Haircolor FAQ
What is the difference between permanent haircolor and semi-permanent haircolor?
Permanent haircolor changes the natural color of your hair and will not wash out. The color remains until you cut the hair or cover it up with another permanent color. You can use it to cover gray, darken your hair, or change the tone (black, brown, red or blonde). SoftSheen-Carson makes 2 brands of permanent haircolor: Dark and Lovely® Fade-Resistant Rich Conditioning Color; and Hi Rez® High Resolution Haircolor.
Semi-permanent haircolor, coats the hair strand with color and can be used to blend grey or to deepen your original haircolor. It usually washes out in 8-10 shampoos and can be used the same day as a relaxer. Dark and Lovely® Reviving Colors® is SoftSheen-Carson’s only semi-permanent brand.
|
How can I choose the right haircolor product for me?
If you are looking to make a subtle change or to cover your first strands of gray, Dark and Lovely® Reviving Colors® is an easy, temporary way to experiment with color.
If you have more gray, or wish to lighten your hair then Dark and Lovely® Fade Resistant Rich Conditioning Color is the product for you. It is available in 20 moisture-rich shades from the lightest blonde to the darkest blue-black, and is perfect for those who already use permanent haircolor.
Hi Rez® High Resolution Haircolor offers 6 fashion-forward shades to keep you looking like a superstar. They are designed specifically to lighten the darkest brown to light blondes and true-to-tone reds without brassiness. Hi Rez is perfect if you have never colored before, and for those who want to make a statement with haircolor!
|
Is it safe to use a permanent haircolor on my relaxed hair?
Yes, however you should follow the manufacturer’s instructions. First, the hair should be healthy. Second, we strongly recommend a “skin allergy test” be taken as directed on the instruction sheet. Finally, we recommend that you take a strand test before applying the hair color to your hair; then “preview” the color results.
Do not use permanent hair color on the same day that you relax your hair. When applying permanent hair color, you must wait 2-weeks before or after applying a relaxer. Semi-permanent hair color can be applied on the same day that a relaxer is applied.
|
How soon after I relax my hair can I use permanent hair color?
|
Permanent hair color should be applied no sooner than two weeks after the relaxer application. Try Hi Rez® High Resolution Hair Color or Dark and Lovely® Permanent Hair Color after applying the Dark and Lovely® No-Lye Relaxer for Color-Treated Hair.
|
Can I relax and color my hair in the same day?
Yes. You can relax and color your hair in the same day if you use a semi-permanent hair color. Try Dark and Lovely® Reviving Colors® Semi-Permanent Haircolor along with Dark and Lovely® No-Lye Relaxer for Color-Treated Hair.
Do not use permanent hair color on the same day that you relax your hair. When applying permanent hair color, you must wait 2-weeks before or after applying a relaxer. Semi-permanent hair color can be applied on the same day that a relaxer is applied.
|
Which type of haircolor will completely cover my gray hair?
|
Gray hair is very resistant to coloring applications. Semi-permanent haircolor, like Dark and Lovely® Reviving Colors®, will cover gray best when using darker shades and only covering a few strands. If your hair is more than 50% gray, permanent haircolor will provide the best results. Dark and Lovely® Permanent Haircolor provides up to 100% grey coverage. Please refer to the information on each package to determine the gray coverage for each shade.
|
How can I tell how a color will look on my hair?
Your color result depends not only on the shade chosen, but also your natural hair color. Your results will be more intense if your natural hair is light or “sandy” brown. Lightening very dark hair brings out it’s natural red-orange undertones, so you can expect a reddish result with golden highlights. The color results guide on the product box will show you the results on different starting shades.
If you are a person with naturally deep black hair and you choose Dark and Lovely® Permanent Hair Color shade Honey Blonde #378, your strand test will most likely show your hair color results may be a medium reddish brown with golden highlights. If your natural hair color is a medium or sandy brown, your strand test will most likely show your results will be light to golden blonde with gold highlights.
|
Is skin tone important when choosing a hair color?
Yes. You should consider not only your complexion (light or dark) but also whether you have warm, cool or neutral undertones.
If you have warm undertones, you usually look better in gold jewelry and your skin has a yellow or orange cast. Look for shade names that bring to mind warmth, like Dark and Lovely® Fade-Resistant Rich Conditioning Color in Sun Kissed Brown or Rich Auburn, and Hi Rez® High Resolution Haircolor in Gold Fusion and Amber Twist.
If you have cool undertones, you usually look better in silver jewelry and your skin has a blue or pink tone. You will look best in shades that have red or pink tones, like Dark and Lovely® Fade-Resistant Rich Conditioning Color in Natural Black or Rich Wine, and Hi Rez® High Resolution Haircolor in Ruby Quake or Scarlet Splash.
If you have neutral undertones, you’re very lucky: you look good in gold or silver and can choose from an array of flattering hair colors. Why not try a really vibrant color like Dark and Lovely® Fade-Resistant Rich Conditioning Color in Vivacious Red or Luminous Blonde, or go really dark with Midnight Blue or Jet Black!.
Please see shade charts in the Hair Color section of the website to see the full range of SoftSheen-Carson haircolor shades.
|
What should the condition of my hair be before applying hair color?
Always start with clean, healthy hair. If your hair is extremely fragile, dry and/or damaged from chemical treatments or heated appliances, consider a semi-permanent haircolor like Dark and Lovely® Reviving Colors® Semi-Permanent Haircolor to provide color and moisture without altering your hair’s texture.
For best results, apply permanent haircolor to dry hair with little or no product residue. Follow the directions on the package insert.
Semi-permanent haircolor is applied to wet hair and can be used after you shampoo or immediately after you relax. Always read the instructions in the package insert when combining processes at home.
|
How often should I re-apply hair color?
|
You should touch-up permanent hair color every 4-6 weeks as your natural hair grows in. If you’ve had another chemical process since your last color application, (Relaxer or Permanent Wave) wait 2 weeks before re-applying permanent hair color. Semi-Permanent hair color can be applied every 2 weeks as well as right after you relax your hair. Follow the package insert for complete instructions on touch-up applications.
|
I have dark hair. Can I go blonde?
Yes! Dark and Lovely® Rich Resistant Rich Conditioning Color is available in 5 blondes from chestnut to platinum, so you can be sure to find the right blonde for you. If you have very dark brown hair, try Hi Rez® High Resolution Haircolor, which is designed to lift dark hair up to 2 levels in one easy step!
However, some of our products contain bleaching ingredients, and we recommend them for use on natural hair only. Please refer to the information on the specific product to determine which products are safe for chemically treated hair.
|
How do I remove hair color that has been left on my hairline or skin area?
|
Use a mild soap and cloth; gently rub the hair color stain with light pressure. Consider protecting the hairline with petroleum jelly, and always wear the gloves included with your haircolor kit to prevent staining on hands.
|
How can I tell if my skin is allergic to haircolor products?
|
It’s essential to perform a skin allergy test 48 hours before you color your hair. This is the rule even if you’ve previously used a haircolor product. Allergies can develop suddenly, even though you’ve been coloring your hair for some time. Skin allergy test instructions are included in the instructional guide inside your box of haircolor.
|
Can I mix two shades to get a whole new shade?
|
We don’t recommend it. If you can’t find a perfect shade at the store, remember that not all stores carry every shade of haircolor. So start by visiting our Haircolor Products page to explore our complete shade range. Still haven’t found what you’re looking for? Call us at 1-800-442-4643 Monday-Friday 9am-5pm EST.
|
I tried to lighten my hair it didn’t work. What happened?
|
If you have previously colored your hair with a Black shade, you will not be able to lighten it until the black dye has grown out and you return to your natural hair color. To add some dimension to your black hair, try a semi-permanent haircolor like Dark and Lovely® Reviving Colors® in Ravishing Red or Spiced Auburn. Your hair will appear the same color, but reddish highlights will appear when the light hits your hair.
|
Can I reserve some of the mixture for future use?
|
No, not if it’s already mixed. Once developer and color are combined, you need to use it or throw it away. Saving the mixture in an unopened container may cause the storage container to burst.
|
 
|
