FAQ: My Hair Ends Are Dark After Coloring

Question:
My hair color has an ash tone and is pretty healthy. I have been coloring my hair in the past with a lighter shade hair color, but my hair ends are dark after I color my hair and I am not able to make my hair lighter no matter how I try. My hair length is medium. What hair color brand should I purchase that would lighten my ends?

Answer:
You are doing one thing wrong - a color application. You apply a hair color on your hair in a wrong manner. If you previously colored your hair, then the next consecutive color applications should be applied only to your roots. You can freshen up your hair color on the rest of the hair only if you dilute the rest of the leftover color. This is done especially for reds and darks. You could skip it for blonds, but if you want your blond to be on a "cool" (ashy) side, then squirt any blue or violet shampoo into your color mixture. Your dark ends need to be treated with bleach at this point, because you have a build up of various color pigments inside your hair from repeated application. I would probably put a little bleach on a wide tooth comb and comb it on the dark ends just to give it a little "lift" (it will turn hair lighter). You need to watch how fast the color is lifting = how long you need to leave the bleach on before you shampoo it out. You can purchase bleach at your local beauty supply store. Ask any clerk what he/she recommends.

Although the image above has been colored purposely light to dark. However, it is the best example of dark ends if someone would repeatedly color the entire hair shaft every 4-6 weeks - which after a while ends turn dark or even black in color.

Credit:
The image above is from THIS website.

Note: 

This post should be taken as a first step for a discussion with your hairdresser and/or colorist about your ideas, desires or problems with your hair. Under no circumstances, you should act upon this post ONLY. I strongly advice you to have your hair done by a skilled and reputable hairdresser/colorist in your area.

Prom Hair For 2013

It is a prom time again and every young lady is asking herself  "How should I do my hair?", "What is the latest style?", "Should I change my color?", or "Perhaps I should cut my hair..."

But, do not despair. I always told my clients: "When you go out, you need to wear your hair that suits you and makes you feel comfortable. If you are going dancing or to some special occasion event, do not make your hair too elaborate. Keep it on the simple side, so your hair won't collapse. If you make it more elaborate make sure you have enough bobby pins holding your style."

So, my advice to all of you ladies is, that if you are putting your hair up, put it up in such way, that it will hold through out the day/evening/night. If you decide to take your "hair-do" down at some point (during the event), make sure your hair looks good after you take all your bobby pins out, too

Below are some styles (some easy, some more elaborate) that I like a lot, and which could work for prom:

Credit: the image is from this website

How to style the "hair-do" in the image above:

1. After you shampoo your hair, blow dry it with with fingers (if straight) or brush (if curly/wavy)
2. Spray hair with a heat protectant or a thermal setting mist you like, and curl with a fat curling iron
3. Twist/twirl side hair strands and secure them with an oversize barrette or clip above in the occipital bone area, making sure your hair holds in place
4. Spray lightly with a hair spray

Credit: the image is from this website

How to style the "hair-do" in the image above:

1. After you shampoo your hair, blow dry it with with fingers (if straight) or brush (if curly/wavy)
2. Apply a smoothing hair cream, make a ponytail and divide hair in several strands
3. Curl each strand with a fat curling iron
4. Make a loop with each strand and secure it with hair and/or bobby pins
5. Spray lightly with a hair spray

Credit: the image is from this website

How to style the "hair-do" in the image above:

1. After you shampoo your hair, blow dry it with with fingers (if straight) or brush (if curly/wavy)
2. Apply a smoothing hair cream, make a ponytail (if your hair is a medium length, use a long hair piece that matches your hair color and attach it to your ponytail)
3. Take a small strand and wrap it around a rubber band and secure your hair under the ponytail with a couple of hairpins
4. Spray lightly with a hair spray

Credit: the image is from this website

How to style the "hair-do" in the image above:

1. After you shampoo your hair, blow dry it with with fingers (if straight) or brush (if curly/wavy)
2. Spray hair with a heat protectant or a thermal setting mist you like, then curl it with a very fat curling iron (or leave it in a natural way if your hair is wavy)
3. Lift your side hair strands and secure them on top in the back with an oversize barrette or clip -  making sure your hair holds in place
4. Spray lightly with a hair spray

Credit: the image is from this website

How to style the "hair-do" in the image above:

1. After you shampoo your hair, blow dry it with with fingers (if straight) or brush (if curly/wavy)
2. Spray hair with a heat protectant or a thermal setting mist you like, and curl with a very fat curling iron
3. Spray lightly with a hair spray

Credit: the image is from this website

How to style the "hair-do" in the image above:

1. After you shampoo your hair, blow dry it with with fingers (if straight) or brush (if curly/wavy)
2. Twist/twirl side hair strands
3. Dived the hair in the back into two parts and braid each part
4. Make a knot using these two braids and secure hair in place with bobby and hair pins
5. You can add some hair jewels or fashionable hair clips
6. Spray lightly with a hair spray

Credit: the image is from this website

How to style the "hair-do" in the image above:

1. After you shampoo your hair, apply a hair cream to define curls
2. Blow dry it with a diffuser and fingers so your hair doesn't get frizzy
3. Gently place your hair toward one side and make a ponytail - if your rubber band shows, wrap a hair strand around it and secure it with one or two hair pins
4. Leave couple of stand hanging next to your face for a special effect
5. Spray lightly with a hair spray

Credit: the image is from this website

How to style the "hair-do" in the image above:

1. After you shampoo your hair, apply a soft hair cream to your hair (do not use hair gel, your hair would be too flat)
2. Make loose finger waves and secure them with clips, such as these (if you do not know how to make finger waves, go to a salon)
3. Let your hair dry naturally, or if in a hurry use a hair dryer with a diffuser (an attachment)
4. When your hair is completely dry, place your fingers under your hair on the scalp and shake the hair very gently to make your hair fluffy
5. You can also use a wide tooth comb to back comb your hair a little to give your style more body
6. Spray lightly with a hair spray

Credit: the image is from this website

How to style the "hair-do" in the image above:

1. After you shampoo your hair, apply a soft hair cream to your hair (do not use hair gel, your hair would be too flat)
2. Make two rows of  loose finger waves and secure them with clips, such as these (if you do not know how to make finger waves, go to a salon)
3. Let your hair dry naturally, or if in a hurry use a hair dryer with a diffuser (an attachment)
4. When your hair is completely dry, use a big curling iron to curl your ends starting half way down your hair shaft
5. Place your fingers under your hair on the scalp and shake your hair gently to make your hair fluffy
6. You can also use a wide tooth comb to back comb your hair a little to give your style more body
7. Spray lightly with a hair spray

Credit: the image is from this website

How to style the "hair-do" in the image above:

1. After you shampoo your hair, apply a mouse to your hair
2. Turn your head upside down and blow dry vigorously in which ever direction - you'll give your hair more body this way
3. Then use a fat curling iron to curl some strands
4. Use also a medium sized curling iron to add some more dimension to your hair with smaller curls
5. Hair spray each strand as you are creating nice soft romantic style
6. When happy with results, give your entire style last light spray

Credit: the image is from this website

How to style the "hair-do" in the image above:

1. After you shampoo your hair, apply a mouse to your hair
2. Turn your head upside down and blow dry vigorously in which ever direction - you'll give your hair more body this way
3. Then use a fat curling iron and curl some hair strands
4. Tease your hair a little, and create a nice soft romantic style using your fingers
5. When happy with results, give your entire style last light spray

Credit: the image is from this website

How to style the "hair-do" in the image above:

1. After you shampoo your hair, apply a mouse to your hair
2. Blow dry your hair over a fat round brush
3. When happy with results, give your entire style last light spray

Note: For this style you need a great haircut (not everyone can have this cut)

Credit: the image is from this website

How to style the "hair-do" in the image above:

1. After you shampoo your hair, apply a mouse to your hair
2. Blow dry your hair over a fat round brush
3. When happy with results, give your entire style last light spray

FAQ: Blue Toner Over Dark Hair

Question:
My hair is dark. What will happen if I will not bleach my hair but just color it blue?

Answer:
If your hair is dark (ie. black or dark brown) and you would use toner, your hair color base would not change. It would stay the same. However, you would see a faint blue hue. Example - if your hair is black and you tone it, your hair will turn blue black. See the image to your left - this would be the closest image to show you how you could look like, if you have black hair. Perhaps, you could end up with even slightly less blue.

The dark brown hair color that has natural reddish undertones would turn darker. I am not sure how much blue you would be able to see. It would really depend on the "base" color. Read about the ash toner (green or blue based) on the hair here - you may see the image of toned down hair, however it was not toned down with pure blue toner. Unfortunately I could not find a better image that would show you how the hair would really look like.

Credit: The beautiful image belongs to Isobel De Lisle.

FAQ: Help! My Hair Turned Green!

Question:
My natural hair is very dark and I always wanted to color my hair ashy blond or light brown. So I bleached it and colored it with light ash brown. But it has a green color to it. What should I do to fix it?

Answer:
You used a green based hair color. So now you have to balance it. I think that you should apply strawberry blond hair color to "tone" down the green. It will be more brown, so choose your blond on the lighter side. Also make sure that you do not color your regrowth, it would turn very red. First, you will need to do your roots (and ONLY roots) the same way as you did your hair before. Then, color your entire hair with a strawberry blond color. To color your root area, you will need most likely just one box of tint. However, for your entire length of hair you will need two plus boxes, depending on the length and the amount of your hair.

Credit:
The image above is from THIS website.

 Note:

This post should be taken as a first step for a discussion with your hairdresser and/or colorist about your ideas, desires or problems with your hair. Under no circumstances, you should act upon this post ONLY. I strongly advice you to have your hair done by a skilled and reputable hairdresser/colorist in your area.

FAQ: Which Styling Mousse Is Best For Permed Hair?

Question: 
I had my hair permed for the first time and for styling I used my favorite mousse for hair. However, I am not happy it feels on my hair. Would you tell me which mousse is better for permed hair?

Answer:
A styling mousse (also called a styling foam) is best for straight hair, in my humble opinion. Mousse contains quite a bit of alcohol, which makes hair feel more "crunchy" than soft. For styling permed hair, I would choose a gel that is designed to make curly/wavy hair soft and pliable. If you apply it to your tresses and blow dry them with diffuser while "scrunching" the hair carefully, you will make your ringlets strong and bouncy.

I personally like gels that do not have a strong hold, because strong hold gels make hair "hard" after hair dries. The best gels for bouncy hair are gels with moisturizing ingredients because they smooth and define curls. Below are some gels with moisturizing emollients that are ideal for curly/coarse hair to provide soft curl control without a crisp feel and that leave hair natural feeling:

• Ouidad Curl Quencher
• Fructis Style Curl Sculpting Cream Gel (my favorite)
• Aquage Curl Defining Creme
• or try Moroccan Argan Oil

But there are many more gels similar to the above mentioned products. Explore other companies. Look for words like: moisturizing, emollient, supple, curl defining, and conditioning, while looking for a perfect product for your hair.