Know your hair-colour options

Press, 4 April 1989, Page 19

Know your hair-colour options

The MH ■column

The opportunities to change your haircolour have never been greater, safer, more exciting and/ or more natural. The natural colour of your hair is determined by the melanin in the hair shaft. The darker your hair, the darker the melanin. If you don’t like your natural colour, much can be done to improve or alter it, if you wish. Modern techniques have made it easier to change your colour to any that you want. But, to do so means tampering with the structure of the hair shaft, which can lead to disastrous results if not done

by a qualified hairstylist. There is a wide range of different products to choose from which have been perfected to take the terror out of tinting. Colour processes fall into three main groups — temporary, semi-perman-ent and permanent. Temporary Colour: Temporary colour, or water rinsing, is the mildest process. It is designed to add colour to the outer cuticle of the hair and wash out with your next shampoo. A temporary colour will only change the tone of your hair, shading it up or down, not the actual colour. They are excellent for brighten-

ing the tone of grey or white hair or toning down a brassy blonde. Semi-permanent Colour: Semi-permanent colourants have a toning, not a lightening effect. The minute molecules of colour do penetrate the inner cuticle temporarily, gradually fading out after three or four weeks. As a semi-permanent does not contain any bleaching agent it cannot alter the basic colour. They can enrich mouse-brown, polish a dull blonde, enhance the red tones in brown hair, and reduce or reveal the copper tone in red hair. They usually have a

built-in conditioner and are therefore great for revitalising dull hair, giving it added colour and extra sheen. Permanent Tints: Permanent tints are mixed with hydrogen peroxide which activates their small molecules, allowing them to penetrate right into the hair cuticle and there react with the hydrogen peroxide, expanding and becoming locked into the body of the hair. Tints are versatile — they can darken or lift natural colour. To achieve the desired result it is important to discuss your requirements with your hairstylist. The styl-

ist can mix individual shades and time the process exactly according to the hair’s texture. Highlighting: Highlighting, (streaking, frosting, tipping), offers a natural-looking effect, with the added bonus of not having re-touching, monthly. Whether you opt for the beautiful blonde or the sophisticated blue-black, colour your hair for high gloss and high shine. Model GINA BARRELL from Spotlight Model Agency < Photograph by PETER L. BROWN