Going back to basics, hair colour can be a challenge if you don’t understand the demands of caring for hair and what you need. In this series, we will cover the main colour groups and requirements.
UV Protection
If you or your client spend a lot of time outside, the sun will change the colour, especially in summer. Still, in Australia, the iconic blonde surfer dude look came about because they used a little peroxide, and then the salt water and sun created highlights and lowlights, changing the colour and look of the hair. This harsh treatment also would dry out the hair.
Using a UV protection system for everyday use, usually in a conditioner, will help combat colour change.
Caring for Colour
Blonde and silver aren’t cheap to do correctly, and maintaining them costs a bit extra: purple shampoo, along with a masque or conditioner, helps maintain colour by eliminating the brassiness that can settle in over time.
The purple treatment, for greying or silver hair, for example, will help keep hair looking crisp and bright, providing a beautiful finish and maintaining a professional look between visits to the hairdresser. These colours, along with beautiful reds and the blue, pink, or rainbow modern colours, are gorgeous but not cheap to achieve or maintain. Helping a client or yourself understand how to care for colour is a big part of their overall look.
My Personal Preference
One of the best cutters and colour theory hairdressers I’ve ever worked with was a girl on my team. We talked about products, hair care, and the day-to-day. Because of the specialties of purple shampoos and masks, I classify them as products and use them accordingly, based on the recommendations.
My personal preference is L’Oréal Silver and Kérastase Blond Absolu for dry hair. L’Oréal owns Kérastase, and is their professional range.
The top recommendations are: don’t over-process your hair, don’t over-wash your hair, and use the best product you can afford. For coloured hair, you will need to use a colour-protecting shampoo and conditioner between treatments.
Staying Sharp
Whether you are interested in tips for caring for your own hair or you are a professional, I’ll add a couple of links below for a refresher on colour theory and colour levels to help you care for and maintain beautiful hair.
The Shade Colour Levels Explained
Black Tie Events
The heat is always on for these events. Regrowth needs to be done a few days before, and treating brassiness also needs to be done a few days before.
A couple of go-to products;
COLOR WOW Dream Coat Supernatural Spray isn’t cheap,, so check online; your best options for the kit are Target or Walmart in Los Angeles, to get it into your hands now. Otherwise, Amazon carries it too.
Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil again, the winner is Target. Check stock before you head out to grab it. (Sometimes you need to call, the number of times a website is wrong, ugh).
As a side note, people steal this stuff. If you can, get a smaller bottle for day use and not a full one, if you know what I mean. Keep the backup products somewhere else, because if people steal stuff from your kit, you inadvertently end up working for free to replace everything. Planning for weirdos is a part of the package, and protecting your kit from theft is a part of your practice.
Half-up and half-down hairstyles can be contemporary while giving styles a break from just a bun or just waves, they show off both the colour and movement of hair in a carefully styled evening hairdo.
Regrowth, treatments, anti-brass detailing, products, and styling should always be done before any event, at least a few days in advance. Sometimes you have to gently teach clients these techniques because they are not professionals in hair and makeup.
As a final act, flat hair is boring, if the client is on a tight budget, a couple of lowlights or highlights can make a huge difference. Accessories, used sparingly, are also a makeshift way to add interest.
The Long Term
Nobody wants to destroy their hair. Have them maintain their hair in between salon visits. They can do anti-brassiness once a week at home, and an oil treatment or mask if needed. Teach them not to over-wash or over-process their hair, while encouraging them to use the best product they can afford.
Get Your Gorgeous On 