7’s to Great Hair Coloring

Whether you are interested in a subtle change or trying an entirely new look, enhancing your hair color can make the difference. Remember that hair is the accessory you wear every day.

Coloring Methods:

• Method #1: Temporary Color
• Method #2: Semi-Permanent Color
• Method #3: Demi-Permanent Color
• Method #4: Permanent Color
• Method #5: Highlights
• Method #6: Lowlights
• Method #7: Double Process

Method One: Temporary Color

Temporary color is the simplest way to try out that new look you’ve been thinking about! It’s also great for quick touch ups or to eliminate yellow tones from gray hair.

The main drawback to using temporary color is that consistency is hard to achieve. In addition, because of its temperamental nature, this type of color may rub off on clothes or pillow cases and may run in the presence of moisture.

• Color Duration: 1 to 2 shampoos
• Ingredients: contains no peroxide or ammonia
• Time in Salon: 15 minutes
• Hair Penetration: coats the cuticle
• Frequency of Application: with every shampoo

Method Two: Semi-Permanent Color

Semi-permanent color works best for those who want a moderate change in color intensity. Frequently used to enrich or enhance your natural color, semi-permanent coloring deposits color only. A sensational coloring method for those with 10 to 20 percent gray in their hair, semi-permanent color can blend away the gray with natural-looking highlights.

• Color Duration: 4 to 6 shampoos
• Ingredients: contains no peroxide
• Time in Salon: 1.5 hours
• Hair Penetration: into the cuticle, 2nd layer of hair
• Frequency of Application: 1 to 4 weeks

Method Three: Demi-Permanent Color

Demi-permanent color is a longer lasting alternative for men and women who want the benefits of semi-permanent color, such as enhancing tone and blending away gray. You can also brighten your hair 1 level lighter than your regular shade with demi-permanent color.

• Color Duration: 6 to 20 shampoos
• Ingredients: little or no peroxide, little or no ammonia
• Time in Salon: 1.5 hours
• Hair Penetration: deposits between cuticle and cortex
• Frequency of Application: touch up re-growth every 4 to 6 weeks

Method Four: Permanent Color

Don’t be surprised if permanent color is the method of choice for your stylist/colorist. You can achieve 100% coverage as well as 100% consistent results with proper selection and application of permanent hair color. Even the most dramatic change can become a reality.

• Color Duration: permanent
• Ingredients: peroxide, ammonia
• Time in Salon: 1.5 hours
• Hair Penetration: cuticle is opened and color is deposited in the cortex.
• Frequency of Application: touch up re-growth every 4 to 6 weeks

Method Five: Highlights

Highlighting is a versatile process that can create looks from sun-kissed to dramatic. Highlights lift the color in individual strands of hair to heighten the level of lightness in your hair. Highlights can provide you with brilliant, lustrous hair. This is achieved by weaving selected hair strands and applying formula using foils, to allow more precise and direct access to the hair.

• Color Duration: permanent; bonus – re-growth of roots is not as apparent
• Ingredients: peroxide, bleach, ammonia (depending on formula)
• Time in Salon: 1.5 to 2.5 hours
• Hair Penetration: highlights lift the pigment from the cortex.
• Frequency of Application: touch up re-growth every 4 to 12 weeks

Method Six: Lowlights

Lowlights can subtly integrate a natural crescendo of color through the hair, or can be used to accentuate styles by bringing a deeper color through larger sections. Lowlights are often the best option for individuals who wish to blend away gray hair in a natural looking way (Men especially prefer this method).

Lowlights are achieved by weaving selected hair strands and applying color using foils. This application method allows more precise and direct access to the hair.

• Color Duration: permanent; bonus – re-growth of roots is not as apparent
• Ingredients: peroxide, ammonia
• Time in Salon: 1.5 to 2.5 hours
• Hair Penetration: cuticle is opened and color is deposited in the cortex.
• Frequency of Application: touch up re-growth every 4 to 12 weeks

Method Seven: Double Process Coloring

Ultra-dramatic change can be yours with double process coloring. Using this method, hair can be lightened more than four levels. With the double coloring process, the color is lifted from your hair and your desired color is then deposited.

Expert precision is required to achieve the consistency necessary to make this choice work. Remember, a double process coloring results in dramatic change, therefore a consultation with your colorist is a must.

• Color Duration: permanent
• Ingredients: peroxide, ammonia, bleach
• Time in Salon: 2 to 4 hours
• Hair Penetration: cuticle is opened and color is removed from the cortex. A new color is then deposited into the cortex through the cuticle.
• Frequency of Application: touch up re-growth every 3 to 4 weeks