How to Colour Your Hair at Home

No doubt about it, coloring your hair at home saves time and money. If you’re still hesitant to give it a try, we’ve got some good news: Home haircolor kits are easy to use (and their formulas are gentle to your hair). Follow our steps and you’ll achieve great results.

Step 1: Select a Color

When it comes to choosing a single-process shade, which will alter the overall color of your hair, you can go lighter or darker as long as you stay within one or two shades of your natural hue. Don’t go by the model on the box. It’s better to use the color guide on the side, which is a more accurate indicator of the results you can expect based on the color of your hair. If your current hair color isn’t pictured, put down the box—that color won’t work for you. At-home color kits are best for enhancing your natural color and for covering gray. Don’t rely on them for drastic changes like going from brunette to blonde. Visit a salon and let the pros handle that.

Step 2: Condition Your Hair

Two days before coloring, apply a deep-conditioning treatment to help strengthen hair. This will also give dry or damaged strands an added dose of moisture to help absorb the color better. We love the Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Deeeeep Conditioner ($3.25; at drugstores). Then wash your hair the night before you’re going to color, not on the same day (your nails could accidentally scratch your scalp and cause the fresh color to irritate your skin). 

Step 3: Prep the Bathroom

Create an at-home haircolor kit by gathering the essentials: a wide-tooth comb (to help section hair), four large hair clips (to secure sections), a kitchen timer (so you don’t need to stare at the clock), a jar of petroleum jelly (to apply along your hairline to protect your skin from staining) and an old button-down shirt (easier than a T-shirt; you won’t have to slip it over your hair before rinsing). You can stow these items in a bucket under your sink, so they’ll always be on standby when you need a touchup.

Step 4: Read the Instructions

Sounds obvious, but this step is both the easiest and the most ignored. Take the time to read through the instructions before coloring (don’t just rely on the photos). Every kit is different, and the instructions explain exactly how to mix and apply the color correctly as well as how long to keep the solution on your hair. And be sure to wear the gloves that come in the box to keep your hands from getting stained.

Step 5: Divide & Conquer

A. Using the comb, divide dry hair into four sections: down the middle, then across the center from side to side. Twist and clip each section.

B. Starting with a front section, unclip hair and apply color along the roots.

C. With your gloved fingers, gently run color from roots to ends. Repeat on each section.

Step 6: Set a Timer

Once you’ve finished applying color to your last section of hair, start the timer for the amount of time indicated on the box. This will ensure that your color has enough time to properly develop. Most solutions are formulated to automatically stop processing after the time indicated, so leaving dye on longer shouldn’t change the results—but leaving it on for less time will.

Step 7: Rinse and Shine

When the timer rings, rinse and shampoo your hair. Always follow up with a deep conditioner; most coloring kits include one. The conditioner will help seal in color and smooth down your hair’s cuticle (the outer layer, which lifts up during the coloring process) to promote healthy, shiny hair.

Get the Results You Want

Remember, hair looks different wet than dry, so always dry your hair after coloring to see the final shade.

If you’re unhappy with the result, don’t panic! Call the toll-free number on the box and talk to a hair color expert, who can help you fix the problem. For example, if some of your gray is still showing, they may recommend you shampoo your hair and do a touchup application 48 hours later.

Be proactive: Call and speak to a hair color expert before coloring to get extra tips on applying that specific kit.

Fall Hair colors' Trends

With many models and celebrities using different hair colors in different movies, ramp shows and performances, practically everyone around is considering changing their hair colour to fall in line with these glorious stars.

Many products are available in the market today with wide ranging colors and prices to suit every taste and purse. Besides choosing a good hair color brand, remember it is also important that you choose a hair color with a shade that best suits your hair color and skin tone. So what hair colors to you expect to see on some of our most celebrated celebrities this fall? Here are some fall hair color trend forecasts from some of the top celebrity hair color specialist. Instead of a complete hair color replacement you will see a toning down of the original color.

Trends for Brunettes - Light Highlights

Brunettes like Selena Gomez with her long soft curls just past her shoulders and medium to long layers cut through her back section has a dark chestnut shade with light highlights for an awesome flawless hairstyle. Body and volume are accomplished with side layers that also ad texture to compliment her face shape. Also her hair tone does a fantastic job of flattering her skin tone.

Trends for Blondes - Almost Platinum

One of my favorite Blondes; Christina Aguilera with her pale skin tone looks great in an almost platinum blonde tone. I am happy to see she moved on from the "ghostly white look". This is a very classy hairstyle styled into large defined curls which sit beautifully on her shoulders. The top of her hair is pulled half back to create height and volume. This is an elegant style that is perfect for any occasion.

Trends for Redheads - toned down red with Blonde Highlights

When you choose red you choose to be noticed! Marcia Cross is an incredibly beautiful and talented actress. You may know her as Bree Van De Kamp on the surprise hit "Desperate Housewives". Marcia's soft and elegant style is a sensational look for her. Her hair length falls just past her shoulders and large waves at the ends of her hair create weight.

Whatever hair color you choose, consult your hairstylist, and before you make a final decision, try out the color in small portions on your hair. If it looks good then take the plunge. And oh by the way a basic tenet is that if you have to wear more make up than before after you color your hair, then you have the wrong hair color. A proper hair color should highlight your skin tone bring it alive and glowing. On the other hand, if you have made the wrong choice you will probably look tired and washed out.

Great Hair Care Tips

If you watch the tabloids, you know that even the stars have bad hair days. It just seems that when the professional stylists are out of the picture, it is inherently human to have a less than glamorous mane. But you can do your part to stay ahead of the battle by following these great tips for hair care.

1. Use a professional conditioner that is formulated for your specific hair type.

While you can skimp a little on the shampoo, a good, professional conditioner is a must have. Look for products in salons that are customized for your hair type. For instance: If you have color or a perm, choose a conditioner that is for chemically processed hair. And stay away from those all-in-one shampoo and conditioner combos.

2. Choose a cut tailored to your face and body shape.

The number one mistake that people make when choosing a new hairstyle is to pick a style based on popularity rather than how it will enhance their features. Always choose a new cut based on how it will enhance or detract from your facial features and build. If you have broad shoulders, choose a full-bodied cut over a close cropped head hugging doo.

3. Don’t forget your UV protectants.

Just as your skin gets damaged by wind and sun, so does your hair. To combat this, look for finishing products such as mousses, gels and sprays that block UV rays.

4. Keep your appointments.

Did you know that your hair will split faster than it will grow? You need to get a trim every 6 to 8 weeks, even if it’s just a micro trim. A good hairdresser makes them good because they know what to leave on the head, not take off.

5. Leave chemicals to the professionals.

There is a reason why beauticians need to go to school to learn how to handle chemicals and hair processes. You can do irreparable damage with these products even if the package says that it’s way easy. And even if you don’t make your hair fall out, you could end up looking like a clown and paying stylist big bucks to fix your mess. (Note: Most stylists charge double the rate for corrective color than they do for normal color processes)

6. Get color for interest and body.

Every cut needs a little bit of color to make it truly breathtaking. No matter whether your taste is subtle or dramatic, you can add interest and volume to your tresses with a color process. Highlights, lowlights, all over color, gray coverage, you name it, it’s all good for your look.

7. Do weekly conditioning treatments.

Even if your hair is extremely healthy, it is constantly on the attack from wind, sun, cold and heat. During the summer months, your hair is battered even more when it absorbs chlorine and other chemicals from your pool.

8. Get an Ionic Ceramic Flat Iron

Instead of frying your hair with a conventional metal plated flat iron. Straighten your tresses, add shine and infuse moisture with one of the a negative ionic flat irons. We personally use T3 irons for all our work.

9. Choose your styling products wisely.

Avoid products that leave build-up on your hair. If you see white gunk, that means that your product is not water-soluble and may be coating your hair shaft. Build-up causes limpness, breakage and inability to curl not to mention the white flakes.

10. Don't rub the towel back and forth on your head.

Did you know that if you use a towel after your shower to dry your hair you are causing split ends and adding static electricity to your hair? Instead of rubbing the towel back and forth over your hair, scrunch the towel around your hair like you would scrunch crackers in your soup. While all of these tips won’t make you look like you’ve hired a personal hairdresser, they will help you look the very best that you can each and every day. When it comes to hair care, remember that you wear your hair everyday. Now isn’t it worth the time, effort and money that it takes to keep it looking spectacular?

Hair Care Mistakes to Avoid

When it comes to essential hair care techniques, it is important to remember that there are some mistakes that many people may be using without knowing it. With all the different styles and products you use on your hair on a daily basis, you can imagine just how much damage your hair experiences. By learning what hair care tips to avoid, you can be sure to have strong and healthy hair, no matter what you do to it!

For those of you who are planning on growing out your short hairstyle, it is important not to avoid the hairdressers for months at a time. It can be easy to not get your hair trimmed because you are trying to grow it out, but this can lead to split ends and frizzy hair over time.

Not conditioning regularly is a very common mistake. It can seem like too much of a hassle at 8am, but conditioning is something that should be done daily. This can make your hair shinier, smoother and less frizzy if you continue conditioning daily for more than a month at a time.

Preparing your hair for heat activated treatment appliances is something everyone should get into the habit of doing. You would be amazed just how much your curling iron or flatiron can damage your hair and by using a heat defense spray, you can help minimize the damage.

Choosing the wrong hairstyle for your face is a common mistake and this can easily be prevented. By researching the most flattering hairstyle for your face shape you are creating a younger and chicer look for yourself.

Avoid trying to make your hair into something that it isn't. There are always new trends and styles in your face, but this does not mean you have to try and recreate them all on yourself. Not everything fits everyone's facial shape and when you try to make your hair into something it isn't, it never works out.

Choosing the right products can be a harder thing than you may think. Avoiding using the wrong products can only be accomplished by trial and error.

Dark roots are one of the biggest mistakes to avoid! No one likes to see dark roots when their hair color of the day is blonde, take the time to touch up your roots at home or with your hairstylist to avoid this common mistake.

If you like to pull you hair back in braids or ponytails, be careful how tight you pull them as the band is literally ripping at your hair the tighter you try and pull it.

Avoid over brushing and use a detangle product if you have a lot of knots after your shower. This can not only rip your hair right out but it really damages your hair's cuticles.

Do what you can to avoid the cheap coloring systems you can use from home, they have the power to not only greatly damage your hair but you are taking a great risk that the color may or may not turn out!

It is important to take the time to make sure how you are treating your hair is correct because you can only continue damaging your hair for so long before the time comes to do something about it. Take the precautions to treat and care for your hair the way it deserves to be cared for.

Picking the Right Hair Color

Here are a few Tips to pick the Right Hair Color:

Coloring newbie?

Start with a semi-permanent color. Semi-permanent colors wash out after a few washes, whereas permanent colors never wash out. If you are new to coloring your hair, you might start with a semi-permanent hue unless you want to cover gray hair or go two or more shades lighter or darker.

Don’t go by the Picture on the Box.

Pictures on hair color boxes can be deceiving. You are better off going by the color swatches on the box and the descriptions.

Is your Skin Color Warm or Cool?

Most hair colors fall into either ‘categories’. You’re likely a ‘warm’ tone if you have golden, olive or dark skin and brown or dark eyes (most Latinas, Asians and African Americans fall into this category). You tan easily and the veins in your inner wrists are green. You’re a ‘cool’ if you have fair skin and blue or green eyes. You burn before you tan and the veins in your wrists run blue.

Choose the Correct Shade

If you have warm skin, opt for golden shades such as caramel and bronze in a darker shade than your skin. Avoid jet-black hair which will give you a washed out look and if you do opt for a golden shade, don’t go too light or your hair could turn orange. If you have cool shade, avoid colors that will highlight the ruddiness of your skin tone: Gold, auburn and copper. Ash blondes and cool browns work best.

How to tell if you’d make a Great Blonde

A basic thumb rule is that people who had blonde hair as children have the right skin tone to be blonde adults.
The right shade of blonde
Brassy blonde color or highlights on someone with a warm skin tone can be harsh. Opt for warmer shades instead. If you have brown hair and want to go blonde, you don’t want to go too light. Opt for contrast.

When to Go Red

Almost everyone can go red, what’s most important is finding the right shade to complement your skin color. Women with a cool or pink skin tone pull off red best, according to Jennifer J, a stylist quoted in the February 2006 issue of Marie Claire.

How to hide that Gray

Gray hair can be hard to color because of its coarse texture. If your hair is less than one-thirds gray, opt for a semi-permanent color that’s a shade lighter than your natural color (or matches your color). The gray will blend right in. Semi-permanent color is less damaging than permanent color.

Uh-oh, the Color’s all Wrong

It is strongly suggested you seek out professional help if your dye job went wrong. Coloring over color can be tricky and you don’t want to over-process your hair. Don’t go extreme

At home Hair Coloring is best for people looking to go a couple shades lighter or darker or to cover gray. If you have light brown hair, a dark blonde will look beautiful on you. For extreme changes, it’s best to seek out professional help.

All About Hair Colors

Choosing Right Hair Colors

Today more and more people are coloring their hair. Some choose hair color for added shine and body while others choose hair color for gray coverage. Looking for the color that is right for you can be baffling. There are so many choices. And many people are concerned of the effects of the chemicals on their bodies. Repeated exposure to certain chemicals in hair color may cause a number of symptoms including rashes, nausea, hair loss, itchy scalp and flaking scalp. Understanding the types of hair color available and their ingredients will help you understand which color is right for you. All hair colors are not created equal. Some colors contain many synthetic ingredients, and a large amount of toxic or allergenic ingredients. Look at your labels. Do the research about the ingredients. Be selective about what you expose yourself to. Many stylists become chemically sensitive because they are exposed to so many chemicals and fumes on a regular basis.

The first category of hair color is a temporary hair color. These colors usually last for 1-2 shampoos. The spray on colors for Halloween and some "rinses" are often temporary. This may not be the case for blonde hair or porous and chemically treated hair (perms). These hair types may be extremely porous and may act as a sponge, holding the color molecules for an extended period of time in random places along the hair shaft.The ingredients in these colors may often be FD& C dyes, which may or may not be food grade. A temporary hair color is usually applied to dry hair in the spray form. If the temporary color is a liquid, it can be applied to shampooed hair. Follow manufacturer’s instructions and call the manufacturer if you have questions.

The second category of hair color is semi permanent hair color. These colors usually last for only 4-6 weeks. These colors have the ability to blend gray hair without lightening the color of the other hairs. The ingredients of semi permanent hair colors vary from brand to brand. Some use strictly food grade dyes, or FD & C dyes, with an alkalizer to open the hair shaft slightly. Other semi permanent hair colors may contain oxidative dyes similar to that of permanent hair color, but use an alkalizer to allow the oxidative dyes to deposit on the outside of the hair shaft. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application and processing times and call the manufacturer if you have questions.

Another form of semi permanent hair color is the botanical hair color henna. The henna plant, also known as the LAWSONIA plant, can be a semi permanent hair color under certain conditions or progressive. You must not have extremely porous hair in order to take advantage of the temporary quality of the plant dyes. The henna plant comes in red tones. To alter the shade of the henna, some companies use a variety of ingredients. These ingredients may vary including: metals, oxidative dyes or other plant pigments such as indigo, madder root, turmeric or walnut. Metals may be extremely toxic to the body. Henna usually comes in a powder form and is mixed with water, coffee or black tea and applied to dry hair as a paste. The processing time varies from 15 minutes to several hours with a cap and heat depending on the effect you want to achieve.

Another type of color is a progressive dye. Progressive dyes deposit more color the more often you use them. The color builds with the frequency of application. Some progressive dyes may contain lead and other toxic metals. If you use a progressive dye and then decide to get a perm or a relaxer, you may run the risk of your hair melting away as the perm might have a reaction with the metals in your hair. Read the ingredients and make an educated choice.

Always follow manufacturer’s instructions and call the manufacturer if you have questions.

Permanent hair colors come in a variety of brands with a variety of ingredients. Some permanent colors have more natural ingredients than others as well as different concentrations of oxidative dyes. Oxidative dyes are chemicals that actually go into the hair shaft to develop into a color. Permanent hair color can use ammonia to open the hair shaft or monoethanolamine. Ammonia gets a bad rap. Ammonia in small concentrations is not toxic to the body and is necessary for some colors to cover gray or lighten the hair. Monoethanolamine is a chemical that has an odorless fume. In large concentrations (similarly to ammonia) it can be toxic. Monoethanolamine does not cover gray as well as ammonia and cannot lighten the hair as much as ammonia can. If you hair fades quickly and is extremely porous or damaged, a monoethanolamine color may be better for you, but it really depends on the brand. Some ammonia colors can be extremely conditioning depending on the other ingredients present in the hair color such as natural oils. Many colors tout "no resorcinol" but still contain a 2-methyl resorcinol. Many colors may lead you to believe they are natural when in fact they may contain one natural ingredient and the rest synthetic chemicals.

Lastly, what's the difference between a home color and a professional color?

Professional colors usually come with more choices, including strength of developers, while Home Kits are usually designed for gray coverage and one to two levels of lightening. To take a brunette to a blonde usually requires about 5 levels of lightening. A stylist can apply color in highlights, low lights or creative application of hair color in different shades. The fee they charge is for their time, their expertise in application and their knowledge of style.

Right Hair Color for You

The first thing that you need to do to find the right hair color for you is to decide how long you want the coloring to last. If you just want to add a punch of color to your hair for a party, a special occasion or just to suite a mood then you will want to use a temporary hair coloring. Temporary hair coloring is usually an acid based formula that is designed to only coat the hair strand instead of penetrating the hair shaft. This allows the coloring to be washed out after a few shampoos.

Semi permanent hair coloring is another hair color option that you have. It lasts longer than temporary hair coloring because it has smaller molecules that are able to soak into the hair shaft. However, this hair coloring doe not use a developer so it will not last as long as permanent hair coloring will last.

If you are looking for a more permanent hair dye then you may want to consider a demi permanent hair coloring. This treatment uses a hair color cream that has a mild developer. This type of coloring will typically last a few months. This option is great for covering grey hair.

After selecting the length of time that your hair color will last your next choice is to determine whether you want a natural or chemical hair coloring. Natural hair colorants will typically create a temporary hair tint. Some of the natural hair tints that you can use include cranberry juice, tea and henna. Chemical hair coloring agents can be found in do-it-yourself hair coloring kits and they can also be found at your local hair salon. Natural hair colorants are gentler on your hair and skin then chemical hair coloring agents; however, they do not last as long.

The final thing that you need to decide on when looking for the right hair coloring for you is what color you want to select. If you are looking for hair color ideas they you can always look for a celebrity of hair model that has the same skin tones as you do to see what hair colors will work the best for you. You can also ask a cosmetologist to help you select the right hair base color and highlight colors.

Hair Colors

Hair Weaving Colors

There are three types of Hair Colors: Permanent, Semi-Permanent and Temporary.

Temporarily color – holds color through about three shampoo washes. Color is gentle and used to try out color in a subtle way (without damage to the hair shaft).

Semi-permanent Color – is color that can be washed out after 6 or more shampoos. Semi-permanents color and coat the hair shaft.

Permanent Color – Is a dramatic change of color, changes between 2-6 shades brighter or darker. Permanent color is best applied by an experienced individual (this method involves chemically lifting the hair and penetrating the cuticle layer, breakage can occur if the color is applied incorrectly).
To apply the permanent hair color the scalp should be examined for any abrasions. (If the scalp is not normal do not apply hair color). A strand and patch test must be done first to test your hair and skin’s reaction to the color. If there are no problems then proceed carefully. The hair is then sectioned into four parts. A protective cream is then applied to the skin around the entire hairline. Protective gloves should be worn while applying color.

Mixture should be applied to the darker part of the hair using 1/8 inch sectioning. Apply the mixture to the hair from roots to ends. After all the mixture has been applied to all sections, pile the hair on top of the head and allow it to process for specified time. The mixture should not be rubbed into the scalp. After achieving the desired shade, rinse and shampoo.
Hair color is a very important consideration in choosing weave in hair. Often times, we don’t REALLY know what our hair color is. That is, when we are outside, our hair color may look much lighter than it is when we are indoors, or at night, or after we have just washed our hair.
Additionally, new growth can cause us some problems when choosing a good match to our weave in hair, particularly if our hair is colored / processed. It is for this reason that I generally recommend cutting a small patch of your own hair to take with you to the beauty supply store. This way, you will not need to hold the weaving hair next to your own and look in the mirror in an attempt to determine the best match. That is a very faulty way to try to make a good match to your own hair.

Using the patch method I spoke of earlier, you can make a more objective comparison between your hair and the weave in hair. If while you are at the beauty supply store, you get to weave in hair sample that are very close to one another, and you are torn between which one to buy, you might ask if you may take both of them out into the sunlight to make a better comparison. I, personally, prefer purchasing both packs of hair if they are a very close match.

Hair Weaving