Everything looks better in colour—even your hair!
Colouring your hair is the biggest, most drastic hair makeover a girl can ever opt for. However, if done right, it can earn you zillion compliments! While celebrities and beauty influencers leave us drooling over their whacky hair colour choices, remember that not all hair colours may look as good on you as they do in pictures.
From selecting the right shade to going about the colouring method correctly, you want to make sure the end result is stunning. For which, you need to avoid making the most common hair colouring mistakes. Fret not! We’ve got you covered with everything you need to know before colouring your hair:
- Choosing your shade wisely
- Applying colour to your scalp
- Leaving the colour on for way too long
- Not using hair products formulated for colour-treated hair
- Starting out on clean hair
Choosing your shade wisely
If you’re colouring your hair for the first time, then make sure you consult your hairstylist before taking the plunge. The first step is to choose a shade! However, don’t simply pick something that may end up looking OTT or artificial. Colouring is supposed to enhance your natural hair colour. So, whether you’re colouring at home or taking professional help, choose a shade that’ll suit your overall personality. Highlights can be a great start for beginners!
Applying colour to your scalp
While colouring your hair at home, remember to keep a distance of about an inch from the scalp. It is your hair that needs to be coloured, not your scalp (except of course if you want to cover the greys or are going for root touch-up). Hair colour is infused with a heavy dose of chemicals, therefore, keep a safe distance from your scalp area.
Leaving the colour on for way too long
There is no such thing as “hair colour, Netflix and chill”! In fact, leaving your hair colour on for more than 45 minutes can do more harm than good to your tresses. If you’re colouring your hair at home, then the box will ideally have timer instructions. Exceeding the timer can leave you with over-processed colour and flat, fried hair strands.
Not using hair products formulated for colour-treated hair
When you colour your hair in the salon, your colourist will often suggest the products (shampoo and conditioner) you must opt for your colour-treated hair. As opposed to the regular shampoos and conditioners, colour protectant hair products add shine and prevent further damage. And that’s not all! They also make sure that your colour looks fresh, vibrant and does not fade away too soon.
Starting out on clean hair
Did you know? Shampooing right before colouring your hair is a strict no-no! By cleansing your hair, you are removing the natural oils that actually protect your scalp during the colouring process. It is ideal to shampoo your hair at least 12-24 hours prior to your hair colouring session.
Written by Fatema Habib on Feb 06, 2020