Air touch staining technique

What it is?

The name "air touch" in translation from English means "touch of air". In fact, this is a complex hair dyeing using several shades to give soft play of tones. The task of the technique is to add volume to the curls due to the painting itself.

In this case, the emphasis in the work is made on the depth of the tones used.

Today this technique is gaining popularity due to its naturalness and lightness of the effect, which differs from the usual highlighting with its noticeable lightened strands.

A distinctive feature of the technique is the use of a hair dryer, with the help of which the strands are blown according to the rules of work. The painting method is rather unusual, but the result is multifaceted overflows.

This technique is so unique that it can be used to correct unsuccessful staining.

"Air touch" differs from other techniques in that no more than 50% of the total hair volume is involved in coloring. In this case, the staining is not performed randomly, but according to special schemes. The smooth transition effect is achieved by blowing out short and fine hairs.

The strand that remains after treatment with a hairdryer is painted with the selected shade. The purpose of the hair dryer is to blow out excess hairs with cold air.

This is not coloring and highlighting in their classical sense. At the initial stage, the strands are lightened, then, if desired, they are tinted. There is no bright color here, and the technique itself is more painstaking than traditional highlighting. This is a trend that allows a woman to look natural and at the same time natural.

The technique with particular scrupulousness refers to the choice of a suitable shade for a particular woman.

Pros and cons

Airtouch is considered one of the best techniques by which you can give your hair a healthy and beautiful appearance. She has many advantages:

1. The effect of such staining lasts from six months to a year. At the same time, due to the blurring of the edges, the hairstyle looks natural and beautiful.
2. Any hairstyle with this color has a shine effect. It seems that the hair shimmers in the sun, this highlight is so blurry.
3. The technique is subject to different age groups of the fair sex, including adolescence and old age.
4. "Air touch" gives freshness to the face. This coloring is able to rejuvenate a woman, due to which it is very popular with mature women.
5. The technique refers to procedures with a gentle effect. When doing it, they do not lighten the roots, and therefore do not destroy the hair follicles.
6. This staining method is ideal for those who have to mask gray hair. The transitions are not visible, and therefore the painting looks natural.
7. Due to the durability of the effect, such staining significantly saves the budget, allowing you to spend money on something else.
8. The dye contract with the skin is minimal, due to which even allergy sufferers can use the dye.
9. It is not necessary to spend fabulous means to maintain the intensity of the painting: it is persistent and does not need frequent correction.
10. The color palette "air touch" has many shades, while they can be both cold and warm. This allows women with different color types to choose an option.

However, in addition to the advantages, the technique has its disadvantages:

1. For example, despite its gentle effect, it destroys hair in one way or another, revealing scales. In addition, the procedure is quite long. The longer the hair, the longer the client will have to spend in the salon.
2. Only a highly qualified salon stylist can make such coloring beautifully at a professional level.
3. Copying the technique at home can give a result that is far from the desired one. To copy, it is not enough to have a hair dryer: here you need the skills of a master, which ordinary women do not have. The disadvantage is finding a good specialist.

This is due to the fact that today a considerable part of self-taught specialists, after watching videos on the principle of staining, consider themselves to be professionals.

As a result, they spoil not only the appearance of the hairstyle, but also worsen the condition of the hair when dyeing.

It is not enough just to blow on the strands with a hairdryer: you need to know how the partings are correctly distributed, at what angle to hold the hairdryer, and also imagine how exactly the hair will crumble in order to achieve a multifaceted effect of radiance.

Who is it suitable for?

The Airtouch hair dyeing technique is good for hair of different lengths. However, highly qualified stylists do not recommend doing it on short strands. It is not suitable for ultra-short haircuts, since their length is not sufficient to create soft play of the used shades.

As for the best length, this coloring looks most advantageous on long hair and curls of medium length.

Moreover, their structure can be both straight and wavy and even curly. Asymmetrical bob, ultra-short bob - not the best solutions for airtouch. For painting, the color of the original curls does not matter. You can perform "air touch" on light brown, light, red and even dark hair.

Such coloring of strands is appropriate in different sets. It is suitable for a business woman, a strict classic image, it is able to decorate the image of a romantic nature, it is actual in a sports style bow. At the same time, painting makes the image winning, fresh and incredibly feminine.

It is compatible with any style of clothing, and therefore you do not have to select a separate wardrobe for it.

Staining method

The name Airtouch has a logical explanation. Translated, it means "touch of air." The essence of the method lies in the initial action on each colored strand of cold air from the hair dryer. This technique allows you to weed out short, weak and unruly strands from the selected part of the hair.

After sifting out excess hairs, those that remain are painted in the required shade or lightened.

The technique can be performed on both dyed and natural hair. To ensure a natural effect, the hair mass is divided into several zones. They are distributed on the strands.

As a result, about 30-50% of the hair is painted over from the entire head of hair.

To obtain the expected result, staining is performed using a special technology. In addition to the action of the air of the hair dryer on the strands, there is also a number nuances:

• Strands are sorted and selected before painting. To get a beautiful coloring, you need to take strands no more than a centimeter wide.
• The technique involves only superficial contact of the hair with the dye. The task of the master is to vertically paint only the upper part.
• The tips are processed more carefully. They are lightened by 8 tones.
• To create a rich color, foil is used, with which the master wraps the strands after applying paint to them.
• Several colors can be used at once, forming a single composition.

Air Touch for dark and blonde hair

AirTouch technology can be applied to both dark and light hair, as well as hair of different lengths. On light hair, you can achieve a lighter blonde tone, and on dark hair, a lighter shade.

• You should not expect that with a basic dark tone of hair it will be possible to achieve blond shades, but making the strands lighter in order to get a beautiful pattern is a very real goal.
• On light hair, to achieve a beautiful effect of regrown hair, you can slightly darken the roots, choosing a shade that is closest to natural. In addition, you can tint the lightened strands in various shades of blond - from strawberry to steel.
• Regardless of the original hair color, dyeing using the AirTouch technique allows you to get very unexpected and effective results.

Air Touch on blonde hair

AirTouch dyeing for dark hair

The cost of the procedure

The cost of the staining procedure using AirTouch technology depends on many factors and varies from 8,000 to 20,000 rubles. Among the pricing factors, the following can be noted:

• 1. Reputation of the master. Coloring in this technique from an eminent stylist in a good salon will cost a little more, but you will get a guarantee of an excellent result. In addition, a good hair stylist will not harm your hair and may even be able to add some grooming ingredients to the standard procedure.
• 2. Materials with which the master works. Although there are gold standards for the AirTouch technique, some craftsmen use cheaper supplies and dyes, which can harm your hair and cause many problems in the future. Agree that professional recovery after poor-quality lightening is a very expensive pleasure.
• 3. The location of the salon. Salons located in the city center, as a rule, have big "ambitions", but this does not mean at all that for a lot of money here you will receive better services.
• 4. The quantity and quality of additional services, such as restorative procedures or other related hairdressing services.

The rather high cost is fully justified by the fact that such coloring does not require frequent correction and can be carried out once every 5-6 months, does not affect the hair structure so much and is the most relevant and most natural.

On average, the procedure takes 5 to 6 hours. Agree that such a painstaking work of a master should be adequately paid.

Based on this, by the way, it is worth considering that if you are a busy person, then you will have to find a large enough "window" in your busy schedule to "bring beauty".

What length and haircut is it suitable for?

This strand tinting technique is universal, since it can be applied to almost any hair length.

Airtouch looks more advantageous on long hair with a straight haircut, since in this case the entire palette of overflows and halftones is better revealed.

How long does the result last?

Longevity Is what attracts many people to airtouch technology. This highlighting lasts from 6 to 12 months with proper care and respect for the hair.

Care rules:

1. Do not use homemade masks and oils. Even natural coconut oil can make discolored hair look straw-like and yellow.
2. Do not forget about the ends, it is better to nourish them with special products to maintain softness and shine, and also trim them regularly.
3. Light creams will help remove fluff and smooth hair, while special nourishing masks will help restore hair.
4. For shampooing, it is better to use mild boiled water or water diluted with vinegar solution.
5. It is recommended to rinse your hair with infusions of chamomile, sage, yarrow, cornflower, tansy.
6. Massage of the scalp, which helps to normalize blood circulation and strengthen hair follicles, will not interfere.
7. We must not forget about the protection of hairstyles from ultraviolet radiation, frost and wind with the help of special means.

Reference! Toning can be repeated every month - it all depends on the wishes of the client, features of the structure and hair color. Usually, the correction is carried out 1 time in 4-6 months.

Contraindications

Complex airtouch coloring should be performed by a specialist who is well versed in hair types. In order not to harm the hairstyle, the master must warn the client about the possible negative consequences if highlighting is performed on hair that is not suitable for this.

Who is better not to do this highlighting:

• immediately after dyeing hair black or henna;
• after keratin straightening;
• in the period after lamination and other medical procedures.

The exclusive airtouch technique allows you to achieve multi-faceted hair color and enhance the look of any hairstyle. Today, naturalness and naturalness are in vogue, and with the help of this technique it is easy to achieve soft overflows and beautiful shading of borders.

How to color AirTouch at home: a step-by-step tutorial for beginners

It is quite difficult to repeat the staining at home; it is a very long and painstaking process. Since this procedure lasts long enough in the salon, then those who decided to do the staining on their own, it is advisable to stock up on free time and patience.

It is advisable to already have some experience of hair dyeing on your own, because even the masters sometimes fail to do it perfectly.

Dye application

Dividing each part into small strands, to start working:

• Separate the strand with a comb about 1 centimeter thick and “blow out” it with a cold hairdryer so that all short and thin hairs fall out.

• Place foil under the remaining strand and apply a bleach dye liberally with an indent of 3-5 cm from the roots (taking into account the length of the hair), especially carefully paint over the ends to achieve a shine effect (do not touch the blown out part).
• With a dry brush, blend the border so that you get a smooth transition.

• Wrap a strand of foil. Leave the blown hairs between the locks in the foil. To paint over the back, you need to look in the mirrors that are located opposite each other.
• Thus, process the entire head.

Holding time

The time depends strictly on the instructions. According to the intensity of paint application and the number of strands, focus on the desired result.

Everything is individual - who wants light highlights, and who wants a bright blond. Usually the paint is kept for about 40 minutes.

Wash off

After the lapse of time, carefully remove the foil from the hair. Rinse off under warm water. Be sure to apply a nourishing balm - conditioner at the end to fix the color. If desired, you can give your hair any shade with a toning agent.

Everything must be done in accordance with the attached instructions. At the end, rinse off under warm water and apply a balm. Finally, dry your hair with a warm hairdryer and style in any way.

Can the AirTouch technique be combined with others?

To extend the intervals between visits to the salon, you can combine the AirTouch staining technique with the ombre technique.

In this case, the hair roots darken a little (4, 5, 6 tones are good), and the line of transition from dark to light tone is made as blurred as possible in order to avoid clear stripes and contrasts.

By combining these two techniques, you can achieve the effect of naturally sunburned, slightly regrown hair, or by adding a little more color (soft pink, light purple), you can get a youthful and fresh look.

What is required?

Despite the fact that today almost every woman who is familiar with the staining procedure knows what the basic set should be, we will designate what is needed for work. In order not to look for the necessary accessories at the most inopportune moment, it is worth prepare in advance:

• apron;
• hairbrush;
• clarifier (emulsion or powder);
• oxidizing agent;
• container for connecting components;
• paint brush;
• hairdryer;
• gloves;
• toning (optional);
• foil;
• clips (hairpins are suitable);
• mirror.

The product must be purchased from a specialized store. To buy a good composition of a proven brand, you can consult a salon.

What you need to know about the nuances of painting?

It is not easy to master the technique of hair dyeing "air touch" at home. It is important to consider a number of points before proceeding with the step-by-step instructions. For example, it is most difficult to guess what the original color should be, whether it is suitable for its color type, whether it will be able to correct the shape of the face and whether it will make the image more interesting.

It is also difficult to figure out how to make soft, subtle transitions and highlights.

Sometimes, in order to obtain a cold tone, it is necessary to add a blue or purple agent to the paint. Without knowing this, you can lighten your hair with a hint of yellowness. You can tint the strands with pigments of different shades. For example, three colors are currently fashionable: pink, purple and mint.

With the help of any of them, you can make your hairstyle special and unique.

The strands to be worked with should not be large. Their maximum thickness should not exceed 1 cm in diameter. Lightening is performed not entirely, but superficially. The stylist applies the dye in vertical lines at the top of the hair, stepping back from the roots.

If it is necessary to obtain a soft or blurred highlighting edge, the root zone will need to be darkened first.

When darkening, you need to take into account: the paint should be selected from the fourth to the sixth tone. When you need to lighten the curls, choose an option with a shade higher than the eighth. As for the application of the dye, then this must be dosed: the mixture should not flow down the strands.

This is painstaking work that does not tolerate sloppiness.

You will have to apply the dye in such a way that the transition from the root zone to the light ends is as smooth as possible. Foil in the technique is used in order to enhance the coloring effect. The more strands there are in each section, the more interesting and smooth the transition of shades will turn out.

When applying the composition, care must be taken to ensure that the distribution is uniform. The color boundaries need to be blurred.

Care

Any type of staining, even the most gentle, does not have the best effect on the condition of the strand. Therefore, after the procedure, they need to be treated. This can be done both with the help of professional formulations, for example, the brands Olaplex, Bond Ultim8, Kaaral or Olaplex, and folk remedies.

Please note that frequent use of solutions containing oils will give the curls a yellowish tint.

Masks are allowed to be made independently. They add honey, egg yolks, kefir, chocolate or cocoa, herbal infusions (chamomile, calendula, burdock root, nettle, etc.), yeast, gelatin, sea buckthorn or castor oil.

It is undesirable to use alcohol-based products - they dry out the hair. Any irritating mustard or pepper formulation is contraindicated.

For shampooing, it is advisable to choose gentle formulations with a neutral pH of 6-8. It is better to use special shampoos, which contain components that maintain brightness, color saturation and do not wash out the coloring pigments.

After washing, it is advisable to rinse your hair with a quality balm. This will help prevent them from tangling and breaking off when brushing.

3 best mask recipes for colored hair

Yeast mask for strengthening

Compound:

• dry yeast - 1 tbsp. l .;
• egg - 1 pc.;
• water - 50 ml.

Recipe:

1. Dissolve yeast in 50 ml of water.
2. Then add the egg.
3. Stir the mask until thick.
4. Apply to the entire length of the hair, keep for half an hour, at the end, wash your hair under warm water.

Chamomile mask

Compound:

• • 1 tbsp. l. - chamomile;
  • 1 glass of water;
  • 1 egg white.

Recipe:

1. Brew chamomile in boiling water, leave to infuse for 3 hours.
2. Beat the egg white.
3. Add protein to the strained broth, stir.
4. Apply the mask to the hair with light massage movements.
5. Keep the mask until it dries completely, then wash your hair well. For best results, you should apply the mask once a week.

Sea buckthorn mask

Recipe: mix sea buckthorn and vegetable oils in equal proportions. Apply to hair and keep it on for an hour. Regularity - 2-3 times a month.

Care Tips

Wherever the technique of such coloring is done, whether in the salon or at home, the procedure will affect the condition of the hair. With any lightening, the hair is exposed to chemical attack, which leads to its thinning, loss of moisture and fragility.

They become exposed to the sun's rays. In rare cases, lightening is the cause of a structural change at the physical level.

It is important to note that the hair should not be combed immediately after treatment and washing. If the dyeing was performed on natural or unpainted curls, the transition will not be noticeable when growing. After some time, it will be possible to refresh the shade with a coloring shampoo or balm with a toning effect.

Dye with ammonia should not be used until the condition of the hair improves.

After the staining technique, you should not lean on the frequent use of thermal styling products (for example, irons or flat pans). It is undesirable to use hairspray too often, as well as wash your hair with too hot water. It is harmful to hair, and even more prone to bleaching.

You need to wash your hair with a shampoo with a gentle effect, not forgetting to use special balms.

You can buy professional products for the care of colored curls in a specialized store. For example, Olaplex, Wellaplex from Wella Proffessional, Bond Ultim8 from Matrix, Niophlex have proven themselves well.

If you need a product that, in addition to the caring effect, contains a neutralizer of yellowness, you can buy Hair Company Inimitable lotion.

In addition to the cosmetics caring for the curls, you can restore the health of each hair with the help of creams for naughty curls. Enveloping each hair, such preparations provide it with protection from negative environmental factors (for example, from temperature drops, dry weather).

In addition, creams smooth out strands and fix them.

You can treat the ends with cosmetic oils. However, it is worth taking into account: frequent use of oil can lead to the appearance of yellowness. Such care must be dosed so that you do not need to adjust the shade in the future.

Also, when using oils, you need to take into account that they are often used as washes, since they brighten the colored strands well.

Beautiful examples

Finally, we bring to your attention examples of successful staining using the "air touch" technique, which, better than any words, will demonstrate the versatility and beauty of such a painting.

• An example with the inclusion of a subtle blue tint in the technique.

• Smooth stretch shades with highlights on long hair.

• Tinting the colored strands with pink allows you to freshen up the image.

• Coloring a haircut with an asymmetrical length fills the women's set with lightness.

• "Air touch" removes the severity of dark hair, gives the face freshness.

• An example of painting in ash tones with a silvery shine effect looks super fashionable in the set.

• This image will be especially appreciated by representatives of youth subcultures.

• This painting is able to fit into the school dress code due to the naturalness of its overflow.

• Dyeing red hair with highlights will relieve the look of boredom.

• The caramel shade is great for owners of a warm color type.

Conclusion

Airtouch is an up-to-date and stylish hair dyeing technique. As the photos show, the technology looks attractive. It is suitable for those who want to refresh their look without drastic changes. But it is recommended to entrust the staining to an experienced master.