Tips On Coloring Your Hair
by Kristie Hoffman of Elements Salon & Spa
Everybody has seen the commercials.
A beautiful woman appears on the screen and shakes her head, sending her perfectly silky-looking hair into the shape of a fan, leaving you to marvel at how it shimmers, shines and looks to be the perfect color before falling flawlessly back into place.
You, too, can look like a supermodel...easily...in your very own home! Just use this box of color and in a few minutes, voila! You will definitely be confused with Beyonce, Nicole Kidman or Christie Brinkley!
What is to be believed, magic in a color box? Or slick production values, a perfectly-lit set, celebrity shills and preposterous before/after pictures?
"The difference between professional coloring products and products you purchase at Target, Walgreens, the grocery store, etc. is wider than Sarah Jessica Parker's smile," said Kristie Hoffman, co-owner of Elements Salon and Spa.
Striving for the proper balance of nature and science as it relates to healthy hair care is Elements' mission. The facts back professional products and application.
Ammonia content is one key. Too much ammonia causes breakage, damage to the hair cuticle and inconsistent color results. The average professional hair color is no higher than 3% ammonia - perfectly acceptable. FDA regulations for non-professional hair color allow companies to say a product is ammonia-free as long as it is less than 10% ammonia. This is misleading to consumers and the percentage difference can lead to significant problems. Some products are ammonia-free but are far more hazardous to our health as they are using an ingredient called MEA, an alkaline agent that is more damaging on the hair. There is nothing wrong with ammonia as long as it is in a small dose.
"Over-the-counter products are damaging your hair, period," said Elements' co-owner Angela Seppanen Murphy. "We strive to consult with our clients to customize their hair care and color and expose the truths that are out there."
Another key is whether or not the products contain dangerous chemicals such as sulfates and parabens. Arguably more damaging than ammonia, these ingredients in color (and shampoos and conditioners) can also cause breakage, skin/scalp damage and even physical health issues due to the toxicity of these ingredients.
Elements has a variety of professional products to support healthy hair. J Beverly Hills, for example, does not have parabens or sulfates in their products, which also extends the life of your color. They have a blend of botanical and essential oils and purchase their herbs through certified organic farms in California. The products are rich in antioxidants to protect the hair and their perfect balance between moisture and protein enhances shine.
Davines products' also echo the commitment to science and education at Elements. The use of natural oils and organic ingredients - combined with state-of-the-art science - in these products show that beautiful, healthy hair does not have to eventually be destroyed by the very products entrusted to keep it that way.
The last issue is application. Please leave it to the professionals! Besides making a mess of the bathroom and possibly scaring your family, your stylist knows how to safely do it right.
"In the salon we customize for your hair type," Angela said. "You cannot do this at home. We can usually spot box-colored hair a mile away. It will lack shine and there is nothing worse than the "do it yourself" highlights out of a box."
A final tip: If you choose to color your hair black with box color...congratulations! You have just married that color because the only way to get it out of the hair is to cut it. Sooner or later, Elements is the answer.
