This week we held a press event sponsored by L’Oreal Professionnel, called “Balayage on Bond.” About 40 beauty editors from a wide range of publications attended for cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and a demonstration of my balayage techniques on a blonde, brunette, and redhead models. I showed and explained how this method of highlighting and lowlighting is healthier for the hair and produces much more beautiful and natural-looking results if done correctly. It is why I believe that balayage is the evolution in hair color. Here is a brief photo gallery from the event (you can click on each photo to expand it to full size)!

I recently did a color & cut makeover for Modern Salon Magazine, with the objective of creating a subtle ombre look, which is a more natural and modern take on its original incranation (and in my opinion more beautiful). Although the trend started with an intentional drastic contrast between the roots and midshaft/ends, it has become wrongly interpreted by many as simply hair that was once highlighted and then neglected, with long, dark roots and grown out highlights. This is neither natural nor attractive. There’s a big difference between well-executed ombre haircolor and when you just stop highlighting your hair.

What you see in these photos is an example of the ombre look that we’ve lately been creating in my salon. It’s  an evolution of a trend, that is more refined but done with the same objective of having hair that’s darker in the roots and lighter toward the ends. To create this subtle ombre, we use the balayage hand-painting method of highlighting, since the highlights come out less harsh and ”stripy,” and more blended with the rest of the hair.

My model started out what that many mistake for ombre - grown out brassy highlights with dark roots. You can see how in the “after” photos her hair looks blended, with a graduation of color from roots to ends and without sharp lines - like nature intended, but even better! In addition to her color, I did a concave layered cut to get rid of the heaviness and add more shape so her hair can fall beautifully. You can read the full article and see the photos of the balayage process which I used to create this look, on modernsalon.com.

Subtle Ombre

Roots are too dark; contrast too sharp; highlights too brassy; hair lacks shape

Subtle Ombre 2

Subtle Ombre 3

Subtle Ombre 4

Subtle Ombre 5

Many stylists and colorists have asked me to post my class schedule at L’Oreal Professionnel. I just completed The Perfect Cut: Customizing The Cut Using Razor & Scissors class at LP’s NYC Soho Academy. The class was oversold but we managed to get everyone to participate. There were stylists from all over the country and we had a really great two-day session. Three stylists from my salon: Stephen, Leila, and Gwynne assisted me. They were all really great to work with!

I’m looking forward to my next class in San Fransciso, Cutting & Coloring: Designing The Look, which also incorporates makeup. It will be held at the Di Pietro Todd Salon. Donna, one of my most senior stylists/colorists is coming with me to assist. I will hold two more classes in NYC this year. You can click on the link above to see all of my classes, as well as those by other LP educators. The registration information is on that website, or you can email Tanya Martinez at TMARTINEZ@us.loreal.com to find out about space availability.

The photos of the model prep and the show itself have been posted on my forum. This is Gwen Stafani’s line and the show was sponsored by L’Oreal Professionnel. I used their ammonia-free Inoa hair color on the models. You can see the before/after pics of some of the models, along with a brief description of what I did on their hair, as wel as pics from the show itself. Hope you enjoy!

I’m now posting regular updates on my beauty forum. This blog will be reserved primarily for videos and photography. You can also post your questions there.

Best

Eva

Hi Everyone,
Been in Paris for the past few days at an amazing event put on by L’Oreal Professional! My second trip there in the past month. I love this city - so beautiful and romantic! In October I was there with my husband and we had such an amazing time, especially since it was our wedding anniversary! We rented a scooter and rode all over Paris. I also worked on a bridal trends shoot for L’Oreal, where they brought in one stylist from each of about 12 different countries to create a look that would serve as inspiration for both customers and professionals. It was really intense and exciting. When I get the photos, I will post them here.
Best
Eva

Here are the photos from the L.A.M.B. show, as a follow-up to the previous post with back-stage color. I love the clothes and the hair looked fabulous!

I feel priviledged to have represented L’Oreal Professional as the lead colorist for the LAMB fashion show, during this month’s NY Fashion Week. This is Gwen Stefani’s line and I was really impressed with both the clothing and with the work of Danilo who is Ms. Stefani’s long time hair stylist and did the styling the day of the show. Prior to the show, I did color on all of the models in L’Oreal’s Soho studio, which is a beautiful space to work at with lots of great natural light. The objective was not to significantly alter their natural hair color, but to enhance it. I used L’Oreal’s new Inoa ammonia-free permanent hair color, which I absolutely love, as well as their demi-permanent color, Richesse. I was assisted by our own colorist, Amanda, and by three of L’Oreal’s academy educators. It was a really great exeprience and the color came out beautiful! Here are some behind the scenes photos from the color prep day (you can click on any of the photos to expand them). As soon as I get them, I will also post some photos from the show itself!

AlfaParf Smoothing Cream

When is comes to controlling frizz, getting a great haircut that removes excess bulk and allows the hair to lay closer to the head is at least as important as the right products. A gentle reminder to your stylist not to over-texturize the ends of your hair this time of year may be in order. Having more weight on the ends will help the hair to lay more smoothly with less fly-aways. To further smooth and define the hair, apply a dime-size amount (more if your hair is long and/or thick) of a leave-in moisturizer. Lastly, a good smoothing product such as the AlfaParf Illuminating Smoothing Cream will help to keep your frizz at bay for throughout the day.

One of the best topical antidotes for sunburn is fresh aloe vera.   If you do not have a plant in your kitchen to remedy minor burns, you can buy fresh, whole leaf aloe vera gel at your local health food store.  It is a natural anti-inflammatory and has humectant properties.   Products that are cooling should be avoided; ones with peppermint, menthol, or calamine lotion all contain alcohol which only further dehydrates skin tissue.
Shea butter and olive oil can be soothing emollients that are also moisturizing.  Cucumber is another good natural anti-inflammatory.  Aloe can be applied directly to the skin, or try mixing it in a bowl with sliced cucumber and ice, then creating a compress with a cotton towel.

Aloe Vera