Choosing Best Hair Color

There are really only two nonsurgical ways that you can suddenly change your appearance. You can either get a stylish new haircut or you can give yourself a brand new hair color. Since it is impossible to glue your hair back on after it has been cut, I recommend you dye your hair the next time you need to change something in your life.



Pick a Color

Once you have made the decision to change the color of your hair, all you have left to do is pick the color.

It probably goes without saying that you need to choose a hair color that matches your skin tone and complexion. Since your hair is always going to be right next to your face, the last you want or need to do is dye it a color that clashes so badly with your complexion that you constantly look washed out and ill.

The best way to determine if a hair color suits you is to hold the sample photo printed on the box next to your face and get the opinion of two or three different people.

If you want to go for something that is both bright and sexy, you should select a shade of red hair coloring. One of the things that is so great about red hair dye is that there is a shade that works for almost every type of hair and complexion.

Longevity

Once you have selected a hair color, you have to decide how long you will want to live with the look. There are three basic types of hair dyes: ones that wash out right away, semi-permanent ones that are good for about a dozen shampoos, and permanent ones that take several months to fade.

The advantage to the hair dyes that wash out and the semi-permanent dyes is that if you select a color and realize that you hate it once it is in your hair, you don’t have to wait a long time to change it. You can just wash it down the drain. Permanent dyes look great and usually come with a really great conditioner that makes your hair feel soft and supple.

If you use a permanent hair coloring, you will have to wait a minimum of twenty-eight days before you can color it again.

How To Coloring Your Beautiful Hair?

To choose a hair color that suits you best is very important. Some of the factors that should be taken into your consideration are; complexion, skin tone, and the color of eyes. For example, if you have a cool skin tone you should opt for cool colors and if you have a warm complexion you should wear warm shades.



If you do not wish to experiment too much you can stick to a variation of your hair color. In other words, if you have brown hair you can choose to highlight it with lighter or darker shades of brown. This is also convenient when your hair starts growing out at the roots as it will not be a very different shade.

Hair colors are available in semi-permanent, permanent, single process and deposit only color treatments. You can choose a type based on your particular needs. A temporary color washes out immediately, while a semi-permanent color fades away within six months, thus allowing you to have a longer trial.

A permanent color is long lasting but does fade away and completely disappears as the hair grows out. A semi-permanent hair color is mostly used to cover grey hair and is partly temporary. Single process hair color refers to the coloring process where color is deposited in the hair in one step. A deposit only color treatment is one which dumps the color on the hair.

There are a number of factors you should keep in mind when selecting a hair color. Be sure to do a strand test to check whether the color suits you and that you are not allergic to the dye. If you do not like the color, you can adjust it or change it. You should understand the fundamentals of hair coloring before attempting to color your own hair.

The instructions should be followed. It goes beyond applying a color to your hair. If you are not sure how best to go about dying your hair, it best that you visit a salon and let the professionals take care of it for you.

Hair Color Effect

One of the biggest reason women are afraid to take the leap into a new hair color is because they are afraid in the end the color will end up damaging their hair. If you’re one of those women don’t be afraid because if your color is done the right way you will not damage your hair.



Of course each case is different, but if you overprocess your hair and are using color incorrectly you do risk damaging your locks. Which is why I always suggest getting your hair professionally colored. Things such as color, relaxers, flat irons combined can really mess up your hair. Especially if you use these items on a daily basis. In order to prevent damage from happening you should get process done every 4-6 weeks, and color highlights every 2-3 months. You should always try to moisturize your colored treated hair with color treated shampoo and conditioner and always get hair masks or deep conditioner treatments at least once or twice a week to keep your hair healthy.

Hair Damage

What caused your hair to look thin? Discoloured or aged? Factors such as styling appliances and vigorous brushing, as well as sun damage, colouring and hormonal imbalances will all contribute to ageing your hair. We've found the best way to manage bad hair so you'll only end up with healthy, luscious hair every day.



Styling tools

Problem: Too much blow-drying or straightening can leave hair dry, thin and brittle. Unprotected heat styling draws out moisture from the hair cells making it age
a lot quicker than normal.

Solution: Always apply a thermal styling aid before using any heat appliances, and never use an iron or curling tongs on wet hair. To give your hair a break, let it dry naturally from time to time.

Colouring and highlights

Problem: Colouring, highlighting and bleaching hair too much can dry it out and cause breakage. Stick to the same hair colourist and never put colour over colour.

Solution: To stop hair from discolouring, use a maintaining shampoo and conditioner to keep your natural colour vibrant and to help artificial colour from fading. For best results, apply a protecting treatment once a week.

Hormones

Problem: Hormones not only affect our skin but they affect our hair as well. Whether you're going through puberty, a menstrual cycle, on a contraceptive pill or have started menopause - locks will become oily as your hormones produce excess sebum.

Solution: There is really nothing you can do that will stop your hormones from ageing your hair, but by colouring hair, you can dry it out so that it's not always looking oily and limp.

Pollution

Problem: The fumes of environmental pollution and smoke can leave your hair dull and smelly.

Solution: Like your hormones, there's very little you can do to prevent pollution from damaging your hair. You can wash it daily with a detoxifying shampoo and conditioner, which is especially good if you're a smoker. Also apply a treatment that's packed with vitamins and antioxidants.

Stress

Problem: Stress ages your locks, causing it to grey and, in extreme cases, fall out.

Solution: To reduce stress from affecting your hair, gently massage conditioner into your scalp and apply a scalp mask once a week to increase the blood circulation, which will help to reduce hair loss.

Poor diet

Problem: If you're not eating a healthy balanced diet, high in protein or iron-rich foods, your hair will eventually become thin, which can cause premature hair loss.

Solution: Eat a well-balanced diet, and if your iron levels are low, take a good multivitamin supplement. Also, use thickening shampoos and conditioners every day, which should help to combat thinning. Use styling products that add more volume to your hair.

Sun and swimming

Problem: Salt water and chlorine will dry your hair out, causing it to break, and it can also discolour hair, especially if it's bleached.

Solution: When out in the sun, slather on a sun-protecting mask to your hair that locks in the moisture. Wear a sun hat at all times and invest in a swimming cap for diving in to the ocean.

Split ends

Problem: Most people think that having long hair means you never have to cut it. But regular trims will help to prevent your hair from splitting at the ends.

Solution: Visit your hairdresser every six to eight weeks to cut off dead ends that may be splitting. While you're at the hairdresser's, ask for a heavy-duty salon treatment to revitalise your locks.

Pregnancy

Problem: While most women find their hair is thick and healthy during pregnancy, the opposite can happen after giving birth, especially while breastfeeding. Many of the nutrients go to the baby leaving mum with weak hair.

Solution: Make sure you continue to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet high in protein, and check with your doctor if you can take any multivitamin supplements while you're breastfeeding.

Bohemian Hair Styles

Talking about Bohemian hair styles, I think of earthy and natural looking hair. Long hair parted in the middle and hanging in loose subtle curls is a throwback to the 1970’s hippie scene. Back then, young women wore long flowing hair with leather headbands, faded jeans and chunky jewelry, very much like some of our styles today. With or without bangs, Bohemian hair enhances your natural beauty and brings out a feminine glow. Loose face-framing curls can give you a soft, romantic look.

Thick straight bangs are one option, while some prefer long, side-swept, almost wispy bangs. No matter what texture your hair is, wearing it in its natural state is perfectly Bohemian.


Brooke White and Carly Simon wore Bohemian Hair Styles

You can create this wild child hair, by scrunching even or layered hair sprayed with a curl activator such as TIGI’s, Curls Rock or a mousse like Paul Mitchell’s Sculpting Foam with conditioner. Scrunching will give your hair more texture and volume, let your hair air dry and finger comb through. Your bohemian hair style is uniquely yours to wear and as a hair stylist, I think our individual differences are what make each of us beautiful.

Bohemian hair styles are low maintenance and look ultra-feminine, so keep make-up fresh and light to go with your hairstyle.


Minka Kelly in half up do with braids

One quick and easy Bohemian hair style is long natural hair with two loose braids on either side of a center part, then connecting in the back. Easy to do and looks sooo cute!


Sienna Miller in a Bohemian halo updo hair style

Want a Bohemian Updo hair style? You can create a braided halo; start with a center part and a long braid. Wrap the braid around your head and pin it down as you wrap, secure the end of the braid under the beginning of it.


Side braids connecting in back

Another Bohemian updo hair style starts with two French braids on the sides, which are braided to the neckline where the ends are secured with elastic. Separating the ends into smaller sections, twist each section into a coil then pin it down, leaving the ends free. It’s an artsy, Bohemian updo that turns out differently every time you create it.

Your Bohemian hair style may be as simple as pulling your hair off your face and letting long waves spill over your shoulders. Whichever, you choose remember that Bohemian hair is clean, shiny and natural!

Crimped Ponytail

Spritz dry hair with a styling spray. Using a crimp-iron, iron hair from the crown to ends. You only need to iron the top of hair, do not crimp all of your hair. Brush crimps out into a ponytail. Run a gloss (we like Bumble and Bumble Gloss, see sleek ponytail above) through ponytail, using extra at the ends.

Micro braid hairstyles

African American women are very common with Micro braid hairstyles. When people are on vacation in the Bahamas, Jamaica, Mexico, and many other touristy and tropical areas, they wear micro braids too. For any age micro braids can be a fun hair style, but people usually get a few, and they are only worn for a short period of time. Please keep in mind, the brittle hair is not the best type of hair to be braided. The hair can damaged to hair, and for a period of time it may cause brittle hair to break. When you remove the braids, your hair could be damaged beyond repair.


Beautiful Black Micro Braid Hairstyles

There has been micro braid hairstyle for a long time now. Some people think it is a particularly comfortable option. It helps you keep cool during summers if you have long hair. If you maintain it properly, it lasts for days together.


Micro Braids Hairstyle with Human Hair

Micro Braid Hairstyles have been popular amongst the guys since the likes of rapper stars like Coolie and Snoop Dog came around that. The trend has kept going in their favor.

You need to take care of micro braids before, after, and during the braiding process to ensure the best result. The reason is that the very small nature of the braids hair can easily be damage and even fall out. Maintenance of micro braids hairstyles includes routine conditioning and shampooing. The black braid hair style is worn for about three months. You need to follow a healthy diet and keep the scalp clean and well conditioned.

Tips for Braids Hair

Treat your scalp to an invigorating fingertip massage and sponge the braids themselves.



You’ll find that a silk or satin scarf wrapped around your head at night keeps your braids neat; avoid using cotton as it tends to draw out your braids’ natural oils.

Some braided styles should not really be washed (such as corkscrew braids), get the green light from your hair braiding stylist before proceeding. Know when to end a good thing.

You may be tempted to keep those glamorous braids in forever, but remember that it’s unhealthy to keep your braided hairstyle for more than two months.

When braids or weaves are removed, allow afro hair to rest first before relaxing the hair. Essential - trimming between braiding.

Braids Hairstyles

Cornrows Hairstyles

What is Braiding?

Braids are popular with today’s diverse community, ideal for summer or holidays, keeping the natural hair in place. Braiding is a popular method used especially amongst afro-Caribbean clients. Braids hold your natural hair in place and protect it from daily exposure.

Suitability

The technique used can be time consuming, but a full head can be achieved within four hours depending on length and thickness. Braids can last up to two to three months depending on hair textures; extension fibre can be added creating a variety of styles and colours. Such styles include cornrows, micro braids and twist braids.

The Process

The amount of time taken will depend on your chosen style, and whether you require a full or half head of braids, some clients will mix different braid techniques to create their desired look. Front cornrow back single braids. The micro braids could last up to four months, this braid technique takes around five hours.

For Afro hair types, after braiding you may apply you normal after care products, or recommended braid sheen.


Long Braids Hairstyles

Luscious Hairstyles

This season, think fun, flirty hair that will grab the attention of anyone and everyone. So head out to your salon, and give your stylist some of these tips!

Long Layered Hair



Long layers scream fun and flirty, so ask your stylist to snip off some locks, especially around the face. Long layers will give your hair more texture and also make it look fuller.

Side-Part Hair



A side part is excellent for anyone with a long face or medium-length hair. Make a part either on the left or the right side and curl the ends a bit for a glamorous look.

Piecey Ends Hair



Curling your entire hair will make you look like Shirley Temple, but if you just curl the ends, there’s nothing more perfect. Get that sexy, piecey look by wrapping the ends of your hair around a curling iron and rubbing a styling cream through.

Tease Your Roots



There is nothing sexier than a little volume. So next time you throw your hair up in a ponytail, backcomb the crown of your head and smooth it out with a little bit of hairspray. You’ll be surprised at what a difference it’ll make.

Loose Waves Hair



Get touchable, loose waves by rubbing a serum into dry hair. Start curling random sections of your hair for that “slightly undone” look.

Instantly Sexy Hair

You can use your hair as the true weapon wherever you are; forget clothes and accessories, your hair holds more seduction power than anything else. Here’s how to make the best of your mane:

Dare to go Off Center

A hair part right down the middle can be bland and unflattering. A low side part looks great on all face shapes, so don’t be afraid to try it. Take a rattail comb to draw a line from the hairline at the outer corner of one eyebrow diagonally back to to the center of the crown. This will give your hair a very sultry look in the front and everything will stay balanced and in place.

Condition, Condition, Condition

Conditioning is the most important step in having healthy hair. Before shampooing, slather on a deep conditioning treatment to your hair and leave it on for 10 minutes. Rinse, shampoo, and finish off with your regular conditioner. This will make your hair super soft and manageable. Do this once or twice a week to keep up the shine and softness.

Sexy, Just-Woke-Up Hair



Sexy, just woke-up-hair can be achieved so easily. Just flip your hair upside down and give it a good shake. Flip it back over and scrunch your hair at the crown. Finish off with finger-combing your ends and lightly applying a shine cream to your strands.

Go Brunette

Brunettes - it’s your year! A rich cocoa hue has a dramatic quality that you can’t get from any other light shade. If you’re a natural blonde though, I don’t necessarily suggest switching so dramatically, but do go up one shade at a time. Try L’Oreal Paris Feria in Sparkling Amber.

Fake a Wind Machine

Standing in front of a wind machine or a fan, will bring your hair out in all of its glory, but unfortunately, we can’t walk around with someone holding a fan in front of us. So instead, do the next best thing: layers. If you have medium to thick hair, ask your stylist for choppy layers all the way around your head. If you have thin hair, just ask for a few chin-grazing pieces at the front.

Sweet Hair

Next time you spritz yourself with your favorite perfume, think about applying it to the nape of your neck and also a little bit into your hair. So next time you flip your hair around, you’ll be giving everyone a tiny dose of your sweet fragrance.

Chopsticks



There is nothing sexier than a low chignon topped off with the secretary/oriental touch. Next time you reach for your scrunchie, put it away and stick a pencil or a chopstick in your bun.

Long Curly Hairstyles

She has curly hair in a loose, glamorous style with a fringe, or bangs. Her hair color is very dark brown with purple lighting.

How to Get Beautiful Hair

Most of us tend to have bad hair days here and there, but there are tons of ways to fix that and what’s even more, you can fix almost any hair problem in the comfort of your own home. So here are your top 10 ways to avoid bad hair and get beautiful, shiny hair.

1. A Little Baking Soda Goes a Long Way

Baking soda has been proven again and again to do magic tricks. This time, use it with your shampoo. Sprinkle a quarter-sized amount of baking soda into your palm and mix it with your shampoo. Lather and rinse. The baking soda helps to remove builtup residue from styling products and will also make your hair super soft and shiny.

2. Scratch the Surface

We don’t always have time in the am to go for a full wash, blowdry and style. One trick you can do is just wash your bangs and put the rest of your hair in a messy bun or a ponytail. This way, your bangs will look nice and clean at least and the rest is history.

3. Throw in a Bun and a Headband

For those blah hair days where your hair just can’t seem to want to stay put, throw it all in a bun and add a chic skinny headband. Your hair will look stylish even though it’s a big mess.

4. Volumize

This is a really quick and simply volumizing trick. Turn your head upside down and spray a volumizing hairspray onto the roots of your hair. Add more volume by slowly crunching your mane and flip it back over. It’ll give you tons of volume, just make sure you tame the surface.

5. Goodbye Greasy Roots

This is a simple trick you can use anywhere, and it’s almost always guaranteed to work. Just sprinkle some baby powder into your palms and work it through your roots. The powder will absorb the oil, leaving your hair super soft and silky.

6. Revamp Your Hair

You know your hair never looks as good as it did the first day you washed it. So here’s something that might help you get your hair back to its day of glory. Let’s say you washed your hair yesterday, but it’s not looking so glamorous today. When you take a shower (today), put on a shower cap. The heat from the shower will make your hair softer and more manageable.

7. Bumpits

Bumpits are little inserts you put in your hair to add volume and depth to flat, limp hair. Just put them in and see your hair transform!

8. Ballerina Bun

For those messy hair days, put your hair up in a pretty ballerina bun, let those fringes go and add a pair of dangling earrings and some lip gloss. This will draw the attention away from your hair and onto your face.

9. Shine Treatment

A shine treatment will work for even the dryest hair out there. Just coat hair with a shine treatment, cover in plastic, leave it on for a half hour and rinse out.

10. Make a Huge Difference

Make a huge difference in your hairstyle simply by moving your part. So if your hair is parted at the middle, try a side part: you won’t believe the difference until you try it!

Short and Wavy Hair Cuts

She has short and wavy hair in a tousled bob style with a fringe, or bangs. Her hair color is blonde with brown sections.

Fixing a hair color mistake

Never try to fix or adjust hair color by yourself—this is the time for a professional colorist!

The earlier you get the professional colorist involved, the better chance we will get you back to normal, with little cost or hassle. The more you attempt on your own, the less likely that our team of colorist can help, and if a Salon Blast hair colorist can do it, it will be less damaging, with great looking results.

Hair bleaching

Hair bleaching had a big resurgence in popularity after Marilyn Monroe became a cultural icon. Usually this is a two-step process. First the hair is bleached and then a hair color toner is applied. This results in softer hair texture.

COOL Colors Hair

Naturally, cool people should avoid gold, yellow, red and bronze tones, which have a tendency to make you look sallow and drawn. The best hair color shades, depending on your skin tone, are shiny raven-wing blacks, cool ash browns, and cool blondes in shades ranging from mink to platinum and icy white. You're fortunate to be able to wear many exciting "unnatural" colors . . . lipstick reds, burgundies, and orchids, for a more daring look.

Obviously We're Talking About Hair

So I am a hard core shine addict. Seriously. My hair is straight as a pin and fine as hell, so i can't curl it, volumize it, coiff it or anything else. My one weapon? Play up the straight and the shiny. Without, of course, crossing the border into the nastiness of oily hair (which, fine hair sufferers will know, shows muuuch faster than you thick haired beauties).

I have tried more products that I will admit (unless under subpeona--unlikely, but hey, hair care was an integral part of Legally Blonde). I have tried shine serums, gloss boosters, blow dry protection, leave in conditioner, volumizing mousse, gel, and root spray, and more leave in treatments in brightly colored bottles than should be humanly or financially possible.

So here is my regimen for shiny, glossy, super soft, ultra touchable, gotta toss it over your shoulder summer hair.

Hair Damage

What caused your hair to look thin? Discoloured or aged? Factors such as styling appliances and vigorous brushing, as well as sun damage, colouring and hormonal imbalances will all contribute to ageing your hair. We've found the best way to manage bad hair so you'll only end up with healthy, luscious hair every day.



Styling tools

Problem: Too much blow-drying or straightening can leave hair dry, thin and brittle. Unprotected heat styling draws out moisture from the hair cells making it age
a lot quicker than normal.

Solution: Always apply a thermal styling aid before using any heat appliances, and never use an iron or curling tongs on wet hair. To give your hair a break, let it dry naturally from time to time.

Colouring and highlights

Problem: Colouring, highlighting and bleaching hair too much can dry it out and cause breakage. Stick to the same hair colourist and never put colour over colour.

Solution: To stop hair from discolouring, use a maintaining shampoo and conditioner to keep your natural colour vibrant and to help artificial colour from fading. For best results, apply a protecting treatment once a week.

Hormones

Problem: Hormones not only affect our skin but they affect our hair as well. Whether you're going through puberty, a menstrual cycle, on a contraceptive pill or have started menopause - locks will become oily as your hormones produce excess sebum.

Solution: There is really nothing you can do that will stop your hormones from ageing your hair, but by colouring hair, you can dry it out so that it's not always looking oily and limp.

Pollution

Problem: The fumes of environmental pollution and smoke can leave your hair dull and smelly.

Solution: Like your hormones, there's very little you can do to prevent pollution from damaging your hair. You can wash it daily with a detoxifying shampoo and conditioner, which is especially good if you're a smoker. Also apply a treatment that's packed with vitamins and antioxidants.

Stress

Problem: Stress ages your locks, causing it to grey and, in extreme cases, fall out.

Solution: To reduce stress from affecting your hair, gently massage conditioner into your scalp and apply a scalp mask once a week to increase the blood circulation, which will help to reduce hair loss.

Poor diet

Problem: If you're not eating a healthy balanced diet, high in protein or iron-rich foods, your hair will eventually become thin, which can cause premature hair loss.

Solution: Eat a well-balanced diet, and if your iron levels are low, take a good multivitamin supplement. Also, use thickening shampoos and conditioners every day, which should help to combat thinning. Use styling products that add more volume to your hair.

Sun and swimming

Problem: Salt water and chlorine will dry your hair out, causing it to break, and it can also discolour hair, especially if it's bleached.

Solution: When out in the sun, slather on a sun-protecting mask to your hair that locks in the moisture. Wear a sun hat at all times and invest in a swimming cap for diving in to the ocean.

Split ends

Problem: Most people think that having long hair means you never have to cut it. But regular trims will help to prevent your hair from splitting at the ends.

Solution: Visit your hairdresser every six to eight weeks to cut off dead ends that may be splitting. While you're at the hairdresser's, ask for a heavy-duty salon treatment to revitalise your locks.

Pregnancy

Problem: While most women find their hair is thick and healthy during pregnancy, the opposite can happen after giving birth, especially while breastfeeding. Many of the nutrients go to the baby leaving mum with weak hair.

Solution: Make sure you continue to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet high in protein, and check with your doctor if you can take any multivitamin supplements while you're breastfeeding.