John Frieda’s Precision Foam Colour

John Frieda (of Frizz Ease fame) has created a line of easy-to-use home hair color!
So many colors, so little mess.
I used 3N, the Deep Brown-Black.
Covered grays, no drips-- I am a happy camper!
There is even a Shade Selector to help you find your best color.
Try it now.

Going Dark To Light

Have naturally dark hair and want to go blonde?  It’s a big step, but with professional guidance, it can be done and look great. Patrick McIvor, Matrix Artistic Director, says it takes lot of time and money.
“Dark brown to blonde is a big change, and since hair grows a half inch a month, you need to visit a stylist every 4 weeks to keep the blonde looking good.  And, because of the transition, it takes time to process,” explains McIvor.

McIvor says there are many types of blondes – platinum, light blonde, dark blonde, multi-colored, highlighted, so pick the one that fits the time and money allotted for the job. The lighter the blonde, the more time and money it will take to maintain.  For instance, platinum hair like Michelle Williams requires touchups every 2-4 weeks and for multi-colored blonde like Shakira, hair needs to be lightened in two steps - either all over or with lots of highlights and then a glaze (every 4 weeks).  For hair the color of Beyoncé, products like MATRIX Wonder.Browns can be used to lighten hair all in one step (every 4 weeks). There are many ways of approaching going blonde, ask professional for guidance.

“Many women with naturally dark hair, especially those who have only used a demi permanent color, are surprised at how the texture of their hair changes when they go blonde.  Whenever hair is lightened, it changes the protein bonds in hair, so caring for newly colored blonde hair requires more attention and products,” explains McIvor.

McIvor recommends using a color care regimen such as Matrix Biolage colorcarethérapie Delicate Care Shampoo and Conditioner that has no sulfates which helps color last longer.  In addition, he suggests using a treatment at least once a week like Delicate Care Masque to replenish moisture.  For ultra-polished blonde, use Delicate Care Organic Certified Oil – formulated with organic olive oil and Argan oil from Morocco to restore sheen for optimal shine and smoothness, and long lasting luminous color.

Patrick McIvor is Artistic Director for Matrix, a leading professional haircare and haircolor company in the United States and part of the L’Oreal USA Professional Products Division. As one of the most respected colorists in the industry, the former Color Director for Nick Arrojo and Rodney Culter in NYC, is a cultural junkie inspired by international cosmopolitan influences from fashion, global trends, technology and social networking.  McIvor is featured in the book “50 Hairstylists.”
Website: www.patrickmcivorcolorstudio.com , YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/patrickmcivor

Get the most from your haircolor

Clairol Pro enlists premier colorist Nico of NYC’s Mizu Salon (whose color bar is frequented by A-list celebs) to teach you how to get the most out of your hair color!

Q: What’s the best way for clients to communicate their hair color vision?
Nico: I find it most helpful when clients bring photos or celebrity references with them to the salon.  As an experienced colorist, it's my job to keep on top of celebrities’ ever-changing hair colors, and this includes starlets from both the past and present.  I love when clients email me a photo prior to their appointment so that I can do some research ahead of time.  Once I see a picture, it opens up the dialogue about whether or not it's the right direction for that client…

Q: What’s your go-to hair color product?
Nico: I’ve long been a fan of Clairol Professional and they recently integrated major product innovations into their line-up that keep me coming back for more! They’ve incorporated their new SOY4PLEX technology into their demi-permanent and permanent color lines, which really works to add even greater deep conditioning, reflective shine and long-lasting results.

Clairol Pro’s new liquid Gray Busters line (which also includes SOY4PLEX technology) is my favorite tool for covering pesky grays with multi-dimensional color.  It bestows ultra long-lasting gray coverage, is easy to use and adds warm undertones to create the most natural effect.  It’s everything I need in just one product!

Q:  Do you have any special application tricks or techniques?
Nico: Not only has hair color technology changed over the past couple of years, but the way we color hair at Mizu has changed too. We’re constantly using new strategies to obtain the most natural results.  Lately we’ve been incorporating gentle demi-permanent shades and subtle highlights to strategic areas both during and after the single process application.  It’s all about strategy, strategy, strategy, and we strive to constantly evolve our strategies to stay at the forefront of the industry!

 Q: What do you recommend clients do to maintain their color once they leave the salon?
Nico: Shampoo less! When you do shampoo, be sure to purchase haircare products from a salon or beauty supply store since often times, shampoos and conditioners found at drugstores have pH levels that are too high and can cause color to dull. Use products with a pH of 4.5 to 5.5 and also, stay away from color-enhancing products. I’ve seen how these can transform my $300 highlights into what looks like a shoddy at-home dye job. Eek!

Streekers~Wild Weekend, Instant Liquid Hair Color

These little lip-gloss size and style bottles are super fun for a quick, easy, temporary flash of flair! Available in endless bright hues, Streekers liquid hair color is simple to apply, but be aware, this product will not work with dark colored locks and can be difficult to wash out of very light, bright blond shades. I rocked a peek-a-boo strand of this bright Blue and my nieces went courageous with dramatic streaks of Blue in their bangs!

Bigen Semi-Permanent Hair Color

I tried Light Cognac & Darkest Brown.
Application is opposite the usual-- you put it on freshly washed, wet hair.
Colors are good, doesn't dry-out hair or make it smell.
The Darkest Brown worked well with my dark brown hair, but seemed to fade quickly.
The Light Cognac made me look like I had gotten highlights.
Overall, I liked.
Good variety of colors, too.

Home Hair Color How-To from Paul Cucinello

Read these must-know tips from Paul Cucinello, Beauty Expert and Creative Director of the Chris Chase Salon in Chelsea!

Rich Chocolate Brown

AKA The Katie Holmes, a rich brown always calls for a semi-permanent color in a neutral tone. Permanent colors tend to pull too much red because the peroxide in the product brings out the natural warmth in your hair. I suggest trying L’Oreal Healthy Look Crème Gloss Color.
Pro Tip:  After applying the color to your roots be sure to refresh your ends. To richen up faded color without over processing (or achieving a darker result than desired) pick up an extra box of color and mix the included deep conditioning treatment into the color and developer mixture. This will dilute the color so it stays sheer and deposits just enough to refine the tone. Apply it to the ends and leave it on for up to ten minutes.

Blonde Bombshell
Blondes can be tricky because most at-home hair colors yield a much more golden result than people are looking for. Don't choose a shade that's too far from your natural color and remember that the color on your roots should be slightly deeper than the ends like Jessica Simpson. Select an ash shade if you want a more neutral result. Unless your natural color is VERY pale, avoid anything that is labeled “Golden” ...chances are you will wind up unhappy.
Pro Tip: Is your blonde feeling "blah"?  Brighten up your color with an at home brightening product. It's a great way to kick your color up a notch without frying your ends. It can also soften the look of re-growth. Try John Frieda Go Blonder Controlled Lightening Spray.

Sun Kissed Blonde
Although I rarely suggest attempting highlights at home, even adding a streak here or there can sometimes be the difference between a costly trip to the salon or a great night out! Using a tail comb, try carefully selecting a few pieces around your hairline that are no thicker than a half of a centimeter. To get a highlighted look like Hilary Duff, place the hair in foil and paint your highlighting color on each piece until they are thoroughly saturated. Try using L'Oreal Couleur Experte 8.2 in Iced Meringue.
Pro Tip: Be sure to keep checking your highlights to make sure they get light enough. Here's where most people make mistakes: You can always tone highlights down if they get too light, but if a highlight isn't light enough after you rinse, unfortunately the only way to correct it will be to re-color each piece again.

Dark & Mysterious Black
Kim Kardashian amps up the sex appeal with her signature black mane. It's super shiny and mysterious. This shade is easily achieved on hair that's already dark, so very gentle color should be used to ensure that it doesn't wind up looking like shoe polish. You can select any shade from “dark brown” to “blue black” depending on your skin tone. Try Revlon Colorsilk in Soft Black.
Pro Tip: If you choose to dye your hair black, know this: it's a long road back so make sure you're ready for a long term commitment. I'm a big fan of using gloss to try color on first and then when you're ready for a major commitment and want to bump up the intensity switch to a semi- permanent color.



Flaming Hot Red
Nothing looks worse than a really fake red.  Stick with colors that can occur in nature, just like Adele. Choose natural reds that are more golden or copper (avoid cool, cherry tones). Reds should also be somewhat uniform, so don't be tempted to try adding highlights to a rich red base. If you're a blonde and you want to try copper hues, use a semi-permanent color in strawberry blonde. I suggest trying Couture Color Luxeblend Créme Color in Strawberry Blonde.
Pro Tip: If your hair is naturally dark and you want to achieve a soft, coppery shade, try using a golden blonde permanent color instead of an actual red.  The result will be warm and coppery without looking too artificial.

Also, be sure to protect your skin while coloring your hair at-home. Grab your favorite moisturizer and apply a generous amount to your hairline, the tips of your ears and the nape of your neck to avoid staining.

Hot and Cold Color

Thanks to the ever-brilliant Suzanne Quinn for this color-decoder!

What makes haircolor hot? Tone! Determining the correct haircolor tone, either warm or cool, is simple with these tips from Krista Beahm, colorist at patrick mcivor color studio. Rule of Thumb: Natural cool tones look best with cool haircolor and natural warm tones look best with warm haircolor.

“Colorists are trained to choose a haircolor that matches a client’s natural skin tones. It’s a process that yields complimentary haircolor results – haircolor that makes eyes shine and skin glow. Choosing the wrong tone can result in skin and eyes looking washed out and tired. So, when choosing DIY color or consulting with your stylist, it’s important to take tone into consideration. I advise looking at childhood photos, if someone had warm tones in their hair as a child, go warm now – cool tones, then go cool,” explains Beahm.

Skin

• Tan easily and veins tend to be bluish green - WARM
• Burn quickly and veins tend to be bluish purple - COOL

Eyes

• Golden flecks in eyes - WARM
• Grayish flecks in eyes - COOL

Natural Hair

• Red, orange and yellow – colors evoking fire and sunshine - WARM
• Green, blue and purple – colors evoking water, sky, sea and forests - COOL

Jennifer Lopez (warm brunette)

Megan Fox (cool brunette)

Kate Hudson (warm blonde)

Cameron Diaz (cool blonde)

“If skin, eyes and hair are all the same tone or two out of three are the same, a person will most likely look best in that same tone of haircolor. If tonal results vary, they can usually pull off either tone,” explains Beahm who uses Matrix color products exclusively for predictable tonal results.

There are ALWAYS exceptions! Some warm toned people don’t like warmth in their hair and some cool toned people don’t like cool tones in their hair. When this is the case, try a neutral tone or ask a professional colorist’s opinion.

Redken contest for BLONDES!

This may be that one time that Blondes do have more fun...

Redken has a NEW Hair Files how-to video:

The Ultimate Blonde starring David Stanko and Rodney Cutler

David explains how to treat and maintain color-treated blonde hair, and recommends at-home maintenance with the Blonde Glam collection while Rodney teaches consumers who to create a shiny, wavy look using a curling iron.

CONTEST:

Comment with your favorite Blonde-tip and you could win the following REDKEN products:

· Blonde Glam haircare line

· Extreme Iron Repair

· spray starch 15 versatile ironing spray

· outshine 01 anti-frizz polishing milk

· quick dry 18 instant finishing spray

The winner has been picked! Thanks!