Highlights are a big money maker in salons, but one appointment can last for hours. Time is money, which is why knowing special techniques and time-saving tricks can speed up the amount of time that a client spends in your chair and increase revenue.
To save time and boost business, Matrix Global Ambassador Alfredo Lewis (@alfredo_lewis) offers Rise & Shine High-Speed Highlights—a minimal foil technique that helps achieve high-impact lift, shine, and dimension in less time.
Source: Courtesy of Alfredo Lewis (@alfredo_lewis)
“Rise & Shine is a quick-service lightening technique that can be done with 20 to 25 foils strategically placed for maximum impact blonding,” says Lewis. “It’s a great way to save time in the salon and make more money. Depending on hair type and density, it will save up to an hour behind the chair. They’re called Rise & Shine because we are using Matrix High Riser 9 level lift to get maximum lift, and toning with Matrix Tonal Control Acidic, which gives maximum shine.”
According to Lewis, Rise & Shine High-Speed Highlights work on all levels of hair and all hair types. They’re ideal for clients who are either looking to add brightness to their overall color, want a low-maintenance look instead of full highlights, or are new to color and want a subtle change that will still make an impact.
The technique can be used to create beautiful blonde highlights in three strategic places while keeping the interior with a lot of dimension to make the blonde pop. When it comes to creating Rise & Shine Highlights, Lewis has three steps for achieving easy color.
Source: Courtesy of Alfredo Lewis (@alfredo_lewis)
“I start by making a half moon shape in the nape of the hair and do three to six teasy lights to create a blended highlight effect,” Lewis says. “These pieces will give highlights from the nape, which is crucial. Next, I section from the occipital bone to crown and leave the interior out. Then I make a rectangular section from brow to brow and do diagonal sectioning around the temples and face frame. Teasy lights for face frame and slices on mohawk section for a halo effect.”
Lewis’ rule of thumb is to always formulate one level darker than the clients’ blonde. “When toning, you can do warm, cool—get creative,” he says. “My rule of thumb is to always formulate one level darker than your blonde. For instance, if you lift to an 8, formulate a 7.”
Source: Courtesy of Alfredo Lewis (@alfredo_lewis)
At the end of every appointment, Lewis sends clients home with products from Matrix Brass Off or So Silver depending on their results to help maintain their look at home until their next touch-up.
If you’re interested in learning more about the Rise & Shine technique, Lewis has designed a hands-on High-Speed Highlights Class that shares all insider tips and High-Impact Foiling Techniques for creating seamless, natural-looking blondes in less time. The class will also cover Creative Toning Techniques and how to formulate for cool, neutral, and warm looks; as well as Secret Finishing and Styling Techniques to elevate and accentuate all hair types.
“Colorists can look forward to learning a new way to approach highlights that will give them maximum impact with minimal effort,” says Lewis.
The next class will be offered on Feb 26th, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (local time) at a SalonCentric store near you. For more information and to register, click here.