Hair Color - Hair Color Disasters

What do you do when your hair color ends up a disaster? Can it be fixed at home?
Should I save a few dollars by dying my hair at home by myself?

If you have a hair color disaster, it is from one of two possible scenarios:

1. You went to a professional stylist or colorist and came out with a hair color disaster.
2. You were suckered in by advertising and took the risk of coloring your hair by yourself, in your own home.

A common mistake people make is thinking that hair color is foolproof and will turn out like the picture on the box. NO NO NO! Do not believe this!

Hair color is not like paint that can just be removed with paint remover. Nor can it always be painted over…. Like a white wall, sometimes you cannot paint over the mistake with corrective white paint. First, you have to remove the wrong color, which can take a few sessions.

If you want to fix your hair color disaster, prompt action is necessary! Most experts believe you have a 48-72 hour window before the color has a chance to lock into the cuticle. Contact a professional colorist immediately.

Try not to panic and rush to find a solution that might cause even more harm. Many people try to fix their color problems themselves at home and often makes the problem a lot worse and can potentially damage your hair beyond repair.
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Hair Color - Types of highlights and streaks

Types of highlights/streaks

Balayage

This method is used to achieve more lightening on the ends of the hair (It is more natural this way, as hair should always be darker on the base of the hair shaft or the root area), and less on the roots as with traditional highlights.

Bleach or a lightening product is painted on without using foils. Instead a brush and paddle are used in a sweeping motion giving the hair colorist a bit more room to play and less methodical streaks.

This method can be used to accent facial features. It brings out the eyes by adding bolder pieces of color at eye level.

Balayage is more carefree than highlights, and because the streak isn%u2019t as defined, it looks edgier and more artsy.

Maintenance: Touch up every 3-4 months.

Highlights

Highlights blend two or three shades of color for a hand-of-nature effect. Or, for a more significant statement it is applied using a bleach or lightening product.

They add warmth to skin and give the hair texture and depth. It’s like what a surfer’s hair would look like, natural and funky.

Maintenance: They should be updated every 4-6 weeks if you’ve lightened your hair color a lot (a heavy weave).

If you have natural-looking highlights then 3-6 months is good. At homes kits are really bad to achieve this effect, as they don’t lighten enough unless you are a natural blonde.

The Skunk

Though getting an oversize stripe of color seems like it’d be simple, it’s not! You need to be the type of person who takes care of their hair, someone who wears the makeup and dresses the part.

Stacking foils very tightly to create a streak at least on inch wide creates the look.

Or, 1 inch panels close to the scalp about 1 inch apart is also another method.

Contrary to the name, you don’t have to go for high-contrast hair color.

A lighter red on redheads, or a honey streak on brunettes.

Maintenance: it takes only 15-20 minutes, but you have to retouch the roots once a month.

Tips

A hair colorist basically takes just the ends of hair and lightens them, either by painting on the color or by using foils for a dramatic effect.

Go a few shades lighter then your own natural hair color and keep it piecey and chunky.

This look is perfect for straight hair with a bit of body.

Maintenance: The great news is if you don’t like it, the hair color is easy to cut off and grows out with your hair.

As a result, it looks great for 3 months at a time.

Highlights vs Lowlights

A highlight lightens and brightens the hair - Blonde and gold tones.

A lowlight darkens and deepens it - Reds, plums and aubergine shades.

Highlights and lowlights are a great way to update your look without making too dramatic or bold a change. Whether you’re growing out a style or you want a little pick me up during winter, highlights and lowlights are great for brightening up your hair and your look.

Any length hair or style can benefit from highlighting or lowlighting. Whatever your natural color is, you shouldn’t go more than three or four shades lighter or darker, as the result will be too harsh and unnatural.

The cost of highlights or lowlights can vary quite a lot depending on a number of factors- you can either get a ‘full head’ or ‘half head’.

Source: http://www.hairstyle.com/colored-hair/types-highlights-streaks.htm

Hair Color - Colored hair care tips

COLORED HAIR CARE TIPS

* Colored and treated hair needs extra special care to keep it in good condition.

* Wear hats, scarves or products with sunscreens when in the sun, to help protect against color fade and the drying effects of the sun.

* Leave in conditioners generally contain sunscreens to protect against color fade.

* Rough shampooing can strip color or dry out hair, so shampoo gently with a shampoo specially created for colored/treated hair.

* Condition regularly with an intensive conditioner to restore vital moisture and luster to colored/treated hair.

* Use color enhancing conditioners as color grows out to help blend root areas.

* Do not wrap your wet hair in a towel turban after a shower. The added friction can knot and damage vulnerable wet hair. Instead, carefully blot hair dry.

* Don’t brush hair when wet. Comb with a wide-tooth comb, working tangles out as you move from the end towards the scalp.

* Don’t overdry. When you blow dry, dry the hair until it is almost but not completely, dry. Leave some moisture in to prevent static.

* Use care when styling. When using styling appliances, use thermal protectant for maximum protection. Avoid aggressive manipulation of the hair.
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Hair Color types

Permanent Color

Permanent color gives you 100% complete coverage. Most permanent color uses peroxide (10 to 40 vol.) and ammonia. The downside is regrowth of new hair - it is a different shade and will leave a line of “demarcation”, or regrowth.

Semi-Permanent Color

Color usually contains some ammonia and uses a developer of 10 to 20 vol.

Demi-Permanent Color

Uses peroxide in low vols. (under 10 vol.). Many have no ammonia and leave little damage. When the color fades, it does gradually so it leaves no line of demarcation

Semi-Temporary Color

These will last a short time (1-4 weeks). The usually incur no damage to the hair. You can expect about 40-60% gray coverage.

Temporary/ Color Rinse

Color lasts from one shampoo to the next and is deposited on the outside of the hair shaft.

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