If you have virgin hair, you are basically a unicorn in the salon. (Virgin hair means you’ve never had any chemical processes on it).
So, why would you want to color your hair? Take a minute to consider your motivation and reasoning. If your reason is a recent breakup or just because everyone is doing it, you may want to reconsider... But, maybe you have some grays, or your natural color just feels dull. Perhaps the change in seasons is encouraging you to go lighter or darker. Maybe your skin tone or wardrobe is telling you to spruce it up. Maybe you just want a change, to encourage some creative juices in your life.
When someone comes into the salon for the first time, I like to ask questions about lifestyle. How do you style your hair on a day-to-day basis? If you wear it down, adding highlights around your face might be a great place to start. If you wear it in a bun or ponytail, you might not want a balayage, but some highlights around the whole hairline could look great! Talking to a professional can give you some great insight.
There are a lot of factors that go into getting your hair colored. Let’s take a look at the process to help you decide on the perfect hair color for your lifestyle. The process varies depending on what we do, so let me break it down by hair color type:
Permanent
This is probably the most popular type of hair color. We use this for covering gray hair, or for coloring hair darker.
Process:
The process for this is fairly straightforward. We decide on the exact shade, I mix it up, and apply it all over. Then we let it process, and wash it out.
Time:
the appointments is typically 1.5-2 hours. Usually the first 30-45 mins are the consultation and application. Then the next 25-45 mins are processing. And the remainder of the appointment is the wash and possible conditioning treatments, followed by blow drying and styling.
Return appointments:
Because the hair color is permanent, you will see a line of demarcation where the hair color ends and your natural hair is growing in. Hair grows about ½” every month, so after two weeks you can start to see the line of demarcation. Standard root touch ups are recommended every 4-6 weeks.
Home care:
Even though it’s called permanent, it can fade over time. Using color safe shampoo and conditioner, along with lukewarm water can help reduce color fading.
Demi-Permanent
This is a very versatile type of hair color, because it allows you to try it out without major consequences, because it is less opaque than permanent hair color. It tends to fade mostly out in about 25-35 washes, or 6-8 weeks. Some people even consider it to be healthy on the hair because it tends to give a gloss or seal to the hair, protecting it from external stresses.
Process:
The process depends on how translucent we want it to be. Sometimes we apply it wet, and sometimes we apply it dry. This is actually the kind of color we use for toner.
Time:
the appointment varies depending on what we are doing. For an all over color, it’s 1.5-2 hours. Or if we’re just using it for toner, that part only takes 20 mins. Usually the first 30-45 mins are the consultation and application. Then the next 15-50 mins are processing. And the remainder of the appointment is the wash and possible conditioning treatments, followed by blow drying and styling.
Return appointments:
Because the hair color is Demi-permanent, you won’t see much of a line of demarcation where the hair color ends and your natural hair is growing in. This is great for a low-maintenance, and low damage style.
Home care:
It is designed to fade over time, but using color safe shampoo and conditioner, along with lukewarm water can help reduce color fading. That will allow you to enjoy it for the longest time possible.
Lightener (also known as bleach….)
Lightener is used when we want to remove pigment from the hair to make it lighter. This is more damaging than going darker, but less damaging than a perm. With proper home care, you should be able to lighten your hair safely without worrying about compromising the integrity or health of your hair. Sometimes it takes multiple appointments to get the exact shade you’re going for.
Process:
The application differs greatly depending if you want highlights, balayage, or all over lighter. In any case, We decide on the exact shade, I mix up the lightener, and apply it. Then we let it process, and wash it out. Then we follow it with a toner, and then I highly recommend a restorative conditioning treatment, like Olaplex or a Kerastase Fusio-dose.
Time:
the appointment can vary greatly depending on what we are doing, but is typically 3-4 hours. Usually the first 1-2 hours are the consultation and application. Then the next 15-30 mins are processing. And the remainder of the appointment is the wash, toner, and conditioning treatments, followed by blow drying and styling.
Return appointments:
All over solid blondes are best touched up every 4-5 weeks. Standard highlights are best touched up every 8-10 weeks. Balayage or lived-in color go the longest, like 10-12 weeks between appointments. My favorite recommendation is to do a “3T’s” halfway between your appointments. The 3T’s stand for: Trim, Tone, and Treatment. It’s a great way to refresh your hair and boost the integrity and health between bleaching applications.
Home care:
Depending on how light your hair is, you may want to use a purple shampoo to neutralize any yellow or brassiness that can show through as the toner begins to fade. But I only recommend purple shampoo once a week or twice a month, because it can tend to dry out the hair. In any case, bleached hair can always use damage repair or hydration. Although, beware of protein… a little is a good thing, but too much can actually make your hair more brittle. My ideal blonde routine is to rotate between hydration, damage control, hydration again, then maybe purple shampoo, and repeat.
Conclusion
The best way to decide is to get a professional opinion for your exact hair type and lifestyle, but I hope this gives you a good idea of what to expect before your hair color appointment. 😊 I hope to see you here again soon!! Feel free to check back soon for other posts about more specific hair care.
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