Friendly Feathers

This feather trend, love it or hate it, will probably be around for awhile.  Sadly, I learned recently that there is not a humane way of harvesting the feathers that are commonly sold as extensions.  With this in mind, and as a hairstylist that does not offer extensions anyway, I decided to reinterpret the trend.  I set out to create a similar look by pre-lightening a small section of hair, then I painted on a freehand feather pattern.  I did this on my friend, who has hair past her shoulders.  I took a section just above and behind her ear, about a two inch by two inch square.  The "feather" looks great against the balayage highlights in her ends.    This is a creative technique, so be prepared for the cost and time of the service to reflect that.

NEW PHOTOS!

This is another happy friendly feather recipient!  We color melted the tips with an intense copper a few months ago.  We both still loved the color on the ends but wanted to add something new.  When Leia came in, she was wearing some feather earrings.  I brought up the feather trend and offered to paint a feather pattern in a section of her hair.  She currently has great layers that Master Stylist Peter Corvington cut for her.  I chose to take a section just in front and above the ear, but behind the front hairline slightly.  I lightened the section, then toned the background to a rich golden blonde.  I used the tip of my tint brush to paint, or press, horizontal lines into the hair.  I love the way it turned out!

photos via http://girlgenius.tumblr.com/post/8350780875