Business, Hair Talk

Trust The Process✨ The Tenacious Blonde Edition

This is a guest blog post written by the amazing Sophia Musto.


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Meet my guest, Emily. Emily’s goal is to be a shiny, healthy, bright blonde. Let me walk you through the process of how we achieved this look. Blondes are my life! Creating the perfect tone is what I thrive for.

I always believe in starting each service with a signature consult. In the consult we go over hair chemical history as well as the desired look. We wanted to go slow so we could keep dimension while also giving the added pops of bright blonde to give that west coast blonde appeal or #livedinblonde

Started the process by sectioning the head in to 5 partings (3 in the front and 2 in the back). This is my go to parting for a partial highlight with a Foilayage in the back.

In the back section I quickly sliced through sections and hand painted lowlights to add depth. This was achieved with LOREAL PROFESSIONNEL DIA RICHESSE 6.34 AND .24 9VOL, 1/8 Olaplex 1 on the back section of the head.

When reaching the crown, I began to add babylights throughout to make the dimension POP. To get the added pop my go to is Studio Blonde #AmmoniaFREE hair lightening powder paired with 30mvol and 1/8 Olaplex 1. I’m obsssed with the new color track mixing

When I reached the front of the head I add heavy face frame around the pony tail lines. I lace out very, very fine sections to enhance the face highlights.

This is my signature that clients always praise me for. My attention to detail in all, my blonding. Continuing through my sections by alternating 8.34 diarichese with added .34 for more Vibrancy. I bumper back to back all high and low lights with my Framar foils.

Process 20 mins with red light therapy. I use this heat to shift the temperature so my client can get the total treatment from head to toe, literally.

Rinse and shampoo with Inoa Post Shampoo to even out the porosity the hair before applying my gloss.

Here’s How I did it:

DiaLIGHT Gloss

Root Formula
9.02 1.7 OZ
2.6 OZ 9 vol developer

10.21 1.7 oz
2.6 oz 9 vol developer

Process 10 mins

Olaplex #2 20 mins

Olaplex #3 take home

Shampoo with Olaplex 4 and Condition with Olaplex #5 leave on for 3-5 mins

Time to style!

Apply IGK Cali Time primer and Olaplex #6 cream styler.

Dry hair and smoothed with by blonde Ibiza boar round bristle brush. Prepped with IGK Beach Waves before adding my signature Babyliss Pro tool waves.

I create this signature look by alternating between hot tools, my nano pro iron, and 1″ nano curling iron.

I love how the vibrant trend is staying around. I see the trend expanding this season with tons of highlighter hair. 90 neons are everywhere and the look this year at cochella.

About Sophia Musto


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On the average I see 80 color guest a month and that’s on the low-end. I have been a stylist behind the chair for 20 years this year.

I experimented with other brand over my career, but I always run back to LOREAL. I absolutely fell in love with Balayage Five years ago when on World Tour with Loreal. I make sure to keep up with my education every day.

I tune in weekly to the L’Oreal social media channel to see my favorite Loreal Fessional perform live education. Theresa Adams and MinKim are always sharing knowledge on their social media channels.

You can find me in Bel Air Maryland, I’m so very fortunate that I border so close to Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, and Washington DC. I am celebrating my one-year anniversary of being a salon owner this summer! If you like my tips and tricks be sure to follow me at @SophiaMusto on Instagram, Hair by Sophia Musto on Facebook, and Hairbysophiamusto.com

Products used:

Framar my nonslip starstruck silver pre-cut sheets
Framar Black mamba gloves
L’Oreal professional and Inoa Post Shampoo
L’Oreal professional salon studio multi technics lightning powder for up to eight levels of lift
L’Oreal professional blonde studio nutri-Developer 30 volume
L’Oreal professional DIA RICHESSE 6.34, 8.34, .24
L’Oreal professional DIActivateur 9 vol
L’Oreal professional dialight 10.12
Olaplex 1
Olaplex 2 Bond perfector
Olaplex 4 bond maintenance shampoo
Olaplex 5 Bond maintenance conditioner
Olaplex 6 Bond smoother
IGK call time Styling primer
IGK beach club Volumizing texture spray
BaByliss Nano titanium 1’’ spring iron
BaByliss prima 3000 Straightening iron
Bio Ionic 10x Ultra light speed dryer