The basics of the colorwheel are used to find a persons natural color and tone then use the adjacent or opposite color to minimize unwanted tones, enhance a tone, or intensify it.

For hair colorists this is their “bible”. Everything about formulation of color stems from the understanding of how colors work separately and together. The colorwheel above is broken down into six sections of color. This is, of course, a simplified version: not meant to confuse but to give the basics in understanding of how to use the color wheel.

In haircoloring the wheel begins with three primary colors. These colors are true colors and are not mixed with any other color in order to attain its appearance. Primaries are mixed with each other in order to attain the other three colors displayed which are called secondary colors. If we were to mix adjacent colors together continually we would get a wide variety of colors to choose from.

The variety of colors that we can choose from the wheel will help us to achieve those cool blondes, warm browns, and honey blondes, that are sometimes challenging. The more choices we have the more we can do.

Color should not be scary but a fun and interesting journey. The most important thing to remember is know what you’re using and why.

“IS COLOR BAD FOR MY HAIR?” The Truth behind the myth

Anything we do to our hair is damaging. Why? Because of our hair structure: heat, shampoos, and even water break down the structure. These are the weakest bonds but they are easily reformed when hair is dry or in its normal condition. Chemical processes, including coloring your hair, all go in and rearrange the bonds in your hair and weaken them to some extent but we condition, repair, and tame the hair to look and feel healthy with conditioners, treatments, and gentle products to keep the integrity of the hair and the elasticity.

If the hair happens to loose its elasticity, then the hair is at its end and is made susceptible to breakage. So with all that said be aware that coloring isn’t bad, but it does require proper maintenance to keep its appearance and texture feeling its best.

“HOW DO I CHOOSE A COLOR”

Picking out hair color suitable for a client requires a fine eye. First your color should compliment your skin color and appear flattering with the color of your eyes. Most dark haired clients have a tendency to pull “warm colors” when they are lightened. Usually they are told to stay dark. With the use of toners and a color line with a variety of shades to choose from you can accomplish a nice background color with minimal red, orange, and gold tones.

So to find a color, if you are a brunette stay in shades between 1 and 4 levels lighter than your own when you decide to change your color. If you are trying to go blonde from a brunette make sure you have the time and patience to maintain that service because blondes sometimes do have more fun, but they pay for it!

“HOW DO I MAINTAIN MY COLOR?”

Most often color is done every 6 to 8 weeks depending on how quickly your hair grows or fades. In between times the at home maintenance is just as important as the color service itself.

Products that are best in protecting color start with the types of shampoos and conditioners that you choose. Shampoos sometimes contain a higher ph level which sometimes strip your color but now they make color enhancing shampoos and conditioners to prevent fading and that are specially formulated to deposit pigments and prevent color loss.