Conditioner, Hair Care, Hair Color, Shampoo
Want to know how she does it? How she walks into the store, walks out with a box of home hair color and kills it each time? If you’ve ever wondered how to dye your hair at home professionally, there are a few things that the best home hair colorist have in common that make them successful and we are laying them all out for you.
SHE CONSIDERS HER SKIN TONE
There are those shades that are striking on others and generally not so stunning on you. A good way to gauge a potential color change is to observe how the color wears on others in your complexion range. If it’s great on her it most likely will be great on you too. Conversely, if its harsh and her skin is close to yours well you can expect a harsh effect too. We’d say ask your colorist but you’re on your own here, remember.
Yes this will require a purchase of two boxes, if box is the way you are going. But it’s worth it to know if your hair color is going to give you hives or other adverse reactions.
SHE APPLIES HAIR COLOR TO CLEAN HAIR
If you have heavy product on your hair rinse or shampoo it out without touching your scalp to ensure the best result. Stimulation of your scalp 24 hours or less, prior to coloring the hair can result in irritation, inflammation or color getting into the blood stream through small abrasions in your scalp. So please no standard washing prior to coloring your hair.
SHE COLORS ACCORDING TO COMMITMENT LEVEL AND HAIR CONDITION
Trying out a color but not sure you want to keep it? Have relaxed or damaged hair? Keeping your hair color at the same level or darker? Go semi permanent. Semi permanent colors are very gentle on the hair as they do not penetrate the outer layer, can not lighten hair, can be used the same day as relaxing and will wash out in approximately 8-12weeks.
Ready to take the big hair color plunge and swim around for a while? Hair in great condition? Want to go lighter with your color? Go permanent. Permanent colors are longer lasting than semi permanents and generally don’t fully wash out of your hair. They are capable of making hair color lighter but are never recommended for same day use when relaxing as they may cause minimal to severe damage depending on how much lighter in color your hair is changed.
SHE USES THE BEST COLOR AND THE BEST COLOR PRESERVING PRODUCTS
When going to a lighter hair color and your natural hair color is dark, go for a brand that offers color formulated specifically for dark hair and are formulated with oils. These brands have tried to make things easier for DIY colorists by combining tones that eliminate brass and off colored tones in your final result as well as trying to make sure your hair does not dry out as much with their oil-based formulations. Staying the same level or darker is generally the most effortless at home color type to achieve. Some colors we like John Frieda Precision Foam Colour Permanent Hair Color, Garnier Olia Oil Powered Permanent Hair Color and SheaMoisture Moisture-Rich, Ammonia-Free Hair Color System for the task.
Keeping your hair color “on-point” as they say requires a slight change in products as well. A great leave-in, UV protector and the right shampoo and conditioner combo will keep you shining bright like a diamond. A few products we like are Phytomist Instant Hydrating Conditioner For Color-Treated Hair and Rene Furterer Okara UV & Color Protection Radiance Enhancing Spray as highly effective leave-ins and John Frieda Sheer Blonde Everlasting Blonde Shampoo and Conditioner (as well as their Brilliant Brunette and Radiant Red) with safflower oil and bergamot extract to keep your hair and color fresh and clean.
SHE KNOWS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CREAMS, LIQUIDS AND FOAMS
Creams and foams are easier to control than liquids, making for less spills and stains. Creams are best for dry hair types while foams are universal. Liquids are less viscous than creams and may require more product to cover thick heads of hair. They are more prone to spills and stains so do be careful and make sure to cover your floor and counter area with old towels, use gloves and have some pure acetone handy to remove color stains from non porous surfaces.
SHE KEEPS IT NATURAL LOOKING
Staying within two levels of your natural hair color, whether going lighter or darker, generally yields beautiful natural looking results. Your blonde ambitions can be inspired by Lady Gaga, but to execute your best blonde, your actual color results should be in tune with your own skin tone if you don’t share Gaga’s fair complexion. When considering the condition of you hair, a change of two levels results in zero to minimal damage to the outer layer of hair, keeping hair in the most optimal condition next to non color treated at all with an added warmth or depth and vibrancy to the hair!
Happy and healthy coloring!
— Amena
Amena BelledeSoleil is an Aveda certified cosmetologist and owner Hair Polish Natural Hair Studio in Los Angeles. Find her on Facebook.
