There are many things to consider when selecting a mask treatment, including hair type (fine or coarse), porosity, amount of chemical treatments the hair has been exposed to and the level of overall dryness of the hair.
Recently, we discovered Kerastase, a European company that just launched its products in America. Kerastase carries two masks: One is for fine or thin hair and the other for very dry or coarse hair. Masks add a level of deep penetrating conditioning that tends to weigh down the hair, so don’t expect your hair to have lots of body directly after using one. The trade-off however, is shiny and very touchable hair.
What To Look For
When you want just a subtle pop of color, a boost to your own natural hue, a refresh on your dye job, or a gradual change, a color-enhancing shampoo may do the trick. Color-enhancing shampoos do just what the name implies–they enhance a specific color by adding small amount of tint to your own hair. The best color enhancers will maintain your color over time by depositing the perfect balance of color on your hair; enough to rejuvenate your color and cover roots while being gentle enough to use three or four times per week. The best color enhancer will not contain harsh chemicals, such as ammonia, alcohol or peroxide, and will contain some sort of UV protection and conditioning for the hair.
Common Pitfalls
Always choose a color enhancer that is close to your hair shade. Women often make the mistake of using a color- enhancing shampoo as a way of gradually dying their hair. However, since the color enhancer isn’t permanent, it will take a long time to dye your hair, and may look washed out immediately. Never use a color-enhancing shampoo on an irritated or sensitive scalp since it can worsen the condition or cause a reaction.
Where To Buy
Generic color-enhancing shampoos can be bought at major grocery stores and pharmacy chains, but the best place to buy a reputable brand shampoo is your local salon or beauty supply store. The staff at these places will be knowledgeable on the products available, and will be able to instruct you on what color, type, and use of product to buy. An added bonus is that most beauty supply stores offer a refund or store credit if you are dissatisfied with the results of your color-enhancing shampoo.
Redheads are great candidates if they use the shampoo as directed. Blondes should be cautious, as the color can be permanent on their hair. And brunettes can get a deeper brown or reddish tone depending on their natural highlights.
When choosing a color-enhancing shampoo, it is best to talk with your colorist so he or she can make a recommendation for you. Color descriptions can be confusing (i.e., “cools down unwanted warm tones”), so don’t be afraid to ask, or at the very least, read the label thoroughly.
Here are three recommended color-enhancing shampoos to try.
Tressa Watercolor Shampoo: It’s only lightly colored, making it hard to overuse.
Aveda Color Shampoo: This shampoo is wonderful and the color-enhancing conditioners tend to be richer than the shampoos. You can also leave them on for a longer period of time and get a really vibrant color.
ARTec Color Depositing Shampoo: This is a classic color-enhancing shampoo that has been leading the market in this category; the results are pure sparkle.
Cost
Color-enhancing shampoos will cost around $7 at your neighborhood grocery store or pharmacy, while big-brand labels will cost up to $30 for a shampoo sold at a salon or beauty supply store.
Accessories
To get the full benefits of a color enhancer, it’s a good idea to buy the entire product line to use in conjunction with each other. Using a shampoo, conditioner, and leave-in enhancer will ensure full color coverage for a longer period of time, and ultimately give you better results, improving the look of your hair.