Q&A with Ted Gibson’s Master Colorist Jason Backe

This just in, girls. Jason Backe, celebrity colorist for Ted Gibson who highlights and treats the tresses of Anne Hathaway and Renee Zellweger (amongst many other A-listers), answers hair color questions and offers some insight. Read on...

Is it easier going light to dark, or dark to light?

Both have their own set of complications and issues. As long as you are going three or fewer levels darker or one to two levels lighter you should get great at home results. Anything more in either direction requires multiple steps and should be handled by a pro.

Which color is harder to maintain?

Both colors require the same kind of maintenance. A retouch on the new hair growth every three to four weeks will keep your color looking fresh and fantastic. If you are coloring your hair lighter this is the golden rule. The scalp generates heat which makes the color process more effectively.

What are the steps to going from dark to light? Should it take more than one process? (i.e. dark, to light brown, to dark blonde, to light blonde…)

Remember you are going to get the best results going light at home by staying within the one to two level lighter rule. When you are going lighter remember your scalp produces heat which acts as a catalyst and process the color more quickly. If you apply the color from your scalp to ends you will end up with color that is lighter at the scalp and darker on the ends- and as far as I’m concerned there is nothing WORSE in the world than hair color that goes from light to dark! When applying the color start one finger width from the scalp and go through the ends. After you finish, go back and apply to the scalp and process for the full manufacturers’ recommended processing time.

Is it possible to get salon results out of a box?

It’s difficult to get salon perfect color from a box! Hair coloring is as much a science as it is an art. There are things a well trained colorist knows about NRP (natural remaining pigment), color theory and formulation--just to name a few. That being said if you follow the rules of not more than three levels darker, not more than two levels lighter and the one finger rule when going lighter, you can have FANTASTIC results- and I will admit I have had several people come into the salon with very impressive at home color jobs!

Ted Gibson: Unplugged.

Last night, TotalBeauty arranged for some bloggers to have an "unplugged" interview with Ted Gibson at his Fifth Avenue salon. I finally got to meet Tia Williams and Risi-Leanne Baranja and caught up with Erika, Kristen, Marina and Anne as well.

I have to tell you: I adore that Ted. He is so calm and unaffectedly real. He's a little baby bit shy and punctuates with his shoulders. I learned last night that he's originally from Texas, has a father who was in the military, and even played football in high school. After high school, he studied fashion before delving into the beauty world. He's as sweet as his beloved wild orchid extract which makes a cameo in nearly all of his products' ingredient lists.

Ted gave us the scoop on his upcoming hair product happenings. In case you aren't well-versed in Ted's products, let me school you. They are nothing short of phenom. They all smell divine, really WORK, and are beautifully packaged. He noted that it's very important to him that his products look good and deliver. I.e., they're good on the inside and the outside. It's true in beauty and it's true in life, isn't it dolls?

Ted discussed some new products he's creating that are slated to hit shelves in late summer 2008. There was talk of a protein line, an oxygen line (I love me some O) a frizz and shine serum, a wax, a pomade and a spray gloss. But I'm most excited about a dry shampoo he's creating which he cryptically said "is neither an aerosol, nor a spray." It is, however, colored for different hair hues and will be delishly scented. I told him I simply cannot wait for that. I'll keep you posted. Lastly, he's going to be coming out with a candle called Potential Beauty which will incorporate blood oranges. Yum, yum, yum. Potential beauty stems from Ted's belief that ALL women have the ability to be beautiful. His goal is to help women "see the beauty in themselves, be it their jawlines, the back of their necks, or cheekbones."


Stay tuned for a Goodnite ($200) treatment (left) review. I was secretly hoping I'd get to try some out and lo and behold, it was included in our gift bags.

Thanks so much to TotalBeauty for this FAB opportunity! And thanks to Anne for the pic (above)! Pictured (L-R) are: Anne, Ted, Erika, Risi-Leanne, me (with my new blonder hair!), and Marina.

Fashion Week: Thuy

Gals, I have to tell you. It's like I've been trying to get through my dinner for years... and it's finally time for dessert. Thank you, Total Beauty, for the opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream of reporting on Fashion Week.

This weekend is a whirlwind of fantastic events. Yesterday, I, along with over 25 other bloggers attended a fab dinner at Koi sponsored by Total Beauty and Aveda. Tomorrow, Splendicity is sponsoring a delish brunch at Sarabeth's. I look forward to that. It was great to have the opportunity to meet so many darling ladies, whose blogs I'd been reading forever, in person. I also realized something funny. In every situation/group I'd been in previously, I'd say I knew a good 90% more on average than the other people in the room about all aspects of beauty: makeup, hair, skincare, bath products, nail polish, etc. I think of myself as someone with broad knowledge of each. I realized how little I know about the ins and outs of each particular aspect of beauty compared to these other girls... except about hair. It seems hair is my number one thing, dolls. Who even knew? That was the only topic about which I could hold my own! Anywho, back to Fashion Week coverage.

This morning, I attended the Thuy show, where the MAC makeup artist focused on ethereal white shadow, enough liner to make me happy, and a strong matte lip. No gloss to be found here, ladies. But trust me, you won't miss it. Lashes were long, thick and defined. But the hair won me over. Dolls, I typically don't love an updo. But I'd allow Liam of Ted Gibson haircare to updo-me any day. Soft, glistening curls were loosely anchored into twists or relaxed pony tails resting midway on the back of the head.

I loved the mod colors, bold tights, and sky high shoes in every color possible of a Crayola 64 pack. I don't purport to be a fashion blogger, but I will see this white silk dress and this purple dress and chocolate brown coat combo again in my dreams. Brown and purple is going to be HUGE in my Fall 08 lifestyle, that's for damn sure.





Here are my fave beauty looks of the show:














Stay tuned for backstage scoop on Miss Sixty, Tibi, and Vivienne Tam.

Photo credit: Beauty Blogging Junkie