Hair coloring allows for a wide range of self-expressions. Using salon or home-based techniques, women and men can display their personality through a crowning glory, featuring a spectacular array of colors and patters. The unique color styles can be achieved regardless of hair length or natural hair color. Here’s a summary of several different styles of hair coloring that can be used to express yourself:
The movies “Gravity,” “Interstellar” and “The Martian” have renewed interest in space exploration. Hair coloring trends followed suit with the advent of dyeing tresses to mimic the colors found in the atmosphere. To represent a vibrant sunset, yellows, oranges and reds might be used. A look reminiscent of the northern lights might involve pastel coloring or medium-toned blues and greens with a hint of yellow. Choosing to mimic the colors of a nebula from deep outer space though difficult, would involve an array of monochrome blues. Other galaxies might require a combination of rich blue, green and indigo or a mixture of pink, orange and scarlet.
The Ombre style initially involved lightening the lower strands of hair. However, a more dramatic effect may include dip dyeing. Instead of fading from dark to light, this technique includes bold color combinations. Coloration might appear only on the strand tips or extend from a few inches below the root shaft to the ends. Fans of the technique sport one or more colors of choice. Sand Art Hair Sand art was a popular hobby enjoyed during the 90s that involved layering two or more colors of sand in a container. The color palette is now seen in hair. The color choices and layering techniques vary depending on individual taste. Two or more colors may be applied equidistant along all hair strands in concentric horizontal layers. Another technique involves applying different colors to sections of hair in descending order. When dry, the hair then displays blended rainbow hues. The intensity of color can also differ from soft pastels to bright, bold colors. Some choose pastels beginning in spring and transition to darker, richer tones for fall and winter.
Mermaid or Merman Hair is similar to the sand art technique, mermaid hair involves a dispersed blend of colors in shades that may combine white or silvery gray with the blues, greens and purples found in the sea. Color intensity varies from the lightest of pastels to richer, darker color hues. For a special occasion or a glamorous night on the town, a spritz of glitter hairspray adds shimmer and a bit of magical charm to the overall effect. Merman hair is the style becoming popular among men and may include single or multiple color combinations of choice. Men have also gone to extremes by tinting their beards and eyebrows to match or contrast with the hair color. Some men also prefer simply coloring facial hair while leaving the rest au naturale.
DIY enthusiasts begin with anything from dissolved Jell-O, Kool-Aid or extracted color from washable or permanent markers. The color is then combined with white conditioner and applied to the hair as desired. After 2-8 hours (depending on how much you used), the hair is rinsed and dried. However, the effect is only temporary. For more vibrant, long-lasting color, the hair first requires bleaching with a hair specific product so that the final appearance ranges from pale blond to white. At this point, hair is sufficiently porous to absorb the color or colors of choice. Maintaining the look requires touch-ups every few weeks to counteract fading. As the hair is actually damaged from processing, proper shampooing, conditioning and minimal use of heat for styling are also important.
