How To: The Sabrina Carpenter Blonde
Sabrina Carpenter took the world by storm in 2024 – and before long, she was influencing just about every beauty trend. The singer, songwriter, actress, and beauty icon has captivated fans around the globe with her show-stopping vintage looks, chart-topping anthems, and signature style.
So now, please, please, please join Redken in welcoming international superstar Sabrina Carpenter as the brand’s first-ever Global Ambassador. Sabrina's Carpenter’s blonde hairstyle is powered by Redken – and now, we're sharing the secret to her dreamy, golden blonde hair colour.
Read on to learn more about this partnership made in hair heaven, and discover how pro-colourist Laurie Heaps (@_hairbylaurie) creates Sabrina Carpenter’s hair colour exclusively using Redken Shades EQ Bonder Inside Hair Gloss – alongside Acidic Bonding Concentrate – to keep her locks nourished and vibrant.
The Sabrina Carpenter blonde shade families
Heaps achieves the iconic Sabrina Carpenter blonde colour using a combination of Redken shades to create the perfect buttery, dimensional blonde with a hint of iridescence:
- EQ 09G (Vanilla Creme) – this belongs to the gold (G) shade family. Colours in this shade family are best for creating balanced, soft golden tones.
- EQ 010GI BI (Tahitian Sand) – part of the gold iridescent (GI) shade family, these shades are ideal for creating cool, golden colours with balanced iridescent tones.
- EQ BI 09N (Cafe Au Lait) – this is a neutral shade, which makes it great for neutralising any unwanted warmth.
What is a Redken Shades EQ hair gloss?
Redken Shades EQ functions as a hair gloss, a type of demi-permanent colour that’s gentler, low commitment, and provides the hair with high shine and a subtle wash of colour.
Hair gloss treatments fade gradually over time, so you don’t need to worry about harsh root regrowth. With Redken Shades EQ, stylists can create personalised shades to match their clients' hair goals, with results that last anywhere from four to six weeks. As the number one demi-permanent hair colour in the world, it’s an instant hair pick-me-up that can be used to tone, colour-correct, and fix dull, discoloured hair.
The Sabrina Carpenter blonde technique
The three Shades EQ formulas used for Sabrina Carpenter’s hair colour are mixed with two different lightener formulas to achieve her stunning golden blonde hue.
Below, you’ll find a complete breakdown of how to mix the signature Sabrina Carpenter blonde using Redken products:
Lightening Formula 1
2 scoops (30g) Flash Lift Bonder Inside
(60ml) Pro-oxide Developer 10 Volume
Lightening Formula 2
2 scoops (30g) Flash Lift Power 9 Bonder Inside
(60ml) Pro-oxide Developer 20 Volume
Shades EQ Formula
(30ml) Shades EQ Gloss 010GI BI (Tahitian Sand)
(30ml) Shades EQ Gloss 09N BI (Cafe au Lait)
(15ml) Shades EQ Gloss 09G (Vanilla Creme)
(90ml) Shades EQ Processing Solution
Application tips for Sabrina Carpenter’s hair colour
Once you’ve mixed your separate lighteners and Shades EQ demi-permanent colour to recreate Sabrina Carpenter’s blonde shade, try applying the different formulas to your hair.
- Start by sectioning your hair. You can use a fine-toothed comb and sectioning clips to achieve this.
- Apply the different lightener batches to your hair. Make sure you follow the processing times and only apply to dry hair.
- Apply your Shades EQ formula to dry hair for enhanced shine and colour-correction.
Read on as we guide you through each of these application phases.
Section the hair
One of the most important prep steps to get the Sabrina Carpenter blonde is sectioning the hair – this will ensure you have even application across your entire head of head. The best way to section the hair is into four parts using sectioning clips to hold the hair:
- Separate the front of the hair from the back with a horizontal parting, parting from the top of the head to the top of the ear on both sides.
- Divide the back section of your hair from the top of your head to the nape of your neck.
- Part the front section of your hair from the top of your head to the front of your hairline.
Apply lightening formulas
A hair developer and bleach formula are going to give you the lift you need to mimic Sabrina Carpenter’s blonde colour.
- Starting at the nape, take a 0.5cm diagonal back micro weave section. Apply Lightening Formula 1, saturating well. Disperse downwards in sections and work through the two back quadrants.
- Continue to apply Lightening Formula 1, working through the back section up to the crown with a horizonal placement and micro weave section.
- Once the back is complete move to the sides. Starting at the face, take a 0.5cm diagonal back micro weave section. Apply Lightening Formula 2, saturating
- Disperse downwards, working through the side section with a diagonal back section and micro weave pattern. Pivot direction each time to become horizonal as you work up to the parting.
- Repeat this process on the opposite side.
- Once both sides are done, move to the front and take horizontal sections with a micro weave pattern and complete the fringe section.
- Process for 40 minutes at room temperature – then rinse and shampoo with Acidic Bonding Concentrate PH-Balancing Shampoo.
Apply Shades EQ Hair Gloss
Redken Shades EQ is a science-backed, ammonia-free formula enriched with amino acids to help condition the hair and recalibrate pH levels after lightening services. This, in turn, allows the hair cuticle to lay smoothly for a gorgeous, glass-like finish – essential for the Sabrina Carpenter blonde look.
- On dry hair, apply your mix of Shades EQ to all your hair.
- Process for 20 minutes at room temperature, then rinse and condition with Acidic Bonding Concentrate Leave-In Conditioner.
If you’ve nailed the Sabrina Carpenter hair colour but notice your vibrancy fading over time, discover how to brighten blonde hair using Redken’s targeted hair care range.
