Master hair color changes with the color wheel: Get bold, healthy results you’ll love

Photo: Imast Bed Dead

Do you dream of having emo hair that’s mermaid blue one day and spectacular pink the next? Vibrant hair hues are glamorous, but the reality is that constant color hopping can wreak havoc on your hair. There is a gender. Yes, Ramona Flowers certainly paid a price for her rapid color change! Repeated bleaching and dyeing can make your hair dry, brittle, and prone to breakage. But this in no way means that you need to abandon your dream hair color.

A tool used by artists for centuries, the color wheel can be your secret weapon for mastering hair color. In this article, we explore the science behind the color wheel and its connection to hair color technology, and reveal how you can use it to achieve the vibrant results you love.

Understand the color wheel:

A color wheel is a visual representation of color relationships, showing the spectrum of hues and their interactions. It consists of primary colors (red, blue, yellow), secondary colors (green, orange, violet), and tertiary colors formed by mixing a primary color with an adjacent secondary color. Understanding the color wheel is critical to achieving harmonious and visually appealing hair color results.

Complementary colors: Place them opposite each other to create a vibrant contrast (think fiery red against cool green). Use for bold highlights or dip-dye effects.

Analogous Colors: Adjacent colors on the wheels blend seamlessly (like transitioning from warm brown to fiery reddish-brown). This creates a natural and harmonious look.

Neutralizers: Some colors cancel each other out. For example, blue-purple tones will counteract the brassiness of brown hair.

Step 1: Identify your location

Where do you fall on this spectrum? Take a close look at your current hair color. Is it cool (looks more blue or purple) or warm (looks yellowish or orange)? Is it bright or dark? Maybe it’s all stained after uneven bleaching? Shows exact location on the wheel. This is your starting point.

Portrait of a woman with very long orange hair

Photo: Joshua Roberts

Step 2: Graph the transformation

Ready to explore? Here are some color strategies based on your desired effect.

Minimum change, maximum impact: Stay within your tone family for subtle but noticeable changes. For example, brunettes can try rich auburn or mahogany, while blondes can play with pastel goth hair colors.

Bold statement: Embrace the drama! Add complementary highlights for striking contrast. Brown hair with emerald green streaks? Why not!

Natural Flow: Prefer seamless blending? Analogous colors are your friend. Brown hair with plenty of gold highlights and reddish-purple lowlights creates a three-dimensional look that looks like it has been bathed in sunlight.

Banish unnecessary tones: Fear no more, sassy blondes. Use neutralizing colors. Orange tones disappear with a touch of blue-purple, and bright yellow (the color of a banana peel) disappears with blue.

Elements of “lift”: Light ≠ Easy

Keep in mind that whitening requires bleaching to “lift” the pigment, which can damage your hair. Light shades, like an “open canvas”, easily absorb new colors. Bleach is often not used when darkening, but it can make the color difficult to remove later.

How to switch between vibrant hair colors using the color wheel

Want a dramatic color change from fiery orange to teal? Stick to “analogous colors” that nestle on the wheel, like orange blending into yellow-green, for a seamless shift. But for a bolder leap, consider “color removal” (think bleach done safely by professionals!).

Then choose a new vibrant shade based on the wheel. Worried about the brassiness? “Depositing” complementary colors first neutralizes unwanted tones before creating a vibrant masterpiece. If you want a smooth transition to your new hair color, try “highlights and lowlights” with analogous or complementary colors to achieve vibrant dimension without changing your base completely.

Portrait of a woman with very long yellow hair

Photo: Daniel Ursash

Avoid color disasters:

While the color wheel is an invaluable tool, it’s important to consider other factors such as hair texture, maintenance, and lifestyle. The rapid change in color, especially from one end of the wheel to the other, can require more maintenance and may not be suitable for everyone.

Additionally, we recommend performing a strand test before committing to full color applications. This will help you determine how your hair will react to your chosen color and ensure you achieve the desired result without any unpleasant surprises.

It’s best to consult a professional, especially if you’re considering making a drastic change from dark to light. They can assess the health of your hair, determine the best course of action, and minimize potential damage.

Let’s finish…

So, are you ready for a major color change? Armed with this knowledge of the color wheel, you can make informed choices and embark on your vibrant hair journey. Remember that the most important rule is to embrace your unique beauty and have fun experimenting.