Sangeeta on Hair Color, techniques’ n ideas

We can completely change our hair color, but it’s unreasonable to do that with our skin color, so we must be realistic with what color or highlights we choose for our hair. We must complement our face with the right color.

For us Asians, our normal hair color is shades of Black or Brown, if we want to change it completely, then we need to lift the dark hair pigments, using bleach, and toner for the desired color. In this process we invariably damage our hair, sometimes irreversible. Permanent color is applied from the scalp, but the re-growth is always our original hair color. If you want to deepen your brown to anything beyond dark chocolate, or you want to take your color more than two shades lighter than your natural hue, I strongly recommend you visit a professional, once you go blue-black, there's almost no going back. The only way to lighten up is with a pricey salon procedure that involves lots of damage — to your hair and wallet.

It would be safe to just add highlights or low lights to bring about the desired change. For shorter or layered hair, make the ends slightly lighter, and weave in high- and lowlights to emphasize the texture of the cut. The most common at-home hair coloring errors is a brown that's gone orangey, often the result of applying a dye that's too "warm." If it’s brown you're after, buy one box of dark brown and one box of neutral brown. Mix the two, and then use the combo on your hair.

Coloring makes hair very dry and brittle if you don’t deep-condition weekly, get regular trims and avoid heat-style every day. Color oxidizes faster than any other hair product, so, if you're going to spend a lot of time outdoors, use a styling product that contains UV filters — or throw a hat or scarf over your strands.

Think of blonde hair as the ultimate accessory — the one you never take off! You must keep it in excellent shape with regular touch-ups and proper products."

-Sangeeta Vidyasagar

-StarBuzz weekly, Toronto