Call for appointment: 202.775.1999 OR Book a Session Today
Single process color involves the application of permanent, semi-permanent or demi-permanent color to the entire head to create a new base color. The difference between each of these types of color is how much of a change you’re looking for and the length of time you want the color to last.
If you want a more dramatic change (2 or more shades lighter or darker) than your natural hair color, then permanent color is the way to go. Only permanent color will cover gray hair and won’t wash out. Your roots will need to be re-touched about every 4-6 weeks.
If you’re looking to subtly deepen your natural hair color or add a layer of color (such as a red tone to brown hair) a semi (or demi) permanent color is your best option. These will darken – not lighten – hair because of smaller amounts of ammonia and peroxide. They are also more gentle on the hair than permanent color.
Semi-permanent color washes out over a period of time (6-12 shampoos, depending upon the formula) so works well if temporary color is what you’re looking for. It can subtly deepen your natural hair color or add a layer of color (such as a red tone on brown hair). It has the additional benefit of not showing noticeable roots.
Demi-permanent color will provide you with longer-lasting color than semi-permanent color. It washes out after 12-26 washes and can deepen and intensify your natural color.
A high-lift color can lift up to four levels of natural color and simultaneously will deposit color. Double process color has a higher ammonia content to enable us to exceed four levels of color lift.
Going lighter in color takes more than a single process permanent color can accomplish if you’re looking to be a golden or platinum blonde. We apply a color lightener to remove natural color from the hair and then apply a toner for color.
Highlights are great for mimicking the beautiful light strands that are associated with “sun kissed” hair. When applied to dirty blonde or mousy brown hair, highlights transform these colors into shades that are rich, beautiful and alluring.
We use partial highlights to draw attention to certain features, accentuate a style, or create a new look for a simple cut.
With full highlights, we evenly highlight your entire head to break up color that may be too flat or one-dimensional. We often apply highlights in two or more different shades – either with shades lighter than the base color (and one shade lighter than the other) or with one shade being lighter and one darker than the base color. The latter style of highlighting is called “dimensional coloring” and is used to produce a more natural and pleasing look.
Lowlights are similar to highlights. Instead of removing color to create lighter strands that highlight the hair, we use color to create darker strands that add warmth to the hair. Lowlights are a great option for many with salt and pepper gray hair and want to put a bit more “pepper” back into the hair.
To maintain a full head of highlights or lowlights, crown re-growth should be re-touched in one or two 4-6 week interval visits, with a return for a full head. Another option is to have the full head followed by a half-head about 3 months later and then a full head 3 months after that.
Henna is a natural plant, so it offers the benefit of both conditioning and coloring your hair in a safe and natural way. This is often a great option for those who are pregnant, nursing, allergic to traditional chemical color products, or have health problems and are concerned about chemical exposure.
As a conditioner, henna strengthens the hair. It has anti-fungal properties, reduces the occurrence of dandruff, conditions the scalp, slightly loosens curls, and helps to detangle and make hair more manageable. It provides a natural and healthy sheen and shine to hair. Neutral Henna contains no color and is a great way to condition damaged or extremely dry hair.
As a natural source of color, henna provides a beautiful way to achieve red and reddish highlights on dark hair. It does not color hair like synthetic dyes, but rather coats the hair shaft with a transparent red coloring. As applications of henna are repeated, the color deepens. Henna does not and cannot lighten hair.
On black and dark brown hair, henna will become dark auburn to burgundy/black (with red highlights that are noticeable in sunlight). Henna on blonde hair can be used as a conditioner and enhance the blonde or it can shift the blonde color to varying shades of red (from strawberry to auburn). Henna on red hair will make the hair a deeper and richer red. Depending on the shade of brown hair, henna can produce a natural red/auburn/dark auburn hue. On white or grey hair, henna can add a strawberry or auburn tone.