Liz Randell - Hair Color Code

Top 5 Celebrities with Gray Hair

May 31, 2012 By Liz Randell 3 Comments

Are you a fan of the new gray hair trend? Love it or loathe it, gray hair is the color of the moment – as seen on these trendsetting celebs:

Kelly Osbourne

Celebrity transformations don’t come bigger than Miss Kelly O’s evolution from sulky teenager on the hit show ‘The Osbournes’ to the demure and ladylike fashion icon we see today.

Kelly has had some hair disasters in her time (remember the short black crop and the geisha girl style?!) but she’s also had many triumphs (blonde up-do’s and pink, red, blue and lilac locks) and if anyone can carry off a new trend, she can!

Most recently Kelly has been spotted sporting fashion forward gray hair, prompting a flurry of youtube videos and home coloring tutorials as fashionistas seek to emulate her pearly grey ‘do.

Kate Moss

Style icon and model Kate has had some bad press over the years but she’s never faltered in her sense of style and true to form, Kate’s been spotted with streaks of silver gray in her signature blonde locks.

The color suits Kate’s skin tone perfectly and the gray acts to naturally highlight and break up the blonde shade, adding texture and interest to her otherwise classic crop.

Quoted as saying she finds gray hair “chic”, Kate is once again paving the way in the fashion stakes.

Lady Gaga

Never one to shy away from the limelight, Lady G has been photographed nude for the front cover of Vanity Fair with long straight gray blonde hair – as if gray wasn’t already the color to be seen in!

Gaga has been wearing her gray locks loose or messily pinned up and she recently appeared with striking dark gray and blue stripes. This lady can’t do a thing wrong in my book so if gray and blue are the new thing, prepare to book yourself an appointment with your colorist asap and work that shade with some full on attitude!

Pixie Geldof

You might not expect to find a gray hair on model and socialite Pixie’s head but this little lady is currently working a foxy gray hairstyle and she’s making it look cool to boot.

Pixie’s the youngest of our gray haired crowd and she’s proof that a short blunt crop showcases this on trend color perfectly, no matter what your age.

She’s been seen wearing her gray crop both sleek and tousled but either way she carries it off with a distinct air of being both cute and chic.

P!nk

Were you a little surprised when Pink showed off her baby bump on the Ellen show? Possibly, but what caught really people’s attention was her new gray hair!

She’s best known for her namesake color but P!nk has changed suit and moved to a more relaxed silvery gray shade. It’s beautifully laid back and both cool and easy to wear. Her gray hair is chopped short, with a lot of texture and a healthy shine.

Possibly the edgiest gray haired style in our line-up, Pink has got the attitude, coloring and trend just right.

Coloring Your Eyebrows – Step By Step

April 21, 2012 By Liz Randell 1 Comment

Should eyebrows match or contrast natural hair color

So the burning question is, should you dye your eyebrows to match your hair? It can be argued that both looks make their own style statement, so which one is for you?

For years Madonna has worn her blonde hair with notoriously dark eyebrows. And she’s not the only celeb to be rocking this trend. Models Cara Delevingne (on the catwalk for Burberry) and Agyness Deyn have both been spotted with pale locks and dark brows, as have singer Gwen Stefani and actresses Scarlett Johansson, and most famously, Marilyn Monroe.

Is this really a look you can wear everyday?

Emma stone with blonde matching eyebrows

If you dye your hair and don’t dye your eyebrows, ultimately you give away the secret that your hair color isn’t natural. Of course that’s not always a problem, particularly if you’ve gone for a shade in blue or pink!

Its true that mismatched hair and brows can sometimes look a little trashy, however there are plenty of gals out there who deliberately opt to contrast their hair and eyebrow color to create an edgy and modern look – it seems on every cycle of America’s Next Top Model someone gets their eyebrows bleached to create a dynamic effect.

Basically you have three options when it comes to coloring your eyebrows:

1. Color your brows to match your hair
2. Don’t color your brows
3. Color your brows to create an even greater contrast with your hair color.

Dying your brows can be an easy way to update your look, and these days there are almost as many color choices for the brows as for the hair. However just like with your hair color, you need to make sure your chosen shade suits your skintone and be realistic about the color you will be able to achieve (for example if you have a very dark eyebrows it will be more difficult to achieve a lighter shade).

How to dye your eyebrows

An eyebrow that has been colored a medium brown

If you are dying your eyebrows for the first time it’s probably safest to have them tinted or lightened at a hair or beauty salon, but if you’re feeling confident you can buy home tinting kits from most drug stores.

The ready made kit will include the tint color and developer liquid (usually peroxide) but there are a few other items that will be useful. Here’s our how to guide to dying your own eyebrows:

You will need:

Small Pot
Make-up brush or small paint brush
Petroleum jelly
Q-Tips
Tint color
Developer liquid
Cotton pads

Step 1

Apply petroleum jelly around your eyebrows so that the dye doesn’t adhere to your skin.

Step 2

Add a small amount of the tinting color to a small pot you don’t mind getting the dye on (this may be provided in the kit).

Step 3

Add a few drops of peroxide liquid (or follow instructions as directed on the packet) and mix together with the tinting color using the make-up brush until you create a thick non-drip paste.

Step 4

Starting at the inner corner of the eyebrow, brush on the dye using the make-up brush in light strokes towards the outer eye, following the natural shape of your eyebrow.

Step 5

Tidy up any areas using a Q-tip. You will see why applying the petroleum jelly was a good idea as any excess comes off with the dye, meaning your skin isn’t stained.

Step 6

Leave the dye on the brows as directed or for approximately 2-3 minutes – eyebrows dye very quickly and take pigment much more easily than the hair on your head.

Step 7

Remove the excess brow dye with a damp cotton pad, sweeping it from the inner corner out, just as you applied the color.

Top Tip: Remember not to leave the color on for too long if you want it to look natural or the color will stain both the hairs and the skin. If you’re using peroxide to lighten your brows it can cause stinging so make sure you remove it thoroughly too.

Hair Color 2012 – The Big Trends This Year

February 22, 2012 By Liz Randell 3 Comments

2011 was a fabulous year for celeb hair color with the birth of many original and unique color trends.

Styles ranged from the classic warm-toned, romantically cut tresses of both Brit ‘Princess’ Kate and fashion icon Kim Kardashian, to the likes of Lady Gaga and Nicki Minaj with their ever evolving looks combining blunt bangs mixed with layers of sheer pastel tones.

2011 certainly had plenty of ‘highlights’ (see what we did there), and we are expecting 2012 to be bigger, bolder and brighter. As 2012 is upon us, we thought we would give you the run down of this years biggest hair color trends.

So what hair colors are hot in 2012?

Ombre Hair Colors

The 2011 trend of Ombre hair is also set to return but in a bolder fashion. The contrast between the dark roots and lighter ends will be stronger and tones of brighter copper and red will be used at the root to add definition, giving a two or three colored staggered effect.

Jewel Tones

Jewel tones are set to be huge by the Spring, including vibrant pairings of turquoise, blues, reds, purples and pinks. Big and bold multi-colored highlights will give a vibrant contrast to darker hair, whereas blondes and redheads will be sporting pastel tones of yellow, duck egg blues and baby pinks.

Dip Dyed Multi Lights

For those not wanting a complete color overhaul, dip dyed multi lights, as seen on Lauren Conrad, are set to take off this summer. These are a unique and colorful way to update hair that is stuck in a rut without going overboard. By using multi-colored tips on just a few strands of hair, the result is an ethereal and bohemian style, perfect for the summer sun.

Warm Coppers

Fall will see the return of soft, warm multi-colored tones of coppers, auburns and chestnut browns contrasted with semi-permanent shimmery and icy glosses to create a healthy sheen. Subtle brunette hues and soft textures suited to most skin types will be bang on-trend and create a demure and chic style perfect for those who are feeling less bold on the color front.

Major Reinvention

2012 is another year of reinvention, with celebs like Lady Gaga leading the way. We all know she is never seen in the same outfit twice and the same can be said for her hair. In 2012 we will all jump on the bandwagon so get set to wear a different style and color every week! Hair is the new accessory, meaning you can match it to each and every outfit using new wash-in wash-out hair colors.

Gray Hair Color

Finally we will see the color gray step into the limelight, as seen on the likes of model Kate Moss who recently showed off her blonde bob with contrasting gray streaks. High-lights and low-lights of white and gray will be the biggest (and possibly most innovative) hair color trend of 2012. Celebrities will now be able to grow old gracefully as this new take on highlights is born. But this isn’t a look just for the over fifties, silver blonde and gray streaks are set to take off as the next big thing for old and young alike.

So that you have it, that HairColorCode guide for the hot color trends of 2012. Are you feeling inspired to go jewel, ombre, or even (whisper it) gray? Leave us a comment and let us know your hair color plans for 2012!

Kool-Aid Hair Dye – The Complete Guide

December 1, 2011 By Liz Randell 377 Comments

Girl with hair colored with kool-aid hair dye

As an alternative to harsh chemical hair dyes, using Kool-Aid (yes really!) to dye your hair is one of the simplest and most fun ways to change your look.

If you’re not familiar with Kool-Aid, it’s a flavored powder that you mix with water to make a fruit drink. But what does this have to do with coloring hair I hear you ask?

Well because Kool-Aid is available in a wide range of flavours and in individual packets a range of bright colors can be achieved, also Kool-Aid is a natural alternative to hair dye as it contains no harsh chemicals (obviously – because you drink it!)

The individual sachets make it easy to try different colors on your hair and you can create multi colored highlights, panels or an all over color – let your imagination go wild! Using the Kool-Aid powders will create a semi-permanent color which will stay on your hair for around eight weeks. However the overall color result will vary depending on the color of your natural hair.

Kool-Aid Color Combinations

Have fun trying out these colors and combinations:

Double Double Cherry

Bright Red

Triple Awesome Grape

Purple

Tropical Punch

Red Tint

Lime

Light Green

Blue Raspberry

Blue

Blue Raspberry + Grape

Electric Blue

Berry Blue + Lemon Lime

Turquoise

Lime + Blue Raspberry

Dark Blue

Try to avoid light colors like watermelon, lemonade and strawberry lemonade as they are unlikely to show up, and use sugar free Kool-Aid where possible to stop the hair becoming sticky.

Kool-Aid Hair Dye Tutorial

For this tutorial you will need:

– An old towel to put around your shoulders (I find a peg or clip is handy to stop it slipping)
– Petroleum Jelly
– 2 to 3 Sugar-free Kool-Aid sachets in the flavours you want
– Conditioner
– Water
– Glass mixing bowl
– Wooden spoon
– Latex Gloves (the kind you use to apply fake tan)
– Paintbrush (for application, alternatively you can use your fingers)
– Saran Wrap or foils (for highlights or panels)
– Shower cap (optional)

Step 1

Firstly decide on the color you want and then use a glass bowl to mix the Kool-Aid to get the desired end result (see the color combinations chart above). At this stage we are just mixing dry powder together to get an idea of the color.

Step 2

Once you’re happy with the color, add a little cold water to the powder to make a paste. The paste should be thick and creamy so add just a few drops at a time until you get the right consistency. If it is too thin then the color won’t take to the hair.

Step 3

Put a thin layer of petroleum jelly around your hairline and on your ears to stop the color from staining your skin and then make sure your clothes are protected. As with any hair color attempt, have towels on standby!

Step 4

Add a few drops of thick conditioner to the paste, then using the paintbrush or your fingers apply the paste to your hair and massage it in. Make sure it’s evenly distributed and that the color goes deep into the hair, which will create a level finish.

Step 5

Once applied, wrap your hair in cling wrap, or if you are creating colored sections or high-lights, wrap the hair in foil. This will help the color develop overnight. You can also wear a shower hat to sleep in to keep your foils in place.

Step 6

In the morning, rinse off the Kool-Aid and then shampoo and condition as normal. Your hair will be colored without any of the chemicals you find in regular hair dyes and you’ll have created your own individual look. Plus, your hair will smell fruity!

Remember if you have long hair that you may need to use several packets, and that if you have dark hair the shades will not show up as vividly and may just give you a tint of color. Also if you have blonde hair, please bear in mind that blue and yellow make green!

Party Hair Color – Become The Life And Soul!

November 28, 2011 By Liz Randell 1 Comment

Are you looking to stand out at a party? You may have found the killer dress, or even the perfect lipstick, but to really be the life and soul of the party you should consider adopting a new hair color for the night!

There are so many party hair colors and accessories to chose from, dependent on if you want a slight shimmer in your locks, or if you want you hair to be the first (and only!) think people notice when they walk in a room.

Here at Haircolorcode.com we have tried both, and here is our list of the best products available for that special evening.

Color Glitters

If you’re attending a party and want to up the wow factor of your hair, you can try a color glitter. Starting at around $5, color glitters are sprays that add sparkle to your hair.

They typically come in aerosol cans and are also suitable for spraying on skin. You simply hold the can a few inches from your hair and spray the glitter all over your hair to give it a beautiful sheen and shimmer. Hair glitters come in a range of colors but the gold and silver are particularly effective for creating a sparkly effect that looks great. You simply spray the glitter on when you want the effect and then wash it out afterwards, making it perfect for a one off party or event.

One Wash Dyes

Not to be confused with color sprays, one wash dyes are a liquid dye that you can buy quite cheaply in individual sachets. The dye is applied to dry hair and then rinsed out to reveal the color results.

These are a great way to try out a new color because if you hate it, just rinse it out and voila, back to your old hair color! That’s the theory anyway, in reality one wash dyes are a bit hit and miss. If you have dark hair and try a one wash, then the change may be very subtle, with only a gentle shine to show for your efforts. In fact one wash or wash in wash out dyes won’t lighten your hair because they don’t contain bleach or ammonias.

On the flip side if you have blonde hair I would advise you to avoid one wash dyes in black or darker shades as there’s no guarantee that a color that strong will wash out straight after application. Use these with caution and don’t stray too far from your natural hair color to see the best results.

Color Sprays

Hair color sprays work in the same way as color glitters. You spray the color straight onto dry hair and wash the color out after use. Hair color sprays are better suited to blonde and lighter colored hair as the spray color shows up more vividly.

Hair color sprays come in some amazing shades – barbie pink, black, purple, bright blue, yellow, green, red and gold, the list is endless – so are a great way to try a new hair color without the expense of a permanent salon or home colorant. Also color sprays typically do not use bleach, tints or peroxide so won’t cause any damage to your hair.