Hello again, dear readers! As spring inches its way closer, you may be itching for a new look. Or maybe, you’ve never been to Square One Salon or never used Aveda hair color and have stumbled upon this blog in hopes to find answers in regards to changing up your hair. Either way, we welcome you with open arms and are ready to make your dream hair happen! And if you're lost in the endless terminology of highlights, lowlights, fashion-colors, balayages, and more, don’t fret! We are here to give you clear-cut definitions on all things hair coloring. In this blog, we will get back to the basics so that you can make the best and most-informed decision on what new ‘do’ is right for you. Buckle up!

But before we begin, allow us to quickly introduce you to the incredible brand that we carry for all things hair, skin, and color - Aveda. Aveda began in 1978 and has been consistently dedicated to caring for the hair, the skin, and the planet. Not only do their retail products encompass their mission of beauty and care for the Earth, but so do their coloring products. Aveda hair color is free from animal-derived ingredients and Leaping Bunny approved. On top of being a completely vegan product, Aveda uses Green Chemistry science to create their formulas. The use of this science creates products that are safer for the consumer and reduces waste to our planet by using naturally-derived ingredients. We are proud to be an Aveda Salon as we are dedicated to making our clients not only look good, but feel good with their new hair and the impact they have on the Earth.

All-Over Color

If you’re looking for something simple and uniformed, then an all-over color may be perfect for you! These coloring processes are less-intricate in detail, but do require some routine maintenance. Typically those who do an all-over color are looking for root touch-ups to cover any gray hairs that may be peaking through due to hair growth. However, an all-over color is also perfect for those who:

• Are new to coloring their hair and want to take it slow.

• Want to darken their hair but aren’t looking to add dimension to their hair.

With all-over color processes, you may want to schedule your next two or three appointments ahead of time to keep your mane looking consistently fresh. Depending on how fast your hair grows, roots may begin showing around two to three weeks after your hair is colored, which can expose your natural hair color or new grays. Typically the maintenance requires a touch-up every four to eight weeks.

As for at-home care, we recommend a color-safe shampoo and conditioner be part of your routine. I highly suggest the Aveda Color Control Shampoo and Conditioner. The Color Control Shampoo comes in both light and rich to maintain your locks according to your hair type and texture. The light system is best for those with fine-medium hair types, while the rich system works for those with medium to coarse hair types. Both however are plant-based and offer up to eight weeks of color protection.

Highlights vs Lowlights

Highlights and Lowlights, what’s the deal with them and how does one know if that is what they want? How many times have you found the perfect inspo photo and thought it was just an all-over color? I have personally been victim to this and have been shocked to find that the inspo photo that I loved was actually a very intricate process involving meticulous weaving and foils. Allow me to break both of these processes down so you can feel a little more prepared going into your next appointment.

Highlights are a process in which we are lifting the hair to a lighter color than the base color. A stylist begins by sectioning the hair and then very carefully separating the strands of said section. Once the strands are separated, a lightening product is applied by brush to the hair. Highlights are also typically placed close to the scalp to lift the roots and give an all-over brighter and lighter look. Each section of lightened strands are then placed into a foil. The foil is used for a variety of reasons, one reason is to avoid what we, in the biz, call “bleeders.” Bleeders occur when lightener/color unintentionally gets on hair strands that were not meant to be colored/lightened. This can create a splotchy result. Foils are used to create a barrier between what hair you want lightened and the hair you don’t want lightened to create dimension. Foils are also used to trap the heat within for processing and lifting the hair to the desired color. Be prepared to look a little like the tin-man when getting your highlights done. Post-foiling, the highlights are then washed and a toner is often used. A toner is a product that is customized to suit what you are wanting as an end-result. It does not permanently alter the color of the hair but rather counteracts the brassy or unwanted tones that hair can naturally lift to.

But wait! Before you completely scroll past this section you should know - highlights aren’t just for blondes! Crazy right? But highlights are so much more versatile than just blondies! They are used for adding some dimension into your hair so if you are a solid rich chocolate brunette, you too can get highlights to add some pops of color that aren’t blonde but rather maybe caramel pieces or some cooler tones.

As for maintenance, a full highlight is recommended every eight to twelve weeks. However, root touch-ups and toners should be booked in between these highlight appointments to avoid any brassiness or natural regrowth from making its appearance in the mirror.

At home, you are going to want to snag some moisture products and some purple shampoo to keep your highlights bright but not brittle. Moisture products can include: your everyday duo like Aveda’s Shampure Nurturing Shampoo and Conditioner. If you have a different shampoo and conditioner that you’re too hooked on to switch, try Aveda’s Nutriplenish Masques, which come in both light and deep moisture. Adding moisture back into the hair after a highlight is vital. Lightener usage without any moisture can cause the hair to feel brittle and dry. If you need a purple shampoo, don’t worry, Aveda has you covered with Blonde Revival Shampoo. This shampoo does not need to be used with every wash, but usually every three-five washes to kick any stubborn brass that may start showing over the weeks in-between appointments. If you’re someone who frequently gets their hair highlighted, you may want to consider using Botanical Repair products to further strengthen the bonds of your hair and counteract any damage done by lightening.

Lowlights are somewhat the opposite of highlights but with the same goal: dimension. Lowlights are taking those sections of hair strands and darkening those pieces, usually one to two shades darker, to add contrast to the base color of your hair. If you are concerned about the “growing-out” process but still want some dimension to your hair, lowlights may be the best option out of the two, and you’ll probably be able to get about 12 weeks out of them before needing them touched-up again. But the fun thing about adding dimension is that it doesn’t need to be highlights OR lowlights, it can absolutely be highlights AND lowlights! Adding some lowlights in with highlights can achieve a beautifully blended look. Lowlights can break up highlights and create a very natural look. Lowlight maintenance at home, if not paired with highlights, will look similar to all-over color maintenance. Using a shampoo and conditioner meant for colored hair will allow your hair to be healthy while still holding its color.

Balayage

If you are looking for hair that appears to be very natural but has some dimension with lower maintenance, then a balayage might just be the perfect fit for you! The word balayage comes from the French word which means “sweeping.” We use this word because that is how a balayage is formed: by meticulously sweeping lightener onto the ends of the hair and feathering it up to create a soft, blended, and sun-kissed look. Unlike highlights though, balayages are focused mainly at the ends of the hair and the lightener does not creep up into the scalp area. Think of someone who spent their entire summer out on the beach soaking up the sun, their hair has that very natural and seamless gradient from roots to slightly lighter sun-bleached ends. You too can achieve this beachy look even when it is rainy and windy in the heart of Ohio.

Balayages, like highlights, are incredibly versatile and aren't just made for blondes. If you’re a deep warm copper-toned red-head, adding some lighter ashy orange pieces from ends to middle can give a beautiful lived-in color that looks both natural and full of depth. Unlike highlights, balayage processes are much more low-maintenance. A balayage is possible to last up to four months because you don’t have to worry about root-regrowth since my roots were untouched. Depending on how light you want your balayaged pieces to be, you may need to pencil in some time to get a toner here and there, but balayages are pretty painless when it comes to maintaining it’s look.

The at-home upkeep does, however, look similar to highlights. Since you are using a lightening technique, moisture should absolutely be a part of your routine to maintain the integrity of your hair health.

Fashion-Colors/Vivids

If you’re looking for boldness and don’t care at all about the maintenance, well look no further than a vivid color! These colors are no-joke but have such a stunning outcome that will catch anyone’s eye. But there are some things to consider if you are thinking of getting that royal blue or pastel pink.

These services are usually also known as double processes. That is because you typically need to lighten the hair first before putting on the desired color. Even if your hair is light enough to slap on a color, you may want to add contrasting shades of said color to give a more dimensional look. Either way, expect to be sitting at the salon for a while… It's a good thing our chairs are comfy. If you’re looking for something very intricate, it may take several sessions before you're at your perfect ideal hair color. You may also be asked to sign a color-consent form which will detail the plan that your stylist and you come up with, as well as the pricing of your hair color jounrey.

As for maintenance, vibrant colors like deep emerald greens or rich reds, will fade within four to eight weeks. Pastel colors will fade typically between one to two weeks, so be sure to book out some appointments to keep your color bold and avoid new root growth. At home, it is best to wash your hair with colder water as hot water can cause your color to fade faster. I would also highly recommend something to combat any damage from a double-process like Aveda’s Botanical Repair. And finally, much like a new tattoo, keep your fashion colors out of the sun as best as you can to steer clear of any fast fading.

We are now offering online booking for all color services aside from fashion-colors. If you are interested in booking a fashion-color, give us a call and we will get you scheduled for a consultation so that your stylist can provide you with a clear-cut plan on getting those gorgeous colors.

No matter what you’re looking for, we’ve got you covered at Square One Salon. With a team of incredibly talented, passionate, and educated stylists across six separate locations, we can make your hair dreams come true!