When I started in the salon industry 30 years ago coloring hair meant covering gray with one color, frosting the hair or making lady's hair blue. Today hair color is endless. with the introduction of foils to our business, color creativity is only limited to what we can think of.  Coloring hair can be fun when we understand the basics.

There are three types of hair color. Temporary hair color is color that lays on the outside of the hair shaft until next time the hair is shampooed.  Temporary is a great way to try color.  It will blend and soften gray hair. Temporary color can be found in a spray can for fun colors. This is used in dry hair. In wet hair Roux fancy-full color can be applied to tone hair that is too gold, to add darkness. Color shampoo and conditioners will also add color and tone. Temporary color is change without commitment.

Semi-permanent color penetrates the first layer of the hair. Is designed to last six to eight weeks. If your hair is naturally curly or dry it could last like permanent color. Semi-permanent color does every thing temporary color does but lasts longer. This color will not make the hair lighter; it can only add color to the hair. This type of hair color can add shine and condition the hair.

Permanent color goes into the inner-core of the hair and changes the hair color until the hair grows out. This adds color and tone. When hair is darker than you want color that will not make the hair lighter. If a lighter color is wanted you must use a enlightener. This type of color typically is retouched every four to six weeks.

Now that we know the basics, we can decide where we want to go with color. If you want color for fun to wash out, temporary is the answer. If you want to change the color for a few weeks, semi-permanent color is the answer. If you want to cover gray hair, permanent color is answer.

With the introduction of foils we can place more than one color in the hair at a time. We can place the foils to compliment or define hair cuts. We can add a few foils around the face for highlights, or just a piece wherever accent of color is wanted. A common problem clients have is they gray around the face but not in the back of the head. Placing foils of pieces matching the back in the front will help to take a few years off. With foil we can also make color as bold or as soft as we want.

Be careful with color from the drug stores. One out of ten turn out like they are supposed to.

If you have hair that turns gold or orange no matter what you do, it could be a sign of hard water. Shampoos that remove chlorine will help with iron deposits. Rinse with bottled water to keep the iron out.

Green hair in the summer is chlorine. Regular shampoo will not remove chlorine from the hair. There are special shampoos designed to remove chlorine. Putting a leave-in conditioner in the hair before swimming will help keep the chlorine from getting on the hair.    

Today color is fun, and leaves us open to be creative. What would you like to create? For questions about color, call total Image Salon & Day Spa at 440-9019.