Dimensional Hair Coloring Ideas | Dimensional Color Vs Balayage
What do you answer when they ask you which hair services you want in terms of hair coloring? With so many techniques in the market, it can get pretty confusing to pick the suitable one for you.
Dimension or not? That’s the question you should ponder upon first. Coloring your hair in one solid color means that you didn’t add any proportion to the hair.
Adding dimension or dimensional color to hair is to play with different shades of color that melt into the base color to give a sophisticated look.
Getting the color of your dreams is not as easy; as it seems. Pinning it on your Pinterest and pointing it out in front of your hairstylist doesn’t mean that it will actually look as good as it does on that model in the picture.
You should know that hair color is pretty complicated and requires you to do a lot of research before you land upon one technique.
What is dimensional Hair Color?
It is very different than the regular dyeing of the hair. It is a technique to color your hair in a way that creates optical deception kind of effect. Due to dimensional coloring, hair appears thicker and glossier.
It requires long sittings at the salon chair and patience. But the outcome is entirely worth it. This technique is done to achieve the smoothest transition of the colors on the hair.
This 3D coloring technique is a way to encompass a blend of 2-3 colors or shades in the hair and make it look like its natural.
Every hair stylist is trying to create a more natural look for your hair color. In that case, this technique comes handy as it helps radiate more colors. The colored strands give you a complete transformation. Also, regular touch-ups of the roots are not needed.
Recommended Products for Dimensional Hair Color
Popular Dimensional Hair Coloring Ideas
Let’s discuss the levels of dimension and the types that are there for you to choose from. Ranging from subtle/ low contrast to sharp/high contrast, there is something for everyone.
Low/subtle dimension:
It’s basically Balayage mixed with a base color, and then the foiling is done with a toner or lightener. The shades chosen in this are one or two shades lighter than the natural color of the hair. This gives a hint of hair coloring but not too much.
High Contrast:
This one involves the Balayage technique but is now in two sessions. The first session consists of doing the whole hair in Balayage with a glaze or a toner. The second session is followed by foiling on the same parts and then finishing it with toner again.
Flamboyage:
If you are in for a low-maintenance technique, then flamboyance is the one. Soft adhesive tapes are used, and you get a delicate touch of highlights to the hair. Take it up if you want to have a complete transformation without a significant dent in your pocket.
Foiling:
It is your answer when it comes to a jaw-dropping look. Foiling is the traditional method of hair coloring and gives a disco ball effect to the hair.
The selected hair strands are picked out, wrapped inside a foil and painted on. It’s a high-maintenance method, so think twice before going for it.
Ombre:
Looking for a transitional look for the hair? The Ombre technique is the right choice. This technique is one of the top trends and helps in giving the transition effect of dark roots to lighter tips.
Sombre:
If you are looking for a soft and natural look, then sombre would probably be the solution. It’s a milder version of Ombre and goes well with various hair textures. The colors melt in the base color and give a natural effect overall
Balayage:
A freehand painting that gives your hair a contrast is something you can think of choice as it would help you in providing a trendy look with a natural touch. Balayage has a lot of variations and can take up many experiments.
Multi Dimensional Hair Coloring Techniques
The multi-dimensional coloring technique is gaining traction in salons all over the world. So what is this technique that is taking Balayage off the list?
Multi-dimensional hair coloring not only adds a natural touch to the hair but also adds more volume, depth and shine at the same time.
They are not limiting other hair coloring techniques. They work from full highlights to almost invisible ones. These techniques allow you to create a lot of styles, thus giving way to endless possibilities for coloring and choosing shades.
This technique is considered an evolution of the Balayage technique, where the hair is swept off with colors right from the roots to the end. This allows the addition of 2-3 shades from the chromatic range to the new hair color.
This just opens up new ways of experimenting. You could try mixing some copper with chestnut brown for brunette hair; Platinum blonde or any other lighter blonde with blonde hair and so on.
Your imagination plays an important role here. You can use any method to highlight your hair – it can be a freehand, sponge or even a comb. They look fabulous after blending thoroughly into the base color of the hair, giving you a fabulous natural and fresh look.
Dimensional Hair Coloring at Home: DIY
Parlor visits can be expensive, and you might consider DIY Dimensional Hair Color at home. Make sure you are ready with the following things before you start the coloring process.
- 2-3 shades of the color you want
- Apron
- Strips of foils
- Plastic gloves
- Mixing bowls
- Brushes
- Hair clips to divide the sections of hair
Step-by-Step Procedure for Dimensional Hair Coloring at Home:
- Make sure your hair is clean of any impurities and pat dry. Shampoo your hair 12 hours before and avoid going out that day.
- Cover yourself in an apron and wear gloves. In a mixing bowl take the lightener and mix it according to the instructions given on the pack.
- Apply the base color to the nape of the neck and cover the whole hair with the lightener. Keep it for an hour and wash it.
- After washing and drying, divide the hair into parts and start applying the first shade to the strands starting from the roots where the color will be lesser and towards the middle where the amount of color will be more. Wrap it in foils as you are done with each section.
- You can choose to apply the lighter shade first if you want a denser look. Otherwise, apply a darker shade first.
- Keep it for an hour or two, and wash it.
- After washing and drying your hair again, apply the second shade (darker or lighter, depending on the shade you chose earlier) in the same way and from the roots to the ends. Keep it for an hour and wash it.
- Blow-dry your hair and set it.
- Do not apply any hair product for the next 48 hours and if your hair feels very dry, apply some serum or conditioner.
Perfection comes with trying again and again. It’s similar to layering the hair colors one by one. If you are trying it for the first time, it is better to go to a hairstylist for the best results, and you can easily manage touch-ups at home.
If you want to Dimensional Color DIY it at home, then you need to be extra careful with the choice of colors you make.
Dimensional Color vs Balayage
Balayage is done without foils and is a sort of hair coloring where color is put into each strand or lock of hair. They are used to lift shades and bring out the natural hair color when out for a long time in the sun.
It gives a multi-color and a sun-kissed effect with little application of color at the top (roots), more of it in the middle thicker section and again a bit near the ends.
Dimensional coloring is different than Balayage in terms of luster and style of coloring. When there is a significant contrast between light and dark tones, then we call it Dimensional hair coloring.
The main difference between them is foil. The former doesn’t involve the usage of foiling, but the latter consists of Foiling to give more depth and dimension.
Final words:
So the next time you book a salon appointment and they ask you what kind of hair coloring technique you need as a service, do not think twice before answering.
I hope, you have become a know-it-all after reading the article and can easily choose if you want to go for dimensions. It’s always better to go for dimensional hair coloring, to be honest. Go, get those dimensions, girl!
