How is it different from traditional methods?
Traditional highlighting, or all-over color, usually starts right at the root and creates a more uniform, consistent look from roots to ends. While this can look bright and polished, it often creates a noticeable line of regrowth, which requires more frequent maintenance appointments.
Lived-in color is designed to grow out softly and naturally. Instead of placing color directly at the root, the roots area is diffused so there’s no harsh line. It also focuses on dimension and brightness through mid-lengths and ends, creating a softer, more natural look.
what are lived-in colors?
Lived-in color is a low maintenance hair color technique designed to grow out softly and naturally. Instead of a solid color from roots to ends, the color is blended with highlights, depth, and a softer root to avoid a harsh line as your hair grows.
The goal is to create a natural, dimensional look that mimics how hair would lighten over time, while still feeling bright and polished.
Lived-in color is perfect if you want a bright and dimensional hair that still looks beautiful as it grows out.
what should I expect at my appointment?
When you get to the salon in Keizer, we’ll start with a thorough consultation to talk about your hair goals, inspiration, photos, lifestyle, and maintenance preferences. This is a free service that helps me create a customized plan that works for your hair while keeping it healthy!
During your actual color appointment, I’ll keep you updated throughout the process so you always know what we’re doing and what the next steps are.
You can also relax and enjoy complimentary snacks and drinks during your visit!
We’ll finish with a blowout and styling so you can see the final result. Then I’ll take you through recommended products and tips to maintain your color and keep your hair looking its best between visits.
lived-in color services
Boost your hair’s brightness while maintaining some of its natural dimension. This premium service includes a custom foil, root smudge, toner, a wash, and my signature style.
Disclaimer:If your end goal is to be drastically brighter than what your hair currently is, multiple sessions may be necessary to prioritize hair health and acheive optimal results.
$225
210 minutes
Choose this service for a maintenance appointment to refresh your color between full-foil sessions. This includes a half-head of customized foil work, a root smudge, toner, wash, and my signature style.
$185
180 minutes
Choose this service for minimal foil work around your face and hairline. Great for a quick refresh on your color in-between larger color appointments. Comes with a root smudge, toner, wash, and my signature style
$140
120 minutes
Choose this service for a full application of color instead of lightener. Perfect for adding dimension and depth to your hair. Also comes with a root smudge, toner, and my signature style.
Note: ideal for grey blending
$225
180 minutes
lived in color testimonials
Corinna Boles“I’ve been seeing Abby for the past two years for both haircuts and color, and every single appointment has been wonderful. She consistently delivers beautiful results, and I always leave very happy with my hair. Her pricing is very reasonable for the quality of work she provides.
Abby takes the time to truly understand what you’re looking for and walks you through realistic expectations of what can be achieved.
Abby’s warm, friendly, and incredibly easy to talk to, which makes every appointment comfortable and enjoyable. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for a talented, professional stylist who genuinely cares about her clients.”
Google Reviews
“Abby is the best! I always leave loving how natural, and beautiful my hair looks. She truly listens and delivers exactly what I’ve asked for, only better. On top of her talent, she’s such a kind and genuine person. I wouldn’t trust anyone else with my hair!”
Emma Lowery
Google Reviews
Frequently asked questions
Balayage is a technique, while lived-in color is more like an or overall color approach.
Balayage is a highlighting technique where lightener is hand-painted onto the hair to create soft, natural-looking brightness. It focuses on a seamless blend and sun-kissed effect, usually getting lighter toward the ends.
Lived-in color is the finished style that prioritizes a soft, low maintenance grow out. It often uses multiple techniques such as balayage, foils, root smudges, and toning to create dimension and a diffused root to avoid a harsh color line as your hair grows.
For smaller color services like toner refreshes and root retouches appointments can take anywhere from 1 – 2 hours.
For larger color services like partial custom foils & full custom foils, appointments can take anywhere from 3 – 5 hours.
Not at all! Lived-in color is a coloring approach that can work for almost any hair color!
The goal of lived-in color is to create a soft dimension and blended root so the color grows out naturally. While it’s often seen with blonding services, that same goal can be used for brunettes, darker blondes, and even warmer tones to add depth, brightness, and movement.
For example, brunettes can have lived-in caramel or mocha tones, while blondes might have brighter pieces with a soft root blend. No matter the shade, the goal is always dimension, softness, and lower-maintenance grow out!
I typically recommend waiting a few days before your first wash so the hair cuticle has time to fully close and the color has time to settle in. Washing too soon can sometimes cause color to fade faster.
Depending on the service you receive, I’ll also recommend specific shampoos and products that will help keep your color looking fresh and lasting as long as possible. Using color safe products and not overwashing can make a big difference in maintaining your results!
For lived-in color, most of my clients can go about three months between appointments. This style is designed to grow out softly, so you won’t have any harsh color lines.
Around the three month mark, you may start to notice the color fading a bit or feel ready to refresh the brightness and tone. At that point, we can do a maintenance appointment to bring the color back to life and keep everything looking blended and fresh.
