20 Tips to Sucessfully Color Your Hair

The following are top tips for successful hair coloring:

1. Condition your hair first – use a deep conditioner or mask if you have damaged hair, as this may make the process of coloring your hair easier.  Do not wash your hair before applying colorant – the point is to lock in moisture, and shampoo will do the opposite.  If you must shampoo hair before coloring, use a hair mask after.  Deep condition hair regularly even if it isn’t damaged – this way hair will be in excellent health and color doesn’t have to cover up unhealthy hair.

2. Choose the right shade for you – don’t automatically go for your natural hair color or the one closest to it.  Hair is often darkest just after hair color, and hair can fade over time – if the hair is already dark you will need to use a hair color that has the right undertone for your skin tone and hair’s natural undertones.  Color hair in a salon where experts are around who know how to choose suitable hair colors.

This way hair color will match hair’s natural undertones and hair will be less likely to fade quickly.

3. Don’t use hair color if your hair is already in good health – some people do this but hair coloring isn’t always a suitable treatment for hair that has been overprocessed, damaged, or is brittle.  Hair may react badly to hair color – hair might feel brittle or dry, hair texture may change resulting in hair that is more difficult to manage.

4. Choose hair colors with a good reputation for not damaging hair – if you want dark hair colors like black or red, avoid hair dyes with ammonia and paraben chemicals as these can be harsh on hair.  Stick to hair colorants with a good reputation for hair that is healthier and manageable after coloring – hair colorants containing vitamins, plant extracts, and natural oils are ideal.

5. Choose hair colors that are appropriate for your hair texture – hair thinning or hair loss could be caused by hair coloring if the hair is fine or very damaged.  Hair loss after hair coloring can also be caused by a reaction to hair color.

6. Read hair dye labels – look for hair colors that have the least amount of chemicals, and check what hair dyes contain vitamins or natural oils as these are mild on hair when compared with chemical dyes.  Also avoid hair dyes that contain ingredients like PPD, which have been linked to hair loss.

7. Hair color may fade faster if the hair is exposed to pollution, hair styling products that contain chemicals or hair dyes that are harsh on hair – stick to hair color with a good reputation for resisting fading and check the label before using hair styling products or colorants to make sure hair color will stay longer.

8. Hair coloring may also fade or hair may get damaged if the hair is exposed to UV – avoid sun exposure and use a good conditioner after hair has been exposed to UV  since hair is more vulnerable to damage at this time.

9. Treat hair right before hair coloring – deep condition hair for hair that is in good condition and color hair after hair has been treated with a hair mask or hair serum to nourish hair.

10. Hair color may fade faster if the hair is exposed to heat – avoid using hair styling tools like straighteners and curlers on very hot settings since this will make hair more vulnerable to damage from hot styling tools.

11. Hair color may fade quickly if the hair is washed too often – hair should be washed only 2-3 times per week as hair needs some natural oils to keep hair in good condition and healthy.

12. Hair color may fade more quickly if the hair has been overcolored- hair that has been repeatedly colored can become brittle, dry and hair will be more porous – hair that is in good condition will keep hair color longer.

13. Hair coloring may fade or hair may get damaged if the hair isn’t protected from the sun – avoid direct sunlight as much as possible, especially between 10 am and 2 pm.  Hair needs to be protected and covered up when you are outside hair should be covered with a hat or hair clip when possible.  The sun can make hair color fade more quickly and hair exposed to the sun can become brittle and damaged.

14. Hair coloring may fade if the hair hasn’t been washed often enough – hair that is dirty will soak up hair dye, which could result in hair becoming too dark for hair color that would have otherwise lasted longer.  Hair should be washed every second day to make hair dye last longer and hair will stay cleaner for longer.

15. Hair coloring may fade if the hair is dyed too frequently – hair color works best when hair hasn’t been colored shortly before it is re-colored since hair needs a break from hair color to stay healthier. hair that is in good condition will keep hair coloring looking fresh longer.

16. Hair color will fade faster if the hair has been overprocessed – hair dyes can effectively cover hair but if the hair has been colored too light or re-colored too much, hair may not be able to absorb as much hair dye and hair dye can wash off more easily. Hair color works best when hair hasn’t been colored shortly before it is re-colored since hair needs a break from hair color to stay healthier. hair that is in good condition will keep hair coloring looking fresh longer.

17. Hair coloring may fade if the hair isn’t protected during chemical services – put hair in a hair net if the hair hasn’t been recently colored or hair is not chemically treated. hair that is damaged from chemicals will absorb hair dye more easily and hair can get burned since hair is exposed to chemical hair color on all sides.  Hair should be allowed to breathe after it has been treated with chemical services like perms, relaxers, hair straightening, and hair coloring.  Hair color may fade faster if the hair is exposed to chemical hair treatments like hair dye or hair relaxers because hair needs time to recover after being treated with these chemicals.

18. Hair color may fade if the hair has a bad diet – eat foods that are full of vitamins and minerals since healthy hair has a more natural hair color and hair will stay healthy longer. Hair that is in good condition will keep hair coloring looking fresh longer.

19. Hair color may fade if the hair has been recently exposed to hair chemicals – wait at least 30 days after hair dye, relaxers, hair straightening, or any other hair chemical treatment before you get your hair colored again as this will help hair to stay healthier and hair may fade less quickly. Hair color works best when hair hasn’t been colored shortly before it is re-colored since hair needs a break from hair color to stay healthier. hair that is in good condition will keep hair coloring looking fresh longer.

20. Hair color may fade if the hair has been recently exposed to hair products – hair that is freshly colored hair will absorb hair color more easily and hair dye can wash off more easily. Hair color works best when hair hasn’t been colored shortly before it is re-colored since hair needs a break from hair color to stay healthier. Hair that is in good condition will keep hair coloring looking fresh longer.