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I’ve never colored my hair before. Where do I start?

Your answers to the following four questions will help to determine which product and degree of permanence is right for you:
What is your original hair color? How long do you want the color last? What kind of color change would you like?
Check the information on the packaging to see whether the particular nuance you have chosen is suitable for you and what color result you can expect to achieve given your original hair color.
The trained staff in the shop will be happy to help you as well.

What should I keep in mind when coloring my hair for the first time?

The hair color should first be applied from the middle of the head to the neck and then to the rest of hair. If you have a lot of grey, begin where you are greyest. When coloring long hair for the first time, we recommend that you use two packages.

My hair color is now six weeks old, and my roots are beginning to show. What should I consider when coloring my hair the next time?

For hair color with a permanence level of 3 (permanent), after some time you will need to do a touch up application. First apply the mixture only to the regrowth. After 20 minutes, apply it to the rest of hair to achieve an more even result. Rinse out after an additional 5-10 minutes.
   

How can I avoid getting color stains on my skin?

Simply apply a moisturizer to the face, eyes, and ears before coloring—but be sure to avoid the hair roots. Should stains nevertheless appear, they can be easily removed with a damp makeup pad and a mild shampoo.

I have permed hair. Do I need to take special note of this when coloring?

The color effect is much more intensive on permed hair. Therefore, leave at least two weeks between perming and coloring and shorten the application period (processing time) by 5-10 minutes.
   

I have been in the sun and saltwater a lot and now have damaged hair. Can I still color my hair?

With damaged hair it is advisable to first try out the product on a test strand of hair.

What happens if I leave the color mix on for too long?

Should you exceed the given time, neither your hair nor your color result will be harmed. It is still recommended, however, that you adhere to the given processing time.
   

What happens if I fall short of the given processing time?

Undershooting the given processing time can lead to undesirable color nuances, e.g. a reddish blond with blonding products. In this case, only a second application of the same product—with a corresponding shorter processing time—will help.
   

Can I store the remains of my hair color?

With temporary hair color (level 1), remaining color can be kept for later use. With hair color with a permanence level of 2 or 3, this isn’t possible: Mixed solutions do not keep. Sealed individual components that have not yet been mixed can be stored (e,g. in the refrigerator) and mixed later.
   

How does bleaching work?

Different from hair color, a bleach does not attach any color pigments. Instead, hydrogen peroxide releases natural or cosmetic color pigments from the hair. The result is a lighter, permanent hair color. Some products are “lighteners” with additional hair color (e.g. Poly Blonde Blonding-Color-Crème), which can be used to achieve a beautiful blonde tone (light or champagne blonde).
   

Can a blonde tone still be altered after bleaching?

Yes. With subsequent tinting or coloring, you can achieve a balanced, natural-looking blonde. Thus, orange-tinged or soft yellow tones can be concealed, which may occur when very dark hair is lightened. Of course, it is also possible to bleach hair before coloring to intensify the final color result—like an extreme red. When touching up the roots of colored hair, they should, however, be bleached once again.
   

My bleached-blonde hair sometimes looks so dull and unnatural. What can I do about this?

Frequent bleaching can stress the hair, weakening the cuticle. Moisture is lost from inside the hair, and it can look dull and brittle. Get help by selecting hair care products that are specially created for the needs of colored hair. They regenerate the hair structure and seal the cuticle, so that your hair looks healthy and supple. We recommend a weekly repair treatment and every so often a color shine treatment.

I tend to get allergic reactions. Can I still color my hair?

Hair color products can cause allergic reactions. We recommend that you do an allergy test on your skin 48 hours before applying a hair color—even if you have colored your hair before. Apply small amount of product to a 1x1 cm area on the inside of your elbow and let set uncovered for 45 minutes. Seal product again tightly. Then rinse off product thoroughly with lukewarm water. Should you encounter a reaction during the 45 minutes (rinse spot well) or within the following 48 hours, then definitely do not use the product. In case of doubt, consult your doctor.
   

I wanted to bleach my hair blonde and ended up with a reddish tinge. What should I do?

When dark hair is lightened, it always first results in transitional reddish phase before becoming blonde. Probably you undershot the given processing time and your hair now is a reddish blonde. In this case, a second application of the same product will help—with a corresponding shorter processing time.

After coloring, my hair is now different colors at the roots, length, and ends. Why is this?

Your natural roots have grown in, the length has probably already been colored, and your hair ends may be somewhat porous or split.

Can I mix two hair color products to create a new color?

Theoretically, you can mix two products within the same product line, though the specific color result is not easy to predict and is therefore not recommended. Schwarzkopf offers with each of its product lines a rage of color shades so that you can be sure to find your desired color.
   

Can I color my eyebrows and eyelashes with the same coloration product?

Application a coloration product near mucous membranes or on the face is not recommended. You should look instead for specialized products from the cosmetics industry.

What is the difference between bleaching, lightening and blonde coloration?

Bleaching: With bleaching, color pigments are removed from your natural hair color or existing color without attaching any new artificial pigments. Your can lighten your hair up to 7 shades.

Lightening nuances: With lightening, existing pigments are removed from the hair and new pigments are added. You can thus lighten your hair up to 4 shades and (at the same give your hair distinctive color). The spectrum: a cool ash tone to a warm, honey blonde.
Blond coloration: While coloring, pigments can be removed up to 2 shades. This process lightens hair somewhat and prepares the hair so that color pigments can permanently attach to hair during coloration. The result is an even, radiant blonde.

How can I add shine to my colored blonde hair?

You can be guaranteed a shiny, long lasting blonde by using hair care products suited for the particular needs of colored hair.

When coloring my hair blonde, does the thickness of my hair matter?

All Schwarzkopf & Henkel products contain effective, high quality care ingredients so that you may color your hair blonde regardless of its thickness.

Will my hair become stressed or damaged when I bleach or lighten my hair?

If you follow the instructions for use on the packaging, any damage to your hair’s structure from all blonde products from Schwarzkopf & Henkel can largely be ruled out.
Note: For a successive application, an exact touch up application is required!

I bleached my hair and would like to try out a soft toner. Is this possible?

Because the structure of your hair has been altered through bleaching, the apply a soft toner afterwards can often lead to undesirable results. Therefore, soft toners are not recommended in this case.

I have black hair, but would like to become a blonde. How can I do this?

The hydrogen peroxide content is regulated in coloration products for home use. To bleach your hair medium brown, dark brown, or black hair, we recommend going to your hairdresser, because he or she is licensed to use such products.

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Although I use a lot of styling products, my hairstyle tends to collapse. What should I do?

You are probably using too many products at the same time or are overestimating the amounts. Sometimes less is more—experiment a little!
   

How do I figure out if I have “normal” hair, or whether it is already “damaged” or “stressed?”

Above all, you are able to see and feel it. Normal hair is supple; it shines and is elastic even up to the roots. If you are lucky enough to have it, it’s definitely worth maintaining! Regular conditioning and treatments are important (e.g., a strengthening treatment with provitamin B5), because even normal hair is prone to minor structural damage. Dry or stressed hair on the other hand looks dull and brittle; it charges easily with static electricity and is difficult to comb out after shampooing. The causes are often due the following: the wrong comb or brush, highly calcified water, wind and weather, as well as hormonal changes. There are many products that are tailored to meet these needs. Our recommendation: Pamper your hair with regular treatments (such as Direct Repair, Deep Repair Structure Cream, 3 Minute Intensive Treatment, Night Repair Treatment, or Shine Treatment). These penetrate the hair structure and strengthen your hair from the inside out.

My hair always “flies” around when I comb or brush it. Why is this?

Flyaway hair stands out on all sides when it is combed and is hard to control. This usually occurs hair that is too fine and/ or dry. The drier your hair is, the more it becomes electrostatically charged by the friction caused from combing and brushing. We recommend special conditioners and intensive hair treatments for dry, damaged hair. Also be sure to avoid using plastic combs and brushes.

My split ends are very noticeable—what can I do?

This means that your split ends stand up from the rest of the hair and the hair itself is significantly thinner. Depending upon how split your hair ends are, a professional haircut for split ends by your hairdresser may be necessary. Special hair end fluids provide preventative care (e.g. from Gliss Kur). They strengthen the hair structure and prevent split ends from forming. Apply this product to hair ends after shampooing. If the condition of your hair improves after about 3 weeks, this signifies normal splitting, which tends to occur in longer hair. We also recommend a repair treatment to strengthen and regenerate the hair.

How long should I wait to color my hair after getting a perm?

Hair color often looks brighter on permed hair. Therefore it is a good idea to wait at least 2 weeks between your permanent and coloration treatments and also to reduce the processing time by 5 to 10 minutes.

Should I use shampoo, conditioner, and treatments from the same hair care line?

No. This is left entirely up to you. This is better in principle, because the products in a series feature the same ingredients and are thus made to complement each other and enhance the overall care effect.
   

Can I also use shower gel also as a shampoo?

This is okay as long as its is a basic shower gel. If it is a moisturizing or so-called “two-in-one product” (gel/ cream), the ingredients may weigh down your hair so that it becomes oily and difficult to style.
As a special case, it is perfectly acceptable to substitute shower gel for shampoo. Generally, however, you should use shampoos that target the particular needs of your hair (e.g., oily or fine hair, dandruff, etc.).

Although I give my hair intensive care, it tends to be dull and limp. What am I doing wrong?

At the moment, you are perhaps being a bit “too good” to your hair. Is your hair care motto: “The more the better”? Incorrect! Your hair is probably overburdened. When hair receives excessive care, the care substances adhere to the hair, creating a build-up effect. In the future, make sure that you are only using products designed for your hair type. Also, be sure to check the product packaging for the exact amount that is recommended.

What are leave-in products, and what are their advantages?

Leave-in products are usually hair treatments, but they may also include shine tonics and hair end fluids. They are perfect for those who favor quick and uncomplicated hair care but still want intensive results. Leave-in products are massaged into damp hair or simply sprayed on and then left in your hair. These take effect over a longer period of time, without weighing down or overtreating hair. They are ideal when you want results—without the usual time or fuss. Some leave-in treatments are heat or thermo active, i.e., they take full effect after they come into contact with warm blow dryer heat.

I’d like to pamper my hair a little—What’s the best way to do a hair treatment?

If you’d like to do something nice for yourself and for your hair, we recommend a “rinse-off” treatment. The application time differs according to the treatment—between 3 and 30 minutes (depending upon type). Rinse-off treatments offer your hair particularly intensive care. For optimal results: Massage treatment into damp hair. The treatment results are intensified when you wrap your hair into a warm towel, because in a damp, warm climate the ingredients penetrate deep into the hair structure. Then, sit back and relax. Another tip: While your hair sets, apply a face mask, give yourself a manicure, or just simply relax!