Please, please, please, don't use box hair color!

Why you may ask? Because it is harsh, most of the time using 40 volume developer (the most peroxide you can get) when you want to go one shade lighter or even darker. It's not needed. It's only needed when you are going four shades lighter, and then it's not going to have the capabilities to tone out the brassiness that will always occur. Box color and misuse of hair color treatments are the reason people see the chemical process as bad for you.

By either going to Sally's to get a mid-level hair color and developer or going to a professional, you are chosing a safer route. Not necessarily a safe route but safer than box. Also, if you have jet balck hair and you want to be the lightest blonde you can get, then you are in for at least three treatments, and that can be a lot for your hair to take. At home color isn't going to be as conditioning as professional grade color and hair bleach purchased at Target isn't going to be as safe as professional progressive lightener. Progressive lightener = bleach. And more than likely after the first application of the lightener, your hair will be bright orange, and require a second application before toning the hair with a violet dye to take the yellow/gold tone out. So really what I'm saying is, if you have dark brown hair (level 2), the lowest you are going to get with box color is a lightest brown (level 6) and it'll be a red/0range tone.

I know in this economy, many people cannot afford to go to a salon and pay $80 for great color, but even purchasing color at Sally's with the right developer can be achieved for under $10 an application.

Since I am in cosmetology school, I have a few projects due and as a part of one, I have to find an article on a con of hair color. As I was researching I found a site where this "whizkid" (that's the screen name) says that hair color sits on top of the hair, and that no chemical change occurs. Um, not true. Sure with Temporary color like the mascara tubes of color you paint on, or the cans that become popular at Halloween (yup, that's today!) those do sit on top of the hair cuticle. Semi permanent like Manic Manic goes past the cuticle and stains the hair, but 4-6 shampoos and it's gone. When you get into Demi colors it's similar because it uses peroxide developer, with no ammonia, so it cannot lift the color, only enhances the tone of the same level (changes ash to golden or copper, or vice versa). Permanent color has ammonia in the dyes. It's not in the developer. Also, Henna color is permanent color. But it stains the cuticle and it cannot be removed, not even with progressive lightener.

Have I confused anyone? Not that I am a highly viewed blog, but hey, ya never know.

The joys of Michael's

Ok, for some people out there, they don't understand the joys which a Michael's crafting store can bring. The colors, smells, and ideas that can be forged in such a place, are pretty much endless. Normally I'm in there to purchase portfolio supplies (really it's a scrapbook but for school it's a portfolio, but today it was for an art project for school.

Remember in kindergarten when the teacher was showing you all the colors, primary, secondary and the tertiary (you know, those two name colors; ie. red-orange, blue-green). It's normally shown in a wheel type diagram, but we have creative freedom as long as we mix the colors.

What did I decide to do, you may ask. A painting of daisies. Can I draw? Not really. Have I painted before? Not since Junior year of high school. Did I enjoy painting? Yes.

I grabbed the $5 dollar bargains; two sets of brushes, paint set, three big, silk daisies, and even a canvas. All for the low, low cost of $32. So I may not be the most talented, but it doesn't look that bad. Sure a 4th grader could have done a better job, but hey, you have to start somewhere.

Ok, I'm a slacker...

Ok, well not really. I just hate sitting at my desktop computer. The chair isn't that comfy.

However, my new laptop allows me to sit in the comfort of my comfy couch and relax.

I have a lot to go over, so I'll do it slowly.

I'm 3 months into cosmetology school at the Aveda Institute Charlotte. I'm loving it. Just finished my hair cutting class and I know I have a ways to go, but I LOVE IT! I started my hair color class today. Very excited!!

Aveda products are amazing. I love the way my hair feels, and even for a girl who colors her hair pretty frequently, it's healthy.

Products I'm loving right now:

Volumizing tonic - the best root lifter on the market. And for $14 you really can't beat the price for how long it lasts!

Phomollient - This is the most versatile product. You can use it on wavy to curly hair to make it smooth during a round brush blow-dries. It's also great for adding volume during blow-dries.

Hair Potion - part of the Pure Abundance volume collection. This stuff adds up to 17% thickness. Need your hair backcombed for an updo or a "bump-it" bump? Use this stuff. Sprinkle it on the scalp from the bottle and rub in.

Two of the best lines for my hair. Pure Abundance isn't good for color treated hair. The clay that is in the conditioner for plumping the hair shaft and can deplete the color. Color Conserve is actually the best color shampoo I've found. It is Acid-Balanced and helps keep the cuticle smooth so fading is minimal. You should also shampoo, condition and rinse your hair in cool to cold water.

So that is it for now. Hope anyone who reads this finds some good tips. Feel free to ask me anything!