Before you Color: Hair Color Tips

Whether dying your own hair or getting it done by a professional, there are essential tips to note before dabbing on that color— for a whole new you. Achieving the perfect shade requires the right tools and knowledge.

Avoid DIY Disasters

DIY kits, though convenient and fairly easy, can be very tricky when it comes to color selection. If you are going for a drastic change—light to dark or vice versa—go to a professional! If you plan to dye your hair at home, go no more than one or two shades lighter/darker. What you see on the box may not necessarily appear on your locks. To be safe, test the color. Collect hair from your hairbrush and test it, prior to dying your whole head.

Maintain Your Shade

Before choosing your color, there is an important factor you may not consider—maintenance. Going more than a few shades lighter/darker? If so, plan to spend time and money maintaining your locks. Coloring may need to be touched up every three to eight weeks, depending on hair growth. Since it is hard to hide those roots, if you can’t afford the time and costs, try highlighting your hair a shade lighter giving it a natural look even when your roots begins to grow out. Apparent roots are a big hair color no-no!

Color Control

Correcting a bad dye job should be left to the professionals. If you have not achieved the results expected with a DIY kit, drop that box! Do not try to correct the problem yourself. Dabbing another color on top can lead to an even bigger mistake and worse—lead to damaged hair. When in doubt, seek professional help. A professional has the experience and knowledge to quickly fix your hair. Trying to save money could actually end up costing you more.

Safe Products

You have the perfect summer blonde locks. To keep it that way, avoid using spray-on/leave-in products that further lighten your hair. They may cause damage and discoloration. Do not use products containing bleach. Also, be sure to cover your hair in the sun to protect your locks. Opt for a cute hat or scarf to keep your color lasting longer.

Consider Skin Tone

Take recommendations from the expert when it comes to getting your hair professionally dyed. A professional colorist will assist you in choosing the best shade for your coloring. How can you determine your tone? If you have fair skin, with pink or blue skin undertones, you most likely have a cool shade. If you are olive or dark, with yellow or golden skin undertones, you most likely have a warm shade.

Information courtesy of Barbara Abbasi, Professional Hair Stylist, www.abhairla.com, and the Founder of the Ferrum Professional Styler, www.ferrumiron.com.

Rihanna Goes Back to Brown

Rihanna has been spotted around town wearing a curly brown do and I have to say I love it.  I was getting a wee bit tried of the bright red and I think this is a perfect way to usher in Fall 2011.  I love the look!  Paired with very minimal makeup, maybe she's only wearing a little concealer, mascara, and gloss this new hair looks relaxed and laid back.

Want to rock a similar look? Try Redken Shades EQ! Shades EQ Gloss is the #1 long lasting, no-lift, no-ammonia, demi-permanent haircolor in the U.S., adored by consumers and stylists alike and it just got better. Perfect for those who are color-shy or want a quick fix; new Shades EQ Cream will provide longer-lasting, shiny, smooth and conditioned hair, plus exceptional gray blending and refreshed color. Also new to the Shades EQ family is Shades EQ Cover Plus which features up to 75% gray coverage with demi-permanent results and a subtle brightening effect for a more visible reflect.

“Redken Shades EQ is the backbone of my coloring process. It refreshes and leaves my clients’ hair so vibrant!” says Tracey Cunningham, Celebrity Colorist and Redken Creative Consultant for Color. “Whether I’m using Shades EQ Gloss for a more transparent look or Shades EQ Cream for richer, deeper color, my clients love how shiny and conditioned their hair feels. It takes them straight from the salon to the red carpet.”

Color Questions to ask your Hair Stylist

Sometimes our biggest fears can create the most exciting changes, and for most women, a change of hair color can be dramatic and scary. Rebecca Friedman, celebrity colorist expert at Goodform Salon in Hollywood (Kim Kardashian’s exclusive colorist) gives her tips on the best questions to ask your stylist before you color, and how to find the right tone for your hair’s texture.

6 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR STYLIST BEFORE A COLOR CHANGE:
1. What is a realistic level of lightness for me to achieve given my current hair color?
2. I've had previous chemical treatments on my hair; will this effect how light I can go?
3. What tones will best suit my complexion?
4. Will the texture of my hair change after I lighten it?
5. How often will I have to come it for touch ups?
6. Do styling products for color treated hair really work?

Rainbow Ombre: Would you rock it?

Now we've chatted about Black women rocking the Ombre Hair Color Trend, but now Lauren Conrad of The Beauty Department has taken Ombre a step further adding in rainbow colors.

Senior Colorist at Cutler 57th Street Salon Dallas Walsh commented, “This new rainbow trend is an extension of the ombre looks we’ve been seeing since winter. We’ve had a lot of requests to add shots of color and tipping. Feather extensions were the big craze as we transitioned into summer but now that everyone’s wearing those a fresh way to make your hair pop is to add rainbow tips. The rainbow ombre is a fun, vibrant way to add a pop to your style and will look great on all hair colors.”

Not ready to take the plunge? Walsh adds, “Have fun with your hair! If you want to try the look out without fully committing, try hair extensions.”

I'm not so sure this look would look great on everyone, I mean how well does Rainbow Ombre translate into Corporate America?  It sure does look fun though!

Protect Your Highlights This Summer

Highlights are hands down one of the prettiest ways to update your look. Zoe Kravitz stepped out at the New York premiere of X-Men with some of the most summery highlights ever. I think her hair color looked amazing, but I know it must take some serious up-keep and protection during the summer months.  To help you guys get the most of your highlights this summer, I've asked Natasha Sunshine, Pureology Colour Ambassador and owner of Byu-ti Hair Therapy, Pureology’s flagship salon to share a few tips for protecting your highlights from the two biggest threats, the sun and the pool this summer!

Natasha says, "Prevent your hair from fading by using products that have sunscreen UVA an UVB protection like Pureology's EssentialRepair ColourMax spray. Use it before every blowdry or even spray on before hitting the beach. And just a hot tip, every Pureology product, even their stylers have a special AntiFade Complex for longer lasting hair color in them so the more Pureology you use the better the protection."

Planning on spending a lot of time in the water this summer?  Natasha gives us a tip on how to protect your hair color from the pool.  "Protect your color in the pool by loading your hair up with a heavy conditioner before getting in and pull hair back into a low bun. This will help create a barrier against the chlorine. The tight bun prevents the chlorine from getting to your ends, the most porous part of the hair. Follow up by using Purify shampoo by Pureology to pull any chlorine residue out."

Have that dreaded green tint to your hair?   Natasha has a remedy for that!  "Put six Aspirin in a bowl filled with two cups of water and soak for 15 minutes. It'll pull the green right out of the hair."

Save Your Hair Color this Summer

Color Me Beautiful is an at home recipe to help rejuvenate hair color from the Sam Brocato salon.


· STEP 1: Shampoo with Vibracolor Fade Prevention Shampoo. Leave on hair while mixing ingredients for Step 2.
· STEP 2: Using a blender mix the following until smooth:
* ¼ cup blackberries
* 3 drops buriti fruit oil
* 3 pumps Constructor Deep Repair Treatment
* 2 pumps Vibracolor Fade Prevention Treatment
· STEP 3: Rinse hair and carefully pour mixture onto head, massaging from scalp to end. (Additional elements included in salon-treatment.)
· STEP 4: Rinse and towel dry. Proceed to Style.

The science behind the fresh ingredients: Buriti fruit restores colored and damaged hair. Blackberries contain bioflavinoids which are powerful antioxidants.

Clairol wins a Health Beauty Award

Clairol Professional liquicolor permanente is the Winner of “Best Haircolor” in the 2011 Health Beauty Awards by Health Magazine!

The first-ever haircolor to win a ‘Health Beauty Award’, a panel of experts rated Clairol Professional liquicolor permanente superior in product innovation, healthy ingredients and results. Beating out over thirty other entrants, liquicolor permanente, the reinvented Miss Clairol, delivered on all counts with its SOY4PLEX technology that delivers up to 84% more deep conditioning than the leading professional cream color and results boasting the four signs of healthy-looking color: reflective shine, multi-dimensional shades, long-lasting results and deep conditioning.

Get Hilary Duff's new hair color

Hilary Duff was spotted rocking some bangs and guess what? She's back to blonde hair, but this blonde is beautiful. It has dimension, depth, and shine. Tracey Cunningham, Redken Creative Consultant for Color and Celebrity Colorist gave Hillary those lustful locks.

To achieve this color, Tracey applied Redken Color Gels 8AB Stardust mixed with 8NA Mojave at the base and then applied 10nA Silk around the hairline. She then used Redken Color Extend Shampoo and Conditioner and finished by highlighting Hillary’s hair with Redken Up to 7 De-Dusted lightener and finished with Shades EQ OOO Crystal Clear.

Redken Color Gels feature the Select Dye System which contains 100% oxidative, UV-stable, long-lasting dyes for holding power and resistance to fading. Wheat proteins and avocado oil add strength and condition, keeping hair shiny and healthy-looking.
Redken Up to 7 De-dusted lightener Lifts hair up to 7 levels while providing predictable, extra light results with no added fragrance.

Shades EQ is a demi-permanent color which provides healthy, shiny results, incredible conditioning with an amazing number of mixing possibilities. Shades EQ is used as a glaze, color refresher, and also color correction. Ingredients include acidic pH; no lift, non-ammonia formula; long-lasting colorants; wheat amino acids, and silicon.

Remember to use a haircare regimen to protect your haircolor – Tracey recommends Redken Color Extend line which includes:
Color Extend Shampoo
Color Extend Conditioner
Color Extend Rich Recovery
Color Extend Total Recharge
Color Extend Shine Enrich

Ombre Hair Color on Black Women

The Ombre hair trend doesn't look like it's dying down any time soon (no pun intended). What exactly is the Ombre look? Dark roots that gradually get lighter leading down to light tresses, the result is a honey dipped look on dark hair. The color look looks great on women of color too!

Ashanti with her Ombre locks styled half up and half down

Raven Symone with Ombre waves and down to there curls

Will you be trying the Ombre trend?

Rihanna's Long Red Hair

So now it looks like Rihanna is rocking a long red 'do. To be honest, when I first saw her with the long red locks, I just figured she was on her way to have her hair done, meaning cut, put in an updo, or something. Looks like I was totally wrong, instead the long hair look is what she was going for. What do you think of it?

Looks like Rihanna Whips her hair back and forth!

Leopard Print Dye Job

Renowned Panico Salon and Spa has announced the winner of their company-wide Paul Mitchell Color Contest which took place this past summer. The contest was the culmination of color guru Collin Caruso’s master class, from which participants garnered artistic inspiration and fresh ideas. “We continually provide similarly stimulating opportunities to build morale and foster a creative environment. In turn, our staff has the ability to hone their craft and our clients benefit from cutting-edge style. Panico has always placed a strong focus on product knowledge and advanced education, as well as maintaining a solid connection to the Paul Mitchell empire”, said Tom Harris, Artistic Director of Panico Salon & Spas.

My favorite look was the leopard color job! How awesome is that?

Rihanna turns down the Red

So Rihanna was recently spotted turning on the Christmas lights at Westfield shopping centre in west London but what I noticed was how her once fire engine red hair is beginning to look darker. I actually prefer this red to the bright red, how about you? It's still bright, but it's not as 'Loud' as it once was.

Nicki Minaj = Rainbow Brite

I don't know about you, but I'm a BIG Nicki Minaj fan!

Red Hair Tips

Marisa Moon of the Sam Brocato Salon gives great tips for red heads and wanna be red heads this season. With stars like Rihanna rocking bright red hair there's no surprise this is the most sought after seasonal color. Red is warm and glowing with tones ranging from bold true reds to soft coppers to a hint of strawberry. “Be inspired by autumn leaves and add richness and warmth to faded-out summer locks,” says Marisa. Schedule an appointment with your colorist to find which hue is best for your skin tone and eye color.

Whether you’d like to enhance your natural color, add dimension, balance your previous color, blend-away grays, or add gloss and long-lasting shine, Marisa suggests a new color formula that heralds professional performance at its finest. The new Brocato Color Project is a demi-permanent, ammonia-free and MEA-free formula that deposits color without lifting natural pigment. It is infused with Murumuru Seed Butter, Macadamia Seed Oil and Green Tea Seed Oil that aid in imparting moisture rich color. The leading professional demi-permanent brands are formulated with MEA, a derivative of ammonia and a registered skin irritant. Brocato Color Project uses Amino Methyl Propanol (AMP) as its key ingredient, or alkalizer, and AMP is neither an ammonia derivative nor a skin irritant.

Red Hot Like Rihanna

Nikki Ferrara, colorist at Sally Hershberger Downtown believes that redheads have more fun.

If you’ve ever been tempted to become a red headed temptress, Ferrara shares a few tips on
achieving the right shade for you…no matter what your natural base color.

REDHEAD TIP #1: Stay near the same depth as your natural base color. If you're naturally a
medium blonde to light blonde you can go as deep as a vibrant copper or as light as a strawberry
blonde.

REDHEAD TIP #2: If you’re a brunette, steer clear of cool blue or violet-based reds like
mahogany or anything that says ‘eggplant.’ If you are already pretty dark, they have a tendency to wash out your complexion and it just doesn't look natural when it appears in the sunlight.

REDHEAD TIP #3: When you want to add more vibrancy, ask your colorist to add tone-on-tone
highlights. This will also help color keep its shine and prevent it from appearing dull. It keeps the red more interesting.

REDHEAD TIP #4: Red hair requires a bit of maintenance, unfortunately glosses tend to wash
out pretty quickly. If you're in between appointments and need a bit of a boost, opt for a color
depositing conditioner. Choose a conditioner with more color concentration in it, and will
smooth the shaft the longer you leave it on. As for shampoos, always use one formulated for
color treated hair. This will help to keep the color from fading.

Anti-Aging for Your Hair

It is something most women do on a daily basis – fight the aging process. In fact, the number of non-invasive cosmetic procedures in the US has risen by an estimated +69% since the year 2000 and nearly 80% of women over the age of 50 color their hair to cover gray. Capitalizing on 50 years of scientific DNA, women can rest assured their age-defying needs are met with Redken’s NEW age-defying regimen featuring NEW Cover Fusion professional haircolor, Time Reset at-home haircare range, and a Time Reset Salon Service to combat and prevent aging hair.

“Most of us are well-versed on the impact of age on the skin, and less attention is spent on the effects of aging on the hair,” states David Cannell, Redken Research and Development Expert. “Redken research has identified two main categories of aging hair: chronological aging caused by mechanical, environmental and chemical distress – the combined effects of these external factors can leave hair dry, sensitized and/or porous. The second category is hormonal aging which occurs as a result of the physiological changes that women experience as they grow older. This ultimately results in slowed scalp activity and the decline in melanin, the hair’s natural source of protection and defense against age-accelerating aggressors.”

The combined impact of chronological & hormonal aging can leave hair with six visible effects that lead hair to become porous, lifeless, and extremely difficult to manage:

1. Change in Texture

2. Diminished Density

3. Increased Dryness

4. Surface Dullness

5. Fragility / Breakage

6. Gray Hair



“Everyone’s hair ages differently, some of us earlier than others,” explains Cannell. “Below is a general timeline that captures the changes women commonly observe:

- 20s: Hair is at the peak of thickness and strength; Scalp produces ample sebum giving hair healthy shine

- 30s: Damage incurred during your 20’s becomes visible; Slight decline in sebum production can cause hair to lose its natural luster

- 40s: Diameter of hair shaft begins to shrink, resulting in thinner and more fragile strands; Decline in melanin levels can lead to emerging gray hairs

- 50s: Most women are 50% gray by the age of 50, caused by a steep decline in melanin; Follicles continue to shrink leaving hair finer and thinner around hairline and top of scalp

- 60s: Nearly 40% of women will experience some degree of hair loss by age 60, mostly around the crown, leaving hair thin-looking and lackluster.”



Redken’s solution to aging hair is the NEW age-defying regimen that addresses both the immediate needs of aging hair while helping to prevent hair from aging starting in the salon with professional haircolor and backbar service, and continuing the care at-home with age-fighting retail offerings.



Cover Fusion Low Ammonia 100% Coverage Color Cream

Redken’s NEW Cover Fusion Low Ammonia 100% Coverage Color Cream offers 100% gray coverage with natural, modern reflects to clients with over 50% gray hair. Formulated with low ammonia and low odor, Cover Fusion provides a pleasant and comfortable experience for clients. Additionally, Cover Fusion contains ingredients specifically formulated to address the issues gray-haired clients face. With argan oil it helps protects against weakened defenses resulting from melanin loss and with cationic conditioning polymers and rice protein, it provides superior conditioning to dry/dull hair. Available in 24 naturally reflective shades[ii], Cover Fusion addresses 4 of the 6 signs of aging.


Cover Fusion’s Revitalage Colorbond Technology TM provides 100% gray coverage:

· Naturally Reflective Coverage: A combination of high coverage dyes provides intense reflect and perfect coverage for hair that is over 50% gray

· Optimal Defense: With argan oil, which contains antioxidants known to neutralize free radicals

· Superior Conditioning: Cationic conditioning polymers and rice protein help revitalize the hair

Additionally, Cover Fusion’s creamy texture provides easy application with either a bottle or bowl and brush, and 35-minute processing provides faster processing time for more efficient services for colorists and their clients.



Time Reset Salon Service and At-Home Regimen

Redken’s NEW Time Reset helps repair years of damage while combating and preventing five visible signs of aging hair with a targeted home regimen and salon service.

Time Reset uses a combination of age-fighting formulas fortified with the powerful Vital 5 Complex and patented Intra-Cylane® technology to help combat 5 of the 6[iii] signs of aging hair:

Intra-Cylane®: Evens porosity and improves strands resilience
Peptides & Ceramide: Repair and resurface the cuticle
Green Tea: Neutralizes free radicals with antioxidant support
Camellia Oil: Softens, replenishes, and restores shine
Cationic UV Filter: Helps prevent premature aging


The restorative process begins in the salon with a Time Reset Salon Service featuring a professional backbar treatment formulated with 10% Intra-Cylane® that helps even porosity, reinforce internal structure and restore substance to fragile strands.

In a salon study, professionals observed significant benefits[iv]:

· 94% observed an improvement in manageability

· 77% observed enhanced density

· 88% observed an increase in shine or brilliance



Time Reset At-Home Maintenance

The care is continued at home with advanced, age-fighting formulas that renew texture, enhance density, replenish moisture and shine, and help defend hair against free radicals for hair that looks and feels younger and more resilient from root to tip. Time Reset at-home regimen includes Shampoo, Conditioner, Youth Revitalizer replenishing deep treatment and Corrective Defense protective softening lotion.

Bigen Brown for Fall 2010 Hair

In the fall we see nature at its best, vibrantly colored leaves gracefully falling to the ground. As everyday scenery slowly changes, why not change with the season using Bigen’s Permanent Powder Hair Color.

Black always holds its place as fall and winters color of choice, but this year fashion trendsetters are naming brown the season’s "it" color. Perfect for fall, Bigen’s rich shades of chestnut are fashion forward and sure to compliment all skin tones. Remember I used Bigen to dye Gram's hair before? No, okay go back and catch up. Well we both loved how the color actually lasted compared to other brands of dye.

Perfect Bigen Brown Shades for Fall:

Medium Chestnut
Dark Chestnut
Rich Medium Brown

Product Benefits:
Easy to use
Gentle on hair, when compared to competitors
Ammonia-free; no hydrogen peroxide required
Long lasting color with controlled and predictable results
Low price at $4.99

Spring 2011 Fashion Week Hair: Cynthia Rowley + Wella

Bok-Hee and the Antonio Prieto Salon styling team were on hand backstage at Cynthia Rowley Spring ’11 Fashion Show creating shiny, sleek and tight, structured updos that incorporated iridescent metallic hair extensions hand-painted by Aura Friedman and the Wella Professionals color team. The bright clips styled into the updo gave the final hair look a modern street style with a hint of polished glam. I love the deep side part and low bun look, it's one of my signature styles and guess what? It's never going out of style!

Hair Look:

The hair style evokes a sense of couture with a tight, structured updo that leaves the neck completely bare. A deep, side-angled part creates a strong asymmetrical look that flatters the face by offsetting any imbalance of the facial structure. A metallic Wella Professionals colored hair extension woven in to the natural haircolor creates dimension, while the striking shade infusion creates a shiny, modern and sleek feel. Although a sophisticated style, the range of brightly colored clips accent the hair to make it a wearable street style.

Haircolor:

Wella Professionals Lead Color Ambassador, Aura Friedman of NYC’s Serge Normant salon, collaborated with Cynthia Rowley to choose the light, iridescent metallic and futuristic haircolor palette that perfectly complements the Spring collection. The marriage of luxury and the modern woman evokes a strong confidence that enhances the overall graphic hair look. Friedman and a team of elite Wella Professionals colorists from across North America custom colored natural hair extensions to achieve shades in a spectrum of shiny metallics and cool, silvery, icy tones for a fresh perspective on blonde. Extension were lightened with Blondor and Extra Cool Blondes and then saturated with colors in the Color Touch and Koleston Perfect Special Blondes portfolio to deliver the incredible tones and intense shine. These striking shades accent the overall look for added edginess to the sophisticated style.

Step-by-Step Styling
1. Section hair into a deep angled side part starting from above the ear in the opposite direction and work through Wella Professionals High Hair Styling Mousse

2. Blow dry the hair completely smooth and section off a ¼ inch of the part to place the colored hair extension (two inches from the root should be the same as the natural hair color) and comb it over

3. Bring into a tight low ponytail and twist around to the opposite side of the head and twist in a figure 8

4. Pin to the head with ends tucked under

5. Adorn with brightly, colored clips

6. Use a combination of Wella Professionals High Hair 45 Seconds Styler hairspray and High Hair Gloss Serum to finish the look and add intense shine

The People who got it done:
Haircolor: Aura Friedman for Wella Professionals
Hair products provided by Wella Professionals Styling
Lead Stylist: Bok-Hee for Antonio Prieto Salon
Wella Professionals Colorist Team: Jennifer Groves, Nikki Anderson, Glenice Beale (PR @ Partners), Vivian Moore (Mitchell’s Salon), Dean Roybal (Planet Salon), Alison Holub (TC Salon), Lee Anne Combs (David Paul Salon), Caroline Beland (Ode Salon)

New Hue: Amerie is a Blonde

Amerie or Ameriie (as she spells it these days) has gone from healthy looking dark tresses to a shocking blonde look!

What do you think?

Lauren London Lightens Up

Although she might have questionable judgement, I have to say I love Lauren London's new lightened up hairstyle.  I totally get why Wayne liked her, she's a knock-out with dimples to die for, but I wonder what she saw? 

Anywho, what do you think of her new color? 

Don't remember it dark?  Here's an old pic of Lauren London with dark hair.