Hair Color Terms in 2022

The world of hair continues to evolve over time. New techniques, improved hair products, increased industry education

At Neatbeat, we pride ourselves on staying current with the latest & greatest products and top-tier training and education in the newest processes.

Here’s everything you need to gain an initial understanding of the latest hair color techniques and styles being created by hair stylists around the world, and at our salon in Louisville KY.

These terms may help you describe and transcribe your #hairgoals at your next hair appointment at the Palace!

Hair Color 101

All-Over Color is the traditional one-shade hair color we are familiar with. Hair dye is applied from the hair root to the ends. This is for you if all-over color is desired, but can also act as a blank canvas for our hair artists to create from.

Highlights typically involve lighter shades of color installed through the hair in strands and can be a single color or multiple colors to add dimension. Highlights work well for darker hair but are a great option to brighten up all hair colors or tones. Highlights may be sparse or saturated depending on the desired impact.

Lowlights are the opposite of highlights. By adding darker tones, the hair has a more dimensional effect. Lowlights tend to offer a 3D effect to lighter or one-shade colored hair. We can add both highlights & Lowlights in the same service depending on your desired results.

Baby lights is a term used to describe adding a natural glow to blonde hair. The addition of gold, blue-toned, or ash colors gives the desired effect. Babylights add a more natural appearance to bleached hair.

Money Piece or Chef’s Kiss - aka the subtle face frame hair color. A lighter, brighter or contrasting hair color is applied to frame the face.

Ombré comes from the French meaning to fade into shadow. Creating a pulled-down shadow root by lightning at the mid-section and ends of the hair, an ombré provides a dramatic and less natural finish than your typical natural color job. The shadow generally fades from darker roots to lighter ends but you can get creative with this technique.

A Reverse Ombré is also seen. When the hair color starts with a shadow. This offers assistance in growing out color. Vivid colors can be added to the ends of hair to prevent a grown-out line.

Ombré Highlights are, similar to Ombré, with the addition of lighter color to the ends of the hair to result in the contrast of color. Ombré highlights may also include foils to graduate lighter colors further up into the hair, resulting in a more natural variation of color. 

Balayage, is another French term that means to paint or to sweep. This technique involves painting multiple colors on the hair to create a perfectly blended effect. Balayage is perfect for a dimensional, natural color that gives the lived-in look most people desire in their hair color. The possibilities are endless.

Hair Gloss is a treatment that closes the cuticle on strands of hair. It leads to softer, smoother, and shinier hair. There are also tinted hair glosses that offer semi-permanent color.  

Color Melt hair color is a transition between two colors, perfectly blended at the seams. There are no chunks, color variations, or dimensional coloring. Instead, one color melts right into the next.

Gray Coverage. The latest trend in gray hair is to let it be gray or silver. Many women are embracing the more natural look. We are assisting many to blend the salt & pepper of their natural hair color with a previous color that is growing out. There are wonderful shades of silver and gray tones to use to make graying hair more interesting, Another bold style we are seeing is bold, vivid color with grays. Creativity abounds!

Lived-in hair is a new highlighting technique that allows the hair to grow out in a natural way, rather than leaving visible roots that require touch-ups. This look can last up to six months, depending on your hair’s rate of growth. This technique is embraced by guests working with silver hair as well.

Vivid Color. The introduction of vivid colors has opened up a whole new creative arena for stylists.  We love helping our guests develop the look they have been dreaming of. 

Vivid colors are classified as bold and bright colors. If these colors are going to be used on darker hair the hair must be bleached before color is added. These colors can be applied as one saturated color or using balayage techniques and/of foils to paint patterns or waves of color. 

Here at Neatbeat, our hair color appointments are booked as chemical treatments.

You do not need to decide which applications you will need. We will likely use a combination of several techniques to create your ultimate look. 

Our artists are ready to create the hair of your dreams! Our palettes are full 🎨 What new creations can we make for you? Be fabulous!