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