Hair Color Secrets - Which Color Is Right For You?
Hair color correction is a big money maker in salons nationwide.
The reason: over-the-counter hair coloring products have given
consumers the impression that hair color is easy and extremely
affordable. One look at a professionally-colored model on a
commercial or glossy magazine page, and many people clamor to
the closest drug store to purchase a $5 box of color with the
hopes of receiving a $50 salon look.
The results are often disastrous, and it can take hundreds of
dollars to correct a hair color problem that could have been
prevented with just a tiny bit of knowledge and planning.
The most common problem seen with hair coloring at home and in
salons is choosing a hair color that is too light for the
natural shade of hair. Realistically, color can only lighten
hair beautifully by a few shades. If you go any lighter than a
few shades, you need to choose a high-lift product such as
bleach or a professional highlighting system. Failure to do this
often results in hair color that is much too brassy or even
orange.
Word to the wise: high-lift hair coloring should only be
performed by professionals. The controlled chemicals used in the
process, if used incorrectly, can result in irreparable damage
and/or chemical burns on the scalp and skin.
Another hair color mistake that is seen quite often is choosing
a color that is too dark. Extremely dark hair color can be the
most challenging to correct because dark color can actually
stain the cortex (inner layer) of the hair, making it almost
impossible to lighten. Again, avoid choosing hair colors that
are more than a few shades darker than your own to prevent a
costly cortex stain.
When it comes to choosing the right shade of hair color to use,
pick tones and shades that flatter your skin tone. Choose warm
shade of hair color (reds and warm browns) if you look best in
warm-colored clothing such as reds, pinks and oranges. Choose a
cool shade (beige, pale blonde highlights and neutral colors) if
you look best in blues and greens.
As you can see, just a little bid of planning and knowledge can
save you from costly hair coloring disasters. And by making an
informed decision before you purchase hair color, you will not
only save money, you will also save your hair from needless
damage.
Hair color is a chemical, and every time you chemically process
your hair, you damage it to some extent. The damage can be
minimal, as is usually the case with high-end professional hair
coloring systems, or can be extreme. And each time you use hair
color to correct a problem, you are damaging your hair even
more.
Here are just a few tell-tale signs that your hair has been over
processed with hair color and other chemicals.
" The hair is limp and dull, and no amount of styling can bring
back its luster and bounce. " The hair color has faded
dramatically, and you are left with brassy and banded hair
color. (Banded hair color is evident by the sudden change of
hair color along the hair shaft. For example: the hair may be
dark until about 2" from the scalp where it turns a brassy
orange.) " The hair is extremely dry and brittle. When it is
wet, it is almost impossible to comb it without causing
breakage.
You can avoid damage to your hair caused by hair coloring by
taking the same precautions recommended for choosing the right
hair color. Choosing the right hair color reduces the amount of
color applications, therefore, reducing the chances of your hair
becoming over processed.