DIY COLOUR APPLICATION
- Always do a strand test before applying colour, particularly if you already have colour on your hair. This is essential to ensure colour compatibility and to make sure there is no allergic reaction to the colour
- Remember when re-doing your hair colour with a home colour, put the colour on
the ROOTS ONLY for the first 15 minutes, and then massage the colour through
the rest of the hair to blend the colour in. This avoids colour overload and ensures
even colour throughout
- Colour can sometimes become runny when your head is warm, so pop a shower cap
on to stop the colour dripping all over the place. (If you ever stay in a hotel ask for extra shower caps and bring them home for this purpose!!)
- Apply vaseline around your hairline and on the tips of your ears to block staining, making sure you avoid contact with your hair.
- If colour does stain your skin, gently massage the area with your regular facial exfoliator.
- ALWAYS read instructions carefully and thoroughly - TWICE!
COLOUR SELECTION:
* There are three levels of home colour:
LEVEL 1 = Temporary colour lasting 6 - 8 washes
LEVEL 2 = Semi-Permanent colour lasting upto 20 washes
LEVEL 3 = Permanent colour will grow out not wash out
- Never go more than two to three shades lighter or darker with DIY colour. If you want something more dramatic, then you need to go to a professional hair colourist.
- First decide what it is you expect from your colour. Do you want subtlety?
How long do you want it to last? How good are you at applying colour yourself?
- Choose a product that meets your needs. If you're not brilliant at applying hair
colour at home, opt for a simple shampoo-in product, avoid anything with too
thick a consistency, as even coverage may prove difficult, particularly on long hair.
- Opt for a product that clearly shows you what the colour will look like. There
should be a colour shade chart which indicates what colour you to choose, depending on your natural colour, to achieve the result you require.
- Beware: the picture on the box isn't always true to the finished result.
- Look for instructions on the box before you buy so that you know you are able
to cope with the application. Some can be very messy and an extra pair of hands
would be advisable. Most products provide gloves and a cap.
- Always remember that if you have to mix two bottles together before you apply, it will have some degree of peroxide in it, and also means the colour will last
longer on the hair. However, some products have more peroxide than others. If
it's vegetable colour you want, remember there will only be one bottle in the box.
If there are two bottles that need mixing together it definitely isn't vegetable colour!
- Finally, be sure that what you are buying is what you want!
GENERAL COLOUR MAINTENANCE
- Always use a shampoo and conditioner that has been formulated specifically for colour treated and highlighted hair
- The sun can cause colour to fade, so remember to protect coloured hair by covering it completely when sunbathing, or at the very least use protective styling product that contains UV filters
- Keep coloured hair in optimum condition by using an intensive conditioner twice a week.
- Don't neglect your hair cut - one of the secrets of good looking colour is keeping hair groomed and having a good haircut.
- Chlorine and more specifically salt is enemy no.1 for coloured hair, so if you are a keen swimmer wear a swim hat - it may not be cool, but having green hair is less cool! Alternatively, apply a heavy conditioning product through the hair to act as a barrier prior to swimming and always shampoo the hair (not just rinse) when you leave the pool.
- Always rough dry the hair before you start styling and use heat protectors prior to using heated styling appliances such as straighteners, tongs and hairdryers.
Thanks for FOUR London - experts in professional hair colour.
