Considering changing your hair color is thrilling but also intimidating. But one highlighting technique, the ombre effect, can be a fun way to uplift your hairstyle.
It works with any hair color and is affordable. The best part is that it transitions from darker roots to a lighter color.
The ombre hair coloring treatment is just as popular as the balayage, but both techniques differ.
What is Ombre Coloring?
Unlike traditional highlights using foil or a cap, ombre is a hair coloring technique that keeps the roots darker while transitioning to a lighter shade at the ends.
It is a two-toned color blend that we hand paint, leaving your natural color at the root and applying bleach or lightener to the ends up to the mid-shaft. It also depends on how high you want it to go.
After lightening the ends, we add your desired tone. Then, you have a reverse ombre, where the dark color is on the ends, fading lighter towards your roots, which is excellent for removing highlights.
A fact is that the ombre is part of 13 highlight techniques available. Explore each one here to find one that suits your personality.
Balayage vs Ombre Effect
The ombre effect is more of a color block, as the top remains darker, blending into the lighter ends. Balayage is a hand-painted lighting technique that gives you a natural-looking highlight, also called the sun-kissed effect. The balayage focuses more on your hair’s top layer, keeping the undersides darker to make it more dimensional. So, if this technique sounds more like your thing, you can read more about it here.
Ombre Hair Color Benefits
The ombre effect has advantages and disadvantages, but the good outweighs the bad.
Budget-Friendly and Low-Maintenance
The most significant benefit is that the ombre effect does not start at the roots, so you can avoid having a harsh root line when it grows out. You do not need to visit a salon for regular root touchups, making it more affordable.
Works Well on One-Length Hairstyles
If you have a simple one-length hairstyle but want to freshen up your look and color, the ideal choice is the ombre effect. It looks excellent on single-layered hair, like a bob or longer hair. The colors melt into each other, and you want to avoid too many layers, as the color will become disconnected.
You Can Make a Dramatic or Subtle Change
When you choose the ombre highlighting technique, you want to accentuate the natural color. So you can make a subtle change by going a few shades lighter at the ends, also referred to as the sombré look.
With the low maintenance, you can go dramatic by adding dyes like purple or pink to the mix, but using the ombre technique, when applied, still helps to avoid harsh roots with fewer touch-ups.
Another crucial thing to remember is to invest in a toner application suitable for your hair, such as a purple, blue, or green shampoo, to keep it looking vibrant at all times.
Things to Consider Before Applying The Ombre Effect
Before you do the ombre technique, consider the following:
Will it be a Subtle or a Dramatic Change
Consider if you want a dramatic or subtle change, as many people go two to three shades lighter than the natural hair color. If you are a medium brunette, consider having a caramel ombre; platinum works best for medium blondes. But going more dramatic is also an option; you can discuss it with one of our stylists.
How Much of The Length Color do You Want to Change
Next, decide how much of the hair length you want to lighten. The gradient usually starts at the middle to the lower third of the hair length. If you give your hair a more ombre effect, it will need more hair care maintenance. Alternatively, you can consider having highlights with lowlights to add dimension to your hair.
Ombre Color Choice
One of the most recognizable ombre color combinations is medium brown, transitioning into golden tips. Still, you have many options: let your brunette hair blossom into a warm auburn or ash shade. You can let your golden roots transition into platinum tips if you are blond.
Styling Ombre Hair
To showcase your hairstyle with an ombre effect, you can style it into loose waves to draw attention to the color along the lengths. Alternatively, you can make a braid to show off the different color tones as they overlap.
DIY Ombre at Home
While we do not recommend a DIY ombre at home, it is not impossible to achieve. You can find at-home kits, but they involve bleach or lightener and are best left to the professionals to prevent overprocessing the hair.
Furthermore, having the expertise to create the seamless color gradient for which the ombre effect is known would be best. If you cannot manage it, your hair will form a harsh color block halfway down the shaft.
Wrap-Up: Achieve a Perfect Ombre Effect With Haste Hair
As you can see, the ombre effect is a great way to transition from your natural color to something a bit lighter.
The ombre technique can last up to five months, and you can prevent color fading by not overwashing your hair and using sulfate-free products.
For purple hair, we recommend using purple shampoo to neutralize your yellow and brassy tones.
If your color looks too dull or turns brassy, you can visit us at the salon for a gloss treatment to add shine and tone to your hairstyle.
FAQ
How is ombre different from balayage?
While ombre involves a gradual color shift from dark to light across the entire hair length, balayage is a hand-painted technique that creates natural-looking highlights throughout the hair. Ombre is a more noticeable contrast, whereas balayage is more subtle and scattered.
Can ombre be applied to any hair color?
The ombre highlight technique can be achieved on almost any hair color, including brunettes, blondes, and redheads. The key is to choose a lighter shade that complements your natural hair color for a smooth transition.
How long does ombre hair last?
Ombre is a low-maintenance style because the roots remain darker and natural. Depending on hair growth and care, it can last 3 to 6 months before requiring touch-ups.
How long does an ombre coloring take?
Depending on the thickness of your hair, changing from a dark to a lighter shade can take up to an hour, sometimes three hours, for very long hair.
