We’re not talking big change, like move-to-Paris-with-a-wish-and-a-suitcase big, but we’re definitely talking change.
And what’s more fun than trying out a new hair color every once in a while?
We know, the bleach … the chemicals … unless you’re going for henna dyes, you might be exposing your hair to a whole world of hurt.
Thankfully, there’s a way to get around that. Whether you’re blonde, dark, ombre, balayage, purple, pink, or green - we’ve got tips for you.
Spur of the moment decisions can be fun and exciting, but they’re sometimes a bad idea. Rushing into a new color or bleach treatment without properly preparing your hair can be dangerous.
Your hair takes a pretty big hit in the moisture and strength departments when exposed to harsh chemicals, so if it’s only so-so beforehand - it’ll be no-no afterwards.
This means you need to start oil treatments, deep-conditioning, and avoiding drying hair products up to two months before you plan to dye.
But hey, maybe you’re perfect and already do that stuff. Still, it doesn’t hurt to throw in some extra nourishment a few weeks before your appointment.
We have a hair mask that works wonders for that, wink wink.
You did it! New hair, new you, and you gotta rinse.
If you’re at a salon, you might need to make a very important request: don’t shampoo.
Don’t shampoo?! How will the dye get out?
It’ll take a little longer this way, and you might dye your pillowcase if you don’t slap a towel down, but this extra step is crucial for retaining your best color.
In fact, your best color wants to wait three days, when your hair cuticle is done closing up. Exposing your hair to the sulfates in shampoo right after a color not only dries it out and increases breakage, but strips a lot of the dye out in the process - and you paid for that!
Reduce your trips back for a retouch by avoiding shampoo for a little bit.
Pro tip: When you do ‘poo, go sulfate-free.
We’re gonna say it twice today, so here’s number one: Avoid that heat!
Not only does hot water fade your color out faster than cold, but it also weakens your hair follicles and increases breakage. We’d say this is an every-day tip, to be real.
When your hair is heated, it softens and becomes very porous. Think about boiling a pasta noodle - well, it’s kinda close to that.
This makes it stretch and snap much easier than cold water. Not to mention, hot water strips your hair and scalp of its natural oils, making it frizzy and prone to falling out.
The best thing for your hair is a warm wash, to easily remove all residue, and then a cool rinse. Your hair will thank you, and your color will stay vibrant for a longer amount of time.
Avoid the heat - yes, again!
Like we said, warning #2. Heat is terrible for your hair!
Especially excessive heat, which most heat stylers reach. The average curling iron can reach over 300° F.
If your body temperature is only around 98°, why would you subject your hair to triple that amount?
Beachy waves, perfect curls, or flowing straight locks are sometimes too tempting to pass up.
Like with hot water, heat products will fade your hair color - but much more unevenly. Unless you are using your tool for the exact same amount of time on every part of your hair, some parts are going to fade faster than others.
Yikes. To avoid looking like a bad watercolor, try styling your hair naturally! Throwing a curl-defining oil, like mango butter, into hair and wrapping it before bed can create smooth, bouncy waves in the morning. For straighter hair, do the same but with a tight bun.
If you’re looking for crazy, curly volume - flop your wet hair upside-down into a t-shirt, tie it, and unwrap the next morning. Throw in some coconut oil for shine, and you’ve got beautiful, princess-y curls.
I’m sure you’re noticing a theme, and for good reason.
Moisture is absolutely important when taking care of bleached or dyed hair.
Avoiding drying shampoos and heat is only the tip of the iceberg, though.
The best way to nourish your hair and ensure a long-lasting color is to deep-condition at least once a week. Dry hair is very porous, so it breaks and is susceptible to fading.
When hair is deep-conditioned (especially with natural oils, wink wink) it stays shiny and strong. Your hair follicles are more nourished, and less likely to release the dye.
Less money at the salon is always a good thing, and your hair will thank you for the longer breaks between treatments.
So take a 30-minute vacation once a week to chill out, load your hair up with some hydrating oils, and read a magazine (or maybe a really cool blog).
Big change doesn’t have to mean big sacrifice.
Taking a little extra time to prep and condition your hair will ensure that it bounces back and retains color for less needed touch-ups.