DO’S AND DON’TS

when you dye your hair

I had never dyed my hair until I hit my twenty seven mark. I just couldn’t be bothered. My hair was super dark during the winter, and during the summer days I was a fierce blonde. Natural coloring was all I did. This all changed last year when I wanted something different – no, I hadn’t spotted any grey hairs, thank god – and so The Building added a touch of blonde to my locks which I now can’t live without anymore. When the blonde faded, hints of red appeared. A correcting hair color turned the red locks right back to blonde and now there are some brown tones peeping through as well. In order to keep it as pretty, long and healthy as possible, I nurture it like it’s made out of gold. Here are a couple tips and tricks in maintaining healthy hair.

Do’s

Preparation

When you’ve got your eye on a specific hair color, chances are you’ve searched through countless pictures and showed a bunch of them to your hair colorist. However, you should keep in mind that nine out of ten of those snapshots have been edited and it doesn’t necessarily mean that the color will suit you. Discuss your style in looks, make up and attitude with your hair colorist and let him/her give you an honest advice. Sometimes the hair colorist can also give you new insights and ideas that make the desired look work best for you.

Who, what, wear

Sure, every hairdresser can dye your hair. But not every hairdresser has mastered the newest skills and techniques. Yes, hair coloring also evolves over time. So make sure to look for good advice and opinions of professionals that can ensure you that you and your hair are in good hands.

Color obtaining shampoos

Always use shampoo and conditioner that is specifically designed for colored hair. A lot of people say it’s a load of crap, but it actually brings out the color in your hair in the best way possible. It also protects your hair; dye damages your hair which makes it more vulnerable to external influences. It’s also advisable to use a mask in the first week after the color treatment. Highlights and bleached blonde heads are very fragile, so they need extra care.

Fool around with some wigs

If you’re not sure what color to go for, visit a good wig shop and try out different colored wigs. This way, you’ll know which colors suit you.

Don’ts

Washing

Don’t wash your hair in the 48 hours following your color treatment. Protect your investment.

Copycat

Don’t automatically assume that your friend’s look will also look good on you. I’ve mentioned it already, but skin color, eye color and hair texture all influence what works best for you. And a professional, trustworthy hairdresser doesn’t shy away from the truth.

Last-minute coloring

Let’s be honest here, a hair color can also turn out bad. Don’t do it a day before an important event like your wedding day. Trust me, two weeks in advance is the best time to go.

Impulsive

Don’t be too impulsive when you go and get your hair colored. Your mood, the season and what not can all inspire you to change up your look. But just as fast as these urges come up, just as fast they can fade away. It would not only be a very expensive undertaking, but it would also be a bad move for the condition of your locks. So, start by researching colors and think of how long you’d want to keep the color. This will help you decide the type of color you’d want to go for. If you’re not planning on keeping the color for longer than three months, I highly suggest you think it over one more time.

Mixing colors

Mixing colors is an option, but only if your hair colorist will be doing it. What I’m trying to say is that you should be careful with different coloring processes. If you’ve colored your hair just over a month ago, you shouldn’t be bleaching it just to give it a balayage effect two months after that. You have to keep in mind that the condition of your hair is being damaged by overusing chemicals.