If you are searching for a way to change up your look then it might be time to update your hairstyle. Think about joining many others aboard the colorful hair train. Adding colorful hair to your image can not only increase your confidence and empowerment, but is also a great conversational piece. Adding pops of color has been an increasingly popular trend, and it is a fashionable look for anyone and everyone willing to take the risk. Warning: Once you pop, you definitely won’t stop. Adding tweaks of color to your mane can be addicting and oh so fun!
COLORFUL HAIR TREND
Tiffany Ruettgers, a stylist from Virginia Beach, Virginia said that she sees about 75% of her regular clients coming in for color services. On average, about a quarter of those want bright colors and she predicts that trend will continue to increase. Some of her clients prefer bright vivid colors, or as they are called in the industry, “fashion colors.” Others come to her for covering up grey hairs, or when they want a change in their hue or base color.
What ages are turning to bright colors? With the growing popularity of fashion colors, Tiffany has noticed a significant increase in clients coming to her for color services. She noted that even younger age groups are beginning to acclimate to the trend. Parents often bring their school aged children in for pops of color, be it for a birthday gift or during a typical hair cut. Parents and children can even start the trend together, with each picking their choice of bright colorful hair.
The age of my color clients varies dramatically! The average age of my more regular clients (maintenance every 4-12 weeks) is probably about 35-40. For clients getting their hair colored for the first time, the average age is around 18-25. – Tiffany, Hair 360
OPTIONS FOR COLORFUL HAIR
As is the case with most things, there are endless options on the type of color that you use to achieve colorful hair. There are also many variations in end product and a lot of flexibility in the look that you would like to capture for your hairstyle. Get to know the basics below.
Color Line vs. Traditional
Vivid color lines are usually semi-permanent colors that fade out rather quickly. They are bright and fun colors that allow for pops of visual enhancement. Traditional colors come in both permanent and semi-permanent options and typically last longer and appear in more natural looking hues.
Permanent vs. Semi-Permanent
Semi-permanent dye gives a more natural look and is easier to work with, while permanent dye changes the hair structure itself. It lasts about 6 weeks and has a progressive fading ability. Permanent dye darkens, lightens, or changes the tone of hair while lasting 8 weeks. When someone refers to their hair as “color treated,” they refer to permanent dye. On the other hand, semi-permanent dye adds color or gloss.
If you are anxious to try out colored locks, but not willing to dye and make a permanent investment, there are options for you. Many salons offer extensions of varying choices, including sew in, glue in, tape in, clip in, fusion, and more.
Sew In Extensions. Sew-in extensions last longer than other options, though they need to be redone or adjusted. As the name suggests, extensions are sewn into your natural hair.
Glue In Extensions. Glue-in extensions generally last 3-5 weeks, depending on how often the client shampoos their hair. A tiny amount of adhesive is used to stick the extensions to a very small strand of your own hair.
Tape In Extensions. Tape-in extensions typically last about 10-12 weeks. They are easy to “set and forget” and are reusable up to a year.
Clip In Extensions. Clip-ins can be installed by a stylist for the first time and cut in a way to blend with the clients’ current hair length and style. After the initial tweaking of the extensions, clients can then remove and reinstall extensions as needed on their own.
Fusion Extensions. Fusion extensions typically last 4-6 months, over which time you could still visit your stylist for a haircut. They are attached to hair using a heated keratin solution which is actually more gentle on your hair than other adhesives. This is a more expensive extension option and are installed by individual strands of hair.
MAINTAINING COLORFUL HAIR
On average, clients with colored hair will come in for maintenance every 6-8 weeks. With that, there are options that require more frequent visits. There are also options that allow clients to space their appointments out further. For a full listing of services offered at most salons, see the below descriptions.
- Fashion Color: This service is for clients that prefer a bright and vivid color (think bright purples, pinks, blues). Clients should plan to come in every 2-6 weeks to maintain the vivid color(s). The fashion colors are generally semi permanent and fade out faster than other colors. These pops of color will not go unnoticed and are a fun addition to your hair.
- Balayage: Balayage is a technique where the stylist does a free hand painting with color (generally lightener) on the client’s hair. This gives the hair a natural looking highlight and allows the stylist to place the color more precisely where hair would naturally be lightened by the sun. This is a low maintenance style to keep up with.
- Ombre: This service is a blending of color. It starts dark at the roots and ends up lighter at the ends. There are many different techniques used to achieve this look, and it is meant to look like lived in/ grown out color or highlights. This is another low maintenance option, where clients can scheduled out as far as 6 months. There are also tricks your stylist can do with an ombre to increase scheduled maintenance, such as putting the foil work under the top section of the hair to “hide the line.”
- Foil work: Any color technique using foil to adhere color is considered “foil work.” This is especially used while getting highlights. The stylist sections the hair and applies color or lightener on certain pieces of hair, depending on the desired result.
- Glaze: Glaze is a semi-permanent color solution that eventually fades in tone. A glaze is nice because it prevents harsh lines while the hair is growing out. The glaze also adds shine to one’s hair. It generally fades out in 4-8 weeks, depending on shampooing routine.
- Permanent Color Service (all over): This is a permanent color application all over the client’s hair. The goal in this application is to either change their natural hair color or cover gray hair. As the name suggests, permanent color stays in the hair forever and can only be removed by growing out the hair. One would need to cut the colored hair or use a color correction to reverse the permanent coloring. This would include lightening the color out of the hair by removing the pigment. When deciding on this style, roots should be touched up ever 6-8 weeks
- Highlights/ Lowlights: Highlights and lowlights are used to add dimension to your hair. Highlights are generally done with lightener to select pieces of hair lighter than the natural or base level. Lowlights are done with a semi permanent or permanent color that is darker than the base color of the hair. Both highlights and lowlights are applied using foiling techniques for precision. Color touch up for these services are suggested every 8-12 weeks.
I have many clients who come in every 4-5 weeks to get a root touch up, whether to cover grey hair or maintain a color that is different from their natural color. I also have a handful of clients who will get balayage, ombre, or foil work done twice a year, or some who get a glaze every few months. These are all low maintenance options of having colorful hair without frequent touch-ups. – Tiffany from Hair 360
BEST PRACTICES FOR COLORED HAIR
- Never over wash your hair. Daily hair washing isn’t recommended if you are interested in preserving the longevity and vibrancy of your hair color.
- Say goodbye to hot showers. Colored hair should be washed in cool or cold water to preserve the color.
- After showering, use dark towels only.
- When it comes to selecting a shampoo for your colorful hair, look for a good quality sulfate free options. Professional and color safe are best when shampooing, and hair should not be shampooed daily.
- Invest in a cheap pillowcase so you won’t be sad if it gets ruined from the dye. Following initial color treatment, there is always the possibility that your hair might bleed. Cut your chances of ruining your favorite duvet or matching pillowcases by getting a coordinating one to use during the days/ weeks immediately following a treatment.
- If dying your hair on your own, stay away from drug stores at all costs. Even though some drug stores may sell name brand products, many have cheaper mixtures in them to cut on cost. This also cuts on quality.
Don’t be left behind if you have been eyeing the mom next door for her blue strands or checking out your office mate with the pink mane. You can achieve any colorful hair look you want, and now you’ll also know how to maintain it. Services vary depending on salons but if you have a look that you’re eyeing, don’t give up. Shop around until you find the style that works for you. Also, talk to your current stylist about your ideas and see what recommendations they come up with for your specific style. Dare to share? We would love to see pictures of your colorful hair! Tag us at @dailymomofficial so we can check out your style!
Photo Credit: Mulberry & Sage Photography, Jessica Snow Photography
Source: Tiffany Ruettgers from Hair 360
