Hair colors are soluble substances or liquid preparations used for staining, highlighting or tinting hairs. Different hair colors added or subtracted from the normal hair color gives various hues and shades.

A French chemist Eugene Scheuller created the first hair coloring in 1909, based on a chemical called paraphenylenediamine. Hydrogen peroxide and ammonia are the main ingredients of any hair-coloring agents. Hydrogen peroxide creates a color that lasts long and ammonia when combined with hydrogen peroxide allows the color to permeate into the cortex.

Selecting the best shade or highlights depends on various factors. It completely depends on facial shape, complexion, haircut, facial expression, eye color, hair length, as well as personal taste. These colors can be various shades and intensity. Depending on intensity or tone colors can be warm or cool. Warm tones are shades of oranges, reds and yellows and cool tones are shades of blues, violets and greens. People who are cool should not use warm tones because that might lower down their features. The best shades for cool people are purple orchid hues, burgundy and lipstick red. People who are warm by nature should preferably use simple gold highlights and golden blondes. Cool tones suit the people with olive complexion and a medium complexion with no pink to a faint pink at the cheeks. Warm skin types include individuals with medium brown skin with pink or gold undertones. Selecting a warm or cool tone also depends on the eye color. Cool eye colors are deep brown, gray blur and dark blue and warm eye colors are golden brown, green and hazel. These days even chart of hair colors are available in the market. These hair color charts can be used as guide to assist in color selection.

Different skin color also demands different colors to give a perfect look. Some hair coloring tips for different types of skins are as follows:
• Chocolate brown, dark blonde and bronze shades look good on natural toned complexions.
• Virgin dark brown color suits best to blonde skin.
• Brunette or rich red looks great on very fair complexion.
• For dark skin types black color is most preferred one.

Various hair dye colors are used for different hair coloring styles or methods depending on the features and personal taste. Different types of hair colors are: Temporary colors neither contain peroxide nor ammonia. It coats only the cuticle and the color fades after one shampoo.

Semi permanent colors are used specifically for those who have 20% of gray hairs. These colors blend with the hairs naturally and fade after a week or a month.

Demi permanent colors comprises of low volume of peroxide but no ammonia. These are also used for blending away gray and last for about two months or even more. Permanent colors are colors with peroxide as well as ammonia. These colors last long and require applying every 4-6 weeks. Permanent colors are deposited in the cortex.

Hair coloring and hair highlighting are the most common trends amongst Indian males and females, irrespective of their ages. Hair coloring is coloring the entire hair and hair highlighting is simply highlighting few strands. The highlighted shades are usually bright and have a metallic tint. Hair highlights are usually added to base color to give dimension and depth. Different shades are used for different types of hair base colors. There are number of shades that look the best on light base color but highlight colors for dark hairs are very selective and needs more care. Dark color hair requires the initial use of bleach to prevent dryness.

In the 1980s funky hair colors like Duran Duran and flock of Seagulls were very popular and the trend is now coming back once again. Individuals also apply electric blue and fluorescent colors of orange and green to look funky and stunning.

Artificial colors can prove to be harmful for natural hairs. To avoid the harmful effects of these colors and bring back the original texture after highlighting and coloring, following hair-coloring advices should be considered:
• When using the colors for the first time, try coloring the crown where hairs are the darkest.
• Condition your hair regularly to nullify the effects of heat.
• Hair ends are porous and colors fade quickly, so apply a shade darker at the ends.
• Color your hair only when they are fully dry.
• Shampoo gently with a shampoo especially for color treated hairs.
• Condition regularly with good conditioner.
• Don't brush your hair when wet.
• Don't apply lemon juice in your hair.