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The 5 rules of a metallic hair color

According to trend experts, there is a wonderful transition to a new look in hair color. More sophisticated than vibrant hair color, but with more impact than pastel hair color, a metallic hair color is the chic woman's solution to an unconventional hair color. Here are five rules for following the metallic hair color trend.

Choose your shade wisely
With metallic hair color, as with any hair color, the basic rules of shade selection apply. The color should accentuate the skin tone and eye color of the wearer. People with cool undertones in their skin are enhanced by metallic hair colors on the cool end of the spectrum, such as silvery and platinum tones. Those with warm undertones should opt for warm metallic hair colors such as gold, bronze or copper tones. An exception is people with neutral skin tones. These people can choose either way – cool hair color or warm hair color are equally flattering.

Shine above all
The star of any metallic hair color design is hair shine. The right formula and the right hair color products go a long way to producing shiny hair, but they won't do anything if the hair isn't healthy, shiny and strong. Using a bond repair product in hair color formulas will maintain the integrity of the hair – it will repair the structural bonds damaged during the coloring process.

Metallic Balayage is everything Balayage is the modern way to highlight the hair – it is a technique where the surface of the hair is hand-dyed or the hair color is hand-dyed to achieve a natural, sun-kissed effect. Balayage highlights are narrow at the top of the head and they gradually widen as they progress – this V-shape gives them a natural look. Balayage hair with metallic tones like rose gold or silver creates that same sun-kissed look, using a more advanced hair color palette. Metallic highlights from balayage can be added to a base with conventional shades or worked into an all-over metallic hair color effect.

Leave it to a professional
On the hair color refinement scale, metallic hair color is quite advanced. Tint selection, wording and color placement can all go horribly wrong if not done by someone with skills and experience. So, it is best to leave metallic hair color to a professional. He or she will be able to create an elegant and sophisticated look, in shades that are perfect for your hair and your skin tone.

Proceed with caution
It's smart to maximize any hair color investment by taking good care of your hair at home. Use natural sulfate and paraben free shampoos and conditioners specially designed for color treated hair. These very 'clean' formulas with no artificial ingredients leave colored hair feeling soft and velvety, and they will not strip hair color.