TWO types of hair color are generating all the hype this season.
Inspirational colors
These free-spirited and wild colors are on many young women’s wish list. Sort of like a tattoo or a piercing. We get a great number of inquiries but when people learn what it takes in terms of time, money and upkeep, most people will shy away.
Here’s why. To achieve these shades of pastel blue, purple and pink or any lightest ash and gray colors, we first have to strip and bleach any previous colors. This may take up to 3 separate sessions of 2 to 3 hours.
Good bleach products are costly and applying it should be done only by experienced professionals. Poor application will result in uneven lift and is most difficult to fix. If not done perfectly, your hair could be ruined, leaving you with breaking hair, usually near the roots.
Once lightened, the target shade is easy to apply and won’t stress your hair since pastels are direct-acting pigments and contain no ammonia or peroxide. On the other hand, these dyes do not last permanently and will lighten with every subsequent shampoo usually just 10 to 12 washes. In colder climates, women tend to shampoo just twice a week, giving them up to 6 weeks of purple, pink or gray.
In tropical climates however, we usually shampoo daily or even twice daily which means the color will last for just one or two weeks.
Having said that, after your hair is bleached, you only need to reapply the toner and once faded why not choose a different shade so you get to be a new you every so often.
If your hair has been straightened, relaxed or rebonded, please don’t attempt any bleaching. Period. Nothing good can come from it, no matter what your friendly stylist says.
Aspirational colors
Is your hair naturally dark and you are looking for a low maintenance, long lasting yet sophisticated color effect? You may want to go for a Bronze Balayage. This evolution of Balayage blends three complementary shades through mid-lengths and sweeps into brighter, dynamic ends and around the face, thus effectively creating a sculpted, contoured look.
What does the style that everyone is after entail? Think natural, beachy hair with gradient highlights.
Basically, this style should look like you just spent the afternoon soaking up sun, sand and daiquiris, as opposed to sitting in a salon chair. ‘Au naturel-looking’ color also allows for less frequent trips to the salon, because roots grow out more subtly due to the darker roots and lighter ends.
Bronze Balayage is suited for anyone with shoulder-length and longer hair and looks best with mermaid waves.
Less maintenance and sexier color.
It is not recommended for straightened, relaxed or rebonded hair.
Isn’t it time to feel gorgeous again?
