Decoding the Hair Color Wheel: A Guide to Beautiful Hair

For those of us without a beauty school background, the hair color wheel might seem like a puzzling concept. However, even if you don't actively think about it when choosing your hair color, understanding how it works can significantly impact the maintenance of your freshly colored hair post-salon visit.

We recently conducted a survey to explore how often people dye their hair, whether they follow trend colors or opt for shades within the color of the year range.

Understanding the Hair Color Wheel

Fortunately, mastering the hair color wheel is not a complex task. In this guide, we will cover the basics, empowering you to choose hair care practices and products that align with your unique hair color needs.

The Fundamentals of the Hair Color Wheel

Familiarizing yourself with the color wheel will provide a more realistic expectation of what to anticipate from your hair color.

When you lift hair with bleach, the first shade you encounter is the undertone. This becomes apparent when lightening dark brown hair, revealing an undertone often tinted with red. As the process continues, the color transitions from orange to yellow, offering a spectrum of blonde shades.

It's crucial to recognize that each round of bleach can only lift your hair a maximum of four levels, causing damage along the way. Setting realistic expectations for the lightness achievable while preserving hair integrity is essential.

This is where the hair color chart becomes indispensable. By using the color wheel, you can neutralize specific tones by identifying colors that counteract them. Analyzing your strands with the color wheel will guide you to the right toner shades, helping you balance out unwanted brassy tones and achieve your desired hair color.

Achieving and Maintaining Your Color

Attaining and preserving a new hair color is possible. Integrating a colored shampoo into your regular hair-washing routine can counteract fading and preserve your color.

Colored Hair Care for Fresh Tones

Based on our survey, red is the favored color for the year's end.

To keep yellow tones at bay, incorporate a color-fixing shampoo and conditioner into your routine. Purple, situated opposite yellow on the color wheel, serves as an effective neutralizer for blondes. We recommend using Savol Silk Essence Lock Color Shampoo and Savol Sijing Silk Essence Classic Hair Care Essence Conditioner to maintain a cool and vibrant hair color.

For avoiding orange tones, opt for a blue shampoo. Blue, opposite orange on the color wheel, helps keep orangey-toned hair fresh and free of brassiness.

To prevent red tones, use a green shampoo. Keep reds in check with the help of a green shampoo or ashy-tinted toner.

Safeguarding Your Hair's Health Post-Coloring

After chemical processes like coloring, hydrating your strands is crucial. We recommend using a deep conditioner like Savol Sijing Silk Essence Classic Hair Care Essence Conditioner for an in-shower treatment. Alternatively, Savol Sijing Shine and Smoothness Leave-In Conditioner is an ideal 'spray and go' option for intensive hydration and TLC after the bleaching process.

Understanding the hair color wheel is not only vital for hair colorists but also beneficial for maintaining your color post-dye. With these basics in mind, you'll be equipped to keep your hair color fresh and vibrant for an extended period.