How To Use Color To Enhance Your Curls

Adding hair color to your style is a proven way to create interest without sacrificing length or styling habits. When placed with purpose, hair color can highlight your haircut, blend greys, amplify your fringe or enhance your curl pattern. Focusing on what hair color can do for your curl pattern — we’re highlighting tips that will add depth, dimension and endless shine to your hair type and giving you the steps to create a gorgeous Dulce Blonde look on curly hair below.

Hair Color Tips for Natural Curl Patterns

Don’t Be Afraid of Color

Naturally curly and coily hair can be prone to breakage and drier than other hair types, which is why some shy away from coloring their hair. However, with the right care before, during and after processing, you can create gorgeous color while keeping the natural curl pattern in tact. The best way to do this is to have a plan and set expectations at each appointment. Level 1 brunettes shouldn’t aim to be all over platinum in a day, but rather enjoy each stage of getting there while also looking after the integrity of the hair.

Lighten with Bond Builders

When lifting hair, the best way to look after the integrity is by adding bond-building formulations from start to finish. Wella Professionals BlondorPlex allows you to achieve up to 9 levels of lift and up to 97% less breakage* while protecting against breakage thanks to added Bond Builder Technology. *When using Wellaplex N°2 with Blondorplex, versus Blondorplex alone.

Cancel Out Unwanted Undertones with Toner

Instead of over lifting, utilize a true-to-tone toner like Wella Professionals Blondor Permanent Liquid Hair Toner. This line includes a Brass Kicker that can helps neutralize stubborn underlying pigments to ensure a perfect, neutral blonde or pastel.

Add Shine

When hair is shiny, it reflects light. For curly and coily hair this leads to more dimension and curl definition. To balance the pH of the hair after lightening, add a sheer gloss, or create instant shine, Wella Professionals Shinefinity is a must. This zero lift, zero damage glaze creates up to 250% shinier hair** and up to 6 weeks of long-lasting color. *versus untreated bleached hair

Repair Damage Before, During & After

Beautiful color isn’t just created in the salon — how you care for your hair in between appointments makes a big difference. To enhance your curl pattern and combat damage, Wella Professionals ULTIMATE REPAIR range is essential. Start by swapping your shampoo and conditioner for Wella Professionals ULTIMATE REPAIR Shampoo and Conditioner.

The lightweight shampoo is ideal for daily use to deliver smooth, healthy results. Plus, it is formulated with Metal Purifier technology to remove impurities that can cause damage to the hair. Coupled with the Wella Professionals ULTIMATE REPAIR Conditioner that visibly repairs damaged hair for light, healthy-looking and shinier* hair, this duo contains AHA and Omega 9 to rebuild the strength of the hair from the inside out. *vs. non-conditioning shampoo.

If you’re looking for a miracle worker, Wella Professionals ULTIMTE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue is a must for all curl patterns. This leave-on spray repairs damage in just 90 seconds* to reveal visibly transformed hair in just one use with 99% less breakage**, 12X smoother ***, and shine that lasts up to four washes. *When using ULTIMATE REPAIR Step 3 ** When using ULTIMATE REPAIR Step 3. Instrumental test versus non-conditioning shampoo.*** Vs. non-conditioning shampoo.

Wella Professionals ULTIMATE REPAIR Shampoo ($35.00), Wella Professionals ULTIMATE REPAIR Conditioner ($35.00), Wella Professionals ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue ($95.00).

Get The Look: Dulce Blonde

Just in time for summer, this rich honey blonde with caramel tones will enhance natural base tones while allowing curls and coils to pop.

Formulas:

Pre-Lighten

Highlights: BlondorPlex 30g + 45g 4% Color Touch Emulsion

Freehand: BlondorPlex 30g + 45g 1.9%

Shinefinity Glaze

40g Wella Professionals Shinefinity 09/36 + 20g 09/61 + 60g Bottle Activator

Steps:

Step 1. Face frame highlight with back-to-back slices inside triangular sections.

Step 2. Lighten the mid-lengths and ends to a gold undertone or up to 50 minutes. Rinse, treat with WellaPlex No. 2 and then shampoo.

Step 3. Apply Wella Professionals Shinefinity glaze all over.

Styling:

After cleansing and conditioning with Wella Professionals ULTIMATE REPAIR Shampoo and Conditioner, apply Wella Professionals NutriCurls Curlixir Balm Defining Balm for Curls to enhance natural texture with soft hold and definition.

Wella Professionals NutriCurls Curlixir Balm Defining Balm for Curls ($25.00)

Get to know Wella Professionals Shinefinity

Wella Professionals Shinefinity is a glossing treatment that improves tone while creating a shine you can feel. In addition to creating unbeatable shine and beautiful true-to-tone results, you can look forward to the following with Shinefinity:

37 Demi-Permanent Shades that are intermixable for endless color options
Offers up to 250% shinier hair*
Up to 50% smoother hair**
Up to 50% softer hair**
Tones that last up to 6 weeks
Innovative formula regulates the pH of the hair to ensure it doesn’t fall below 6.5 for balanced, optimal color results.
Can be used on natural hair color, after lightening, or in addition to grey coverage services.
Pick from 2 developers: Bowl and Brush Activator or Bottle Activator
Pick from Cool, Warm, Naturals, or Booster color palettes or the just-launched Signature Naturals collection featuring 5 shades ideal for counteracting warmth or creating root shadows.
Use Shinefinity to create shine, refresh color and highlights, add tone, enhance dimension, or correct color.
1 Shinefinity tube sold every 10 seconds in the world.