Get the Formula: Lesley-Ann Brandt’s Dark-to-Red Transformation

Lesley-Ann Brandt took her natural deep brown hair to a dimensional ginger, courtesy of celebrity stylist Jacob Schwartz using Schwarzkopf Professional products.

“She’s come a long way since that box dye red in high school,” the “Lucifer” and “The Walking Dead” actress joked on an Instagram post celebrating her new color.

Schwartz said the South African actress’ hair “takes color very easily” and that the process took about 4 hours. “First I did an all-over color with a richer red,” he said. “Then we did tons of highlights all over and layered another vibrance on her all over with a lighter copper red.”

Brandt had been talking about going auburn for a while, Schwartz says. “Color is a big change; it's not as simple to go back as you would think!” he says.

“I always recommend doing a demi-permanent first if you're trying out a new color or plan to change it at some point. Also trying on different colored wigs. So that way you have an idea of what you like on your skin tone.”

Lesley-Ann Brandt took her natural dark locks red courtesy of stylist Jacob Schwartz
Lesley-Ann Brandt took her natural dark locks to ginger courtesy of stylist Jacob Schwartz (shown, center). (Lesley-Ann Brandt)

Process & Formula

Step 1    

  • Application — applied to the entire head. 
    • IGORA Vibrance 7-77 + 7-57 + 0-77 (30 gr. of each color )  + 7-88 (10 gr.)
    • Mixed with IGORA Vibrance Activator Lotion 6 vol. (1:1)
    • Develop for 20 minutes. 

Step 2   

  • Shampoo & Condition

Step 3

  • Application – Highlights 
    • BLONDME Premium Clay Lightener mixed with BLONDME Premium Developer 7 vol (1:2)
    • Rinse when the hair reaches a gold stage.
  • Application – Balayage ends only. 
    • BLONDME Premium Clay Lightener mixed with BLONDME Premium Developer 40 vol (1:2)
    • Rinse when the hair reaches a gold stage.

Step 4

  • Application – applied to the roots only. 
    • IGORA Vibrance 7-77 + 7-57 + 0-77 + 7-0  (equal parts of each color)
    • Mixed with IGORA Vibrance Activator Lotion 6 vol. (1:1)
    • Develop for 10 minutes.

Step 5

  • Application to entire head 
    • IGORA Vibrance 7-77 + 7-57 + 0-77 (equal parts of each color)
    • Mixed with IGORA Vibrance Activator Lotion 6 vol. (1:1)