what you should know about hair color

Quite simply hair coloring is the science and art of changing the color of the hair.

The natural color of human hair is first and foremost directly tied to hereditary factors.  As scientists have proven, hair color is an inherited characteristic. But the beauty of this generic trade is that it can be change or enhance. At Muse The Salon we've been mastering the art of color for a long time. I personally love the challenge of a color correction, I only wish it could come with out the emotional pain and cost that it brings to the client. 

Here are some answers you should know if you are thinking of hair coloring to avoid unwanted consequences. 

How do you pick the most flattering hair color for your skin tone and eyes?

If you look into your eyes you will see little flecks. If they are golden or yellow, a natural match would be warmer hair colors. If they are bluer or deep bluish black then a natural match would be neutral or cooler tones. To enhance your skin tone, never go more than two shades lighter or darker—this guarantees that you won’t fade or wash away your natural beauty.

What are the different types of hair color?

·      Permanent Hair-color

Permanent  makes a 'permanent' change in the pigment of the hair shaft.  It does not wash out! It will fade in time, but cannot be simply removed to "bring back" your natural color.  All hair that has been colored in this way has the natural color pigments irreversibly chemically altered. It can be removed, leaving the "altered" hair shaft pigments, which can be "corrective colored" back close to the original color.

This is a job which should be left to the Pros Only!  It can be one visit or many visits to the salon to try to correct a bad color job, it is expensive and is hard on the hair to varying degrees. 

·      Single Process Color

Single Process Color Is The Only Permanent Color That Should Be Attempted By The Amateur! Single process means that the color is lifted and deposited in one step and the change is settle.

·      Semi-Permanent

Semi-Permanent color is what it says it is, it can cover gray and go darker, but can not lighten. It lasts varying lengths of time depending on the product. Suitable for amateur colorists.

Warning: Double Process (bleaching and toning to the desired color) should never be attempted by a home hair colorist!.  This is definitely a pro-only process.

·      Deposit Only Color

Deposit Only color can only "deposit" color into the hair,  there are many varieties on the market for the home user.  These are very "User Friendly'' and usually condition and color in one step.

The very popular color "glazes or translucent" colors are among the easiest to start with to enhance your color. Most use a very low 3% peroxide to activate them .  Some are capable of lifting or lightening one level.

Do Your Homework Before You Color 

What does this mean?  It means that you must be perfectly honest to yourself and about yourself and the factors that enter into hair coloring.  If you are very dark haired (Level 1) and want to be a level 10 platinum blonde, forget home hair coloring! 

I know that there are many lightening kits on the market that will lighten hair at home and there are beauty supply stores that will sell professional products to the public, but if you try this at home you are taking a big gamble. 

While it can be and is done every day by people, some get the results that they wanted and some get horrible results.

If you don't believe me, just go to any beauty supply that is open to the public and stand around the hair color section for a while and listen to the customer's comments. 

Or go to any mall or public place and just sit for a few minutes and take a silent count of how many botched color jobs you see! 

My heart goes out to these people because most people who color their hair are trying to improve their appearance not detract from it!  There is nothing that will lower your self esteem of yourself worse than having a bad hair day whether it is a bad cut, color or perm that lasts for months.

Remember it cost a lot more to have your color professionally corrected than it does to have color in the first place.

More tips:

• Always test for allergies if you never have done color before.

• Learn the proper way and products to care for your hair after color.

• When going to a professional for the first time, always ask for a consultation and remember not every hair stylist is a colorist.

• When doing home coloring, keep it settle and don’t believe in gimmicks.

Monica Ponce

Muse The Salon

Tampa, Fl.

For a Professional consultation at Muse The Salon in Tampa Fl. visit, www.musehairgroup.com