Hair Color Code

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The Best Hair Color – Let Battle Commence!

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A brunette woman and a blonde woman arguing over the best hair color

There’s always been a lot of debate about what really is the best hair color.

Blondes will tell you that they have more fun, brunettes will tell you that they have all the style, whereas redheads will tell you that they have the only color that truly stands out from the crowd. So, who is right??

Well I don’t want to disappoint, but of course there is no right or wrong answer in this debate.

Hair color is something that is totally personal to every individual, which is what makes the ability to change our color so amazing! I don’t want to leave you empty handed though, so hear is my guide to my favorite hair color shades currently on the market.

Best blonde hair color

Blonde is the color that will never go out of style, however certain shades seem to make their way in and out of the spotlight. Although I have been tipping white blonde to be one of the most popular looks of the year, my personal favorite blonde comes in more of a subtle shade.

Natural Extra Light Neutral Blonde 98 from Clairol’s Nice ‘n Easy range is a stunning color, and because Clairol use multi-tones in their formula, the end result is so natural looking that I constantly hear comments of disbelief when I say it’s from a bottle.

Best brunette hair color

Whoever said brunettes are boring has definitely had their head stuck in the sand. The moderate brown look has been extremely popular over the last year, in some part due to the regal trends emerging from the Royal Wedding and the beautiful Princess Kate Middleton.

Long gone are the days when going brunette is seen as a safe option, and instead it has become the epitome of style and elegance. To achieve this look, my favorite brunette color comes from the team at Garnier and their 530 Natural Golden Brown colorant.

Best red hair color

We all remember the dark days where red heads bought brown hair dyes by the gallon in an attempt to hide their natural color, so it’s amazing to see how far this bold look has come.

Nowadays everyone wants to get in on the firey siren look, and with the media coining the phrase ‘Red Bombshell’ we are seeing style icons and celebrities adopting this vibrant color. If you want to take the brave step to go red, or if you want to add more life to your current red look, I would recommend Manic Panic Vampire Red hair dye.

Best black hair color

Black hair has been a symbol of style and sophistication since the 1920’s, and the look is still going strong today. Black hair has a real daring air of mystery, and has become a timeless classic worn by film, music and fashion icons.

If you think you have got what it takes to pull of black hair, you should take note of one of our many mantras at HairColorCode.com HQ; ‘the key to great black hair is high-shine’. To achieve a black hair color with plenty of shine, I recommend L’Oreal’s Feria Black Leather Multi-Faceted Shimmering Color.

There you go, my current favorite four hair colors.

If you have found a fantastic shade which you think should be included in my best hair color list, I would love to hear from you. You can leave a comment below, send me a tweet, or drop me an email.

New Year, New Hair! – Guest Article

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Woman with dark hair celebrating new years eve

Welcome 2012 with a new hairstyle!

Changing up your hair color or style is proven to be a great confidence booster, and is a great gift to give yourself! There are many approaches to creating a look you love and most importantly feel comfortable in.

Here are five ways you can update your look, whether you want a drastic change or something minimal.

1. Highlights/Lowlights

Highlights are a perfect option if you are considering going blonde, but are afraid to go blonde all the way. They can be chosen in various shades of blonde such as honey, gold, strawberry-blonde, natural blonde, or platinum. Bring pictures of the color you’d like as a visual aid for your stylist. Be sure to ask questions prior to and doing a strand test so you can see the final result on a strand, before commiting to your whole head and not being satisfied with the results.

Lowlights are done to frame your face and add more depth with browns or reds. Lowlights are a good option if you have very dark hair. Realistically speaking going from jet-black to platinum is not so simple, and will take more than just one process. There are great shades you can play with such as chocolate brown, caramel, mahogany, bright red, or burgundy.

2. Go short!

If you have had medium-long hair for a while and are looking for a drastic new look, chop it off. Though we women occasionally become attached to our hair, sometimes that prevents us from exploring other styles which might actually look better or make you appear younger. There are many charities which allow you to share your long locks to make wigs for cancer patients. Which means two people get a new hairstyle for the price of one. A good thing about shorter hair, is less time styling it!

3. Get bangs

Bangs are a simple way to update your style, without sacrificing length. Try side-swept bangs to offset a round/oval face. Or blunt-across bangs for a long/ square shaped face. You can also add texture by asking for a feathered/ choppy look. Or add some blonde chunky highlights on your bangs for a fun look.

4. Reinvent your look

You know how as you grow up from various stages in your life, your fashion style changes? Well, do the same to your hair! Don’t keep the same hairstyle you had when you were a teen, now that you are thirty. Update your hair, either by cutting it to a style that suits your face and personality, or by coloring it. Add some layers, change the part, wear it curled or straighten it out.

Adding color doesn’t have to be a permanent commitment. If you have virgin hair and are worried about coloring, try a semi-permament dye. Remember, semi-permanent only deposits color, so you can’t go lighter without bleaching. But you can try a beautiful burgundy, or chocolate brown, and not have to worry about becoming a color addict.

5. Go long!

Tired of short hair, and can’t wait any longer for long locks… Get extensions! They are a great way to add length temporarily or for an extended length. Good quality extensions look and are taken care of as real hair would. Some salons are also able to sew on extensions and charge you only for the cost of labor if you bring your own extensions in. If you’d prefer a more temporary increase in hair length, clip ins are a great and affordable option.

Hope these tips were useful. How often do you change up your hair style/color?!

Guest post by Beautycareme – Beautycareme.com is a blog for women of all ages. Focused on beauty, fashion, fitness and health. Check it out for great articles, reviews, giveaways and more! Follow on Twitter or Facebook to stay up to date with Beautycareme

7 Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Hair Color

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Woman with dark brown curly hair in winter scarf

Whatever your hair color, the key to looking and feeling great is down to how you take care of your locks.

The wind, the rain, the sun – not to mention the daily use of hairdryers, curling tongs and hair straighteners – can all add up to dry, damaged hair which will transform your once healthy tresses into a lackluste, dull and unmanageable mess.

Here at HairColorCode.com we understand that a daily ritual of deep conditioning and preening to keep your hair looking healthy may not be possible, so here’s a list of quick and easy tips to keep your hair color looking its best.

1. Choose the right shampoo and conditioner for your hair type

There is a huge choice of hair products on the market but which is best for you?

Start by working out your hair strengths and weaknesses. Is it oily at the roots? Dry and brittle? Colored and in need of nourishment? Once you figure out your hair type look for a specific range that suits your needs. And don’t be drawn into using the most expensive shampoo on the shelf. Drug store shampoo’s often contain the exact same ingredients as those pricey looking bottles in your local salon.

The right products can make all the difference. Remember to only use conditioner at the very tips of your hair.

2. Use heat protecting products before drying and straightening

Investing in a heat defense spray can do wonders for the health of your hair.

They work by adding a protective layer to your hair to stop the heat stripping the natural oil from the hair shaft. Jetting off for some winter sun? Don’t forget to pick up a spray with an added SPF and wear a sunhat whenever possible.

3. Use a hair masque or deep conditioner once a week

Regularly using a conditioning treatment once a week can increase shine and protect your hair color.

Either use a dedicated deep conditioning treatment or apply your regular conditioner all over your hair, comb through, leave for ten minutes and rinse thoroughly for soft silky hair.

4. Use a blast of cool water or cool setting on your hairdryer

When you wash your hair, use two applications of shampoo and follow by rinsing out your conditioner using cool water (not icy cold!).

This action will close the cuticle of the hair and make it appear smoother and less frizzy. Using the cool setting on your hairdryer after styling will achieve the same effect.

5. Choose a semi-permanent color for all over shine

Ever wondered how celebs like Kim Kardashian and Katy Perry have perfect glossy hair?

Try a semi-permanent hair dye to replicate the look. A semi-permanent color can be beneficial as it adds a natural shine to the hair and coats the hair shaft increasing the thickness of the hair. An added bonus is it creates a youthful look without damaging the hair follicles.

6. Get a regular cut

Getting a regular haircut is the simplest way to achieve healthy looking hair. Not only is it a confidence boost but even a tiny trim can remove split ends and keep your hair in tip top condition. Experts recommend a haircut every six weeks.

7.Commit to looking after your hair

Following these easy tips will definitely improve the health of your hair. Setting aside just ten minutes a week to deep condition your hair can make all the difference, and if you are worried about the cost remember that a regular cut and the right products can actually work out cheaper in the long run. Invest in your hair and you will love the results!

5 Quick Tips For Coloring Your Hair

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Woman with copper colored hair

Ok, we admit it, we are addicted – there are members of the HCC team who have dyed their locks so often that they can’t remember their natural color. Actually there are some members of the team who have dyed their locks so often they can’t remember their current color (quick mirror check) but we all had to start somewhere, and today’s advice is for those adventurous souls pondering a change in hair color for the very first time.

There are a few things to consider before embarking on your technicolor journey, sure you are keen to jump in but a bit of thought now can save you money, time, and perhaps even a lot of embarrassment in the long run. As ever, if you’ve got some time on your hands we recommend you start your hair color journey with our Hair Coloring Basics, and our Hair Dye Guide.

For those of you on the go, before you sit in the chair or stroll through the grocery aisle, here are the questions you should ask yourself:

Who is going to do the deed?

There are pros and cons to both home coloring and salon coloring. If you simply want to match the color on your head to the color on the box, home coloring products may work for you. Basic blending and coloring is certainly possible at home and can save you a considerable amount of time and cash, but don’t veer too far from your natural shade or you can end up paying a lot of money to have a stylist repair your mistake. However, if you are the creative type, seeking cutting-edge highlights, panels, and unique formulations, do not, I repeat, do not try this at home!

Are you going to be natural or a bit more daring?

Selecting a shade no more than three tones away from your natural color will really pay dividends when it comes to maintenance, for example if your hair is naturally medium brown and you select a medium to dark brown dye the regrowth will not scream its presence and you will have more time between applications. However if you are an espresso brunette and opt for platinum blonde, be prepared to spend a king
’s ransom and a whole lot of time on keeping up your color. In this case, discuss maintenance and budget with your stylist before you get the color on your head!

What type of hair do you have?

The quality of your hair fabric will determine the outcome of your color. If you have a strong, resilient fabric, you can do more to your hair, the color will stay vital and vibrant longer, and you will be less of a slave to your color care. However, if the hair on your head resembles the hair on your arms, you have a smaller margin for error. Fine hair does indeed benefit from the “swelling” action color can give, but it cannot go through as many applications or technical overlapping and may restrict your fashion frolics. Make sure your discussion with your stylist involves the condition and products required to maintain the lustre and health of your hair. This leads us to number four…

Don’t forget to consider aftercare!

Quality products are essential when caring for chemically treated hair. It is not so much the brand but the ingredients, although higher quality brands tend to use higher quality ingredients. Some shampoos have the same components as the product you use on your carpet, whereas others are so gentle you could practically drink them. It is also worth looking beyond shampoos and conditioners to other specialist products including deep conditioning treatments, glossers, sealers, express refreshers, and many salon services that can increase the longevity and cosmetic integrity of your color. You should also think about styling aids as these can inhibit or benefit your color as well.

Make sure the color works for you!

When selecting a shade, you may want to consider what colors are in your makeup palette as well as your wardrobe. You might choose a color to compliment your existing preferences, or perhaps this is your opportunity to change things up a bit. Either way it is wise to have a plan so you do not have to toss hundreds of dollars worth of cosmetics and push your favorite clothes to the back of the closet! If you aren’t sure, strategically placed highlights can create a peek-a-boo effect that allows your colors’ appearance to change as often as your moods. You should also think about your lifestyle, how much time and money do you have to devote to the maintenance of your color? Finally we would always recommend that you tailor your color to your cut for maximum enjoyment!

Maybe you saw gray, or maybe you are bored; but nothing is as energizing, anti-aging, and complementary to our beauty as great hair color! Stay tuned to HCC for more great tips and ideas. Good luck and ‘Happy Hair!’

Dark Hair Colors – Embrace The Dark Side!

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Woman with long, naturally curly brown dark hair color

Darker hair color, whether its black, brown or red, can be sexy, fun and dramatic. However not everybody looks good with dark hair (even the beautiful Cameron Diaz struggled to pull off this look).

There are a number of factors to consider before you decide to go dark and as usual, HairColorCode is here to be your guide.

Why dye your hair darker?

If you are looking for a low-maintenance hair color then a dark shade is perfect as the regrowth is usually less obvious than when you go for a shade that is lighter than your natural hair. Not only that, dark hair can hide hair breakages and flaws because it is better at reflecting light, so your hair will look more silky and soft.

woman with sleek black hair

Another benefit is that the coloring process is less damaging when you go for a darker shade. This is because dark hair color products generally involve no bleaching.

If you are concerned with the health of your hair, a semi-permanent, dark shade is ideal because it is friendly to the scalp and less harmful to the hair.

A word of caution before joining the dark side…

For all the benefits, there are some disadvantages to darker locks. For one, the color fades easily, so unless you do the coloring yourself you can expect to visit the salon on a regular basis and that can work out costly.

Also, choosing the best dark hue to complement your complexion is not easy. You might end up rather ghostly-looking if you decide to color your hair jet black when your complexion is fair to light.

Woman with dark hair

Finding the shade of dark hair for you

Gorgeous deep brown, soft, dark mahogany, or burgundy red—which dark hair color will suit you best?

The fact is everyone can go dark, it’s just a matter of figuring out which shade will work for you. Here are some tips to help you along the way:

The best dark hair color products and brands

Once you have made the decision to go dark, there are great home color options available from all the major brands – check out our hair color charts for brunette and black shades in the most widely available ranges.

We would also recommend selecting a shampoo and conditioner that are specifically formulated for dark hair, again you can pick these up at your local drugstore or online at websites such as lookfantastic.com. Remember no matter how dark the shade, it will still be either warm or cool in tone and you should look for a shampoo product that compliments or evens out the tone you have selected.

Another useful tip – if you are a fan of dry shampoo it’s well worth selecting a range which has been specially designed for dark hair to avoid any white powder residue.

Going dark is certainly a great way to change your image. Dark hair can add drama and glamour to your look providing you choose the right shade for your complexion. Whoever said that blondes have more fun has never experienced the dark-haired side of life!