From temporary hair color to semi-permanent, a guide to coloring at home

Do you want to change just to feel something? Let one be fleetingly peach-haired Fashion Editorial Confirmation: Temporary Hair Color Can Help.

“If you’re looking for a change at the start of the New Year but don’t want to commit to one permanent color, using a temporary or semi-permanent dye is a great way to experiment,” says Alex Brownsell, Co-Founder and Creative Director of UK salon Bleach London. And what’s more: washing with livelier or more imaginative colors will not only remix your look, it will also make you feel like a headstrong 17-year-old again. “During the lockdown, people started bleaching and coloring their hair themselves like a desperate teenager with a box in a bathroom,” explains Douglas Cornwall, aka Decolorizer, Master Colorist at Treehouse Social Club. “The zoom-based realities that have replaced many work and school areas no longer have any restrictions in terms of appearance. This feeling of freedom has awakened the desire to be colorful while the rest of the world is gloomy. “

Whether you’re looking for a subtle tweak or, as Cornwall puts it, in “day-long fantasy finder” mode, here is an expert’s guide to temporary color at home.

Start with the type of temporary dye you want

In general, there are two main categories: temporary hair color, which comes in many forms, from gels to conditioning masks, and semi-permanent hair dyes. “Temporary colors are your quick wash-in and wash-out colors that fade after a few shampoos,” explains Brownsell. “Semi-permanent dyes are less easy to care for and last around 6-8 weeks, depending on the luminosity of the color you choose, how often you wash your hair, and the condition and porosity of your hair.” For beginners, direct dyes are easier to understand because usually, “this looks in your bowl the way it will in your hair,” says Cornwall. Another benefit is that they are often formulated with built-in care and shine products. as well as a base color that adds a “smoky or dusty element” to make it feel more alive.

If you want to take a lower-risk approach, consider henna hair dye or softer, pre-diluted tones and color sets. You can also spice up your conditioner. “Putting a drop of any direct dye in a bowl of regular conditioner is a great way to stick a toe in the water,” says Cornwall. “It will dilute the intensity and give a gentle touch of the tone.” For those who are a little gun shy, Brownsell recommends trying a semi-permanent pastel dye (Bleach London’s rosé and awkward peach are the most popular) or a color-toning shampoo for more subtle results.

dpHUE Gloss + Semi-permanent hair color and deep conditioner

Lime Crime Unicorn Hair Semi-permanent hair color Full coverage

Think about what is realistic given your base color

As a rule of thumb, the lighter your hair, the lighter and livelier a color, which means it is easier for blondes to achieve stronger colors than for brunettes, redheads or raven black hair. “For semi-permanent light and pastel shades, you need to apply on a light, bleached blonde,” explains Brownsell. “If you have dark or virgin hair, those colors won’t develop true to color or won’t show up at all. First you need to lift the hair with bleach and then apply a toner to create the perfect canvas for the color. “

For first-time dyers, Bleach London offers comprehensive application guides for the home to decipher the process and protect the hair from damage. This is especially important for curly and coiled hair, which is more delicate and therefore more prone to the drying effects of bleach. If you don’t want to bleach your hair, there are a number of products that can help get you started with what you have. “For so long only bleached heads or natural blondes could play in the realm of fantasy colors, but some brands like overtone offer colors specially formulated for brown and dark hair, ”explains Cornwall. “Deep purple for brown hair and orange for brown hair are two epic hues to give a chance to those who are nervous about bleach touching their hair.”

Manic Panic Amplified Semi-Permanent Hair Color

Curlsmith Hair Makeup Temporary Color Styling Gel

Good Dye Young Poser Paste temporary hair makeup

Choose a flattering shade

Think of your base color as the basis for your bottom line. “It’s like a fabulous canvas where you can beautify anything however you want, much like makeup on beautiful skin,” says Cornwall. When choosing a color for a client, they take into account which colors and tones will best suit their skin and eye tones. “A shade of pink with lavender will create a seductive draw for blue eyes, while a sunset pink will add a touch of warmth to the skin, like your personal golden hour filter,” explains Cornwall. For a more natural looking effect, a trick in the Bleach London salon uses a touch of gold color, like that of Bleach Londons Just like honey super cool color with a dye to add a more diffuse, filter-like effect. “Using it on its own, Just Like Honey creates a smooth golden color on blondes, but you can try mixing some part Embarrassing peach with three parts for a subtle peach-colored filter on blonde hair, ”says Brownsell. When choosing a color, it should also be noted that warm colors (pink, red, orange, yellow) fade better and faster, while cool colors (blue, green, purple) last longer.

While it is natural to be concerned, do not be afraid. Remember – it’s not forever! “Even with temporary hair color, people fear that it will always come out aggressively bright and punk,” explains Cornwall, noting that a litany of brands has softened direct hues into nifty blends. “You could see these tones in any setting, with any costume, from jeans to robes,” says Cornwall. “They reflect almost naturally occurring shades of gemstones.”

Overtone pink for brown hair dye conditioner

Christophe Robin Temporary Color Gel Golden Blonde

Leonor Greyl Soin Repigmentant Natural Copper Nourishing Conditioner

Bleach London Awkward Peach Super Cool Color

Preserve and enhance your color

After using a semi-permanent dye, you should keep your color as bright and saturated as possible. The most effective way to do this is by using color safe hair products. “As with all delicate hair colors, the detergents in your shampoo are the culprit for pigment fading,” explains Cornwall, who recommends customers avoid harsher foamy products and opt for a natural hair cleaner, like Act & Acre’s Hair Cleanse Shampoothat effectively removes dirt and grime and keeps soft tones intact. Another thing to keep in mind is that water can also degrade hair color, and reducing washing will help lengthen the color. “You’d be amazed what a simple chlorine filter in your shower would do for your hair and skin,” says Cornwall. “I recommend this especially for older buildings or anywhere with heavy minerals in the water.” Another important step for Brownsell is toning your hair color to get rid of the brassiness – especially naturally blonde or bleached hair. “Even if you’re already a light or bleached blonde, toning removes brass or yellow hues to create a clean blonde for your color,” she explains. “When your blonde has a lot of warmth, the undertones go from pink to peach or add a green hue to blues and purple.”

If things don’t go perfectly, don’t get discouraged and stick with it. As Cornwall puts it, “There’s this notion of rebellion associated with supernatural hair colors, and there is some confidence that comes with that spirit. We all love a rebel! “

Bleach London Slime Light Super Cool Color

Bleach London Violet Skies Super Cool Color

Manic Panic Rock N Roll Hair Dye

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