Colored Hair

Choosing the Right Hair Color and Application

There are certain things to consider when choosing the right hair color and application for yourself. When choosing a hair color (shade) you need to choose one that fits your life style and matches your skin tone. If you live a conservative lifestyle and have a corporate job then you might want to avoid the more unusual colors such as purple or orange and choose more natural colors. If, however, your lifestyle and job are very liberal and you like to have a more unique look then those colors may work for you.

The general rule for choosing a color is to pick one that compliments your skin tone and undertones. Your hair color should be darker than your skin tone; matching hair and skin tones exactly makes one look washed out. You should match your undertones in your skin to your hair. When you do this, it will make your face look more radiant. For example- red golden undertones go well with golden, reddish blond while cooler undertones go well with espresso, burgundy and natural black. If you have more of a neutral undertone you have more options because you may do well with any of these colors.

One you've chosen your color, you need to decide what color application to use. There are many choices available depending on the look you want to achieve. It's important to understand the different applications so you can make the right decision. One decision you'll need to make is whether you want a single process or double process treatment. Both of these result in one base hair color. Below is a comparison of each.

Single Process Color vs. Double Process Color

Single Process Color Treatment

Is done in one step

Color is applied all over to create a new base color

Cheaper than double process

Takes less time than double process

Great for adding shine and for covering grays

Double Process Color Treatment

Is frequently used to lighten hair by 2 or more shades

Done in 2 steps, therefore more complex

Takes a longer amount of time to accomplish

If you want to add more than one color, you have a couple of options. One is getting highlights and the other is getting Block Color. If you want to spice up your look by changing your color, you don't have to get a completely new color- you can opt for highlights instead. Highlights are added to your base color and can accentuate features. For example, you may have brown hair and add blond highlights in. When highlights are only added on the top of your head and on the sides, they are called partial highlights. If you want more of an affect you could choose full highlights, which are put all over the head. Partial is less expensive and takes less time. If you want the highlights to show when your hair is up, full highlights work best, partial/half highlight are put in from the temple up and will show well when your hair is down but not when worn up. Block Color is a similar process to highlighting but uses different colors and tones in different sections of hair. Color is added in blocks (sections of the head). Block color adds shine, dimension, and color to your hair. Block color can be unusual because in some cases there are 4 colors on one head of hair. It is less conservative than choosing highlights. However, color shots are even more creative and unusual. Color shots are different colors mixed together to create a unique custom color for someone. It's almost like taking jars of paint and mixing them together to create a new color. Color shots are definitely appropriate for creative people who prefer a unique look. Whatever you choose, you don't have to worry if you decide you don't like it. If you're unhappy with the results a professional hairdresser can do a corrective color-a treatment used to correct the color if your hair color came out too dark, too light, too brassy, or too ashy.

How to Care for Colored Hair & Avoid Hair Damage

Colored hair is more susceptible to damage, needs special attention and treatment to: prevent physical damage and to prevent color from fading. Colored hair should be conditioned often but not just with any product. Shampoos & conditioners made just for colored hair should be used. Hair should not be washed too often and should be patted dry instead of blow dried. You should be careful when using a curling iron to avoid breakage. Also recently colored hair should not be permed as it can result in severe damage due to the harsh chemicals used to create curls or waves (permanent wave). One way to protect colored hair is to get a top coat treatment or color gloss. A Top Coat treatment makes color treated hair stronger, more vibrant and luxurious. It also protects your colored hair from further damage. Color Gloss has a similar affect on your hair. Color Gloss seals hair cuticles, which helps color last longer. It can also tone down hair color that's too bright or brassy. If you would like to neutralize and enhance your tones, you could use a Flash Finish which will do the job in 10 minutes or less.