Applying hair color is no easy feat which is why most people prefer going to parlors and having experts do it every time. Coloring the hair is one of the easiest ways to change your look. The right shade of hair dye can make you look years younger, much more chic and vibrant. The major umbrella techniques used for hair color application include highlighting, low lighting, splash lighting. Highlighting refers to a process wherein sections of hair have to be colored with lighteners while low lighting darkens the hair color. Splash lighting is a type of technique used to bleach and streak the hair. The other new trends that have come up in the beauty industry are ombre, opal, foiling, capping, balayage etc. These techniques are off-the-scalp hair coloring techniques.

• The foiling method is one where a foil paper or a small plastic film is kept to separate the hair into sections in order to get color on the required strands of hair and protect the rest from getting colored.
• Keeping a plastic cap tightly on one’s head and pulling out strands through a hook is a method that is practiced only in experienced hair salons and highlights the hair required is called capping.
• Balayage is a type of hair coloring where the hair color is painted right on to the sections of hair with no separation using a cap or foil paper. This is the most practiced method of hair coloring in most of the salons.
• Another type of hair coloring is termed as dipping where the tip of the hair strands is colored with dark highlighting, covering it entirely.
• Root touch up is another hair color application method that is repeated every month by individuals who wish to hide their grey roots and touch them up with their chosen shade of color.

If you look at permanent hair coloring techniques, they generally involve the usage of chemicals like ammonia that is applied after bleaching your hair and the hair color layers on your cuticle. The oxidizing agent comes in different volumes and is based on the color you choose or the volume of your hair. The higher the developer, the lesser the color on the hair. This usually depends on the customer’s wish. In most cases, permanent hair coloring takes around 30 to 45 minutes so that the color catches on well.

• The other type of hair coloring is demi-permanent where an alkaline agent is used instead of ammonia. The agents used are ethanolamine and sodium carbonate and such alkaline agents lower the hydrogen peroxide levels so the hair color isn’t permanent. Demi-permanent is a much more effective method as compared to permanent. There is no removal or bleach involved, it is much gentler on the hair and safe compared to harsh methods.
• Another type of temporary hair coloring is in the forms of shampoos, washes, highlighters, hair sprays, foams, etc. The best part about temporary coloring is that they are much more vibrant and brighter compared to others. People choose this technique of hair coloring for sudden parties, prom nights, and similar events. It is advisable to always check with the salon to know what technique will be better for your texture of hair.

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