Slap It On & Pray: The Balayage That Scares Stylists | Audra Brown

In this episode I sat down with my online bestie Audra Brown (@audrapaintshair), the colorist and educator behind Atomic Orchard Salon and the creator of the Del Oro Method, and y'all, this one is packed. Audra's been doing hair for 20 years, and she pulls back the curtain on traditional balayage the right way — the low-and-slow lifting that keeps your hair integrity epic, how to actually manage warmth, why she starts every head at a 10 volume, and the consultation moves that separate expensive-looking hair from a hot mess. We get into pricing, color lines, her scary-but-genius "just slap a panel of blonde on it" technique, and yes, she reacts to one of the most atrocious extension fails I have ever laid eyes on. Whether you're a seasoned stylist or the next gen still scared to touch color, you're gonna learn something and feel inspired. So grab your coffee, settle in, and don't forget to subscribe, hit that notification bell, and leave me a five-star review so I can keep bringing you amazing guests like Audra. Enjoy!✨ Audra Brown – Hairstylist, Colorist & Educator & Owner of Atomic Orchard SalonBased in Fayetteville, NCIG: @audrapaintshairTikTok: @audrapaintshairWebsite: https://www.audrapaintshair.com🛍️ Shop Virtue Labs through my link:https://www.virtuelabs.com/en/stylist/Kim-Allison✅ Subscribe for more conversations with the voices reshaping the beauty industry.Click Here For More Info: https://linktr.ee/TrendywithKimAllison– Listen on Spotify, Apple, and all podcast platforms.– Follow @trendywkimallison on Instagram and TikTok.TIME STAMPS:0:00 – Intro & welcome2:43 – Who is Audra: 20 years, the Del Oro Method, Atomic Orchard Salon3:15 – How they each got into color vs. cutting10:49 – The origin of "lived-in" color12:57 – The Del Oro Method explained15:35 – Traditional balayage & what sets it apart17:45 – Is balayage still king? Trends for 202623:11 – Prep work & avoiding damaged, over-processed hair29:22 – Controlling warmth & the color journey36:35 – The business side: timing, scheduling & pricing41:43 – Favorite products: bleach, color lines, glosses47:09 – Why one stylist's hair looks expensive (and one doesn't)48:31 – "What Stopped the Scroll" — extension fail react50:54 – 60-Second Blowout rapid fire53:17 – Where to find Audra & wrap-upSubscribe to stay in the know. Message me to possibly be a guest on the show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.