Corrective Hair Color

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 Whether  it's from an at-home coloring attempt or a poorly executed application  by a stylist, corrective color is the most complex procedure a colorist  can undertake. It deals with the intricacies of bringing out a client's  beauty while correcting previous mistakes. Many times, correcting a  client's hair color is made more complex by previous failed corrective  attempts.  

Proper application, sectioning, and timing are  critical. It is also important to have a fine eye and understand color  theory. It is also imperative to know how hair lifts and captures color.  These principles, if not properly employed, could result in uneven  tones or worse... further damage.

One  common misconception of clients and inexperienced colorists is the  belief that corrective coloring requires multiple visits. As a matter of  fact, some colorists define corrective coloring as anything that  requires two or more steps over several visits. This is true for  colorists that do not have the experience or technical skills, required  to achieve the correction in a single session. Furthermore, artistry is  required for truly stunning results.

Many, incorrectly define  corrective color as any hair color that is going from one look to  another. This broad definition is often used as a way to charge higher  prices for a particular color job. Corrective color can be a very  challenging procedure that requires the utmost technical and creative  skills from a colorist. It is important to fully understand the  abilities of the colorist before going through the expense of this  service.

Absolute  pricing is a great indicator of expertise. Any colorist who is unsure  of the final price beforehand is most likely inexperienced. Discounted  pricing is almost certainly going to result in poor quality. Ultimately:  skill, experience, and fine art are not only invaluable but essential  in any corrective coloring.

"Most  of my clients come to me when things are just totally out of hand and  they need major help. Often with damaged hair, failed color jobs, and  botched corrections."

“I absolutely love the challenge of correcting the corrections.”

 Nicole  Saavedra is an Award Winning Master Colorist, renowned for Artistic,  and Corrective work. Currently located at Waverly Place in Cary, NC. 

 Your hair is one your most important assets. It is considered by many to be the
sexiest part of a woman. It affects your confidence, desirability, and your love life.
It is the accessory that you can't take off, you bring it with you everywhere you go.
It is the first thing people notice.

Your hair is one your most important assets. It is considered by many to be the
sexiest part of a woman. It affects your confidence, desirability, and your love life.
It is the accessory that you can't take off, you bring it with you everywhere you go.
It is the first thing people notice.

 When  dramatic changes are desired, it is very important to seek well trained  professionals. I frequently have clients tell me that they have been  unable to find someone to give them the look they have always wanted. In  fact it has been my experience, that there are very few colorist that  can consistently execute what is required to give clients the dramatic  effect they are looking for. 

 You can always find someone to do it for a "bargain" but then you run the risk of
damaging your hair or looking like a bad experiment. A true Master Colorist will give
you stunning results every time, and that's priceless!

by: Nicole Saavedra

 With an incredible eye for detail, accuracy, and her trademark pinpoint execution,
Nicole Saavedra has a unique ability to give her clients their desired look.

Whether through a picture from a magazine or a personal visual creation, she consistently exceeds clients’ expectations.

She  believes that hair is reminiscent of a designer’s walking label, where  all can see her work for what it is. This is truly the ultimate  statement of a master.

Nicole gives us an inside look at her move out of the big city.
We caught up with her in North Carolina, where she resides today with her family.
Although  she is one of the world’s top colorists, she explains to us that she  now prefers the quieter life as opposed to the hustle and bustle of  Manhattan. Loving the pace and the atmosphere, when asked if she’s ever  considered moving back, her response was that she was actually thinking  of buying more property and building a walk-through garden… so much for  Madison Avenue!

Working out of her salon in Cary, N.C., Nicole  has had the unique privilege of introducing New York City hair coloring  quality and styles to the main street. While Cary has had the good  fortune of acquiring a world-class hair colorist.

When asked what  is the biggest difference with her new location, Nicole mentions that  today she has to cut her clients’ hair instead of having a stylist do it  for her. Not that it’s something she dislikes, but it is the only way  that she can get a final result that she feels is worthy of her name.  "The New York Metropolitan area has top-quality stylists that can do the  cut and let you focus on coloring," she said.

When asked if she  was working on picking up the southern accent.  Her response was: “Not  only do I feel that it would be difficult for me but it is unimportant.  All women want to look their best and that is true no matter where you  are.

I would be at home anywhere in the world.”

When  we last visited Nicole a few years back, we noticed that she was  finishing up with a well-known client. This is why we asked her if she  missed the notoriety of catering to the rich and famous. Her reply was:  “Absolutely not, everyone who sits on my chair, is at that time, the  most important person in the world to me.”

We also asked the following:

Question: What is your favorite hair coloring technique?
Answer: Dimensional look of highlights and lowlights.

Q: Least favorite?
A: Balayage, for the most part, it’s imprecise and messy. I spend a great deal of time correcting botched balayage.

Q: How do you stay up to date on the latest trends?
A: I don’t. I create them. Class and sophistication will always be trending and in style.

Q: Where do you draw your inspiration?
A: The individual, when I look at someone I can see what would fit them best. I can see the end result at a glance.

Q: What do you love the most about being a colorist?
A: The ability to change someone’s overall appearance very quickly and compliment a client’s natural beauty and style.

Q: Coming from the busy New York City fashion world, what does a typical day look like for you now?
A: Very busy, hands full of color.

Q: How would describe your style?
A: Classic and unique.

Q: Staying put for a while?
A: For sure.

Q: The final words are?
A: You are beautiful. Let me show the world.

 by: John Catania | The Insider

 re-printed with permission:"The Insider". 

 The secrets to choosing your perfect hair color.
by: Master Colorist and Lead Creative Color Director. Nicole Saavedra 

On Color:

When choosing a hair color, the trick is to complement your skin tone and eye color;
in order to minimize flaws and bring out the best in your complexion.
Picking the wrong shade can be unflattering for your appearance. Make you look
years older, or even make you look sickly and tired.

On time and effort:
Make an honest assessment of how much upkeep you're willing to do. Can you
afford to come into in the salon every four to six weeks? A dramatic departure from
your natural color is going to require more work. For red and blonde hair, be prepared for a lot of maintenance.

On being different:
Breaking  the rules can be fun. It’s great to have an adventurous attitude. I  love giving clients the “WoW look” but it has to be done with class.  Many colorists confuse doing something strange with being artistic or  creative, sometimes ruining a clients look or even worse ruining their  hair.
Vivid and multiple colors on younger women is trendy and can  work quite well to compliment one's appearance, but purple and green  hair on a fifty year old?! Really?!
If you want something unfitting  or strange, find another colorist. I refuse to do work that I can’t be  proud of, or that I know will not make my clients look classy and  fabulous.

On multiple colors:
Contrasting  colors or subtle differences in shades when done right, creates  dimension, it can be strikingly beautiful and bring individuality.  However It still needs to blend and adhere to the basic principles of  choosing your hair color. The application itself has to be precise. You can't just throw colors together and hope for the best.

On assessing the right color:
Your  skin tone is the framework for your hair. You want to make sure your  skin tone, eye color, and hair color complement one another. Generally,  you should select your hair color using the same tone as your eye color. The  stronger the contrast between your hair color and skin tone, the more  dramatic your look. If you choose a hair color that is close in tone to  your eye color, your combination of hair color and eye color will have a  natural look. In the end it depends on your preference. The right combination of shade can define your look and accentuate your facial features.

Remember looking beautiful is not easy but it sure is worth it !

You are beautiful… Let me show the world.

 Salon Colorist - Hair Coloring NYC

The Colorist:
Coloring  hair is an immensely technical process that demands an understanding of  color theory, vast expertise with different hair types, and the ability  to work directly with clients to help them achieve their dream look.  Master colorists have very precise sectioning and application  techniques. Master Colorists will apply the dye with razor-sharp  precision as the illustration below shows. Renowned for consistent  perfection, Master Colorist Nicole Saavedra's work is illustrated.

One of  the most important and frequently overlooked concepts of coloring is  the timing element. Colorists are responsible for balancing all of these  elements in concert and ensuring the final look is exactly what the  client had hoped for. It’s certainly not easy. Some of the best  colorists have attended prestigious beauty schools and some have  received mentoring from famous colorists such as Alessandro Mangerini of  New York City.

Many of the times they receive little or no pay for years, just for the privilege.

Creativity:
Coloring  hair is an art, so you’ll want your colorist to approach the work with a  sense of passion and freedom. Think of your hair as the canvas and the  colorist as the painter—the more creative and inspired the colorist, the  better the end result. Amateur colorists sometimes confuse creativity  with wild colors that do not fit the individual and in no way enhance  their appearance.
Top hair colorists know how to work with your hair  to find the absolute best hair color for your individual look. Styles  and colors should complement each other. The work should be vibrant and  flow smoothly.

Specialization:
Some  of the biggest  intricacies of coloring, are individual formulations  for coarse or damaged hair. These circumstances require a highly trained  eye to recognize and formulate a unique solution to the individual,  some of which require corrective coloring.

Coloring  hair isn’t as simple as slapping on some dye and hoping things work  out. A Master Colorist will give their client's fabulous results every  time.

by: Thomas Williams

re-printed with permission: HSY-NYC

By: Award Winning Master Colorist - Nicole Saavedra

“Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of
high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction, and skillful execution."
— William A. Forester

Hair and Color Analysis
A process to determine the condition and best color for your hair according to,
but not limited to your eye color, complexion, age, facial features, personal styles, and lifestyle.

Determining your natural hair
The length, density, hair type, and percentage of grey hair are also examined.

Determining the condition of your hair
The integrity of your hair is examined for any damage done through the environment, your health, diet, daily maintenance, medication, heat, sun, and  chemical hair treatments such as color or straighteners. Sometimes  during the consultation, a test strand will be done to determine how the  hair reacts.

Determining the right colors
The first step to determine which color would work best for you is to find out if you have cool or warm skin undertones. The  second step would be to analyze what value and intensity of colors are  needed. Color value relates to light and dark. The level of color and  intensity relates to softness and brightness. The best way to find out  what value and intensity of colors work for you is to have a color  analysis done by an experienced hair colorist.

Course of Action
A  procedure is then determined to give the client the desired look within  reasonable expectations, taking into account the current conditions.  With the primary concern being the health and longevity of the hair.  This is where an experienced corrective colorist is indispensable.

Why the right color is so important:
You have a few seconds to make a first impression and you never get a second chance.
Color  is subtle but has an influence on what other people think of you. Some  of the benefits of having the right hair color include:
- younger and healthier appearance
- refined facial shape and jawline
- slimmer facial contours
- diminished scars and skin imperfections
this will also have the secondary effect of helping with your confidence, posture, and your overall appearance.

Summary
It  can not be emphasized enough, that the right color combination,  precisely executed with proper configuration, placement, color  interfusing, and an artistic interpretation can be life-altering.

by Master Colorist, Nicole Saavedra.

7 Tips to preserving your hair color
Nicole Saavedra ©  |  All Rights Reserved

1. After coloring avoid shampooing for at least 72 hours.
2. When shampooing use the coldest water possible.
3. Shampoo as least as possible. To freshen up,  skip the shampoo and just use conditioner with cold water.
4. Avoid heating devices such as flat irons. Also, avoid the sun, and pools as much as possible.
5. Wear a hat when outdoors for prolonged periods of time.
6. Use shampoo and conditioner labeled "Sulfate Free" or "Color Protecting."
7. A conditioning treatment is a great way to revive vibrancy.
8. N.C. well and public utility water is high in Iron which impacts hair and can turn platinum or blond hair orange or a horrible shade of rust. 

(It is especially important for those with red hair to follow these tips closely.)

Ombre, Gray Hair, Dark Roots.

These  styles have come to dominate the world of hair over the past decade. So  much so, that one can hardly find a classic or an original color scheme  anymore.

Much  to my chagrin, the origins of such trends are not accidental. There is  typically a multitude of reasons why a style might become popular:  imitation of celebrities, exaggeration of existing vogue features, but  the root reason which is relatively little known is the economic impact  on fashion.

The  origin of a trend seems to depend on one or more of three things: the  amount of disposable income, the amount of free time, and the desire to  "keep up with the Joneses."

Very  often, styles generate out of necessity. Almost a decade ago, during  the start of the Great Recession, millions of Americans lost their jobs.  The lack of disposable income ensured the hairstyles that have now  become well known. Men started growing beards and increasingly  infrequent trips to the barber shop, resulting in the "man-bun."  Most  people could no longer afford to get their hair done as often.

Although  there are those who would sacrifice the purchase of basic necessities  for a desired look, there is a limit to how much financial sacrifice one  could withstand. Today more than 80% of U.S. households have less than  $1,000 in savings and there are 94 million out of the workforce. It is a  depressing truth of contemporary America, that most are having to make  do with less.

One might be inclined to ask, "well if these styles are a symptom of being broke, then why do the stars wear them?"

Contrary  to popular opinion, most trends do not originate in Hollywood or on  Madison Avenue. Celebrities typically pick up on trends early. Most  begin in urban areas, by observing and copying styles with the explicit  purpose of drawing attention to themselves. After all, stars are  notorious for being the ultimate attention seekers. Celebrities are  simply trend-makers NOT trend-setters.

Now  that we have an understanding of the origin of trends, one can see how  the Ombre, Gray hair, and other styles with dark roots, came into  existence.

According  to 21Secrets.com, the Ombre hairstyle is the most disliked hairstyle by  men. Many say “It looks cheap, ugly, and overall unattractive.”
Fashionsbeans.com has a list of beauty trends that guys just seem to hate and the Ombre is on the list. The Miami New Times takes it a step further by writing an article titled, “Ombré Hair: Why Pay to Look Broke?”

In my opinion, there is simply nothing more unattractive than walking around with overgrown roots or gray hair. After a decade, this debacle of a style needs to be put to rest.

So what's in style?

Classic,  healthy, and well-maintained hair looks good on everyone. I have my own  unique interpretation and style. I focus on what makes an individual  look their best according to their God-given features. What looks good  on one person, might not look good on another.  Let me take a look at  you, and I will give you an exact answer. Top hair colorists know how to  work with your hair to find the absolute best hair color for your  individual look. Styles and colors should complement each other. The  work should be vibrant and flow smoothly.

Remember looking beautiful is not easy or cheap, but it sure is worth it.

You are beautiful... Let me show the world. ™