Summer 2026 has been a whirlwind of movie premieres, award shows, and one or two secret weddings. At these events, the most memorable looks start in the stylist chair, where luminous, camera-ready styles are created.
The Meche Salon founder and Schwarzkopf Professional U.S. Creative Director of Color & Technique, Tracey Cunningham, brings over 30 years of experience, key attention to detail, bespoke formulas and technical skill to a list of celebrity clientele during this most-watched season of the year.
Beauty Launchpad’s Editorial Assistant, Mya Shepard, sat down with Cunningham to talk behind-the-scenes techniques she uses to create unmatched looks and the challenges she's overcome as a colorist.
Mya Shepard: Why are subtle color touch-ups often more impactful than a dramatic transformation before a major social event?
Cunningham: When someone is heading into a major event, my goal isn't for people to notice their hair color; it's for them to notice how incredible they look with a color that feels effortless. Rather than making a dramatic change at the last minute, I focus on refining what's already working by refreshing tone, enhancing dimension and boosting shine.
Using Schwarzkopf Professional's IGORA Vibrance to gloss and refine tone allows me to refresh the color without compromising the integrity of the hair, creating a polished, healthy-looking finish that photographs beautifully while still feeling completely authentic to the person.
Shepard: A lot of people focus on the dress or hairstyle. What does a colorist contribute that often goes unnoticed?
Cunningham: Hair color is really the foundation of the entire beauty look. It influences how the skin glows, how the haircut moves, and how the hair reflects light in photographs. When the color is done well, it elevates everything else without calling attention to itself. I use Schwarzkopf Professional's color portfolio to customize every client's formula. I'm balancing depth, brightness, and dimension in a way that's unique to them. If someone looks radiant and effortlessly polished without anyone quite knowing why, that's usually because the color is doing exactly what it should.
Shepard: You are known for creating luminous, healthy-looking color. What does that actually mean from a professional standpoint?
Cunningham: Healthy-looking color starts with preserving the integrity of the hair throughout the coloring process. From a professional standpoint, that means selecting products that deliver beautiful results while keeping the hair strong, soft, and reflective. For blondes, I rely on BlondMe Premium Lightener 9+ because its anti-metal bond protection technology helps protect the hair while delivering clean, even lift. I then refine the color with IGORA Vibrance, which enhances tone, boosts shine and creates that silky, reflective finish. Healthy-looking color isn't just about the shade; it's about creating dimension and movement so the hair catches the light beautifully.
Shepard: What techniques do you rely on to create color that looks luminous both in person and on camera?
Cunningham: Dimension is everything. I often use Schwarzkopf Professional's Foiled Cashmere technique because it allows me to strategically place brightness and create soft, seamless transitions instead of harsh lines.
I pair that with customized toning using IGORA Vibrance and finish with the BlondMe Glow Toners to soften and blend the color while adding incredible shine. Those techniques create color that reflects light naturally, so it looks just as beautiful in daylight and real life as it does in flash photography or high-definition video.
Shepard: What challenges come with preparing hair for an event that will be photographed from every angle, especially in a setting where you won't have as much time for fixes?
Cunningham: One of the biggest challenges for prepping for a big event can be timing, especially when many of my clients are attending the same high-profile event. You want to make sure to get them in close enough that their color looks fresh for the big day, but not so close that you don't have any flexibility if small refinements are needed.
Another challenge is creating dimension that reads naturally on camera. Color that looks beautiful in the salon can sometimes photograph flat or overly bright if it isn't balanced correctly. That's why I'm constantly thinking about depth, placement, and how the hair will reflect light from every angle. I want the color to have movement and softness so it enhances my client's features without ever looking obvious or overdone.
Ultimately, my job is to make sure the hair looks effortless no matter where it's photographed. If someone is zooming in on an image or seeing it in motion on social media, I want the color to look just as seamless and healthy as it did when my client left the salon.
From hair integrity to customizable formulas, Cunningham reminds us that it's not just about creating eye-catching looks; it's about strategically using color techniques to create effortless dimension that photographs beautifully, but remains true to the client in your chair.
