Bright hair colors are all the rage in today’s trending hairstyle scene. Celebrities seem to step out with a new fashion hair color every other week, leading many artfully inspired coloristas to assume managing vivid hair color is simple and effortless. Like most celebrity Instagram moments, the false perfection of bright hair color can be misleading.
In reality, the process and maintenance behind bright hair colors aren’t always so black and white. Color is a commitment. It’s one every Rocky Mountain beauty guru should be prepared for before making the change. Deseo Salon & BlowDry is the premier high-end hair color salon in Denver, Colorado. Our team of expertly trained colorists has put together a paint-by-numbers approach to going bold and staying bright.
Join us on a colorful journey into the magic behind the look.
Bright Hair Colors: The Process
Bright hair colors are among the most popular shades of fashion hair color to hit the style scene. Unlike pastels, vivid jewel tones command attention and make a statement. It’s no wonder so many of our clients are interested in going sapphire blue, hot pink, or brilliant electric green.
The most important rule for achieving vivid hair color is never relying on boxed dyes for Instagram-worthy results. Bold hair colors require professional expertise. Our stylists undergo ongoing education in the latest hair coloring techniques and trends. We also incorporate recommendations from the world-renowned Wella hair color institute. Using only the highest quality, internationally acclaimed products from Wella, we’re able to achieve imaginative tones and styles that won’t fry or damage your hair.
The road to brilliant color begins with a consultation. Your stylist will:
- Listen to your goals for your fashion hair color.
- Assess your natural shade.
- Apply lightener as needed for your specific hair type and texture.
This prevents over-processing, which can dry out delicate hair and lead to breakage and dullness. Darker shades often need a lift to bring out the boldest, brightest color. Box dyes fall short of achieving the same stunning end result. So it’s best to color inside the lines and leave the first application to the professionals.
Caring for and Maintaining Bright Hair Colors
Hair color is an art form, and like any art, it requires patience, time, and dedication. Many clients come to us with questions on maintaining bright red hair and other hues that typically fall under the label of high maintenance.
Some hues tend to be hard on your hair. The most complex to maintain include ultra platinums like iced blue or vivid shades like pink, red, blue, and purple. Red hair tones, including hot pinks and magentas, have a tendency to turn brassy if not cared for properly. But blues and violets can go from a fantasy of color to a dull dishwater green.
Creating a color care regimen is a must for bright hair colors. While exact care may vary by shade, a simplified “day in the life of a colorista” guide includes these steps:
- Minimize hair washes to three to four times per week, and rely on a high-quality dry shampoo such as Oribe’s Gold Lust formula for in-between days. This will help your color last longer.
- Shampoo and condition fashion hair colors with a high-quality, sulfate-free formula designed to hydrate and maintain color without stripping away shine and sleekness. Kérastase’s professional product line is one of the best shampoo and conditioner blends for maintaining bright hair colors. The brand’s exclusive purple formula can even be used to color correct and maintain ultra-light blond and platinum colors.
- Rinse hair with bottled water or invest in a water softener. In Denver, calcium deposits and other minerals create what’s known as “hard water,” which can strip away color pigment. To keep your hair looking its boldest and brightest, use care when showering.
Seasonal and Long-Term Fashion Hair Color Tips
- Always use a heat protectant spray prior to straightening or flat ironing. When outside, protect your color from harsh UV rays with a spray-on protectant or a stylish sun hat. Air dry your locks whenever possible to minimize breakage.
- Avoid chlorine and saltwater. When possible, opt for enjoying summer fun in Colorado’s beautiful lakes and ponds. Shielding your hair entirely with hats, headbands, scarves, or up in a high bun is always the best option. However, if you must swim, give your colorful style some extra love afterward with a nourishing masque treatment.
- Visit your friendly neighborhood luxury salon in the heart of Highlands & Sloans Lake every four to six weeks for a color retouch. Consider pairing it with a gloss and toner treatment to enhance the shine so your hue is truly vibrant.
Book your first fashion hair color appointment today with our colorista squad at Deseo.
Not sure if maintaining bright hair colors is for you? Consider colorful hair extensions as a low-maintenance, high-fashion alternative!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is fashion hair color and what makes it different from traditional hair color?
Fashion hair color refers to vivid, bold, or unconventional shades that go beyond natural hair tones, think sapphire blue, hot pink, electric green, magenta, and other jewel or fantasy tones. Unlike traditional color services that work within the spectrum of natural shades, fashion hair color often requires pre-lightening the hair to a very pale base before the vivid pigment can be applied, which makes the process more complex and the maintenance more demanding. These colors are expressive and highly personalized, but they do require a strong commitment to upkeep.
Can I achieve fashion hair color at home with box dye?
No, box dyes are not capable of delivering the same quality results as a professional fashion color service. Vivid and bold hair colors require precise lifting, lightening, and color application steps that vary significantly based on your natural hair color, texture, and porosity. Using box dye for fashion colors frequently results in uneven color, over-processing, or an end result that’s far from the intended shade. Professional colorists use internationally acclaimed salon products and ongoing education in advanced color techniques to achieve brilliant results without damaging your hair.
How often does fashion hair color need to be retouched?
Fashion hair colors generally require a color retouch every 4 to 6 weeks to maintain vibrancy and fresh-looking results. Some shades, particularly reds, pinks, magentas, and vivid blues, fade faster than others and may need more frequent attention. Pairing each retouch with a gloss and toner treatment can enhance shine and depth. Between appointments, a strong at-home color care routine is essential for extending the life of the color.
What products should I use to maintain fashion hair color at home?
The key to maintaining fashion hair color at home is using a high-quality, sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner specifically formulated to hydrate and protect color-treated hair without stripping pigment or shine. Kérastase’s professional product line is one of the best options for this purpose. Additionally, minimizing washes to 3-4 times per week and using a dry shampoo like Oribe’s Gold Lust formula on in-between days will help the color last longer. Rinsing with soft or bottled water is also recommended in Denver, where hard water minerals can strip color pigment.
Why does red fashion hair color turn brassy, and how can I prevent it?
Red, hot pink, and magenta tones have small pigment molecules that fade faster than cooler colors, which can lead to brassiness or orange undertones as the color loses vibrancy. To prevent this, use a color-safe, sulfate-free shampoo and avoid overwashing. Regular toning appointments can refresh and correct the tone, and a gloss treatment helps lock in shine and color depth. Limiting heat styling and UV exposure also slows down the fading process significantly.
What is the role of a consultation before getting fashion hair color?
A consultation is essential before any fashion hair color service. During the consultation, your stylist will listen to your color goals, assess your natural shade and hair condition, and determine how much lightening is needed to achieve your desired result without over-processing your hair. Darker natural shades often require multiple stages of lifting before vivid color can be applied accurately. This pre-planning step is what separates a safe, stunning result from potential damage or an off-target color outcome.
Are colorful hair extensions a good alternative to fashion hair color for low-maintenance clients?
Yes, colorful hair extensions are an excellent low-commitment alternative for those who love the idea of vivid color but prefer not to take on the maintenance demands of fully coloring their hair. Extensions can be added in vibrant fashion shades to create streaks, pops of color, or full vivid sections without any chemical processing of your natural hair. They can also be removed or swapped when you’re ready for a change. A professional consultation will help you determine the best extension type and color placement to achieve the look you’re going for.