Dimensional Color in Raleigh

Enhance your hair with luxurious, multi-dimensional color that narrates your unique story. Sunday Salon provides multi-tonal, dimensional color for clients across Raleigh Iron Works, Mordecai, Downtown Raleigh, and Five Points.

Our Latest Work

Dimensional color isn't just a service; it's the art of bringing your hair to life, creating a symphony of shades that dance with the light. Each tone and hue is a note in the melody of your personal style, played to perfection.

Discover Dimensional Color Techniques

Dimensional color adds extraordinary depth and vibrancy to your hair, transforming your look in ways that single-process color can’t achieve.

This innovative technique offers a range of benefits, including:

  • Depth and Vibrancy: By integrating multiple shades, dimensional color creates rich depth and vibrant contrast, making every strand stand out.
  • Personalization: This technique is highly customizable, allowing your colorist to tailor shades and placement to suit your features and personal style.
  • Natural Appearance: Dimensional color provides a smoother, more natural transition between shades, mimicking how hair naturally changes color over time or under sunlight.
  • Volume and Movement: Strategic placement of lighter and darker tones gives the illusion of volume and movement, leaving your hair looking fuller and more dynamic.
  • Longevity: Unlike uniform color, dimensional color grows out gracefully, reducing the need for frequent salon visits.
  • Versatility: It works for all hair types and lengths, enhancing everything from sleek bobs to long, flowing waves.

 

Achieving dimensional color is an art form that combines skill, creativity, and a deep understanding of color theory, ensuring your hair not only looks stunning but also tells its own unique story.

About Dimensional Color at Sunday Salon in Raleigh

Multi-tonal color is only as good as its finishing step. Clients who've had dimensional color elsewhere often end up back in a salon chair sooner than expected, not for a full re-color, but for a toning appointment to chase down brassiness or settle tones that never quite balanced. That repeat-visit cycle usually traces back to a color that was rushed or finished without the gloss step that locks the different tones together.

Dimensional color is a technique that combines multiple shades lighter and darker tones placed strategically to create depth, movement, and the illusion of volume, rather than the single flat tone of an all-over color. Done well, the different tones read as one intentional color rather than competing patches of light and dark.

At Sunday Salon, every dimensional color service includes the gloss and toning step as part of the service itself, not an optional add-on, because that's the step that locks multiple tones into balance. Every application uses professional Davines haircare, the salon's primary product line, to help protect hair condition throughout the service. Stylists at every level, Stylist, Master Stylist, and Master Colorist, deliver dimensional color; the level a client books reflects experience and price point, not which stylist is qualified to do the work.

What dimensional color offers:

  • Depth and movement from multiple coordinated tones, rather than one flat color
  • A finishing gloss/toning step is included as standard, to help tones hold together and resist brassiness
  • A consultation-led placement plan tailored to your features and hair type
  • Grows out more gradually than a uniform, single-process color
  • Works across a wide range of hair types and lengths
  • Professional Davines haircare is used throughout the service
A side-back view of mid-length cascading mocha waves revealing a hidden violet peekaboo highlight underneath, styled expertly at Sunday Salon in Raleigh.

What Is Dimensional Color?

Dimensional color is a technique that blends multiple shades, usually lighter and darker tones, into the hair to create depth, richness, and the appearance of movement. Rather than one uniform color, it uses strategic placement of tone to mimic the natural variation hair develops over time or in sunlight, giving a fuller, more dynamic result than a single-process color.

Back view of a client showcasing medium-length dimensional warm copper hair with golden highlights, styled in glossy cascading waves at Sunday Salon in Raleigh, NC.

How Is Dimensional Color Different From Single-Process Color?

Single-process color applies one uniform shade throughout the hair. Dimensional color layers multiple tones together, so light and dark pieces work with each other to create depth rather than flatness. It generally takes more planning and more time in the chair than a single-process service, since the stylist is balancing multiple tones rather than applying a single formula.

Side profile of a client with a dimensional chocolate brunette lob, wispy bangs, and subtle caramel highlights styled in soft waves by Katherine Beingolea at Sunday Salon in Raleigh, NC.

Does Dimensional Color Need Extra Upkeep to Avoid Brassiness?

The upkeep depends less on the technique itself and more on how the service was finished the first time. A dimensional color that skips or rushes its gloss and toning step is more likely to shift toward brassiness between visits, which is why Sunday Salon treats that step as part of the service rather than an optional extra. Done properly, it should maintain a comfortable balance between appointments, with your stylist confirming a realistic schedule at the consultation.

Our Most Popular Services

What to Know About Dimensional Color in Raleigh

The quality of a dimensional color shows up less on the day it's done and more in how it holds up a few weeks later.


Warning Signs to Watch For

Not all dimensional color is created equal. Here's what to look out for:

  • Brassiness or yellowing within a few weeks — This is often a sign the toning step wasn't strong enough to lock the tones together from the start.
  • Light and dark sections that look like separate patches — Rather than one blended color, this usually means placement wasn't planned around your natural base tone.
  • A "quick fix" toning appointment shortly after a full service — We treat dimensional color as something to get right the first time, not a routine add-on.
  • A colorist who skips discussing placement before starting — Dimensional color benefits from a plan, not a standard formula. It's always worth asking about.

How We Approach It Differently

At our salon, dimensional color is treated as a complete, considered service. Specifically:

 

  • We include gloss and toning as part of the service itself — not an optional extra — because that's what keeps multiple tones reading as a single, balanced color rather than competing with each other.
  • We plan placement around your natural base color first, since dimensional color that ignores your starting point is far more likely to need correcting later.
  • We talk through realistic upkeep at consultation, including how your specific tone combination is likely to shift over the following weeks.
  • We use professional Davines haircare throughout the service to support hair condition — particularly important since dimensional color often involves more processing time than a single-process color.

Pricing Guide

Highlights pricing depends on coverage and stylist level. Final pricing depends on hair length, density, and the amount of lightener used, and is confirmed at consultation.

Stylist
Master Stylist
Master Colorist

Surface Highlight w/ Gloss
$150
$160
$170
Surface Highlight w/ Single Process Color & Gloss
$215
$240
$250
Partial Highlight w/ Gloss
$270
$295
$335
Partial Highlight w/ Single Process Color & Gloss
$320
$345
$385
Full Highlight w/ Gloss
$325
$350
$390
Full Highlight w/ Single Process Color & Gloss
$375
$400
$440

Pricing Guide

Balayage pricing depends on coverage and stylist level.

Stylist
Master Stylist
Master Colorist

Surface Balayage w/ Gloss
$150
$165
$175
Surface Balayage w/ Single Process Color & Gloss
$215
$240
$250
Partial Balayage w/ Gloss
$270
$295
$335
Partial Balayage w/ Single Process Color & Gloss
$320
$345
$385
Full Balayage w/ Gloss
$325
$350
$390
Full Balayage w/ Single Process Color & Gloss
$375
$400
$440

What Our Clients Say

A woman with long, wavy blonde hair and blue eyes is smiling at the camera. She is wearing a pair of small, stud earrings and is posed in front of a light-colored, softly lit background. Her elegant hairstyle was expertly done at a nearby hair salon.

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"After years of bad highlights, she was able to revitalize my color..."

"Lisa is a true artist and a talented colorist! After years of bad highlights, she was able to revitalize my color and add depth and dimension to my blonde hair. She knew exactly what I needed when I couldn't clearly articulate it myself, and really understands her clients' wants and needs... I can't recommend Lisa highly enough, you won't be disappointed!" — Hannah G.

A person with glasses and shoulder-length, grayish-blonde hair is shown from the side. They are indoors in what appears to be the best hair salon Raleigh, NC has to offer, with various hair styling tools and products visible in the background.

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"In need of expertise on how to correct highlights..."

"In need of expertise on how to correct highlights, I turned to Sunday Salon and found Lisa—who solved my problem and, in so doing, turned a bad hair day into a good one and provided me with a roadmap I could follow for the future. Mission accomplished!" — Dana P.

A person with long, wavy blond hair poses for a selfie in a car. They are wearing a light gray top and hoop earrings. The background shows part of a car window and interior.

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"My color is always blended to perfection!"

"As a blonde, I am very picky. Lisa does an excellent job listening to what I want and creates magic every time. My color is always blended to perfection! She is extremely thorough, which I appreciate since I'm quite the perfectionist. I've had countless people ask me about my color... Rest assured, you are in the best hands when you sit in her chair." — Nichole C.

A person with long, wavy hair, wearing a black tank top and a patterned face mask, has their hands on their head. The background shows green foliage, evoking a refreshing escape one might seek after a visit to the local hair salon.

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"They nailed the color!"

"I had the pleasure of getting balayage done at Sunday Salon. I didn't even have to show a picture. We just talked about what I wanted and they delivered! My hair is BEAUTIFUL and chic." — Katrina G.

A person with long, wavy hair dyed in shades of blue and purple is gazing to the side. They are wearing glasses and a black top. The background features a tiled wall and a wooden shelf, evoking the chic ambiance you might find at the best hair salon in Raleigh, NC.

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"Her balayage technique looks amazing."

"I loved my experience at Sunday Salon! It feels luxurious but not stuffy. My stylist talked me through her plan to make sure we were on the same page, and my hair feels so healthy!" — Erin W.

A close-up of a person with long dark hair tied back, smiling warmly at the camera. They are wearing pearl earrings and have a small nose ring. This could be the perfect look to get at your favorite hair salon.

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"I feel and look like a million bucks!"

"Good hair can instantly lift your confidence, and Sunday Salon will give you GREAT hair. Run, don't walk, to make your next appointment." — Manisha D.

The Team

Meet our exceptionally talented team of colorists in Raleigh, NC.

Lisa Edwards

Lisa Edwards

Master Colorist & Dimensional Color Specialist

Lisa is a color virtuoso who specializes in transformative dimensional color. Drawing inspiration from nature and fashion, she expertly weaves customized ribbons of light and depth into your hair, creating a seamless, multi-tonal blend that perfectly illuminates your natural beauty.

Lizzie Post

Lizzie Post

Master Colorist & Dimensional Color Specialist

Lizzie is a Master Colorist dedicated to crafting flawless, rich color through expert dimensional techniques. From soft, subtle contrast melting to high-impact brightness, she meticulously blends complementary shades to deliver a brilliant, highly personalized aesthetic and an effortlessly luxurious result.

Katherine Beingolea

Katherine Beingolea

Master Stylist & Dimensional Color Specialist

Specializing in blonding and lived-in contrast, Katherine excels in creating custom dimensional color that elevates your hair's natural movement. Her deep understanding of all hair types allows her to expertly tailor her color placement, ensuring luminous, healthy, and perfectly blended depth across all textures.

Press Releases

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Why the Flagship Matters for a Multi-Step Color Service

Dimensional color requires more planning and more time in the chair than a single-process service, since a stylist is balancing several tones rather than applying a single formula. Sunday Salon's purpose-built Raleigh Iron Works flagship was designed around exactly that kind of unhurried, multi-step service, giving stylists the space and time to plan placement properly rather than rushing the finishing gloss step that keeps a dimensional result from turning brassy. For clients across Raleigh, Mordecai, Downtown Raleigh, and Five Points, that translates into a color service built to hold its balance between visits, not just look right on the day.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Does Dimensional Color Cost in Raleigh?

Dimensional color at Sunday Salon is priced based on the closest-matching technique, typically starting at $270 for a partial highlight or balayage service with gloss, and rising depending on coverage and stylist level. Full pricing is confirmed at the consultation based on the number of tones involved and your hair's length and density.

What's the Difference Between Dimensional Color and Balayage?

Balayage refers to a hand-painting application method. Dimensional color describes the multi-tonal result, depth, and movement created by combining several shades, which can be achieved with balayage, foiled highlights, or a combination of both. The two terms describe different things: one is a technique, the other is a finished look.

Is Dimensional Color Good for Fine Hair?

Dimensional color can work well on fine hair, since strategically placed lighter and darker tones can create the visual illusion of more volume and movement. Your stylist will discuss placement and tone choice with fine hair specifically in mind during your consultation.

Can Dimensional Color Include Grey Blending?

Yes — dimensional placement can be planned to blend early or partial grey into the overall tone pattern rather than treating it as a separate step. This is best discussed at consultation, since the right approach depends on how much grey is present and where it's concentrated.

How Long Does a Dimensional Color Appointment Take?

Dimensional color generally takes longer than a single-process color because it involves planning and applying multiple tones, plus a finishing gloss step. Your stylist can give you a time estimate at the consultation, specific to your hair and the look you're going for.

How Often Do I Need to Get Balayage Touched Up?

Most clients go several months between full balayage appointments, since the technique is designed to grow out gradually rather than needing an immediate root fix. Your stylist will confirm a realistic schedule for your hair at consultation, and a gloss or toner refresh in between can help keep tone consistent if you want to extend that window further.

What is the difference between a Partial and Full Balayage?

A Full Balayage involves hand-painting dimension throughout your entire head of hair, making it perfect for a complete color transformation. A Partial Balayage focuses solely on the top layer and face-framing pieces to add a pop of brightness or maintain an existing balayage.

How does your color pricing structure work?

We believe in upfront, transparent pricing. Our base prices vary depending on whether you see a Master or Stylist. Because custom color requires varying amounts of product based on your hair's length and density, your stylist will provide a firm, accurate price quote during your consultation before any color is mixed or applied. No surprises at checkout.

Will lightening my hair cause damage?

The integrity of your hair is our absolute top priority. Our stylists are highly trained in safe lifting techniques and use premium lighteners paired with bond-building treatments to protect and strengthen your hair during the entire color process.

How often do I need to come in for maintenance?

One of the best benefits of balayage is the seamless, lived-in root, which allows for an incredibly low-maintenance grow-out! Most clients only need a Full Balayage 1 to 2 times a year, maintaining the look with a quick "Gloss & Blowout" or Partial Balayage every 8 to 12 weeks.

Do I need to book a consultation first?

If you are looking for a major color transformation or need corrective color work, we highly recommend booking a complimentary consultation first! For standard balayage or maintenance, you can book directly online—we will still conduct a thorough consultation at the start of your appointment to ensure we are on the exact same page.

Is styling included with my color service?

To ensure we have enough time to perfect your look, color services not followed by a haircut must be paired with a styling service. Please make sure to add a "After Color Styling" (Blowout) when booking online so you leave the salon looking flawless!

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Our Latest Blog Posts

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Sunday Salon

1101 E Whitaker Mill Rd
Suite 170
Raleigh, NC 27604

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