Have you decided to take control of your Hair Colour? You’re not alone. Every day, our Colour Consultants receive questions from people in your position, unsure what to do with their already Coloured Hair. Ensuring a smooth transition to a new Colour may seem a tricky feat. We’re here to show you how to find the right shade and which application will give you the fresh start and seamless finish you’re looking for.
Step 1: Ask yourself, how do I feel about my Hair Colour?
Each person's starting point and requirements will differ, so we always begin by asking the most important question: do you like your Hair Colour?
If the answer is YES, excellent we’ve easily found your starting point. If your last Hair Colour used the numbering system find the closest number in the My Hairdresser range. Otherwise, there are over 20+ Hair Colours, that are mixable to create a custom Hair Colour, to browse through.
If the answer is NO, what is it you would like to change about your Hair Colour?
The most often answers to that question are:
#1 My Hair is too orange or brassy.
Solution: If, when you have previously Coloured your Hair, you have found that your Hair is warmer than the shade you chose, it means you naturally have a lot of Warmth in your Hair.
Try one of the following solutions:
If you want a Cool Shade, choose an Ash Hair Colour.
If you want to achieve a Natural Colour, try mixing a Natural Hair Colour with a Cool Shade to counteract your Warmth. (Example: If you want to be a 9 Very Light Blonde, try a Colour mixture of 9 Very Light Blonde and 9.1 Light Ash Blonde)
If you like Warmth, but not as much as you currently have, mix in a Natural Colour with your Warm Hair Colour to subdue the Warmth slightly. (Example: If you want to be a 5.3 Golden Brown, try a Colour mixture of 5.3 Golden Brown and 5 Light Brown)
#2 My Hair Colour isn’t giving me enough.
Solution: When you are finding your Hair Colour is too flat or needs an injection of vibrancy, it’s calling for a Warm Hair Colour to add animation into your Colour and complexion.
If you have no idea where to start, that’s what we are here for. Contact our Colour Consultant team and we can help you find the right products.
Step 2: Choose your perfect Developer
Your Developer choice is important because it dictates the lightness of your Colour result.
To find your Developer, you will need to know three things:
The Hair Colour you want to be.
What your Natural Hair Colour is. (Find the Colour number that is closest to your Regrowth using this chart.)
Your percentage of Greys.
To Darken your Hair (when the Hair Colour you have chosen is Darker than your Regrowth) use a No Lift Developer.
To Lighten your Hair (when the Hair Colour you have chosen is Lighter than your Regrowth) you will need either a 20, 30 or 40 Volume Developers lightening power.
If you have over 50% Grey Hair, use a 20 Volume Developer for the best Grey coverage.
To figure out which Developer is best suited for you, take the number from the Hair Colour you want to be and minus it from your Natural Hair Colour number, to see how many Shades you will need to Lighten your Hair.
For example:
The Hair Colour you want to be: 5.53 Chocolate Brown
(minus)
Your Natural Hair Colour: 3 Dark Brown
(equals)
2 Shades. You will need a 20 Volume Developer to Lighten your Hair 2 Shades.
20 Volume
Developer
The Hair Colour you want to be: 7.46 Rich Copper
(minus)
Your Natural Hair Colour: 4 Medium Brown
(equals)
3 Shades. You will need a 30 Volume Developer to Lighten your Hair 3 Shades.
30 Volume
Developer
The Hair Colour you want to be: 10.2 Very Light Blonde
(minus)
Your Natural Hair Colour: 6 Dark Blonde
(equals)
4 Shades. You will need a 40 Volume Developer to Lighten your Hair 4 Shades.
40 Volume
Developer
Step 3: Apply your Colour
Using gloves, mix your Colour and Developer according to the mixing ratios in a Tint Bowl.
Apply your Colour mixture to dry, combed and sectioned Hair, focusing on your Regrowth. Your aim is to cover all your Natural Hair without overlapping the older Colour through your ends.
Once your Regrowth is covered, start your processing time.
During the last 15 minutes of your processing time, add a splash of water to your leftover Colour mixture and mix to combine. Apply your watered down mixture through the lengths of your Hair, completely covering it.
During the final 5 minutes, use your Wide Tooth Comb to gently comb your mixture from your roots down, to blend your Colour for a seamless and even tone. This will allow you to match your Colour without causing a heavy line of difference (known as Colour Banding).
In the future, when you are applying your new Colour, use the same Colour and Developer for your Regrowth Touchups.