Basic Home Coloring Advice
1) Only use a semi-permanent hair color first. If you use a permanent color and it goes wrong you might find that the inexpensive box you bought at the chemist ending up costing you ten times as much at the salon in ‘colour correction’. With semi’s you can wash them back out again if you make a mistake.
2) Choose the color carefully. Opt for a lighter shade than the manufacturers say because the color almost always comes out darker than indicated on the box. Check it against your skin tone to see if it suits you.
3) Read the instructions through twice and follow them to the letter.
4) Don’t skip the strand test because you want it done that night. What if it goes wrong ? You’ll be sitting in a hat instead of dining out or partying the night away. Also of you have an allergy you may end up with an irritated scalp or worse.
5) Never mix products as you may end with with a harmful chemical reaction.
6) Make sure your watch or clock is working before you start. Timing is essential with home coloring products.
7) Have someone around who can help you out with any patches at the back of your head which might be difficult to reach.
8) Rub vasaline round your hair line before you start. This will stop the product from staining your skin.
9) Time it exactly and then wash thoroughly with a gentle shampoo and then condition.
Common Mistakes and Solutions :
Disaster : Ends are Darker than the Roots
Cause : Older hair is more porous
Tip : Try again, but this time ends need to be conditioned beforehand, or put color on for a shorter time/use lighter shade on the ends.
Disaster : Hair Color is Darker then planned.
Cause : Sometimes manufacturers products come out darker than indicated. Hair is more porus.
Tip : Try repeat washing with a clarifying shampoo/anti-dandruff shampoo.
Disaster : Color is uneven
Cause : Could be hair is damaged and more porous. Bad application
Tip : Reapply to patch areas first before doing the rest of your hair.
Disaster : It hasn’t covered your grey
Cause : Wrong product chosen
Tip : Check label to see how much grey it will cover. You may have to opt for a permanent tint.
Disaster : Color Fading too quickly
Cause : Hair is too damaged, porous or grey
Tip : Try boosting it with a temporary or or reapply semi-permanent as needed.
Disaster : Hate the Color
Cause : Bad Choice
Tip : Call your hairdresser
Disaster : Hair Meltdown
Cause : The hair loses all elasticity through over processing and may feel like sludge when wet.
Tip : Avoid moisturizing products, look for ones that strengthen and rebuilt the hair instead. Seek professional help.
By: Carly
