This week we’re here with our client Montana to explore a slightly longer variation on the classic long bob (LOB) with a chic dusty violet finish. The process requires meticulous lightening, careful sectioning, and precise color deposition to achieve a soft, diffused violet fade that reads sophisticated rather than bold.
Preparation and initial cut
We’re going to start by taking off some of the length. Montana’s hair is all rubber-banded and we’re going to begin by cutting off a large portion of the length. Next, we’re gonna give her a bit of a rough cut for the layers to take out some of the bulk of the hair. As we cut, we are making sure to point cut her hair with the scissors pointing in the same direction as her hair. We’ve sectioned her hair into four sections according to how Montana parts her hair.
Ombre foil technique: backcombing and babylights
We’re going to use two techniques to do the ombre foil: BACKCOMBING and BABYLIGHTS. Visually choose how much dark and light you want to see in each section. Apply the lightener to the hair making sure the ends are COMPLETELY saturated. Gently feather the lightener into the backcombed section with the brush parallel to the hair. We want to STAGGER the amount of dark in each section by about 2 inches (i.e. rotate through these staggered sections until the entire quadrant is complete). This will allow us to create an even more diffused fade line by breaking up the color. To accomplish this, we are going to make a baby fine weave at the very top of each backcomb section. Next we will continue with our backcombing foil. We’re going to pull the baby-light down and FEATHER the lightener on. You’ll want to paint the lightener slightly closer to the root than the previous backcombed section. We are going to continue this pattern all the way to the top of the head.
Processing and second lightening pass
So far so good. We’re gonna let it sit for about one hour total, and then we’ll wash out the foils. With step one done, Montana’s hair is a nice yellowy-orange color. Next we are going to do a second set of foils, this time from front to back. Make sure to paint every section as precisely as possible. Montana’s hair needs two lightening processes in order to achieve the light blonde color we need. This step is to lighten the blonde for a second time. We are also going to add baby-lights to the back combed sections (front panels and above the o-bone in the back) as we did before. You want to make sure that you are picking through any of the portions of hair that are already light enough and pulling them out from the rest of the hair.
Finishing touches and color stabilization
With the second set of foils in, we’ve almost hit the 6 hour mark and Montana is overjoyed that she is almost out of the chair with fabulous new hair. The second set of foils has almost finished processing. After the second toner and a quick blow dry, we’re back at it on day 2 of Montana’s journey to dusty violet hair. There were also a few spots that were slightly too warm, so we pulled her natural color up onto those sections so that they don’t peek through her finished hairstyle. The end result is a beautiful dusty violet. It’s fabulous!
Color technology and maintenance: why dusty violet lasts
The dustiness and depth of the violet tone come from advanced ionic technology that utilizes pure ionic micro pigments for deeper, more intense color deposit. Ion Color Brilliance penetrates the cuticle layer of the hair and lodges in the cortex, ensuring 100% flawless gray coverage. High Lift shades lift up to 5 levels and tone without bleach. Ion Hair Color’s superior quality blends are formulated in Italy by expert chemists to deliver unparalleled results. This system combines the finest quality natural and exotic ingredients with powerful high-tech compounds to achieve exquisite, brilliant color with superior gray coverage. Ion Color Color science relies on micro-pigmentation - microscopic pigment molecules oxidize slower, allowing them to penetrate deep into the cortex for long-lasting, fade-resistant color. These formulas are PPD free and enriched with hyaluronic acid, argan oil, pequi oil and botanicals to nourish and strengthen hair from within. Ion Hair Color is gentle on hair, containing up to 38% less ammonia than the leading professional brands on the market.
Practical tips for achieving the look
- Ensure complete saturation of the ends during each lightening pass to avoid uneven results.
- Feather the lightener consistently and maintain a controlled root-to-midsection gradient for a natural transition.
- Monitor warmth and adjust by pulling natural color up onto overly warm sections.
- Use backcombing and baby-lights strategically to create a diffused fade that avoids harsh lines.
- Section and plan the foils before applying lightener.
- Perform two lightening sessions to reach the desired level of blonde for the dusty violet finish.
- Apply toner and finalize with a precise blow-dry for best results.
Tie-ins for the color family and finish: dusty violet sits between muted purples and soft lavender tones, offering a sophisticated, fashion-forward aesthetic that flatters many skin tones when paired with tailored cuts like the extended LOB. The result is a harmonious balance between depth, warmth, and cool violet hints that read as wearable artistry rather than a stylistic statement.
