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This page describes some very general coloring techniques, to illustrate the range of color placement options available. Multiple techniques can be combined in a single service. Please e-mail me if you have any questions about what type of service to schedule.
Foil Highlights & Lowlights
Highlights are my most popular color service because of the tremendous creative flexibility this service offers. See the image of a close-up of Brook's hair with before and after photos of corrective highlights and lowlights (click Color in the menu above). When highlighting, very fine strands of hair are colored in one or more shades to harmonize with the natural hair color. Lowlights may be added to restore depth for added dimension, while vibrant or very light tones may be used where accents are desired. Typically, a full head of highlights colors only 20-30% of the hair, and this has several benefits:
- Roots are less apparent as the hair grows compared to an all-over color;
- The effect that can be achieved ranges from natural-looking to surprisingly bold;
- If you choose to maintain highlights, retouching is only necessary every 2 1/2 to 3 months (minimum)*;
- Highlights offer tremendous flexibility for changing the look down the road.
*Bold, thick slices or weaves with a high degree of contrast will show re-growth sooner than every three months, and may be more difficult to retouch without overlapping. I will guide you in choosing an effect that suits your personality and lifestyle.
Block Coloring and Creative Foil Placement
Sometimes a fine weave of highlights and lowlights is insufficient to create an extreme level of contrast and dimension. In contrast to highlighting techniques, in which color is applied to fine slices and weaves, block color placement is regional, and typically is capable of providing a little more "punch". Block coloring can be applied to one, two, or several sections. When applied to a single section, it is more accurate to refer to it as an accent color.
Imagine the head as a globe in which shapes the size of counties and even continents are colored with contrasting tones. The effect can be bold or subtle, and involve all hair or only portions of it. There are more great examples of creative foil placement and block coloring in the Portfolio and Galleries section and at www.elumen-haircolor.com (see Color Technology). To schedule a block color, book it as a highlight on my calendar. If you are not sure what kind of color you want, we will figure it out during your consultation.
All-Over Color
All-over color is usually the best option for gray coverage, for vibrant reds, coppers, deep chocolate, or auburn tones, and can be combined with the two techniques mentioned above. There are different types of all-over color products. Tone-on-tone color is an excellent option for blending gray; adding richness or vibrancy, or going darker. New tone-on-tone products provide beautiful, durable results with incredible shine and a minimum of upkeep, as roots are less obvious or non-existent. When a lighter shade is desired, a permanent all-over color is necessary.
All-over color is usually done in a single step, but to go from dark brown to a very light solid blonde, such as a platinum blonde, your hair may need pre-lightening. This service is called a bleach and tone. A pastel color, such as platinum, is added in an extra step. Think of Paris Hilton or Marilyn Monroe. The downside of lightening hair with an all-over color is that roots will be 1/2" after 4 weeks. It is important to discuss what will be involved in retouching your color with your stylist. When going lighter, a highlighting service can easily triple the time that is required between color touch-ups.
If you want to cover gray but also want a highlighted effect, you can do both at the same time. You won't need highlights each time you come in for a retouch, however. Typically, an all-over color with highlights is done every three months, with the roots retouched once or twice in between with an all-over color service.
