The perfect hair color can brighten up your complexion and liven up any look. When dyeing your hair, it's important to remember that color does not lift color. Previously colored hair cannot be made lighter by simply applying a lighter shade. The color used before will only muddy the color you have now. It is possible to darken hair that already has color, but if you're trying to match the color on the box, your current color will impact the outcome. If you have color-treated hair and want to move to a lighter shade, it's best to visit a professional for the proper lightening treatment. To achieve the color result intended, the following "golden rules" should be applied.
It's All About The Base
Going darker or lighter than your natural hair color offers an immediate update to your hair style. The first "Golden Rule" of color choice is to stay within two levels of your natural or base color. This applies to both lighter and darker shades. Hair color is divided into ten different levels. These levels are used to describe how dark or light your hair color is. Level 10 is lightest blond, level 9 is light blond, level 8 is medium blond, level 7 is dark blond, level 6 is light brown, level 5 is medium brown, level 4 is dark brown, level 3 is darkest brown, level 2 is black brown and level 1 is black. Identifying the level of your current hair color before you change it can help you determine what your end result will be.
Know Your Skin Tone
It might sound counterintuitive, but knowing your skin tone is the second "Golden Rule" of hair color. Your skin tone determines what colors are most flattering in clothing, jewelry and especially hair. You've probably heard people say, "I am a summer," or "I am a winter," when talking about the colors that make them feel their best. What they're really referring to is the tone of their skin. Skin tones come in two basic types: warm and cool. Ash and burgundy hair color tones are better suited for those with cool skin tones while gold, copper, mahogany and auburn hair colors compliment those with warm skin tones. To determine your skin tone, look at the skin on the inside of your wrist. Those with warm skin tones have veins with a slightly green tint. If your skin is a cool-tone your veins will be a blue-ish color. Warm-toned skin is more likely to tan, while cool-toned skin is more prone to burn. The tone of your skin can help you choose a color that gives both your hair and your skin a natural glow.
The Eyes Have It
It's been said that the eyes are the window to the soul. And when it comes to choosing the right hair color, the eyes are also the third "Golden Rule." Eye color, hair color and skin tone work together to create a look that is naturally you. Light skin with blue eyes tends to look great in hair that is blonde or lighter brown with blonde highlights. Medium skin with hazel eyes pairs well with darker blonde or copper tones. Also, medium skin with green eyes tends to look beautiful with red hair. Dark skin with brown eyes looks fabulous with deep brown or black with copper or brown highlights. Hair color that plays up your eye color creates the perfect palate for makeup, clothing and jewelry choices.
FAQs
What is Color Theory? Color theory is the study of how colors work together and against each other. It shows what happens when you combine certain colors or when you lay one color over another. To better understand how hair color works, you can use the graphic for HairColor Tones for reference.
How many days does Garnier hair color last? ›
Here's how long you can expect your colour to last and how to extend it. Ideally, permanent hair colour for women would stay just as vibrant as it was the day you coloured it, at least until the roots grow. On most heads of hair, that would mean a good 6-8 weeks between touch-ups.
Should I wash my hair before using Garnier hair dye? ›
4. Prep Your Hair. Each kit will have instructions to let you know how to apply it for best results, but in general, you'll want to color hair that is completely dry and prepare by refraining from washing it for a day or two before coloring.
Does Garnier hair color damage your hair? ›
Even with regular usage, non-permanent hair color doesn't damage your hair as much as permanent hair color. A great option for semi permanent hair color is the Garnier Men Shampoo Color Range. This range helps you cover 100% of your greys and gives you natural looking coverage.
What is the basic hair color theory? ›
Every natural hair color has a combination of four natural color pigments: black and brown, also known as eumelanin, and red and yellow, also known as pheomelanin. Hair color has both level and tone. Level is how light or dark the hair is and tone means the underlying color (for example, if it's “cool” or “warm”).
What is 3 color theory? ›
Color theory asserts three pure primary colors that can be used to mix all possible colors. These are sometimes considered as red, yellow and blue (RYB) or as red, green and blue (RGB).
Can I leave Garnier hair dye overnight? ›
no…it's not advantageous in any way to leave boxed hair colour in overnight. There are several reasons. Boxed dye will ONLY have any effect for 45 to 60 minutes then, “shuts off”. Leaving it on longer will only make a huge mess and do nothing.
Should you shampoo after coloring hair? ›
One of the most important things to remember when it comes to post-dye hair care is that you should always wait at least two full days before washing your hair. Why? Experts recommend waiting this long to give your hair time to properly seal in the new color.
How do you make Garnier hair dye last longer? ›
5 Tips for a Have Long Lasting Hair Colour
- 1) Preparing for hair coloring. Have you ever read or heard that it was better to apply hair colour on dirty hair? ...
- 2) Choose a vibrant hair color. ...
- 3) Limit hair wash or go for shampoos for color-treated hair. ...
- 4) Nourish your coloured hair. ...
- 5) Get a sunscreen for hair.
We recommend you keep a gap of at least 24-48 hours between coloring and shampooing. Moreover, try to limit the number of times you wash your hair.
LET THE MAGIC HAPPEN
- Clip up your hair and set a timer for 25 minutes. Don't leave it on for more than 30 minutes! - Take advantage of Nutrisse's no-drip formula to get something (or nothing) done while the creamy color formula penetrates and nourishes. Like Drew says, “You can do a lot in 30 minutes!”
Should I wash my hair before coloring? ›
The general rule of thumb is to not wash your hair the day of coloring – or even the day before coloring if your hair washing routine allows. You might hear colorists say a second (or even third) day hair is best. Why is that so? Unwashed hair produces a natural oil protective layer.
What not to do before dying hair? ›
Along with washing your hair, before dying your hair, avoid applying any styling products, like dry shampoo or hair gels, as they can affect the way the hair dye absorbs. There's also no need to apply heat to your hair before coloring it so keep that in mind as well.
Is it better to color your hair wet or dry? ›
"Semi-permanent and demi-permanent hair color can be applied to wet or dry hair, but wet hair application in not recommended for permanent hair color." Meanwhile, permanent color changes require a dry hair application. This could mean going lighter, or darker.
How long do you leave Garnier hair dye in before rinsing? ›
Towel-dried hair will allow it to soak up the color better. Spread the color evenly onto the desired areas. Make sure that you carefully follow all the directions of the application as mentioned in the instructions. Leave the color to sit for about 15 to 20 minutes and rinse your hair thoroughly with water.
Will leaving hair dye on longer make it darker? ›
Not getting the timing right
“And if you leave it on too long, some color lines are progressive and as they stay on, they keep getting darker and darker.” Leaving a dye on too long, which Mitchell said is more common than not long enough, could also result in dry, brittle hair.
Which is better Garnier or Loreal hair color? ›
Garnier hair colors have the highest overlap strength and flush the least; L'Oreal Excellence is a hair color that is a little more expensive, but a lot of women are happy to buy it because of its existence from Garnier's hair color.
Is Garnier bad for your hair? ›
7. Garnier. Although this is deemed safe by a few organisations, it is a known irritant to the skin and eyes. It also causes dry and brittle hair after prolonged use.
What is color theory in simple terms? ›
Color theory is the study of how colors work together and how they affect our emotions and perceptions. It's like a toolbox for artists, designers, and creators to help them choose the right colors for their projects.
What is the color realism theory? ›
Color realism is the view that physical objects like lemons and tomatoes are colored, and typically have the colors they appear to have: lemons are yellow, tomatoes are red, and so on. Color realism is opposed to color irrealism (or eliminativism), the view that physical objects are not colored.
While the information contained here might seem just a bit overwhelming, color theory is as much about the feeling a particular shade evokes than anything else. But here's a quick reference guide for the common meanings of the colors discussed above: Red: Passion, Love, Anger. Orange: Energy, Happiness, Vitality.
What is the color model theory? ›
In color theory, color models mathematically describe how colors may be represented. A color space is one where the components of the color model are precisely defined, allowing viewers to know exactly how each color looks.
