Tips for Coloring Blonde, Brunette, Red and Gray Hair

Advance Techniques Professional Hair Color is available in 25 rich and radiant, healthy-looking shades, including BlondesRedsBrunettes and Blacks.

Whether you’re looking for perfect gray coverage, a noticeable color change, or simply to enhance your natural color, there’s one just right for you!

Tips for Coloring Blonde Hair:

  • Gold tones add warmth to hair, while ash tones are cooler. When coloring hair, and sometimes when you are going lighter, residual warm color can be left in the hair. This is what some people may refer to as “brassy”. If you want to avoid any warmth, use an ash (.1) tone/reflect color.
  • If your natural level tends to be darker, that is, level 5-6, select a neutral or ashy blonde shade, to counteract underlying warmth when lightening.
  • If your hair is mostly gray, or naturally a level 7-9, selecting a neutral or gold tone is your best option.
  • When in doubt, select a neutral shade. The next time you color you can decide to move into a stronger tone.

IMPORTANT: Moving from a darker hair color, which is naturally level 2-4, to a blonde level of 7-12 is best achieved at your salon. Because hair color is not designed to lift more than 2-3 levels, if you try to color your naturally dark level (1-4) at home with a level (8-12) hair color, the result may be orange or bright yellow hair. Always follow the color guidelines.

Tips for Coloring Brunette Hair:

  • Brunette colors may seem pretty straightforward to achieve, but they can be the trickiest due to their many nuances.
  • One common problem is red or brassy results. If you are coloring two shades lighter, and the result is more gold or red than you like, the next time you color, use an ash (.1 ) to offset any warmth that resulted from the lightening process.

Tips for Coloring Red Hair:

  • If you are not a natural red head and want to color your hair red, it is best to start conservatively. Choose a red shade that’s closer to your natural color.
  • When selecting a red shade, choose a copper or golden red if you have a lot of white in your hair. Darker burgundy or wine reds may appear pinkish on white hair.
  • A typical problem for coloring hair red is “hot” or bright roots, while the ends turn dull and brown. The brighter roots are generally the result of body heat, which distorts the end result, or from a higher concentration of gray hair. Consider applying the color to the lengths and ends first, followed by the root application. This is more difficult, but will help prevent hot roots. Or seek advice from a salon professional.

Tips for Coloring Gray Hair:

For consumers with a high percentage of Gray (50% or more):

  • For the consumer who’s primary goal is gray coverage, neutral tones will provide the greatest payoff from a gray coverage perspective (not making it drab or pulling too much warmth) The Advance Techniques neutral palette (shades with a tone of .0) are well rounded shades that provide a natural look to the hair.
  • For those consumers who truly desire warm, gold tones, use a shade with a .3 tone. Women with high percentages of stubborn gray will achieve excellent gray coverage, however the overall coverage may be slightly more translucent than with a neutral (.0) palette.
  • The red palette for Advance Techniques hair color (.6-Red, .5-Mahogany, and .4-Copper) is true to tone and provides vibrant, intense color. These shades have more of the tone color (i.e. more true red) than the base level color (i.e. dark/blonde or light brown).
  • When used on hair that is more than 50% gray, the tone becomes more apparent, because it is being placed on a light background as opposed to a natural color. As a result the red shades may look brighter and redder than they would on a darker base.
  • These shades are best suited for consumers who are currently in this shade family and are not recommended for first time color users or women who are looking for a more “natural looking” color. This is not for the brunette or blonde consumer who is looking to add a “hint” of red.
  • Some people experience “stubborn” grays, particularly at the hairline, which just don’t seem to take the color well. If you have stubborn grays, it is always best to start your application there. When you are finished applying color, go back and reapply the color to those areas. Be sure and leave color on for a full 35 minutes. Make sure you don’t have any waxes or gels in your hair especially at the hairline.
  • For resistant gray hair, consider the natural shades that have a tone of .0, as they have the most gray covering power.

TIP: Use the Avon Brochure to see all the colors available for you.

Contact me today for more information about Advance Techniques Hair Color !

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