Color tips

How many of you walk out of the salon in LOVE with your color, but in 2 weeks wondering why it is looking drab and faded??  Here are a few tips to help you save your hair color.
1.  Believe it or not, SHAMPOO and products DO matter!!  Compare!  If one of the first 3 ingredients of your shampoo says alcohol, then avoid it!  Alcohol may help cleanse and increase lather, but it is harsh and strips the hair of oil and therefore strips your color.  If you want salon looking color to last, then go with the better grade products.  The cost may be a little more up front, but you will find that the products are richer and more concentrated and they don't take as much, so you use less.  They will last longer.  The cost will even out.  You will spend less time at the salon because can possibly get an extra week or two between colors.  Who doesn't want that???

2.  If you are getting color (not highlights)  try to wait 24-48 hours before shampooing your hair.  This gives the color time to really penetrate and stain the hair shaft.  The longer its sits in, the longer it will stay in the hair.  Also if it is a little too dark at first, you may want to shampoo it in 24 hours to help lighten it a touch, but remember that during the first week after a hair color is when you get the major fade factor.

3.  If you spend time in the tanning bed or outside, cover your hair.  UV rays lighten the hair.  Especially red hair.  If you are in the tanning bed, just pull your shirt over your hair at least to protect it.  It also is great in protecting the condition of the hair too, because UV rays remove vital moisture from the hair.

4.  Whether or not your hair is oily, finish up with some type of conditioner to seal the hair.  Blow dryers and flat irons or curling irons will deplete moisture from the hair, drawing out color with it.  Protect it with a conditioner AND a thermal protectant.

5.  If you use a flat iron or curling iron, ALWAYS start with the lowest setting and make sure the hair is COMPLETELY DRY!!  If you want to see why you should be sure your hair needs to be dry, try dropping a wet spaghetti noodle on a stove element and watch what happens.  This is wet hair on a flat iron.  Same idea. Dry the hair completely and use a thermal serum or protectant.  Seal the hair from heat.

6.  Always try to go to the same Stylist or use the same color so you aren't overlapping different chemicals or formulas on your hair!!  This could cause breakage.

7.   If you are a BLONDE, BEFORE you get in chlorinated water, wet your hair and apply conditioner to PREVENT the absorption of chlorine. IF you do absorb some chlorine and your hair turns green, get some Aloe Rid or a good Clarifying shampoo or mix some Baking Soda with your shampoo. Allow it to penetrate your hair for several minutes. You may have to do this a couple of times. Follow up with a good conditioner.

Protecting your color will also protect the life of your hair if you are trying to let it grow out.  You need to keep your hair healthy so that the longer it gets it remains strong enough to withstand heat, brushing, and basic everyday wear.