
30g SoColor Cult Clover Green
- Formula C:
SoColor Cult Royal Purple
- Formula D:
20g SoColor Cult Retro Blue
20g SoColor Cult Dusty Teal
20g SoColor Cult Clear
- Formula E:
SoColor Cult Lucky Duck Yellow
- Section It:
- Using horizontal partings, subdivide hair into 9 sections.
Pro Tip! Adjust the width of your sections based on how much of each color you want to see.
- Color It:
- In this technique you’ll begin your application at the nape + work from bottom to top, moving up through each section until you reach the head.
- Starting in the nape, take a ¼” horizontal section and place a foil. Apply Formula A to the entire section from the base through the ends and saturate completely.
- Continue working through the section, applying Formula A from base to ends until the entire section is complete.
- Move up to the next section and apply Formula B from base to ends, taking fine sections to ensure proper saturation. Continue applying Formula B from base to ends until section is complete.
Pro Tip! Use foil or plastic wrap between sections to prevent color transfer during application.
- In the next section, apply Formula C from base to ends until entire section is complete.
- Then move to the next section and apply Formula D from base to ends using the same application as the previous sections until section is complete.
- In the next section, use the sample application method as the previous section and apply Formula E from base to ends.
- Then move to the next section and apply Formula D from base to ends using the same application as previous sections.
- Continue working through the head and, in the next section, apply Formula C from base to ends.
- Move to the next section and apply Formula B from base to ends using the same application method as all previous sections.
- Beginning in the final section at the top of the head, use fine sections to apply Formula A from base to ends.
- Process for 30 minutes at room temperature, then rinse, shampoo, and condition with Keep Me Vivid.
Step-By-Step
- Section It:
- Using horizontal partings, subdivide hair into 9 sections.
Pro Tip: Adjust the width of your sections based on how much of each color you want to see.
- Color It:
- In this technique you’ll begin your application at the nape and work from bottom to top, moving up through each section until you reach the head.
- Starting in the nape, take a ¼” horizontal section and place a foil. Apply Formula A to the entire section from the base through the ends and saturate completely.
- Continue working through the section, applying Formula A from base to ends until the entire section is complete.
- Move up to the next section and apply Formula B from base to ends, taking fine sections to ensure proper saturation. Continue applying Formula B from base to ends until section is complete.
- In the next section, apply Formula C from base to ends until entire section is complete.
- Then move to the next section and apply Formula D from base to ends using the same application as the previous sections until section is complete.
- In the next section, use the sample application method as the previous section and apply Formula E from base to ends.
- Then move to the next section and apply Formula D from base to ends using the same application as previous sections.
- Continue working through the head and, in the next section, apply Formula C from base to ends.
- Move to the next section and apply Formula B from base to ends using the same application method as all previous sections.
- Beginning in the final section at the top of the head, use fine sections to apply Formula A from base to ends.
- Process for 30 minutes at room temperature, then rinse, shampoo, and condition with Keep Me Vivid.
Pro Tip: Use foil or plastic wrap between sections to prevent color transfer during application.
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