What blending technique creates a gradient effect from light to dark in hair color?

The blending technique that creates a gradient effect from light to dark in hair color is shading. This method involves applying color in a way that gradually transitions from a lighter hue at the roots or mid-lengths to a darker shade at the ends. Shading is often used to create depth, dimension, and a natural look, as it mimics the way light interacts with hair in real life, enhancing its overall visual texture.

In contrast, nuances typically refer to subtle variations in color rather than a gradient. Streaking involves placing well-defined, lighter strands among darker hair, often resulting in a more blocky effect rather than a smooth gradient. Reverse highlighting, on the other hand, usually means applying darker colors to the lighter sections of hair, which does not produce the gradient effect characteristic of shading. Thus, shading is the technique that best represents the gradual transition from light to dark.