From the high streets of global fashion capitals to the slick pages of popular glossies, hair dyeing clearly seems like one of the most sought-after beauty trends people embrace to give their look a refreshing twist. From the subtle hues of browns and reds to the bold flashes of pinks and greens, there is a multitude of hair colors that you can play around with. It all depends on the current mood and style zone you are in.
Whether you’re a hair dye fanatic or are thinking of plunging into the world of fun hair colors for the first time, this Hair Dye 101 Guide has all you need to know about the nitty gritties involved. Below is a list of the most popular hair dyeing techniques, what we love about each, and things you should consider before taking the plunge.
HIGHLIGHTS
If you’re looking for a fun change of look, but one that’s not too stark, highlights may be the right choice for you. In this hair-dyeing technique, you split your hair into sections and dye only certain sections to add an illusion of texture, depth and lightness to your hair. It’s the most versatile of the three hair dyeing techniques.
WHY WE LOVE THEM
1. They Require Less Chemical Exposure: Since only certain sections of your hair are exposed to the harmful chemicals contained in hair dyes, highlights aren’t as damaging as permanent hair dyeing.
2. They Are A Lot More Subtle Than Fully Dyed Hair: Unlike semi-permanent and permanent hair dyes, highlights are a subtle and mild way to lighten up your hair. You also don’t have to be stuck with a hair color you hate in case it goes wrong.
3. They Are Very Versatile: Another great advantage of having highlights is that it leaves you with a myriad of choices to style your locks. You can either opt for face-framing highlights or ones that are spread evenly across your hair. You can also choose whether to stick to a single color or add more variation to the shade.
THINGS TO CONSIDER
1. They Fade Away With Time: Highlights fade with time, especially if you spend long hours out in the sun. They also lighten the hair.
2. They Dry Out Your Hair: Even though only certain sections of your hair are exposed to chemicals when you highlight them, those sections tend to get dry and damaged if not taken care of properly.
SEMI-PERMANENT HAIR DYES
These hair dyes are perfect for those who love to make a striking statement, and also want a change. They are also good for those who want to try out how a hair color looks on them before deciding to color them permanently. Semi-permanent dyes last anywhere between 2-6 washes. Take notes, all you funky emo-hair lovers!
WHY WE LOVE THEM
1. They Do Not Contain Ammonia Or Peroxide: This hair color is a lot safer for use as it doesn’t damage your hair with ammonia or peroxide. For those who complain of weak, damaged and brittle hair, this hair dye is a good option as it doesn’t penetrate your hair shaft.
2. They Don’t Lighten Your Hair: As opposed to highlights, semi-permanent hair dyes don’t lighten the hair. Your hair will be back to its original color after a few washes.
THINGS TO CONSIDER
1. They Fade Away Too Quickly: Since these hair dyes color only the surface of your hair, they fade away too quickly.
2. They May Stain Your Clothes: Semi-permanent hair dyes tend to bleed each time you shower, so you may want to refrain from wearing your favorite white shirt after you wash your hair.
PERMANENT HAIR DYES
If you aren’t “commitment phobic” and have chosen to take a dramatic plunge, permanent hair dyes are apt for you! These hair dyes penetrate into the hair cuticle and replace natural pigments with color. This is what makes it ideal for dyeing gray hair.
WHY WE LOVE THEM
1. They Last Long: These hair dyes help you get rid of the stress of repeatedly dyeing your hair as once you apply it, you don’t have to reapply it every few weeks. You will, however, need to touch up the roots.
2. They Can Give You Drastic Hair Color Changes: Unlike the other two hair dyeing techniques mentioned above, permanent hair dyes make it possible for you to get a hair color drastically different from yours. For example, if you have black hair, you can go completely blonde with a permanent hair dye.
THINGS TO CONSIDER
1. They Are Extremely Damaging To Your Hair: These hair dyes are, by far, the most damaging to your hair as they contain harmful chemicals that penetrate the core of your hair and weaken the shaft.
Coloring At Home Or At The Salon – Which Option Is Better?
While all these hair dyes have super-cheap packages that you can use to color your hair at home, you will be able to get the best coverage only at a salon (minus the mess). Though it can get a tad bit expensive, the dye lasts longer and often looks better if you get it done professionally.
Karishma is an ardent hairstyle, beauty and lifestyle enthusiast, and has contributed to a number of popular lifestyle magazines and blogs. Her writings are mostly targeted towards young women on a budget who enjoy the art of looking good. Follow Karishma on her brand new blog and Twitter!
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