Best Hair Color

For when you know the effect you want, but you have no idea how to explain it to your hairdresser or what the hair look is called. Learn the lingo and you will talking like a pro in no time.

Semi Permanents – These traditionally last up to eight washes, although some remain in the hair for as many as 15 weeks. Semi permanent hair colors contain no ammonia or peroxide and cannot lighten your hair color. They fade gradually, with no visible root regrowth.

Tone on Tone – aka demi permanents use a small amount of peroxide but noammonia to give a longer lasting effect, usually around 21 washes. They will not lighten your hair color and have no obvious root regrowth because the hair color fades gradually.

Permanents - Also known as tints, are mixed with different amounts of hydrogen peroxide. They color your hair permanently and and can lighten your natural tone by up to three levels so you will not see root regrowth.

Highlights and Lowlights – A highlight is a streak of color lighter than your natural shade, while a lowlight is darker or richer than your own hair. Highlights are great for natural looking color and, despite what people think, dont have to be blonde.

Weave - A great alternative to highlights if you want to color only sections of your hair. The hairdresser weaves out some of your hair to color and leaves the rest natural. The strength of the result depends on if you have fine or chunky weaves.

Halo lights – Highlights, but not in the traditional sense. The term refers to the placement of the highlights, usually in a T-shaped section on the top of your hair. This creates a flattering glow around the face and its a great way to lift your style.

Full Head – Often called a block color, this is where all the hair is colored, with a permanent or semi-permanent color. Stylists also refer to a full head of highlights, where color is woven throughout your hair as apposed to a half head – applied to the top section of your hair only.

Bleach Lightening – This is used to achieve really blonde hair. It is mixed with peroxide in different strengths and can lighten your hair by four or five shades. You then have to tone the hair to get desired color because hair lighteners dont contain any color.

Dip Dyeing – Inspired by the art of dip dyeing clothes, this is where only the tips of your are colored with either subtle or vibrant tones. For dramatic results go for a contrasting color for example – pillar box red tip on dark brown hair.

Tonal Blast – This is a subtler version of dip dying that works best on short or mid length, textured hair. The ends are colored then a semi-permanent was is applied over the top for extra brightness and a stronger tone of color.

Hidden Color – Sections of the hair are taken from underneath then colored which makes office to party hair easy to achieve. Clip your hair up into a pony tail or pin the top layer of your hair up to reveal the hidden drama underneath.

Tags: Bleach Lightening, Dip Dyeing, Full Head, Halo lights, Hidden Color, Highlights and Lowlights, Permanents, Semi Permanents, Tonal Blast, Tone on Tone, Weave.