Celebrity colorist and Matrix Celebrity Stylist George Papanikolas is a favorite among Hollywood stars, having turned out beautiful color for Nicole Richie, Shay Mitchell, Hailey Baldwin, Miranda Kerr, the Kardashians and Madonna. And he’s constantly juggling photo assignments, film projects, music tours, fashion shows and his time between Los Angeles, New York and Dubai.
Lydia Hearst’s rich hue by Papanikolas
His signature “glowlights” technique—a balayage method that creates lit-from-within highlights—is inspired by his sunny Southern California hometown and is a perfected evolution of the ombré and balayage highlighting techniques that he helped popularize. Here’s what Papanikolas relies on to create his color masterpieces every time.
Papanikolas created “nude hair” on Ana De Armas
The Tools
Wahl Styling Comb
A flat styling comb like this is necessary for sectioning.
Framar Balayage Set
These brushes are ideal for freehand balayage work.
- Cricket Silkomb Seamless Teeth, Pro 50 Fine-Toothed Rattail and Cricket Silkomb Seamless Teeth, Pro 55 Wide-Toothed Rattail
I use the Pro 50 for backcomb balayage on fine hair and the Pro 55 on coarse hair.
Barbar 3800 Blow Dryer
It’s super powerful and perfect for styling.
Matrix Black Double Tint Bowl
This is great for a single process. I always do one shade lighter on the hairline, so this makes it easy.
The Products
Matrix Color Insider
This permanent ammonia-free color is my go-to.
Matrix Light Master
This makes for super fast lightening up to eight shades.
Matrix SOCOLOR
This permanent color has easy pre-blended color formulations and works to cover resistant grays.
Matrix Color Sync
My demi-semi line. The easy pre-blended formulations produce consistent results. I can’t live without it.
Matrix Bond Ultim8
So necessary for bond protection, especially during highlighting services.