Coloring your hair for the first time

Are you excited?! This is always my first question to a virgin hair guest who is about to make a hair transformation. It is exciting but can also be nerve-racking.

I want to tell you all how hair coloring works and how to be prepared for your first color appointment. If I don’t answer all of your questions, please comment below and I will do a follow-up blog.

How long will the appointment take?
I always prefer to give myself two and half hours per client, however, this varies depending on length, thickness, and what we will be doing with your hair. For virgin hair, I tend to move slower as I want to make sure the client doesn’t feel rushed and is happy with the finished product. More time means more opportunity to perfect every strand of hair.

Should I wash my hair before or leave it dirty?
If you have read any of my other blogs, you will know that I am partial and love dirty hair. However, it truly doesn’t matter! Dirty or clean, the color will stick. I only request that your hair isn’t wet or damp so I can see it in its natural state prior to coloring it.

If you are doing any lightening on the root, I recommend not washing your hair for three days before. The less irritated the scalp, the less the bleach will bother it. Typically, the first time coloring your hair won’t be a coloring job that big, but it is something to keep in mind for future color appointments.

Should I bring in pictures?
Yes, please! Pictures are great! I can’t read my clients’ minds or envision what they see, so a visual aid is incredibly helpful to determine what the goal of the appointment is.  For instance, what you consider to be a warm blonde and what I consider to be a warm blonde could be very different, so bringing in visuals is often more helpful than verbal descriptions. Beyond that, I just love to see pictures of the styles you like and dislike. Having a clear understanding of the direction my clients want to go with their hair makes for a successful hair journey.

What type of maintenance are we talking about?
In my dream world I would see every client at the most every 8 weeks. However, like  I said, that is in my dream world! I understand that life is busy and demanding, and our hair isn’t typically our top priority. Despite this, keeping up with color and cuts is important for all hair, but especially hair that has big color jobs. I always say hair is the one accessory that you can’t take off ;)

Here’s a breakdown of how often you should come in for an appointment depending on your color job:

• Natural Bayalage: 12 weeks
• Bright Bayalage: 6-8 weeks
• Highlights: 6 weeks
• Root lightening: 4 weeks
• Grey coverage: 4 weeks
• Demi-permanent gloss: 12 weeks
• Cut: 8-12 weeks

Is it going to damage my hair?
I don’t usually recommend making several dramatic changes in one appointment because it can lead to damage, but there are solutions we can do to limit the damage. One of these is using a bond builder. My favorite is Olaplex. When hair is lightened or colored, its bonds break down so the color can penetrate the hair strand to remove its natural color. Olaplex is added to your color to build the bonds back up and seal them down. It makes hair feel healthier and thicker. I recommend it even when simply lightening the hair a few shades. It is an extra charge because the product is extremely expensive, but I find it to be worth it and never color my own hair without it.

For all you virgin hair folks out there, let me tell you that coloring your hair is a blast. I love being able to change and highlight certain features about someone with just a change of hair color. The possibilities are endless with some patience and a whole lot of lightener. And just remember, life is too short for boring hair :)

Love, Paige

Going Blonder

“If you haven’t gone through your blonde phase have you even lived in the hair color world?”
- Basic Paige

Just kidding. But seriously, everyone has been there! Either is has been done well or it has given you PTSD.

Friends, let's talk blonde.

The darker you are naturally the more warmth you have to work through to get to a nice clean blonde. Dark hair has to work through red, orange and then yellow. To get rid of this warmth, your hair must go through toning, which will counteract/cancel out the warmth. But, keep in mind that everyone has warmth and goes brassy over time (dark hair more so than light hair).

There is nothing more frustrating than a client saying, “I know I haven’t seen you in a year, but my hair has gotten really brassy.” I know getting into the salon can be hard. Life happens and it isn't always in the budget, schedule and it isn't always a priority. However, like most things, hair does not stay perfect if it has been neglected over a period of time. The key to going blonde is maintenance - being blonde requires maintenance. When your hair gets more blonde, its bonds break down and remove the eumelanin and melanin that make up your natural hair color. We lift the desired amount and then tone out the natural warmth left. The toner or gloss, as I call it, sits inside your cuticle, but every time your hair hits water your cuticle gets lifted and the color washes out. The more you wash the less your color lasts.

But, no need to fear! Here are some tips and tricks we can do:

1. Olaplex. It is a pure gold juice - a.k.a it's a bond builder that not only helps protect your hair but also seals down your cuticle. When your cuticle is sealed, your color lasts longer. I recommend it anytime you are going lighter.

2. Be patient. If we take our time going lighter, we can do it gently and preserve your hair. I have found that my favorite blondes take their time and progress into their color. I usually alternate between bayalage and a melted highlight. If you don’t know what this is, take a look at my earlier blog on it.

3. Purchase the proper products. Y'all might think I am crazy for saying this again and again, but trust me! You need to protect your hair every day. You need a proper leave-in, protectant and serum. These things will be great for your color and your hair. That long blonde hair that every girl dreams of requires work but is possible with the right products.

4. Purple is your best friend. Purchase a purple conditioner. You might wonder, why conditioner and not shampoo? I am biased because I try to steer clients away from using shampoo altogether, but there isn’t a single purple shampoo that I don’t find extremely harsh on the hair. Purple shampoos lift the cuticle and place purple molecules inside the hair, which you can imagine is incredibly harsh on the hair. I would much rather have my clients use a purple conditioner once a week and leave it on their hair for 10-15 minutes. This not only helps the tone but also keeps the hair healthier.

5. Visit me. Regular 6-8 week visits make a huge difference to hair. We will keep your hair healthy and beautiful and give you the happy hair you dream of!

Love, Paige