Hair coloring techniques and what a beauty salon client needs to know

One of the most exciting ways to change your appearance is through hair coloring. Knowing the many hair coloring techniques can make all the difference in getting the ideal result, whether you’re going for a subtle change or a bold new statement. It’s simple to feel overwhelmed by the abundance of options, but with a little knowledge, you can choose the one that best suits your needs and style.

Every technique has its own special qualities, from traditional highlights to fashionable balayage. While balayage creates a more organic, sun-kissed look, highlights are excellent for adding brightness and dimension. Techniques such as ombre and color melting may appeal to you if you’re into bold, stylish colors. Understanding the nuances of each technique guarantees that you leave the salon with a look you love and facilitates clear communication between you and your stylist.

It’s helpful to consider how much maintenance you’re willing to commit to before your salon appointment, as some techniques require more upkeep than others. To make sure you and your stylist are in agreement, it’s also a good idea to bring inspiration photos and go over them with them. You can have a gorgeous hair color that accentuates your sense of style and individuality by being aware of your options and communicating clearly.

Technique	What to Know
Balayage	A natural, sun-kissed look where color is painted on by hand. It’s low-maintenance and grows out seamlessly.
Ombre	Color gradually changes from dark at the roots to light at the ends. It requires regular touch-ups for the roots.
Highlights	Light strands are added to create contrast and dimension. Great for a bright, refreshed look.
Low Lights	Dark strands added to create depth and add richness. Helps in reducing the appearance of too-light hair.
Color Melting	Colors blend together for a seamless transition. Perfect for a smooth, multi-dimensional look.
Root Smudge	A technique to soften the line where the color meets the natural roots, making it look more natural as it grows out.

It’s critical for customers of beauty salons to comprehend the fundamentals of hair coloring techniques because selecting the appropriate one can significantly impact how they look. Every technique, from highlights to balayage, has a different effect on the look and upkeep requirements of your hair. Making educated decisions and ensuring you leave the salon with hair you love can be achieved by being aware of what each technique involves, including the amount of commitment and care needed.

Types of hair coloring

When hair is dyed, a chemical composition is applied to the hair, interfering with the structure of the hair shaft and altering the natural pigment’s quality. The process results in the natural pigment being either entirely removed or replaced with an artificial one.

There are four different types of coloring based on how the hair shaft’s pigment interacts with it:

1. Temporary – superficial. It lasts until the first or second hair wash. Does not interfere with the structure of the hair shaft;
2. Direct – using direct-action paints that work without oxide directly in the structure;
3. Semi-permanent – the dye colors the cuticle and partially the cortex – the middle layer of the hair shaft, where the pigment is stored. A mixture of dye and oxide is used;
4. Permanent – with the penetration of the dye into the cortical layer. Dye and oxide are also used.

Additionally, dyeing is separated into the following categories based on how the dyeing composition is applied:

• full – the chemical composition is applied to the entire length from roots to ends;
• partial – individual strands or sectors are dyed.

Modern dyeing techniques

Classic

Traditional hair coloring involves applying a single shade of dye to the entire length of hair, producing a uniform color without overflows, transitions, or other color features.

Thanks to a number of partial techniques that provide a more natural result and an imperceptible regrowth process, full dyeing in one tone is rarely used these days.

Highlighting

Partial lightening techniques are collectively referred to as highlighting. Different highlighting techniques have different effects, but they all roughly produce the same outcome: only individual hairs on the head are highlighted.

Different kinds of highlighting

• Air Touch is a technique in which the strands are blown with a hairdryer before applying the chemical composition to thin out the strand and make the color transition smooth and close to natural. The curls after Air Touch grow back unnoticeably, which allows you to reduce the frequency of visits to the hairdresser;

• balayage. A type of highlighting that differs in the method of applying the dye – the movements are made up and down, and the strands are dyed not under foil, but in the open air. The result of balayage is called the "effect of sun-bleached hair" – the strands have different intensities, there is no clear pattern of color transitions.

• shatush. The hair is combed before dyeing, due to which the chemical composition touches small strands, allowing you to achieve the smoothest transition and a natural result;

• majimesh. The most gentle highlighting using soft compounds without ammonia and other aggressive components, which allows you not to cause harmful harm to the strands and not spoil their structure.

It’s also important to discuss classic highlighting, which involves lightening distinct strands of varying widths. Even from a distance, the change from lightened to natural hair is easily discernible with classic highlighting. These days, the traditional method is essentially nonexistent because naturalness and organicness are in.

Block

It works on the same principle as highlighting, which is to highlight strands with a color transition. But unlike highlighting, block coloring gives you more options and doesn’t require strands to be taken vertically. Highlighting can be done with entirely different hues, ranging from subtle to striking.

Tinting

The process of coloring bleached strands with various shade dyes is called tinting. Semi-permanent dyes are most frequently used; they are less harsh but have a shorter half-life. Any color can be tinted, including bright yellow, blue, and red.

Hidden

The trendy method of "hidden coloring" involves dying the lower strands a vivid color. Because of this, the dyeing is hidden when the locks are loose, but it becomes noticeable when you gather them into a ponytail, braid, or simply lift them up, revealing the vibrant strands that give the picture a bold, unique look.

Ombre

The ends are colored in a range of hues, from subdued and almost natural to striking and unexpected. The gradient transition from the chosen shade of the ends to the natural is created by the dye stretching along the length.

Coloring

Coloring: coloring from 2 to 15 in a variety of shades. The hairstyle gains volume as each color blends into the next with ease.

Marble

In the marble coloring technique, each individual strand of hair is lightened to a different degree after the hair has first been dyed in a single, general shade. You are left with a color that is complex, has a wide range of shades, and has seamless transitions.

Brondirovanie

Brondirovanie – offering a change of tone from light to dark. Shatush and brondirovanie are similar in technique, but brondirovanie places more emphasis on the inner layers of hair’s range of shades and highlights rather than lightening the ends.

Splash lights

Splash lights cause the hair to have a lighter horizontal stripe at the roots and ends. Such curls give the impression that they are exposed to strong light, with the stripe serving only as a highlight.

Pixel

Using diamonds and squares, pixel coloring is the process of producing colorful or monotonous patterns. The end effect is a pattern that looks like computer pixels.

Futuage

Futuage, also known as stencil coloring, is the process of coloring yarns with a stencil. The majority of the hair is left unaffected by the dye because it is only applied to the template’s cavity. Any image can be transferred to hair, including abstract patterns and drawings, flowers and plants, and animals. Any length of hair is appropriate for the futuage technique. For a more prolonged effect, stencil coloring can be done using both permanent and short-term dyes.

Contouring

Contouring is a partial hair coloring technique that corrects only the front strands closest to the face. Splashes of color scattered throughout the main mass of hair can sometimes, but not always, enhance the effect.

Hair contouring is actively used to correct the shape of the face; it helps to stretch the contour and hide the disproportion. It is done when you want to update your image without making significant changes.

Dip-dye

Dip-dye made in England. A partial coloring technique called dip-dye or immersion in paint gives the appearance that the hair has been dipped in paint. Can be either sharp, where the color of the ends suddenly shifts to the primary coloring shade or natural color, or gradient, which has a gentle transition from the colored ends to the roots.

Crownlights

From English, Crownlights. Crown lights hair, also known as crown lights hair coloring, corrects the root portion of the hair to give the appearance that it is illuminated. The technique is typically applied to vivid, neon colors, but you can also use softer dye colors, like natural ones, if you’d like.

Babylights

English version of Babylights. Babylights are a kind of gentle coloring that produce light highlights and a natural look by only coloring the top layer of hair. The thin strands are lightened, and paper or film is used in place of foil.

Babylights help to alter the appearance without completely coloring the head of hair. They also provide a light, refreshing effect. grows undetectable and appears natural.

How to choose a coloring technique

Selection based on the original color:

• blond. For fair-haired girls, you can use full coloring in accordance with the color type, as well as different types of partial – shatush, ombre, balayage. If the curls are dark blond, you can try bronzing;
• blond. Here, a complete color overlap is also allowed – almost any shade of paint fits perfectly on light curls. From partial ones – coloring, highlighting, ombre, balayage;
• brunette. Very dark blond and black hair can be bronzed – lightened, given volume, or partial coloring using the Air touch, balayage and shatush techniques;
• red. Highlighting, balayage, ombre, shatush are suitable for red-haired girls.

Depending on hair length:

• short. For short hair, full coloring in one tone is suitable, as well as several types of partial – block, highlighting, ombre. It is not recommended to do too complex techniques, since it is difficult to roam on short hairstyles and the master"s attempts to create smooth transitions and highlights will simply not be visible;
• medium. Medium hair is almost universal – all types of coloring are allowed on it – full and partial, as well as block, gradient, pixel;
• long. It is not recommended to dye long hair in just one tone – such a hairstyle will look "flat", lifeless. If you want to change the color radically, then try the marble technique – there you can cover the curls with a solid color, and then add volume to it by working with strands. Partial techniques are suitable for all without exception.

How to choose a color

It’s crucial to consider the color that’s in use right now, the appearance of the color, and any previous procedures when selecting a color.

Choice based on type of color:

• summer.The Summer color type will suit a cold blond, both as a full coloring, and for partial ombre, balayage and Air Touch. Warm shades in any manifestations, as well as black, are not suitable;
• winter.The Winter color type will perfectly suit deep black, as well as shades of blue. You can experiment with brown shades, but it is often better to refuse blond – it will hide the expressive appearance;
• spring.For the Spring color type, choose warm copper, caramel, wheat shades. It is not recommended to dye your hair in dark tones, even in dark blond;
• fall.For the Autumn color type, all the same tones as for spring, as well as cappuccino and dark chocolate are suitable. Colors of paint with any hint of cold – with a blue and purple undertone – are not suitable.

At the link, we have provided a detailed analysis of how to select the color and tone of hair dye separately.

Considering previous dyeing:

• from black. Leaving black is the most difficult, since it is an aggressive and very saturated pigment. With minimal damage to the quality of the hair shafts, leaving black can be done with complex techniques – all types of highlighting. Due to the fact that selective strands will be bleached, the curls will remain in a more or less decent condition. You should not even try to immediately go blonde. It is better to choose shades slightly lighter than what was a couple of tones, gradually moving from black to lighter;
• from blonde. It is also recommended to get out of artificial blonde using complex partial coloring techniques. The main problem with such hair is the porosity of the hair shafts, from which the pigment was removed and voids appeared in its place. Due to this, even the applied dark pigment does not stay for a long time and is quickly washed out. Choose dyes with a red and orange undertone. Cold pigments can behave unpredictably and even make the curls green;
• after henna. If you want to dye your hair after henna, even several months after the last coloring, the paints should be ammonia-free. Ammonia reacts with the remains of the natural dye and gives those very unexpected green tones. Choose colors and techniques according to your wishes, color type and existing hair color.

Uncolored hair can be dyed almost any color; white is a great base for all paint colors because it contains almost no natural pigment; for darker tones, such as black, chestnut, or dark blond, the master will bleach the hair and apply the appropriate shade of dye.

Preparation and care for colored hair

Prior to visiting the hair salon:

• before going to the beauty salon, do not wash your hair. Thanks to sebum, which covers the scalp and length, the chemical composition is less harmful to the quality of the hair shaft and epidermis;
• 3-4 days before coloring, give up balm and conditioner. These products seal the hair scales and create a film that prevents the penetration of coloring components into the structure of the shaft;
• after the last wash before coloring, do not use styling products. Styling products also create a film, and since you do not need to wash your hair before coloring, it will prevent the dye from doing its job.

Other than that, no special preparation is needed for the procedure.

Following a hair appointment or self-coloring:

• cleanse your hair with a special shampoo designed for colored hair. The product helps not to wash out the color, keeping it bright longer, and also nourishes curls exposed to chemical exposure. For light curls, it is better to use shampoos with an "anti-yellow" effect.
• don"t forget about moisturizing and nourishing. For this, use balms, masks and leave-in products;
• use protective products – from the sun and from thermal exposure. Sun rays contribute to color fading, and hot tools – to drying out curls.

Client"s memo when dyeing

• do not hide information from the hairdresser. If you dyed your hair with henna – tell about it, if there were unsuccessful attempts at dyeing – do not keep it silent. The master asks about this not out of curiosity, but in order to select the right products and predict the result. After henna, for example, even colorless, the noble chocolate color of the dye may well turn green on your hair;
• do not be shy to ask the master to conduct a test. The test covers 2 questions at once – it helps to exclude an allergic reaction and predict how the hair will react and what reaction it will give to the dye;
• try to clearly formulate what you want to get as a result. It is not enough to say that you want a copper color – your perception of copper and the master may be different. Ideally – prepare examples of the shades you like – they can be found on the Internet. Achieving the desired result is a joint work of both the master with his professionalism, and the client – with understanding, thoroughness and certainty;
• during the coloring process, be interested in the process, especially the holding time of the compositions. It often happens that the master applies the composition to the hair and goes to drink tea, forgetting about the client. The girl, having no idea how long to keep the dye, humbly waits, and in the end leaves with burnt and brittle hair. Don"t be afraid to remind about yourself once again;
• don"t go to beauty salons where the cost of coloring is suspiciously low. Balayage or air touch cannot cost 800 rubles, even for short hair. If the price tag is very low, most likely the hairdresser works with low-quality dyes, and they are much more harmful to the hair shaft than professional dyes and oxides.

Gaining the desired look while maintaining the health of your hair requires an understanding of hair coloring techniques. Knowing what each technique entails will help you make informed decisions, whether you’re going for a subtle enhancement or a bold new color. Every technique, from highlights to balayage, offers a distinct outcome and maintenance requirement.

It’s important to discuss your desired outcome and any concerns with your stylist. This will enable them to modify the method to fit your hair type and preferred look. Never be afraid to seek their expert advice on what will be best for you.

Ultimately, the way hair is taken care of after coloring matters just as much as the coloring technique. To keep your hair healthy and your color vibrant, adhere to your stylist’s aftercare recommendations. If you take the proper approach, the results will be stunning and durable.

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