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Hair Color: Hair Coloring, Permanent, Temporary, Products And Hair Color Charts

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Published: October 4, 2007

Marshall Brain reports that 75 percent of American women color their hair. This booming business has turned “blondes have more fun” into a lucrative catchphrase. Although current trends, according to Brain, dictate women request red hair coloring most overall. In the primitive stages of hair coloring, women primarily used color to temporarily cover age revealing gray hair. Today, hair coloring has lost its taboo, secretive nature. Instead, more often women and men are coloring their hair to change their look.

The best way to obtain a successful coloring job is to go to the salon. There are hair color specialists whose expertise in product knowledge and hair color charts can result in a beautiful hair experience. The other option is home hair color products. Though this latter option is more cost effective, it can often lead to disastrous results if not properly executed.

Educating oneself before adding hair color is the best way to achieve successful results with home care products. The most important thing to take into account is the condition of the hair. Damaged hair only results in colored damaged hair, which could lead to hair breakage. Another vital factor is choosing the right hair color. With store bought hair color, the actual color of the product is rarely indicated by the color on the box. Before applying hair color, it is a good idea to follow the strand test that coloring kits recommend.

The best result with hair color is to stay within two shades of the natural hair color. A shade is comprised of reflections off of skin pigments. The perfect hair shade is a result of analyzing natural hair color, eye color and skin tone, which can be determined by analyzing the hair color charts. Hair color is based on levels of light to dark on hair color charts. Hair color is given a level number from one to 10. The highest color 10 is also the lightest color, while black is a level one. The hair color chart is an effective way to judge against dying hair a harsh color.

Perhaps the most important aspect of hair coloring is knowing there are different types of color. Permanent hair color products are exactly that, these products change the color of the hair shaft. This type of hair color does not simply wash out. In time it will fade away, but the natural hair color is completely changed. Hair care specialists recommend permanent hair color be done by professionals.

The other type is temporary coloring. Depending on the product, the length of how long the temporary hair color will last varies. This process can only go darker or cover gray. Temporary hair coloring can be done by an amateur, at home hair colorist.

As with all things, mistakes are possible. If an at home coloring job goes awry with horrible results, don't hesitate to consult a professional hair stylist to correct the damage that has been done. It is vital that colored hair be maintained with special treatments. It is absolutely necessary to condition hair regularly and to use shampoo for hair that has been color-treated. Those with color-treated hair should avoid overdrying and brushing while wet, as this breaks down the chemically processed hair follicles . If all of these precautions are adhered to, hair color can permanently change more than just the hair's appearance. It can also boost and jazz up one's life.


Sources:
Brain, Marshall. "How Hair Coloring Works." How Stuff Works. 2007. 3 Oct 2007. http://science.howstuffworks.com/hair-coloring.htm .

"Should I Color My Hair?" Visual Makeover. 2007. 3 Oct 2007. http://www.visual-makeover.com/color.htm.

William. "Hair Color Tips – Understanding the Laws of Haircolor." Hair Boutique. 23 June 2006. 3 Oct 2007. http://www.hairboutique.com/tips/tip095.htm.

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