If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook you’ll know I recently got my hair done. I got it cut and for the first time ever, colored! I had been wanting to get my hair colored since before New York Fashion Week, but unfortunately I was not fast enough in booking my hair stylist. I say that because she is always booked and for good reason! My hair stylist Krystal works at Vito Mazza known in 2012 for being the best Salon and Spa in the U.S. by Repackage.
I had never had my hair colored but I was ready for a lighter look and to say good-bye to my naturally dark brown/black hair. I have thick curly hair but my curls were being weighed down by the length of my hair. I was also losing hair in the shower and some days in bigger chunks than I was comfortable seeing. I take Biotin, the supplement known to help with hair growth and strength, but not regularly. So I was ready for a change that would be healthy for my hair.

I chose my hair stylist before I chose the salon, as she is someone I went to college with. Don’t you love when you’ve kept in touch with someone who becomes successful!? I knew she would do a great job on my hair not only because I knew her, but because her social media is a resume for her work. A scroll through her Instagram alone is an album of her meticulous cut and colors. And not to mention my mom who has very short hair has become her one of her clients as well. Although my mom colors her own hair she always gets it professionally cut. She’s been getting her hair done by hair stylists since I was little, so I knew she would shoot me straight on where to go.
I was more excited for the change than nervous and had sent Krystal pictures on what I was thinking. I didn’t know what the name of the style I wanted was, thankfully she did. Turns out what I wanted was a balayage! Similar yet different from an ombre hairstyle due to the way the color is applied. The goal in this technique is to make the color transition more natural looking. Unlike an ombre hairstyle, dark hair or your natural hair color is left uncolored in the bottom half of the hair. Who Knew!
Here are the steps Krystal took to achieve my awesome new hair.
- Dry cut my hair.
- She then applied Matrix Light Master, which lightens the color of your hair (the blayage).
- Once she applied the Matrix lightener she wrapped those sections with foil.
Off to the dyer for 20 mins, so that the matrix could set.
- My hair was taken out of the foils and the Matrix was rinsed out.
- She then toned my hair with Matrix Color Sync which helps strengthen the hair fibers. It also helps get rid of unwashed color pigment while locking in the color.
- Next Bond Ultim8 Step two was applied to my hair for ten mins. This step helps protect your hair from damage in the process of coloring.
- Once the Bond Ultim8 was rinsed off my hair was shampooed and conditioned with Matrix Biolage Hydrasource.


A sit under the dryer came next to lightly dry my hair.

She then cut my hair again, to give it a long in the front and shorter in the back style.
As I hardly straighten my hair I opted for a curly do so she styled it with Deva Curl frizz free foam, coconut curl cream and curl boosting gel spray .

I use Tresemme Color protect shampoo and conditioner every morning. I try not to leave my hair under hot water as I don’t want the color to be stripped quickly. Once a week I apply the Matrix Bond Ultim8 for ten minutes and rinse it out. I am currently using Shea Moisture coconut, hibiscus curl and shine leave-in conditioner for thick and curly hair when I style my hair
My amazing hairstylist Krystal is also a Matrix Artistic Educator. She not only works for Vito Mazza but does hair for special occasions like weddings and proms. Check her out and book her now, she gets booked fast!
I love my new hair! Have you ever tried a new hair style? How was your experience?
T.S.
Fely
October 16, 2017I love your new hair. I haven’t touched mine in years. I want to go lighter but too scared it is going to get damaged like in the past.
tabithas6493
October 22, 2017Ugghh I was a bit scared, but trusted my hair stylist. Its so great when you have a connection to someone who is changing your look.
Elayna Fernandez
October 17, 2017I’ve actually never colored my hair. It’s always been pitch black and now I have a few grays. I love both your before and after looks. You are a natural beauty!
tabithas6493
October 22, 2017Awww thank you so much , so sweet. I know I was the same, but New York Fashion Week came around and I really wanted a change.
AUTUMN L. PINEIRO
October 19, 2017Hello, I’ve read your blog about your new look, I like it, but I loved you hair before. You talked about a products for curls with coconut. ..I am very interested. I am a person in allot of pain everyday, and have an auto-immune disorder that took years to find out answers, I can’t drive due to seizures, but I have had a interesting life before I was hit by the car, now I have to depend on others or using my computer & have things mailed to me. It would be nice to live on a bus route but I love the country as well. Thanks for your site.
So the name of the curl creme is Shea Moisture with coconut
tabithas6493
October 22, 2017Thank You for reading!! Aw I hope you are ok! Yes its my Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus. I was ready for a new look lol!