Salon Today
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Q+A with xoStylistxo: Ash Fortis Talks Hair Marbling

Ash Fortis, known on Instagram as @XoStylistXo, talks the marbling color technique and how it's done.

Jamie Newman
Jamie NewmanSenior Digital Content Strategist
Read Jamie's Posts
June 14, 2017
Q+A with xoStylistxo: Ash Fortis Talks Hair Marbling

xostylistxo's Instagram post from June 4, 2017.

2 min to read


Whether it's pixelated color or more abstract, rounded shapes, hair color can be used to create various artistic effects outside the beloved balayage brush strokes we've grown accustomed to.  

Ash Fortis, known on Instagram as @XoStylistXo, posted the above photo on her Instagram on June 4, and within a few days, hair marbling popped up as a beauty buzzword across the internet. This wasn't the first time she has shown off her #hairmarbling skills, though. 

Ad Loading...

Here, Fortis talks the marbling color technique and how it's done. 

MODERN SALON: How did you dream up marbled color, or what inspired you to try it?
ASH FORTIS: I love exploring my creativity, and fashion and nail art are huge influences for me. 

MS: Can you explain the process of marbling?
AF: First you start with a Meche strip, add a layer of shaving cream, add drops of Pulp Riot hair color on top and use the back of your color brush to swirl them together. Take a slice of prelightened hair lay the hair directly on top of the marble and then put a blank Meche on top. Process for 15-20 mins

MS: How did Pulp Riot help you in achieving the desired effect?
AF: I love the vibrancy and consistency of Pulp Riot. 

MS: How can stylists use this technique on the everyday, maybe more conservative, color client?
AF: Sometimes, like my hair feathers, I use the marble just to accent what I am doing, by adding diagonal slices around the temples it offers and under lighting effect for the more conservative clients that want to explore hair art. 

Originally posted on Modern Salon

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

More Salon Management

Paul Petrowsky, manager of Impressions

The Constant

Starting at Impressions front desk in 2006 when he was 19 years old, General Manager Paul Petrowsky is a seasoned professional who owner Sarah Taylor says is responsible for much of her own success.

Ad Loading...
Headshot of Sophie Galabru

How Women are Rewriting the Rules of Grey Hair

At a panel discussion hosted by L’Oréal Professionnel in Paris in early July, French Philosopher Sophie Galabru explored the cultural shift where women are increasingly choosing natural, personalized color results over traditional grey coverage. In an exclusive interview with SALON TODAY, Galabru and L’Oréal Professionnel Colorist Pierrick Beringer discuss this shift and how salons and colorists respond.

Ad Loading...
Cover of whitepaper

How AI Is Closing Revenue Gaps for Salons and Spas

The beauty and wellness businesses pulling ahead aren’t just working harder—they’re using AI to capture demand, personalize pricing, and convert more of every guest interaction into revenue. Here’s what the benchmark data reveals about the growing gap between AI adopters and everyone else.

Sponsored by Zenoti

copy of the whitepaper cover

The Premium Talent Magnet: The Modern Salon Playbook for Attracting Six-Figure Stylists

Stop chasing recruitment ghosts on generic job boards and start curating an elite team. Discover the framework that top-tier salons use to bypass phone tag, automate visual portfolio vetting, and attract high-earning, culture-first beauty professionals directly through real-time messaging. Turn your recruitment process into an exclusive brand invitation that keeps your highest-ticket chairs permanently filled.

Sponsored by Beautista

Cover of the whitepaper

Five Revenue Leaks Hiding in Your Salon

Your calendar looks full, but is all of that demand actually converting to revenue? From phantom rebookings to underpriced peak hours, the 2026 Benchmark Report exposes five revenue leaks that most beauty and wellness businesses don’t even know they have.

Sponsored by Zenoti

Nicki Wenz (above) and Allison Stock of Zandi K Salon

The Heartbeat of Zandi K's Success

After moving to Colorado and teaching at a cosmetology school, Allison Stock joined Zandi K as a stylist, eventually becoming part of the Leadership Team, Education Team and Master Bridal Team. Today, as Director of Operation, Stock is Owner Nicki Wenz's right hand, managing human resources and operations, education and career development, and coaching and culture.

Ad Loading...