Color Services Explained

At Colour Theory Beauty, artistry meets expertise to bring your hair color vision to life. Whether you're new to hair color or a seasoned connoisseur, this guide will help you navigate your options with ease. Let’s dive into the world of temporary, single/double process colors, blonding, and highlighting methods—all designed to enhance your hair’s beauty while keeping it healthy and vibrant.

If you’re considering color, a consultation is required unless you desire natural-looking grey coverage. That way, your color service, and the aftercare will be tailored to maintain your desired aesthetic, lifestyle, and commitment level to upkeep.

Temporary Hair Color: A One Day Affair

Need a fun, commitment-free change? Temporary hair color is your go-to! It comes in the form of chalk, spray, powder, or waxes and washes out after just one shampoo. Think festival-ready pinks, bold blues, or a quick root touch-up before an event—no long-term commitment required. Temporary colors aren’t available as a salon service, but easy to find online.

Single Process Color: A One Step Transformation

A single process color means one all-over shade applied in one step. Whether you’re covering grays, deepening your color, or enhancing your natural tone, we customize the perfect formula for you.

Types Of Single Process Color: Demi- Permanent

Lasts: 4-6 weeks

What it does: Deposits color just beneath the cuticle for a soft, natural finish

Key Benefits:
✔ Ammonia-free
✔ Great for blending grays (not full coverage)
✔ Enhances shine and conditions the hair
✔ Deposit-only—won’t lighten your natural shade
✔ Fades gradually with no harsh grow-out

Perfect for: Grey blending, refreshing faded color, and adding richness without long-term commitment.

Semi Permanent Color: The Vibrant Statement

Lasts: 20-28 washes

What it does: Coats the surface of the hair, leaving behind rich, vibrant tones

Key Benefits:
✔ Think bold vivids, pastels, and fun fashion shades
✔ Ammonia-free
✔ Won’t lighten hair or cover gray
✔ Provides a softer fade over time

Perfect for: Trying out a fun color without the long-term commitment! For dark hair colors, booking a double process color service will be needed for the vibrant shade to really show.

Glossing treatments like the SHINE treatments fall into the semi-permanent category because they coat the hair cuticle rather than permanently altering its structure.

Permanent Color: Long Lasting Change

Lasts: Typically 6-8 weeks before noticeable fading occurs

What it does: Alters the hair structure by lightening or darkening hair for a lasting result

Fading Timeline:
✔ Brown shades fade the slowest, maintaining richness for 6-8 weeks
✔ Reds fade fastest, typically requiring a refresh every 4-6 weeks
✔ Blondes may become brassy over time, needing toning every 6 weeks
✔ Fashion colors (blues, purples, etc.) fade significantly after 3-4 weeks

Key Benefits:
✔ Creates a permanent color change, though it will still fade over time
✔ Can lift or deposit color
✔ Ideal for dramatic changes or long-term color maintenance

Perfect for: Those ready for a lasting transformation!

Lighteners + Blonding Services

What it does: Permanently lifts natural/existing pigment

Key Benefits:
✔ Lightens hair for blonde, ombré, or balayage looks
✔ Prone to dryness, so proper care is essential
✔ I use a cream-based lightener for most services—it conditions and provides moisture while lifting, making it gentler on curly and coily hair

Perfect for: Anyone looking to go lighter while maintaining hair health!

Double Process Color

Lasts: Typically 6-8 weeks before noticeable fading occurs

What it does: A two-step coloring process that first lightens the hair (removing natural pigment) and then deposits a customized tone or color. This technique is ideal for dramatic transformations, such as platinum blondes, bold fashion shades, or correcting uneven color.

Key Benefits:
✔ Creates a permanent color change, though it will still fade over time
✔ Lifts or deposits color, allowing for total customization
✔ Ideal for dramatic changes, high-maintenance blondes, and vibrant, long-term color transformations

Highlights

Lasts: Typically 6-8 weeks before noticeable fading occurs

What it does: Highlights use strategic lightening techniques to add dimension, brightness, and contrast to the hair. Depending on the method, highlights can create a soft, sun-kissed glow or a bold, high-contrast effect.

Types of Highlights:

  • Traditional Highlights – Classic foiled highlights placed evenly throughout the hair for consistent brightness and controlled lift. Ideal for clients who love a radiant, multi-tonal glow.

  • Balayage & Curlyage – A hand-painted technique that mimics the way the sun naturally lightens curls and coils. Designed to enhance natural texture while maintaining hair health, creating a soft, blended effect.

  • Face-Framing Highlights (Money Piece) – The quickest way to brighten your complexion! Soft, subtle pops of color around the face enhance your features and add instant vibrancy.

  • Bold & Dimensional Highlights – High-contrast chunky highlights or lowlights create striking depth, making curls and coils stand out even more. Perfect for dramatic, statement-making color.

Key Benefits:
✔ Enhances natural movement and dimension
✔ Customizable from subtle to bold
✔ Grows out softly for a low-maintenance blend

Ombré: Effortless Gradient, Maximum Impact

Lasts: Typically 6-8 weeks before noticeable fading occurs

What it does: Ombré is a seamless, low-maintenance color technique that transitions from darker roots to lighter ends, creating a natural, sun-kissed effect. Whether you prefer a bold contrast or a soft, blended fade, ombré is fully customizable for curly, coily, and textured hair, enhancing dimension and depth while complementing your natural beauty.

Types of Ombré Services:

  • Classic Ombré – A smooth, natural transition from darker roots to lighter ends. Ideal for those wanting a soft, effortless grow-out with minimal upkeep.

  • High-Contrast Ombré – Looking for dramatic lightening? This bolder blend creates a striking difference between the root and ends, making curls and coils pop with maximum definition.

  • Reverse Ombré – An unexpected twist! This technique keeps the ends darker while gradually transitioning into a lighter or more vivid shade at the root. Perfect for statement looks.

  • Fashion Ombré – Love vivid shades? A pastel or jewel-toned ombré adds personality and creativity to your look. Think soft lavender, rich cobalt, or fiery copper blending seamlessly into darker roots.

Multidimensional Color

Types of Multidimensional Color:

  • Soft Dimension – A subtle approach that blends complementary tones for a natural, sunlit effect. Ideal for those wanting a touch of brightness without drastic contrast.

  • Bold Dimension – Want high-impact contrast? This technique combines strategic highlights and lowlights to create drama and movement, making curls pop.

  • Lived-In Color – Designed for low-maintenance beauty, this method mimics natural regrowth with soft-rooted blending, allowing for effortless grow-out.

  • Custom-Toned Dimension – Whether you love warm golden hues, cool ash tones, or rich coppers, multidimensional color can be fully tailored to your unique style.

Why Multidimensional Color is Perfect for Curly & Natural Hair:
✔ Enhances volume and texture by adding contrast and depth
✔ Low-maintenance with seamless blending for a soft grow-out
✔ Customizable for natural or bold color results

Lasts: Typically 6-8 weeks before noticeable fading occurs

What it does: Multidimensional color combines a base shade with highlights, lowlights, or both to create depth, contrast, and natural movement. This technique enhances the hair’s dimension and richness, preventing a flat, one-tone look. Perfect for curly, coily, and textured hair, it adds brightness, depth, and definition while maintaining a natural, blended finish.

Color Consultations

Have questions before booking? I’m happy to help! Feel free to reach out via text or phone at 773.658.9368.