The Italian Touch
A Look At Spacagna’s Degradé Coloring Method
By: Melissa Puppo
Stefano Spacagna carefully applies each color vertically to allow for a blended transition between shades
I’ve been coloring my hair for as long as I can remember, usually opting for traditional highlights or trendy balayage. I prefer low-maintenance upkeep, so when I learned that Spacagna Italian Hair Design on Miracle Mile offered Degradé, an exclusive coloring method rarely seen in South Florida, I had to experience it for myself.
Degradé originated in Italy, which is where salon owners and master stylists Guido and Stefano Spacagna are from. It uses at least two different color shades applied vertically to the hair to create a more natural gradient effect than ombre or balayage. And, since the transition is more gradual, regrowth is less noticeable, and touch-ups aren’t needed as frequently.
I’ll admit, I was a little nervous the morning of my appointment when I learned that Degradé colors the entirety of your hair – some- thing I wasn’t used to. But Stefano assured me the result would be soft and natural, and with the brothers’ expertise, I was reassured.
The Naples natives opened their salon in 2018 after training at the acclaimed Rossano Ferretti Academy in Parma, Italy, and following international careers. Stefano honed his craft in salons across Europe, but his journey wasn’t without challenges. Arriving in Vienna with just $100 and a suitcase, he slept in a salon before getting his footing. He then moved to Germany to attend the Vidal Sassoon academy, working there for six years before becoming the creative director. Meanwhile, Guido’s path led him from Europe to the Maldives, where he eventually became a personal stylist for a Kuwaiti ambassador’s wife. His travels then took him across the U.S. until he reunited with his brother after nine years apart.
On the morning of my appointment, the Spacagna brothers immediately made me feel right at home with a frothy cappuccino. We started with an in-depth color consultation to ensure we were aligned on my desired look and so Stefano could select the perfect shades. Degradé blends up to four colors and bleach for a seamless, multi-dimensional effect that looks effortless and natural.
Stefano meticulously sectioned my hair and applied each color in delicate, vertical strokes, layer by layer. Unlike traditional methods that apply color horizontally, Degradé’s vertical approach allows for a blended transition between shades. I then sat with a head full of foils, letting the magic develop.
Post-dye, Stefano used the earthy, deeply hydrating Vita shampoo and conditioner, followed by an Essenza serum – part of Aeterna, the brothers’ newly launched all-natural Italian hair care line, developed over two years of research. The line features two distinct collections, Aqua and Vita, which blend centuries of Italian beauty tradition with clean, high-quality ingredients.
We finished with a blowout, and I was instantly mesmerized. After posting a quick selfie, my phone lit up with messages asking where I got my hair done. The compliments confirmed what I already knew.
For the Spacagna brothers, exceptional hair is just one element of their vision. “We always try to offer the highest quality service – something often missing in Miami,” shares Guido. “It’s the small touches – the cappuccinos, the way we treat our clients. That’s our secret.” After experiencing Degradé firsthand, that secret is out.
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