Satin Sessions is a new educational series by Satin Hair Color designed for professional colorists, with the aim to bring color to life through an insider, behind the scenes approach. The SalonEVO team caught up with Mike Sharkey, the lead colorist for the debut Satin Sessions.
Founded in 1996, Satin Hair Color has built its reputation on high-performance formulations, with a portfolio of more than 70 shades. That commitment to supporting colorists through both product and education continues to guide the brand today. With each Satin Session, a leading colorist walks the audience through formula creation and step-by-step application, from concept to execution. The debut Satin Session, themed “Lived-In Is Classic,” is led by Miami-based hairstylist Mike Sharkey, who brings three decades of experience behind the chair. For this first session, Mike created two stunning lived-in looks, Obsession Blonde and Expression Brunette.
Obsession Blonde
“It’s a soft, multi-dimensional, sun-kissed blonde that reflects what clients are looking for in the salon today,” explained Mike. “This look feels effortless, grows out easily and doesn’t require a lot of maintenance.”
Using a full head of weaved, teased highlights, Mike built soft dimension throughout the hair, with a money piece that brings brightness forward. For the lift behind Obsession Blonde, he turned to Satin Hair Color’s New SilverLift Lightening Powder. Developed for colorists seeking faster lift, brighter results and more controlled blonding, the professional-grade lightener lifts 7+ levels while helping to neutralize unwanted warmth during processing.
Mike shared how to recreate Obsession Blonde using Satin Hair Color:
Step 1: Begin at the back of the head. Place one weaved teasylight foil on each side of the hairline. Then, continue with 6 to 8 diagonal-back weaved teasylight foils using a herringbone placement. Finish this section with 2 horizontals weaved teasylights in the crown.
Step 2: Move to the side of the head and place 3 pivoting weaved teasylight foils on each side.
Step 3: At the front hairline, create the face frame by placing 2 diagonal-back weaved teasylight foils following the hairline in front of each ear. Then, add 1 slice teasylight on the front hairline. Finish with 2 back-to-back weaved teasylights for added brightness and impact around the face.
Step 4: At the top of the head, place 4 horizontal weaved teasylights on each side of the center part line.
Throughout, use Satin Hair Color’s SilverLift Lightening Powder mixed with 25 Volume Developer, a blend of Satin Hair Color’s 20 and 30 Volume Developer.
Expression Brunette
Brunette hair is entering a more expressive era. Rather than one-dimensional dark color, clients are seeking movement, warmth and light-catching detail that brings brunette tones to life while growing out seamlessly between appointments.
“This is the kind of brunette clients consistently ask for right now,” explained Mike. “They want movement, brightness around the face and something that still feels rich and expensive but also grows out beautifully and doesn’t require constant maintenance.”
For Mike, the approach to Expression Brunette was rooted in balance.
“Less is more for the brunette,” he said. “Brunettes don’t want to be blonde, so highlighting has to be intentional. The vision was face-framing, a strong money piece, a seamless blend and not over-toning.”
To bring that vision to life, Mike again reached for Satin Hair Color’s New SilverLift Lightening Powder for the highlights. The professional-grade lightener lifts 7+ levels while neutralizing orange and brassy undertones during processing, keeping the result clean and controlled without pulling the brunette too far from itself.
To finish, hair was washed with Satin Hair Color’s New ColorLock Shampoo and Conditioner, locking in the color and protecting vibrancy from the very first wash.
Mike Sharkey shared how to recreate Expression Brunette using Satin Hair Color:
Step 1: Begin at the nape, placing 3 diagonal back weaved teasylight foils following the hairline. Use Satin Hair Color’s SilverLift Lightening Powder mixed with 25 Volume Developer (a blend of 20 and 30 Volume) for controlled, precise lift.
Step 2: Place 3 diagonal back weaved teasylight foils following the hairline in front of each ear. Add 1 slice teasylight on the front hairline to define the money piece, then finish with 2 back-to-back weaved teasylights for seamless blending.
Step 3: Once rinsed, apply a root shadow to diffuse the base, then tone with Satin Hair Color in shade 8N.
Step 4: Wash with Satin Hair Color ColorLock Shampoo and Conditioner to seal in the color and protect vibrancy from the very first wash.
For more information on Satin Hair Color or to explore the range of products, please visit satinhaircolor.com