What​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Is Hair Color? A Simple Guide to Changing Your Look

We have all been faced with the rows of boxes featuring smiling models, but have you ever thought: what is hair color, objectively? Basically, it is a pretty simple thing to do, just change your hair's pigment to make it look different. If you are a little embarrassed by your "wisdom hairs" (greys), or if you want to have a completely new look, it's basically just changing your look.

How the Magic Happens

The "cortex" (the middle layer) of your hair strand is where your natural hair color is found. To change that color, the dye needs to get after the "cuticle" - the outer layer that looks like little shingles on a roof.

If you go to a professional and ask what is hair color, they will say it is a combination of two factors: Level (the degree of lightness or darkness) and Tone (the "vibe" of the color, for example, warm gold or cool ash).

Which Type Do You Actually Need?

Not all colors mean that you have to be a permanent one. Here’s a brief cheat sheet that would help you to make a decision:

The "Over Tea" Reality

What is hair color, Raj asked, meaning he could just "paint" his black hair blonde. It does not work that way. You cannot just put a lighter color on top if your hair is dark—in other words, it is like trying to use a yellow crayon on black paper. The process almost always requires one to "lift" their natural color first.

The Takeaway

Hair color, in a nutshell, is a means of self-expression. The change can be as subtle as a stain that lasts a weekend or as drastic as a full-on chemical change. Don't forget, however, that with the more permanent colors, comes the need for more hair care (love and conditioner)!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are hair color and hair dye the same thing?

A: Almost. The two terms are used interchangeably by most people. The only exception is that "dye" is more of a direct action, i.e. the process where the hair is soaked with the dye, while "color" is a more general term for the whole operation.

Q: What if my hair is damaged and I want to color it?

A: Definitely with caution. Porous hair is damaged hair, which means that it will take the color very quickly and it will come out much darker or patchy than you had anticipated.

Q: Does ammonia-free color work?

A: Totally! It is much kinder to a scalp and does not have that strong "chemical" odor; however, it might be a little shorter in duration than the regular ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ones.