Are you using the right kind of hair color? When it comes to coloring your tresses, knowing all your options will help you get the best results. Here’s how to decide whether permanent or demi-permanent hair color is best for you:

Permanent

Permanent color works by first removing the natural hair pigment. Then, it deposits artificial color pigment deep into the hair, penetrating the hair cuticle, to permanently change the overall color. Depending on the developer used, permanent color has the ability to lighten your hair – for home applications we recommend lightening your hair by only 1-2 shades.

If you want a rich, vibrant hue, it’s best to use permanent color. Most colorists recommend a permanent application for wiping out those gray hairs, especially the resistant ones.

Demi-permanent

Demi-permanent color is weaker than permanent and can’t remove the natural pigment in your hair. This means that it rests on top of the hair cuticle without making permanent changes and does not have the ability to lighten your hair. It also gradually washes out of your hair after about 28 shampoos.

Demi-permanent color is a good option if you don’t want an extreme change. Also, you won’t see a demarcation line when your roots grow out, since the color will gradually fade. A demi-permanent application can add color to grays and blend them with the rest of your hair, but it’s not strong enough to provide complete coverage. If your hair is more than 25% gray, we recommend a permanent application.

Best hair color at home

A new company called eSalon.com can help you find a flattering, long-lasting hair color match, right at home. Professional colorists look at all your personal details – from gray hair, skin tone, coloring history & preference, and more – then blend up an individual color made for you alone. Their salon-grade color contains a blend of beneficial ingredients, including vitamin E, B5 and aloe vera, which condition hair to make it softer and shinier.

Then they mail it to your doorstep for a convenient home application, and the color is only $20. That’s a far cry from the $100-plus you would pay at a salon!

Each order also comes with a professional coloring brush, gloves, stain guard, stain remover, and shampoo & conditioner – in addition to the guidance of their expert colorists. And to top it off, they have a special offer for new customers: get your first color for only $9.95 (50% savings), with a full money-back guarantee! Get started on yours here: www.eSalon.com

Why use oil?

Hair oil treatments are a great way to boost up the health and manageability of color-treated hair. Essential oils contain nutrients that penetrate the cuticle and nourish your scalp, all for healthier hair. Plus, they seal in color and shine.

Which should I use?

• Argan oil provides moisture and nourishment. It can be especially helpful on coarse, dry hair, and color-treated hair, because it contains beneficial vitamins for sleek, shiny, and healthy hair.
• Coconut oil can be used if you want to soften your hair and give your scalp extra moisture. It’s especially great for frizzy hair, because coconut oil strengthens your strands and protects them from the elements.
• Olive oil is a lightweight and nourishing oil that is great for dry hair and your scalp, plus it can help manage dandruff.
• Jojoba oil is great for moisturizing dry hair and adding nutrients to make it healthier. It can also double as a detangler.
• Almond oil, which is rich in vitamin E, can be used to soothe and moisturize a dry, itchy scalp.
• Tea tree oil can be used as a gentle way to remove product build up from your scalp.
• If your roots and scalp need some extra nourishment, try using rosemary oil for healthy hair growth. Cedarwood oil can also help promote scalp health and hair growth.
• Use lavender oil for a special deep conditioning treatment and to improve shine. Geranium oil can help strengthen hair. Sandalwood oil helps moisturize dry, split ends.

Get started with color: eSalon makes it easy to get your perfect hair color match at home, under the guidance of professional color experts. Once they have all the details about your hair, colorists craft your individual blend, just like in a salon. Then they mail it to your door for a convenient home application, all for only $20. Right now, new clients can get their first color kit for 50% off here: www.eSalon.com

How do I use it?

In most cases, you’ll only need a few drops of oil to reap its benefits. One easy application is mixing a few drops of oil with shampoo and massaging it through hair. Another technique is simply applying it to dry hair or scalp and letting it sit for about 30 minutes or overnight, then washing it out.

Some oils – such as argan and coconut – can be used for daytime styling. If your hair is naturally oily, focus oil application on the ends to mid-length and avoid the scalp, where it can make hair look greasy. Just make sure that when you shampoo, remove the oil completely so it doesn’t build up in your hair.

• Allergy test: It’s a good idea to perform an allergy test 48 hours before coloring, especially if you have sensitive skin. It’s also possible for allergies to develop in between applications.
• Strand test: When you use a new color, test it on a small section of your hair 24 hours before your application, to make sure it will be the perfect match.
• Use within 48 hours: Hair color begins to oxidize once it’s opened, and will be effective for 48 hours. After 48 hours, the pigment won’t give you the results it was designed to provide – so make sure to use it within that time.

Best Home Hair Color: eSalon.com makes it easy and affordable to get your best hair color application right at home, under the guidance of expert colorists. Once they have all the details about your hair, colorists craft your individual color blend, just like in a salon. Then they mail it to your door for a convenient home application, complete with instructions personalized to your needs. All this is only $20. Right now, new clients can get their first color kit for 50% off here: www.eSalon.com

• Don’t wash hair: Thinking you should get a clean start before coloring? Nope. In fact, your hair’s natural oils help the color “hold” onto the strands, while also providing protection from hair becoming dry.
• Deep condition: Do you have dry or damaged hair? Give it a deep conditioning treatment the day before coloring. This boosts up the moisture in your hair, which will help you get better color results.
• Good sections: Divide your hair into four even sections for the best application. This will make it much easier to apply the color to the right areas with control and accuracy.
• Stain guard: If you order from a company like eSalon, the color comes with a packet of stain guard, which most standard drugstore boxed color don’t include. eSalon’s salon-grade color is more pigmented than boxed brands, so it’s a good idea to use the stain guard to prevent it from getting on your skin.
• Resistant grays: Do you have gray sections that are particularly resistant to color? Start with those areas first, then continue with your color application. This gives the gray areas more time to absorb the color. If you still have trouble covering them, give your eSalon colorist a call and they’ll work with you to adjust your color for stronger coverage.

Actress Jodie Foster with a blunt bob (left) and a more flattering, layered hairstyle (right)

Let’s face it – the wrong hairstyle can, unfortunately, make you look older than your time.

For example, take actress Jodie Foster above. She’s a beautiful woman, but the blunt bob on the left is too severe for her, while the softer, layered hairstyle on the right is much more flattering. How does a simple hairstyle change make such a difference? Read on for the top mistakes that can add years to your look:

• Severe haircut: Stay away from short, blunt bangs and straight, one-length cuts, like the bob on Jodie Foster. Severe edges can accentuate fine lines on your face. Instead, go for a haircut that adds softness, such as the face-framing layers or waves pictured above, which open up your features.
• Too light or too dark color: As you mature, your skin loses some of its pigment. This means that a very light hair color will wash out your features, while a very dark color will be a harsh contrast. Instead, blondes should go slightly darker, and brunettes slightly lighter (like Jodie Foster above) to get a flattering effect.
• Dull color: As you age, hair doesn’t retain as much moisture, so it can appear dull and limp. Reverse this effect with a deep conditioning treatment to restore moisture, and a daily shine spray or hair oil to boost up glossiness.
• Over-styled hair: Stay away from stiff, fixed styles that require hot rollers, excessive hairspray, or a shelf full of styling products. Instead, cut down the products in your hair and try softer styling. Also, a well-layered haircut like Jodie Foster’s won’t need as much styling.
• Very straight hair: Pin-straight hair (like Jodie Foster’s bob above) can be harsh against features and accentuate fine lines. If your hair is naturally straight, add body by getting a haircut with long layers, combing lightweight mousse through damp hair, or blow drying with a round brush.
• Gray roots: Let’s face it, when those grays start showing through, they can unfortunately add years to your look. Keep them covered with a strong, high quality hair color that’s specially formulated for resistant gray hair.

The best new way to color your hair!

Ready to get your most flattering hair color, right at home? eSalon’s color experts will help you find your perfect match for a rich, long-lasting color and 100% gray coverage!

eSalon.com is nothing like the one-size-fits-all boxed hair color you get at a drugstore. Instead, they provide custom blended hair color like you’d get in a salon. The personalized pigment even has your name on the bottle, because it’s made for you and no one else.

And to top it off, they’ll mail it right to your doorstep for a convenient home application, all for only $20. That’s a far cry from the $100-plus you would pay at a salon!

Right now, new clients can get their first color for only $9.95 (50% off!). Get started on yours here: www.eSalon.com

Keep your scalp well-nourished by following these tips straight from the salon:

1. Shampoo: Your scalp produces natural oils that protect and condition it. Use a gentle shampoo (try eSalon’s Heart Lock It Color Safe Shampoo) that removes dirt, but won’t completely strip out these oils while still protecting hair color.
2. Massage: When you shampoo your hair, massage your scalp with the balls of your fingers. This stimulates your scalp, increases circulation, and helps remove dead skin cells that could be clogging the pores.
3. Moisturize: A very dry, itchy scalp can potentially cause your hair to grow thinner and sparser. Give it an extra dose of moisture by using a rich, moisturizing shampoo and follow with a hot oil treatment once a week. You can also apply coconut oil or jojoba oil to your scalp at night, then wash it out in the morning.
4. Clarify: Products such as dry shampoo, hairspray, and more can build up on your scalp, because shampoo doesn’t completely remove them. This buildup can cause oily, greasy roots and clog the scalp’s pores, which affects hair growth and appearance. Use a gentle clarifying shampoo to remove buildup and exfoliate the scalp. Another option is mixing a few drops of tea tree oil with your shampoo, for extra cleansing.
5. Protect: Your scalp is vulnerable to sunburns, especially if you have fine hair or a distinct part line. Protect it from the sun with a UV blocking hair product. You can even apply a small line of sunblock directly to your part and gently massage it into your scalp.
6. Nourish: Make sure to consume plenty of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, selenium, and zinc – nutrients that contribute to the health of your scalp and hair.

The best way to color your hair: At eSalon, they individually blend each hair color using high quality ingredients, the same as in a salon. The nutrient-rich hair color contains a blend of vitamin E, B5 and aloe vera extracts, which condition your hair and leave it silky soft. They never use harsh ingredients that irritate your scalp, as some boxed hair colors do. New clients can get their first application for only $9.95 (50% off!) here: www.eSalon.com

Brilliant brunettes

Brunettes are the lucky ones with a range of flattering choices! Darker hair can handle bright makeup, so try bold, bright lips to complement the richness of your locks.

For example, an orange-tangerine lip color brings out the cool chocolate tones in brown hair, and a bright coral complements the warmer tones, like on Angelina Jolie.

If you’re a brunette with fair skin like Sandra Bullock, a vibrant pink, red or coral lip color can look great on you. For tan skin, a deeper color like apricot or peach can be flattering.

For darker and olive-toned skin, go with a darker lip color like plum, mauve or rose, and try to avoid lighter colors. Skin with yellow undertones can look flattering with a warm, brick-toned red lip.

Get Started: Before you perfect your pucker, make sure you hair color is top knotch. eSalon.com offers highly individualized hair color for home use, blended just for you by a team of expert colorists. They look at all your personal details, such as skin tone, eye color, and more, before crafting a color designed to be your most flattering match. Then they mail it to your doorstep for only $20. Right now, new clients can get their first order for 50% off here: www.eSalon.com

Ravishing redheads

Red hair is naturally vibrant, so bright, lavish lips can compete with your hair and look overwhelming. Therefore, try to stay with a neutral color palette.

In general, nude lips look great on redheads, like on Julianne Moore. Use a lip liner to keep the shape strong. If you do want to add a pop of color, use sheer gloss so it’s not overpowering.

If you’re a redhead with fair skin, you can look great with sheer, pink lips. Find one that matches your cheeks for a lovely effect. Peachy, coral colors can also illuminate your fair skin.

If your hair color contains warm tones, a rich red lip can complement it. For a bolder statement like Christina Hendricks’, find a bright red that is brighter than your hair, to make your lips pop.

Beautiful blondes

Although blondes are more limited, the right lip color can make your features glow. Try not to go too bold, bright, or dark, since it can potentially overwhelm your look.

If you’re a blonde with fair skin like January Jones, try a matte red lipstick with orange tones in it – this will bring out the creaminess of your skin. If you have fair skin and very light hair, you can choose brighter lip colors such as cranberry or pomegranate.

For darker, tan skin, try a more muted lip shade, such as dark peach or rust. If your hair color is on the ash blonde side, a wine-colored lip can look great on you.

Golden-toned blondes like Naomi Watts often look flattering with rich apricot, peach, or coral lip colors. If you do want a bold statement lip, make sure to apply the color lightly, and balance it by going easy on the rest of your makeup.

Use the best color

• When you color gray hair, look for a warmer color that contains red or golden tones. These provide better coverage on gray or white hair, and also take years off your face. Cool tones with blue or ash bases may look unflattering.
• Be careful not to go too dark, because you want to avoid a harsh contrast against your skin. Stay within 1-2 shades of your natural color for the best results.
• Use a color with neutral base. Neutral colors coat gray hair before adding a color tone over, so you’ll get even, natural results.

Start now: eSalon.com can help you find your best hair color match, right at home. Professional colorists look at your personal details – from gray hair, skin tone, coloring history, and more – and then blend up an individual color made for you alone. Then they mail it to your door for a convenient home application, all for only $20. New clients can get their first color for only $9.95 (50% off!). Get started here: www.eSalon.com

Plan ahead

• Gray hair tends to be dry, which makes it harder to get full, long lasting coverage. To make hair more receptive to color, restore moisture with a hydrating hair mask the day before coloring.
• Since gray hair is more resistant to color, you’ll need to use a stronger, permanent application that will fully settle into the hair if you want full coverage.
• Apply hair color to the most resistant gray areas first. This way, they’ll have more time to absorb the color and get better coverage.

After applying color

• Following your application, use a leave-in conditioner regularly. This will restore moisture throughout the day, which maintains healthy hair and prevents color from fading.
• When you wash your hair, follow with a rich, moisturizing conditioner. Water swells the cuticle of the hair, which allows pigment to fade. But a rich conditioner can help preserve the color.
• Gray hair tends to lose its shine. Keep your color fresh by using an essential oil, such as argan oil, to smooth down strands, boost up the shine, and deposit beneficial nutrients.

Here are the top 5 hair care products that shouldn’t be missing from your shelf if you want healthy, flawless hair.

1. Leave in conditioner: Not only does it help detangle hair and prevent breakage, but leave-in conditioner provides extra protection. It hydrates and locks in moisture, which is essential for maintaining healthy, color-treated hair. Plus, it can act like a “primer” by protecting hair from other styling products. If you have fine, thin hair, try a spray-on product instead.
2. Hair oil: Hair oil is a little-recognized superpower. It can hydrate and repair your ends, deliver a boost of vitamins for healthier hair, plus make hair more manageable. The trick is finding one that doesn’t look and feel greasy. Try a quality essential oil, such as argan oil, and work a few drops evenly through to the ends of your hair.
3. Wide tooth comb: No matter your type of hair, it could benefit from gentler brushing. Yanking a brush through tangled hair risks stretching and breaking your strands, especially if they’re colored. One great solution to prevent damage is to apply conditioner in the shower, then gently detangle with a wide tooth comb while the conditioner is still on your hair.
4. Dry shampoo: Most people wash their hair more than they really need to. Frequent washing contributes to fading hair color, and also strips out the natural scalp oils. These natural oils help condition your hair and give you a healthy scalp and softer ends. Dry shampoo absorbs the oil on your scalp so you can go an extra day or two between washing.
5. Shampoo for your hair type: Allowing oil and product to build up on your scalp can affect hair growth and cause dull color. You probably already know to use shampoo, but you may not be using the best one for your hair type. Find a shampoo that will cleanse your scalp properly, while also providing the benefits you need (such as extra moisture for dry hair, volume for thin hair, color protection for colored hair).

The best new way to color your hair: A new hair care company called eSalon believes salon-quality hair color shouldn’t cost a fortune. They provide high-quality color that’s custom blended for you alone, just like in a salon. Their colorists review all your personal details – from skin tone, eye color, shade preference, and more – then blend up a personalized hair color just for you. Then they’ll mail it to your door, all for only $20. Try it for only $9.95 (50% off!) here: www.eSalon.com

We keep hearing about the hottest spring trends, but what good are they if you’re not walking on a runway?

We picked some of the best springtime styles and found easy DIY ways to make them work for anyone:

Start with a bang

If you’re not ready to make a huge haircut commitment, bangs are a great way to ease into a change. (And bangs are red hot these days!). They can make your face look more structured and even hide fine lines around your forehead and eyes. Soft, side-swept bangs are a universally flattering look, plus they make any hairstyle (even a ponytail) look more polished.

Lose control

Do you spend all your morning styling time trying to tame your mane? Instead of controlling your natural texture, play it up instead! Enhance curls with a diffuser or use a texturizing spray to bring out natural waves. Not only will it save you time, but it will look naturally great on you!

Play the part

Dramatic parts are IN this season, and although yours doesn’t have to be zigzagged like a runway model’s, you can take a page from the trend and play with your own. Try switching your part to a new side, going deeper, or maybe putting it right in the middle. You’ll be amazed at how such a small change can transform your whole look!

Fake it

If your hair seems thinner than it used to (one side-effect of getting older), don’t be afraid to fake some volume. Try blow drying hair with a round brush, starting with hair upside down and flipping it during the drying process. When you blow dry, pull hair away from head instead of straight down, to help add thickness and bounce throughout the hair. Another quick way to fake it: spritz dry shampoo on your roots and work it through your hair for texture and body.

Time to brush up

If you find yourself working against your hair, take a look at the brush you’re using. Is it the best one for your hair type? A simple change can be just the thing for a fresh look. A large paddle brush works well for keeping straight or wavy hair smooth and sleek. For fine or thin hair, try a brush with soft natural bristles and a rubber base cushion that’s gentle on hair. Thick, coarse hair should use a brush with sturdy, wide-spaced nylon bristles. If you brush curly hair, try one with wooden bristles – they’re extra gentle and don’t cause static.

New season, new hue

Sometimes, springing into a new hue is just the change you need to freshen up your look. It doesn’t need to be major. Just a half shade lighter or a touch more red can bring out your features. For a totally customized experience, try eSalon.com. Colorists review all your personal details – from skin tone, eye color, hair preference, and more – then blend up a personalized hair color just for you, the same as in a salon. Then they’ll mail it to your door, all for only $20. Try it for 50% off here: www.eSalon.com

At first, it looks like this only requires a dose of color. But if you ask an expert, there’s more to it. “When hair has been chemically lightened, it loses the warm tones naturally present in darker colors,” says color expert Estelle Baumhauer, the Color Director at online hair color retailer eSalon.com.

How to go darker

So when you decide to go back to a darker hue after lightening your hair, you must restore those underlying warm tones, such as red, copper and gold. Failing to do so means the new color you apply won’t have natural warm pigments under it, so it will definitely not turn out right.

“If you apply a Brown color over bleached hair, you will end up with green hair!” says Estelle. This is also the case for clients who have bleached highlights that they want to color over.

For cases like this, she recommends a “colorfill” application (sometimes called a “Demi-fill”). This is a two-part color application:

• The first part is a demi-permanent application that deposits the necessary warm tones onto your hair.
• The second is applied on top of that and helps your hair move towards your color goal.

Don’t expect final results

“This is an in-between step,” warns Estelle. “It will take at least one more application to get the full results.”

The colorfill uses demi-permanent color to deposit warm tones on your hair. After the process, many clients feel their hair looks too warm (or brassy). But don’t worry – that is all part of the process! If the colorfill left you with too much warmth, your next color application can be designed to neutralize brassiness.

What about grays? “You will not get complete gray coverage yet, because the colorfill uses a demi-permanent color that is not strong enough for grays,” says Estelle. “But we can give you a permanent application on your next order for stronger coverage.”

She recommends waiting about 3-4 weeks until your next color application. Hair can only receive so much color at once, so don’t apply the next color right away.

Get Started: Ready to start on your completely personalized eSalon hair color? Their expert colorists review all your details – from coloring history, eye color, skin tone, and more – before crafting an individual color just for you. The personalized pigment even has your name on the bottle, because it’s made for you and no one else. Then they’ll mail it to your doorstep for under $20.

eSalon is currently offering first time customers a full color kit for just $9.95 (50% savings)! Click here to get started on yours: www.eSalon.com