Things to Consider Before Coloring Your Hair: Being Glamorous and Realistic

Hair-coloring can be a major decision, especially if you decide to completely change your look; for example, going blonde or brunette. In case you are confused what to do and are a first-timer in this ‘hair-coloring business,’ just consider going darker. It keeps you on the safer side.

Avoid bleaching your hair, as this involves the use of harsher chemicals and stripping off color from your hair. The end result may or may not complement your look. When you choose to darken your hair you add color to it, which is safer look-wise.

Thumb Rule

Make sure you have healthy hair. Coloring gives better results on healthy hair. Strong, shiny locks can withstand the breakdown of protein that happens when you color your hair. The result – Your hair won’t look damaged; rather it would look beautiful.

Important

You cannot miss this point. Choose hair color wisely. Otherwise it can be a disaster. Ensure the hair color complements your skin tone. Remember, red or electric blue color does not always suit everybody. Consider your lifestyle, your office requirements, and your ability to carry out hair maintenance before deciding to color treat your hair.

Before you call up the hair stylist, please know the following things:

• Go light or dark by only one or two shades in one go. More than this and you might spoil your appearance.
• If you want to go completely blonde, please think and rethink…and think once again. Once you go blonde, you wouldn’t be going darker anytime soon.
• In case of changing hair color drastically from dark to light, you may have to visit the salon within 2 weeks. Can you do this?
• If you choose a hair color that is closest to your natural hair color, you can avoid the salon for at least 3 months.
• When you change your hair color you also need to change your makeup to complement the overall look. Are you ready for this?
• Be ready to ditch your old shampoo that contains sulfates; as such products fade hair color faster. A sulfate-free shampoo designed especially for color-treated hair should be at the top of your purchase list.
• The more dramatic your hair color, say red or hot pink, the more money, visits to salon, and maintenance it requires. When Rihanna did her hair in red she visited the salon before each event to redo the color. You cannot expect to flaunt a vivid red mane for 2 months at a stretch.

Golden tip

We have seen Anne Hathaway going from brunette to blonde and then to brunette again. This might inspire you, but please do not expect to ‘change colors’ that frequently. For Anne, it’s her job, as the glamour world demands it. You need to be more realistic.

After coloring your hair, you aren’t going to shoot a movie scene and embrace stardom, but will be back to your routine long hours in the office. Your life will stay the same; only your hair color will change. So, make sure your hair color goes well with your lifestyle.

It may sound funny, but you may not like your appearance in the mirror for a few days after your hair coloring episode. This holds true when you go for a drastic change. Be ready for the shock and for mixed reactions from people too. Not everybody may like your look; but if you like it, that’s about it.

This is the reason experts advice caution before color-treating your hair. A little extra effort put in before the procedure can save you from embarrassment, disappointment, and even burning of the scalp! Talk to your hair stylist at length with regard to hair color, process, after care, choice of hair coloring products and shampoo, and others.

If a stylist is adamant in discussing with you the details and simply want to do the job, run away from him! Professional stylists never hesitate to help you and discuss with you such important hair-changing experience that you wish to undergo.

According to a renowned hair stylist, there are two times when you should avoid hair coloring – wedding or holidays. You are going to be clicked a lot and, with a freshly colored mane, you may not be so sure of your look. Why take the risk?