Favorite Tips for Coloring Hair!
Although summer is coming to an end that does not mean your fun hair colors have to suffer.
Whether it is natural, relaxed, or extensions a pop of color can be just the change your hair needs.
With the changing season, naturally, comes the change of hair.
It is an unspoken ritual for many women to color their hair with the seasons. Whether it’s highlighting, color blocking, or a full head of color, hair color can be refreshing.
Coloring hair can be beautiful it can be extremely damaging to hair if not maintained properly.
Hair Color Trends For Fall
Fall is quickly approaching, and the warm hues of hair are on the horizon.
Colors that are popular for the Fall are seemingly plucked right from the landscape.
Bright reds and red undertones are Fall favorites. Copper-colored hair or Ombres is perfect for a splash of color. Many girls even opt for blondish hair like Beyonce or Ciara’s golden brown tresses.
These colors compliment all skin tones and provide a warm, earthy feel perfect for the fall weather. Whatever you choose, be sure to keep it fun, healthy, and moisturized.
Types of Hair Color
It is important to educate yourself about ways to achieve healthy locs of beautiful jet black, vibrant orange, or soft pink strands.
Whether you choose to get your hair dyed at the salon or you’re a do it yourself kind of girl, knowing what’s going on our hair is important.
Hair Bleach is crucial if you’re looking for a drastic change like going from black to blonde or brown to purple, this lifts your natural hair color and lightens it making it easier to dye and giving the color a chance to pop.
However, be mindful of the bleach used on your hair, there are different volumes of bleach. Some bleaches are stronger than others and the strength of the bleach you should use based on the color, texture, and strength of your hair follicles as well as the look you desire.
Most Common Volume Peroxide Levels:
- 10 Volume - Used mostly for changing the shades of the hair with a tint or undertone.
- 20 Volume - Will lift a hair color 1 - 2 shades.
- 30 Volume - Lightens the hair 2 - 3 levels
- 40 Volume - Most extreme lightener for taking a 1B hair to a #613 Blonde.
Toner follows the bleach, which is used to balance out the colors in your hair.
What Types of Dyes Should I Use?
Permanent Dyes need to be mixed before application to ensure amazing color and strength. These colors can last up to 28 washes, or until the hair starts to grow and shift. Since they are stronger these dyes may be more harmful to hair.
Semi-Permanent Dye or Temporary Color is an easier way to transition hair to a different color.
These can often be bought at local beauty stores and used straight out of the box. Semi-permanent dyes can fade with washes and exposure to natural elements such as air and the sunshine. This option does not require bleaching and does not alter your natural hair color.
Although easy and cost-efficient, semi-permanent hair color may need to be reapplied and fades out altogether after about six weeks.
However, you choose to achieve your desired color, be sure to practice good hair care choices as well as patience.
Hair Color Products
Coloring hair is a skill that takes experience if you are looking for professional results.
The route you choose it up to you, but we always recommend working with a stylist that color hair exceptionally well. You can usually see their hair coloring style by looking at their Instagram account.
If you are looking to color the hair yourself and need the products to do so, you should consider either professional level (recommended) or store-bought options.
Professional Hair Color:
- Paul Mitchell
- Pravana
- Schwarzkopf Professional
- Kenra Color
- Clairol
- Revlon
- L'Oreal
Stylists stick with professional hair color products because they are aware of the sensitivity of hair and the damage hair coloring can do if not done correctly.
Different Ways to Rock Your Dye
The same way there is not just one color or dye meant for everyone, there isn’t only one way to wear a colorful new look. Here are a few ways to wear the color you’ve seen in your dreams.
Highlights and lowlights refer to the act of partial color in one's hair to bring a mix of hues and tents. Highlighting your hair makes hair shades lighter while lowlights take your hair a few shades darker.
Some people do highlights and lowlights together to get a multi-dimensional look. Beyonce and Jennifer Aniston are perfect examples of highlighted and low lighted hair. They are two celebrities that play with the dimensions of brown and blonde hues.
Both are ideal for any hairstyle; they are mainly rocked in long waves or short layers to accentuate the colors.
More Color Styles
Color blocking your hair adds fun, style, and color all in one move. It is essentially taking a large portion of the hair and adding a dye. Color blocking has been a hot trend that you may not even notice, #Mermaid on Instagram, or even think of Cruella Deville of Disney; now she was the queen of color blocking! It's a bold way of rocking a new hair color.
Dip Dye & Ombre are prominent across YouTube's everywhere! When dip-dying, one only bleaches and dyes the ends of their hair for a flash of fun. Ombre refers to a style of coloring in which hair goes from dark at the roots to light at the ends or vice versa.
Before you start giving off Justine Skye vibes with a full head of purple hair, you may want to consider the other coloring options to test out what colors you love best and what your hair can handle. A full head of color is different and risky, be willing to experiment and take care of your hair.
Coloring Hair Extensions
While coloring your natural hair can be a fun and new experience, to achieve your favorite colors quicker and with less strain to your hair, one can also get these looks through hair extensions.
If you are new to coloring or simply want a quick way to try out a new color, you may want to consider purchasing extensions and getting them dyed to achieve your ideal results.
Some stylists would charge at from $15-$30 a bundle to dye hair for clients even without providing installation services.
Choosing to buy colored extensions is another way to switch up your look. Think of Nicki Minaj; she does not stress her hair to achieve her beautiful Barbie-like hairstyles, she has a plethora of wigs. You can purchase a wig, such as the ones on Private Label Extensions, and have it fully customized to fit your style preferences.
If you’re looking for a full head of color, think Rihanna in her Man Down video, with a full head of bright red hair, opt for blonde bundles.
Starting off with blonde bundles skips the need for bleaching and quickly allows the hair color to take, for brightness and durability. This hair is often listed as 613 for Hair color at Private Label Extensions as Russian Blonde Body Wave.
However, if these are virgin extensions, they will require the same process when being colored. A few tips to maintaining bundles integrity is to detangle the hair before coloring, follow regular dyeing processes, rinse with cool water to seal in color and finally, allow hair to air dry.
Coloring Natural/Relaxed Hair
Coloring your natural hair can be tricky, bleach (developer), toner, and dyes are a complicated business.
Be sure that it is strong enough to undertake the process bleaching and color.
To test the strength of your hair pull your hair straight and add some water to the top, if it takes longer than 10 seconds to absorb then your hair is dye ready!
Hair Porosity Matters!
Another tip is to place your hair in a bowl of water, all the healthy hair will float at the top, while more damaged hair will absorb water and sink. This test has to do with the porosity level of your strands.
Porosity refers to your hair's ability to absorb moisture. One can have a high or low porosity which can make dying and maintain the color and integrity of your hair difficult.
Do not fret however if your hair does not initially pass the test. Take some time to lower or heighten your porosity level so that the color takes to the hair and is less prone to breakage.
A few ways to reduce your porosity are to do protein treatments, deep conditioning, and to use coconut or olive oil. These methods will give your hair the protein and essential oils it needs to resist moisture and be stronger against harsh weather conditions.
To bring your porosity level up so that your color and condition can take evenly and nicely, opt for a heat treatment to open up your hair cuticles.
While dyes and colors are fun, it is more important to have strong, healthy hair. Take the time to learn about your hair and what method of coloring is best for you.
How to Quickly Add Hair Color
As you know, coloring hair can be a delicate process.
What if you could quickly add some hair color without any risk?
You can!
Consider using clip-in hair extensions that can be in and out of your hair in minutes.
Taking Care of Your Hair Color
Dyed hair is more prone to shedding and breakage and therefore needs extra care.
First, test the color out on your hair before diving right in. With all the colors, skin tones, and combinations available it is easy to get excited about a new look and make hasty, unhealthy decisions regarding your hair.
Try highlights, a rinse, or semi-permanent color to ensure that the color is the right color for you.
Don't Rush Coloring Hair
Additionally, be patient, if you are switching your color from dark brown to blonde, it will take a few sessions to lighten hair, in a safe, healthy way gradually.
Be mindful of the products used in your freshly colored hair. Consider using a leave-in conditioner, along with sulfate-free shampoo, as sulfates can dry out hair.
When choosing the perfect shampoo and conditioner be sure to opt for products that offer color protectants to increase the longevity and brightness of the color.
Make it a priority to keep hair moisturized. As with natural hair, moisture is essential to hair health. Keeping hair oiled is necessary with colored hair due to the extra processing and stripping of the hair; it can quickly become more brittle causing breakage.
Use a good conditioner to replenish hair, and seal in moisture with oils.
Remember to get frequent trims. It is important to keep hair protected from split ends and frizzy hairstyles. Regular trims ensure that all hair is growing healthy and flaunt those soft hues flawlessly.
Do you have some tips on coloring hair? Drop them in the comments below!
