7 Great Dos and Don’ts of Hair Color
Do get patches of hair tested before coloring your entire head.
In the same vein, don’t just assume that the color will look the same on your head as it did on the model’s head. When you’re at a salon or trying out samples at home, take some time to test different shades and get a feel for how they will look in person. The right shade is key to making sure that your hair doesn’t end up looking blotchy or overly lightened, which can result in damage to your locks.
In addition to testing out different shades, also make sure to try out different techniques when applying color. Different techniques may work better depending on various factors such as whether you have fine or thick hair (one technique might require more dye than another), so it’s important that you experiment with several styles until you find one that works best for you and keeps your locks looking fresh.
Do rely on the expertise of a professional hairdresser.
Deciding to try a new hair color can be an exciting and fun experience, but it can also be overwhelming. There are so many options, and each one offers different results—so how do you know which one is right for you?
The first step is to ask advice from someone who knows their stuff: your professional hairdresser! They will be able to tell you not only if the color will complement your skin tone and features, but also what kind of style would look best with that color.
Do go for a trim before you color your hair.
Trimming before you dye your hair is always a good idea. Trimming helps protect against split ends, breakage and damage, frizziness and dryness. The best time to trim is after you shampoo your hair with a clarifying shampoo or conditioner that contains protein. This will help keep your new color looking shiny and vibrant for as long as possible!
Do use sulfate-free shampoo and conditioners after coloring your hair.
Sulfate is a harsh chemical that can strip your hair of its natural oils, causing it to appear dull. Sulfates also fade hair color faster, so if you want to keep your dye job for as long as possible, steer clear of products with sulfates in their ingredients list.
Sulfate is present in many shampoos and conditioners because it helps remove dirt from the scalp, but it also causes dryness or even irritation on the scalp. To prevent this from happening after you’ve colored your hair fresh out of the salon chair, use sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner for at least two weeks after coloring your locks – if not longer!
Don’t wash your hair for the first 48 hours after coloring it – yes, really!
Don’t wash it for the first 48 hours.
Yes, I know this seems like an odd request, but hear me out! The longer you wait to wash your hair after coloring it, the better your color will last. If you’re new to coloring and trying this technique for the first time, I would suggest waiting at least 24 hours before shampooing. You’ll probably want to go even longer if you have oily skin or sweat a lot (that means not only gym rats but also swimmers and runners).
The reason why is because when we chemically process our locks, we need that time for our color molecules to really bond with our strands (and not just slide off into oblivion). Plus, if you leave in any residue from styling products or natural oils from sunscreen and face creams – even if they don’t contain sunscreen – then those can affect how long your dye lasts too! So keep things squeaky clean for at least two days after coloring before washing your face with hot water in order not to disrupt everything else going on under there too much (which would cause premature fading).
Don’t use heat to dry your hair directly after towel-drying it; squeeze water out with your towel instead.
Heat can be a great way to dry your hair, but it’s important to know when it’s not. After you’ve towel-dried your hair, don’t use a blow dryer or flat iron right away. Let the cuticle close back up by itself—the heat will only make things worse!
For those with naturally curly or wavy hair who want an easy way to help squeeze out excess moisture from their mane, a microfiber towel is ideal. It will help eliminate water without compromising color or damage.
Don’t forget to do a strand test if you’re about to color at home for the first time.
If you’re about to color your hair at home for the first time, do a strand test.
A strand test is an important step because it can help determine whether or not your hair will take to the dye before you actually use it. It also allows you to see how your hair will look after being colored.
If you’ve never dyed your own hair before, we recommend doing a patch test on your skin first, just in case there’s any potential allergy issues that could arise from using this type of dye (this is especially true if you have sensitive skin).
Coloring your hair is a very personal thing and a decision that can have lasting effects on how you feel about yourself so make sure to take care of it properly.
Coloring your hair is a very personal thing and a decision that can have lasting effects on how you feel about yourself so make sure to take care of it properly.
- Color at Home? Buy the right products. If you’re going to color your hair at home, it’s best to go with professional-grade products. This ensures that they are safe and formulated correctly for the task at hand. Make sure that when choosing a product, there are no sulfates or parabens listed in its ingredients; these chemicals can dry out and damage your hair over time, increasing breakage and split ends. Also avoid any hairsprays or serums containing alcohol; this will dry out your strands even further which could lead to excessive breakage later down the line!
- Do some research beforehand about which shades are best for you based on what tone eyes & skin coloration so as not end up with an unflattering shade (this has happened many times before). You may also want try looking into getting highlights instead of full head dye if only changing one section of color because this way can help prevent damage from occurring if done correctly–but always consult with professional stylist before proceeding with any kind of process involving bleach/lightening agents because nothing new should ever be applied without first consulting someone who knows exactly what they’re doing!