Before you even set foot in the salon, there’s plenty of work to be done at home. Your hair needs to be as healthy as possible so that the color adheres best and you can achieve the exact look you’re going for:
1. Don’t wash for two days
The more natural oil on your hair, the better the color will “stick.” “Your own oils protect your hair and scalp better than anything from a bottle,” says Frielich. If you aggressively scrub when you shampoo, you may irritate your scalp (without realizing it). Coming to the salon with freshly washed hair makes your hair look its lightest. “Especially with blonds, you want your color in its darkest state so your colorist can see it like that to get it to the best shade,” says Frielich.
2. Load up on conditioning masks and treatments
Most colorists recommend using a hydrating treatment on hair two weeks before you are scheduled for color. “The more hydrated the hair is, the healthier it is and the better it can hold color,” says celebrity colorist Rita Hazan. De Souza recommends using Joico K-PAK RevitaLuxe the night before getting highlights. “It helps protect hair from harsh chemicals it may be exposed to.”
3. Pass on heat-based styling tools
Clairol Professional celebrity colorist Kiyah Wright says to resist using excessive heat (think straighteners, curling irons and blow-drying) before coloring your hair. “Heat causes dry and brittle strands, which will not result in vibrant color.”
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