How to create a buzz around blonde glazing

Wella Professionals' blonde glazing, in partnership with Zoë Irwin, Wella Professionals UK colour trend expert, is a massive opportunity for you and your salon. Read on to find out what it is and why you won't want to miss out...

What is the inspiration for blonde glazing?

This season we're jetting off to the French Riviera and Saint Tropez to spend time on the sun-drenched beach of Pampelonne with its crystal blue sea, long stretches of sand and chic beach clubs. Following on from Zoë's last collection, called Haze Glazing, the vibe is still the 1970s and she's particularly focused on her adoration for the diffused photography of the era with its soft haze dream effect. "I love the way sunlight hits the hair from behind giving it an ethereal quality and creating amazing silhouettes. I'm once again referencing the colours and tones of wheat and dried grasses which were so prevalent in 1970s fashion photography," explains Zoë. You can see these beautiful tones coming through in the SS20 shows, like Chloé, Miu Miu, Stella McCartney and Roksanda. Zoë's muses are Brigitte Bardot and Monica Vitti whose hair colour looks so gorgeous even 50 years later because of the multi-tonal shades and the seamless way their colour blends.

Why the 1970s?

"We know we're going through turbulent times, so we've become more nostalgic. This has been well documented in fashion over the last few seasons – you can see the 1970s palette strongly featured again in the SS20 shows," she explains. We are looking back to a time of fond memories so there's an emotional connection with the time. When we think about the 1970s we think of long hot summers and wearing gorgeous dresses. This time was well documented with images shot in warm hazy light and they are also filtered with soft and dreamy hues. The colours themselves are very comforting at a time of such despair. We are subconsciously leaning towards colours that make us feel homely, warm and nostalgic.

The summer blonde glazing trend

"Summer is a big time for blondes and when Wella Professionals asked me to create a glazing palette for my favourite product, Illumina Color, it was a dream come true," says Zoë. "I spent days mixing shades, including four new cool blonde shades, and coming up with new ones for my glazing palette," she adds. Glazing or toning as it is also known, is such a huge part of Zoë's work with blondes. She gives all of her clients at least two products – Wellaplex to strengthen their hair, and a glazing service with Illumina Color. She says there's no way anyone would leave the salon without a glaze being applied. "My palm painting technique (which is the traditional French way to balayage) is beautiful and my clients often say they love their hair already once I've finished this step in their service. They can't believe the difference to their hair once the glaze is explained," explains Zoë.

The four new blonde shades

Wella Professionals has added four new cool blonde shades to its Illumina Color portfolio... 10/81 is great for lightening natural hair up to 3 levels. It offers neutralisation on warm yellow and orange undertones to achieve clean sophisticated blondes. It is also ideal for toning over pre-lightened hair to achieve those extra cool icy results. Tip: Use it for more neutralisation than the 10/69 blonde toner. 9/59 is great for toning natural hair depth 7/0 and lighter for a delicate and slightly warmer raspberry hue. Try over previously pre-lightened hair for a delicate blonde with a slight blush hue. Tip: For rose effects try combining with Titanium Rose from Opal-Essence, or to achieve an even cooler result combine with 8/69 or 10/69. 9/19 is great for gently neutralising golden hues when lightening or to create a soft icy beige when toning pre- lightened hair. Use on natural hair to achieve natural beige blondes. Tip: Combine with 9/60 for additional neutralisation. Avoid use on natural grey hair or combine with 8/ for optimal coverage with a cooler finish. 8/93 is great for lightening natural hair on depth 5/0 and lighter. Beautiful for toning a brunette Illuminage shade to maintain soft and natural highs in the hair. Tip: For clients with grey hair use in combination with 8/ for coverage.

How to create glazing balayage

The glaze is a 'diluted' wash of colour that picks up on any pre-lightened areas of the hair, working with the Illumina Color palette. Follow the steps below to recreate Zoë’s glazing balayage look on clients in the salon. The Lightening Formula: 30g Blondor Freelights Powder 45ml 12% Blondor Freelights Developer 3ml Wellaplex No1 The Glazing Formula using Illumina Color 9/59: 30g 9/59 Illumina Color 30g Platinum Lily Opal-Essence by Illumina Color 120ml Welloxon Perfect 1.9% Pastel Developer Follow the steps to create the Book a course at a Wella studio in London: +4480 36504700, Manchester: +44161 8342645 or Dublin:+3531 4160900. Email uk.wellastore.com or go to @wellahairuk #WellaColour. This is a sponsored post by Wella Professionals.