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Lived-in color is here to stay, and Satin Hair Color is embracing the movement with two dimensional looks designed for the modern salon client. Through its new Satin Sessions educational series for professional hair stylists, the hair color brand partnered with Miami-based professional hair stylist and colorist Mike Sharkey to create Obsession Blonde and Expression Brunette. The series offers a behind-the-scenes look at each color process, breaking down techniques to give stylists creative inspiration and practical guidance they can bring back to their salon. The two techniques prioritize natural-looking dimension, intentional brightness, and low-maintenance grow-out — we love to see it.
The Artist Behind the Color: Mike Sharkey
With three decades behind the chair and eight years at Revlon, where he rose from US Education Manager to Global Director of Education, Sharkey now calls Peter Alexander Salon in Miami home. He has seen firsthand how clients’ color preferences are evolving. Rather than sticking to rigid salon schedules, clients are looking for versatile shades that complement their lifestyles while maintaining their vibrancy between appointments.
“Lived-in looks aren’t a trend,” Sharkey shares. “It’s now a classic.”
Meet Obsession Blonde
Obsession Blonde delivers a soft, multidimensional, sun-kissed finish for clients who want brightness without the upkeep of traditional blonde color. Sharkey used Satin Hair Color’s SilverLift Lightening Powder, a professional lightener designed to lift seven or more levels while helping neutralize unwanted warmth. Its de-dusted and low-odor formula is designed to support a more comfortable salon environment.
“I was impressed with how much it minimized orange and warm undertones… I liked the texture and the lift it gave; I didn’t see those warmer tones come through,” Sharkey explains.
Below is Sharkey’s exact step-by-step process of creating Obsession Blonde:
- Place one weaved teasylight foil on each side of the hairline. Continue with six to eight diagonal-back weaved teasylight foils in a herringbone placement, then finish with two horizontal weaved teasylights at the crown.
- Place three pivoting weaved teasylight foils on each side of the head.
- Place two diagonal-back weaved teasylight foils along the hairline in front of each ear. Add one sliced teasylight at the front hairline, then finish with two back-to-back weaved teasylights to brighten the face frame.
- Place four horizontal weaved teasylights on each side of the center part.
- Throughout the process, use Satin Hair Color’s SilverLift Lightening Powder mixed with 25-volume developer, created by blending the brand’s 20- and 30-volume developers.
Meet Expression Brunette
For clients who want movement to darker hair without losing its richness, Expression Brunette offers a dimensional alternative to a one-note brunette color. Soft caramel and golden honey highlights frame the face and catch the light, while a root shadow softens the base for a seamless, low-maintenance grow-out.
“Less is more for the brunette…brunettes don’t want to be blonde, so highlighting has to be intentional. The vision was face framing, a strong money piece, a seamless blend and not over-toning,” Sharkey shares.
Sharkey approached the technique with an emphasis on strategic placement, focusing on face-framing brightness and a defined money piece while keeping the overall brunette tone rich and seamless.
Like Obsession Blonde, Expression Brunette uses Satin Hair Color’s SilverLift Lightening Powder to lift highlights while helping neutralize orange and brassy undertones — keep reading for the full process:
- Begin at the nape, placing three diagonal-back weaved teasylight foils following the hairline. Use Satin Hair Color’s SilverLift Lightening Powder mixed with 25-volume developer, a blend of 20- and 30-volume developers, for controlled lift.
- Place three diagonal-back weaved teasylight foils following the hairline in front of each ear. Add one sliced teasylight at the front hairline to define the money piece, then finish with two back-to-back weaved teasylights for seamless blending.
- Once the hair is rinsed, apply a root shadow to diffuse the base, then tone with Satin Hair Color in shade 8N.
- Wash with Satin Hair Color’s ColorLock Shampoo and Conditioner to help seal in the color and protect vibrancy from the first wash.
Want more where this came from? Follow @satinhairofficial on Instagram for more step-by-step educational breakdowns of Satin Hair Color’s latest looks. For more information, visit satinhaircolor.com, and to shop, visit Empire Beauty Supply.
SHOOT CREDITS:
- Lead Colorist & Stylist: Mike Sharkey
- Stylist: Duber Osorio
- Stylist Assistant: Angelica Mendoza
- Photographer: Danny Cardozo
- Wardrobe Stylist & Designer: Ricardo Zuccolini
- Makeup Artist: Angelique Deltete
- Models: Rachel Garcia-Carrillo & Olivia Buzzell
- Director of Sales: Lisa Finucane
