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Get the look: bold and beautiful colour blocking with Wella Professionals

By / October 3rd, 2023 / There are currently 0 comments
Wella Colour Blocking. Model with silver blonde hair on a bright pink background

For hair colour as bold as your client, choose Wella colour blocking!

Colour blocking is a long-established trend in fashion, home-furnishings, makeup, and art – now it’s time for hair to embrace the block! Inspired by the colourful modern paintings of Piet Mondrian, Yves Saint Laurent developed the concept of colour blocking back in 1965. As an ostentatious clapback against Dior’s ‘New Look’ of the 1940s, Saint Laurent championed the power of simplicity – both in movement and colour – empowering women to move freely, and be bold doing it. Over the years, colour blocking has had many reinventions, from softer pastel takes on the trend, to playful and vibrant reimaginings. One thing we can be sure of: the colour block concept isn’t going anywhere.

Block colouring hair

It’s easy to see how block colours can be translated into hair styles. From high contrast shades of blonde and cool combinations of tonal browns, to dreamy pastels and pops of vivid colour, using contrasting colours painted through the hair can really help your clients to stand out. Already one of the hottest hair colour trends of the year and sensationally showcased at TrendVision 2023, we’re confident you’ll be colouring block hair well into 2024!

Wella Professionals have identified a whole host of ways you can try block colouring for hair. While chunky highlighting or lowlighting technically classify as colour blocking, most traditional block techniques don’t use the same colour on multiple areas. According to Wella, the secret to creating a supreme block colour lies in using a combination of carefully selected hair colour tones with precise colour placement to achieve perfect contrast. Whether you go all-out with a half-and-half block technique, get creative with vivid dip-dyes, or opt for a chunky face frame, you can achieve amazing block colour results with any colouring technique.

Block hair colour placement

There are so many ways to achieve block hair colour looks, but make sure you remember the key to contouring and enhancing your client’s features:

  • Dark colour can shorten and narrow the face shape
  • Light colour can lengthen and widen the face shape

Using your knowledge of colouring theory, you can refine your colour placement for a gorgeous and flattering finish. Here are just some block hair colour ideas to make the most of your client’s natural beauty.

Sculpt

If your client wants to contour their features, try adding a darker frame closest to the front of the hair. For example, to create brown hair with depth, use darker brown or black hair dye at the very front section, and lighter tones elsewhere. This will have an elongating effect and draw attention to the eye area – great for wider face shapes.

Wella Professionals colour blocking placement diagram to sculpt wider face shapes

Add Width

Adding bold brightness through the lengths like this stunning silver hair colour adds width and draws attention to the lower part of the face. Great for face shapes that narrow at the jawline and are wider around the forehead.

Wella Professionals colour blocking placement diagram to add width to narrow face shapes

Soften

For clients who want to soften angular features, try focusing light panels closer to the face while leaving depth near the neckline. The face-framing highlights create a targeted lightening effect which opens up the cheekbones and jawline.

Wella Professionals colour blocking placement diagram to soften angular features

Wella colour block hair ideas

Looking for some creative inspo to paint head-turning colours? Check out Wella Professionals’ 6 amazing looks using colour blocking hair techniques.

Bold chunky highlights

Add some oomph to your highlights by painting extra ribbons of lightness throughout the hair. Blending rich chocolate browns with a subtle rose brown tone, this look is a super sophisticated take on colour blocking.

Step 1: Start by painting the highlights using BlondorPlex + Welloxon 6% in vertical and diagonal sections for high impact lightness.

Step 2: Add a root tap and depth to the rest of the hair using Wella Koleston Perfect 5/82 + 6/91 + Welloxon 4% developer.

Step 3: Once the colour has been rinsed, apply WellaPlex No. 2 throughout and leave to develop for 10 minutes. Rinse and remove.

Step 4: Gloss and tone the lightened sections with a rose brown blend of Shinefinity 07/75 + 09/65 + 08/98 + Bottle Activator to set off those chunky highlights.

Wella chunky highlights colour blocking model with thick brown hair on dark green background

Contrast blocking

Playful and punchy, this vibrant contrast hair colour blocking creates a statement piece that really stands out! Recreate this teal-toned beauty to get maximum impact out of those bold colours.

Step 1: Apply BlondorPlex + 6% developer in a large diamond section and back-to-back slices through the front of the hair. Leave the root natural for extra dimension.

Step 2: Rinse and remove before applying WellaPlex No.2. Leave for 10 minutes and cleanse with Wella Fusion Shampoo.

Step 3: Tone the lightened area with a mix of Koleston Perfect 0/28 + 0/30 + 0/00 + Welloxon Perfect Developer 1.9%.

Step 4: Apply a gloss to the rest of the hair with 5/82 + Welloxon Perfect 1.9% to add richness and depth to the base with a glossy finish.

Wella contrast colour blocking model with teal green curly afro hair on mustard yellow background

Blocked face frame

We all love a face frame. Take your look to the next level with this block contrast hair, enhancing blonde hair with a dreamy blend of pastel tones.

Step 1: Using Blondor Freelights and Welloxon 6%, lighten the full face frame and diagonal weaves throughout the hair.

Step 2: Glaze the majority of the hair with Wella Shinefinity hair glaze 08/8 + 0/00 + 00/89 + Brush & Bowl Activator for a soft sky blue. Make sure to leave the hairline out.

Step 3: Complete the look by toning hair with Shinefinity Flash Glaze 010/6 + 00/66 + Bottle Activator on the lightened areas for a multidimensional, mauve-tinted platinum blonde.

Wella blocked face frame colour blocking model with short blonde and pastel blue and pink hair on a blue background

Monochromatic Blocking

A high contrast hair colour that adds beautiful lightness and depth, this monochromatic two tone hair is proof you don’t need vivid brights to turn heads!

Step 1: Using BlondorPlex + 6% lighten hair in two large diamond sections through the front and back, with a small triangle section through the bangs taking back-to-back diagonal slices. Leave 1cm of the roots natural.

Step 2: Once the hair lightener is removed, apply WellaPlex No. 2. Leave to develop for 10 minutes before rinsing and removing.

Step 3: Tone the rest of the hair with Koleston Perfect 4/82 + 0/88 + Welloxon Perfect 1.9%. Also apply this mix to the root area of the lightened sections for a smoky root smudge.

Step 4: Once developed and neutralised, on the lightened areas, glaze hair with Shinefinity 08/98 + 00/00 + 07/81 for a perfectly contrasting silver blonde.

Wella monochromatic colour blocking model with long black and silver two tone hair on a purple background

Express face frame

For maximum impact in minimum time, go express! This time-saving technique helps to add depth to blonde hair and enhances with glowing brightness.

Step 1: Apply a mix of Blondor MultiBlonde + 6% around the face and scatter freehand through the back. Work in diagonal slices, creating a frame around the nape for a stronger effect. As you move closer to the parting, backcomb each section for a softer transition.

Step 2: For depth and shadow, sweep Shinefinity 06/0 + 07/12 + Shinefinity Brush & Bowl Activator through the roots and lengths between the lightness.

Step 3: Enhance tone and shine with Shinefinity Flash Glaze 010/6 + 010/8.

Wella express face frame colour blocking model with long cool blonde hair on a bright pink background

Express chunky highlights

A super easy way to block colour hair, fast and effective chunky highlights offset the base colour with weighty sweeps of an accented shade. Amazing for textured hair, this brunette and block blonde hair colour beautifully accentuates curls and coils.

Step 1: Paint BlondorPlex + Welloxon 6% in large triangular sections around the face.

Step 2: Boost depth through the rest of the hair using Koleston Perfect 5/82 + 8/97 + Welloxon Perfect 1.9%.

Step 3: Once the formula has developed and been neutralised, give the lightened area an extra pop with Shinefinity Flash Glaze 010/10.

Wella express chunky highlights colour blocking model with short curly brown and blonde hair on a blue background

Caring for colour blocked hair

Protecting and maintaining your client’s block hair colour is just as important as getting the look right in the first place! Keep hair looking bold and beautiful for longer with 3 haircare tips for colour retention:

  1. Use colour-kind shampoo and conditioner. Not all hair care products have coloured hair in mind. By choosing a regime specifically for colour-treated hair, your clients can be confident their stunning block colour will stand the test of time. For maximum retention, cleanse with Wella ColorMotion+ Color Protection Shampoo and nourish with the conditioner or Structure+ Mask.
  2. If colour does begin to fade, revitalise it with a Wella Color Fresh Mask. Available in a whole array of shades and a choice of sizes, these zero damage hair colour masks give salon colour a boost of vibrancy and shine while nourishing and protecting strands.
  3. When it comes to colour fade, heat damage is one of the biggest causes. Make sure clients use a heat protection product like EIMI Thermal Image before blow-drying or heat-styling to protect against damage, breakage, and – of course – colour fade.

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