Oh no. Not again! Your curly locks are displaying a mind of their own, are they? Willfully disobeying your most fervent wish that they'd settle down and just look pretty. When was the last time that rebellious streak struck? Oh yeah right. Yesterday.
Okay so you can't tame your wild and crazy curls. Same old song sung many times before I'm afraid. And this despite all the chemical straightening and blow drying 'til your arms fall off and what naught? Frustrating, isn't it?
Unfortunately this is the sad reality for some mop tops. No matter what they do they are stuck with free spirited to downright unruly curls with a mind of their own. And come what may they choose to live life without the inconvenience of a safety net. A tendency which really comes to life when the humidity spikes.
Of course maybe you are putting your emphasis on the wrong place. Perhaps you'd be better off to embrace the curls for who they are. And focus instead on something you have more control over. What's that, you ask? Why the color of your tresses naturally.
It really is true that you can put an end to this unending dispute with your hair if you'll but surrender and focus on something you can control. Again I'm suggesting it be the color. Which puts looking stunning once again within your grasp.
Assuming this sounds appealing for anyone weary of fighting the curl wars, here's a home coloring tip or two to keep in mind should you decide to go that route.
Follow the Yellow Brick Road: First and much like Dorothy, you don't want to start from just anywhere and end up anywhere. That, in the end, will get you nowhere. Successful home hair coloring requires following a bit of a road map, or a plan, with a starting point nearest the scalp and a destination down at the ends. Keeping in mind the oldest hair, the ends, has suffered the most environmental damage. That likely makes them more porous and receptive to hair dye molecules. Which is why you want to end up there rather than start there. Otherwise you could end up with darker ends when compared to the roots.
A Section At a Time: Oh and without a map you risk missing swaths of hair. For that problem sectioning is the answer. This way you can thoroughly work the product into each section insuring equal opportunity coloring, if you will. Or avoiding ending up with the dreaded hit and miss dye job.
Be Peroxide Free: It's most advisable that home hair colorers with curly hair avoid anything with peroxide. Not only are such products harder on your hair, they are riskier too. Meaning you could mess up and end up with more problems than just unruly curls. Knowing as we do that curly hair tends to be dryer hair anyway.
What Color, Please? Finally, if you want gorgeous curls oozing with confidence you might pick up a box that is a shade darker than the color you seek. Just another idea some have found helpful. And that's just a shade of difference, rather than a lot shades.
Okay so I can't guarantee that wedding color with a more relaxed attitude towards your curls will get you on the cover of People magazine. But it might make them easier to live with regardless.
Showing posts with label hair color. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hair color. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Friday, August 24, 2012
11 Proven Home Coloring Tips That Work
Let me guess. Didn't have enough cash on hand to have a pro do it so you broke down and bought a box of hair color at Walmart thinking you'd give the whole color-your-hair-yourself-at-home thing a whirl. I'm not surprised. There's a lot of that going on nowadays.
So how'd that work out for you?
Again just guessing here, but one of two things likely happened. Color nirvana or you've already made a call to the colorist at your salon to get the color corrected. Figuring you'll put the cost on your credit card and worry about that bill later. Because things turned out so disastrously bad you couldn't dare show your face in public. Not while looking like that at least.
Not surprising. Happens all the time to first time home colorists. Which would suggest you need some proven hair coloring ideas you can use to make your next home hair coloring adventure a big success. Because while this isn't exactly rocket science, it's not as easy as one might think no matter what your BFFs might tell you. At least not if you want to end up with healthy, shiny hair afterwards.
Tip#1: You never know so don't go and forget to do the patch test to see if you're going to have any kind of reaction.
Tip#2: If your hair is long or super thick buy two boxes just in case. Nothing worse than finding out mid process you don't have enough dye to do the job.
Tip#3: Take care to apply the color to all of your hair. Sounds obvious I know. But it can happen. A good way to do that is to split your hair into sections. Then do one at a time making sure you saturate the strands. Otherwise you may end up with chunks of hair where the color did not take.
Tip#4: Start from the top and work your way down to again make sure not a single strand is missed.
Tip#5: Make sure to massage the color in all over your head like you're shampooing your hair.
Tip#6: Don't forget the hairline. Some forget to do that you know.
Tip#7: Some find piling their hair on top of their head helps them to see if they missed anything underneath.
Tip#8: This can be messy so plan on doing it in the bathtub. Makes cleanup is easier. And you will need to clean up since as you massage the dye in it will likely splatter some.
Tip#9: Don't dare use your fav micro fiber towel. Instead use an old ratty one you can pitch and never see again.
Tip#10: Remember to follow the directions on the box and you should be fine. It's really not hard at all if you do what the box says for as long as it says.
Tip#11: Try real hard to avoid getting any dye on your face or ears. Yes, it will wash off, eventually, but you don't want any splotches of dyed skin on display. Ruins the effect, you know? You might also run a little Vaseline around your hair line and on your ears to make sure this doesn't happen.
BONUS Tip: Remember to ALWAYS use the follow up conditioner found in the kit.
Coloring your hair at home doesn't have to be a nightmare. It also doesn't have to mean you will do horrible things to your hair. Not at all. At least not if you follow proven tips like the ones shared here.
So how'd that work out for you?
Again just guessing here, but one of two things likely happened. Color nirvana or you've already made a call to the colorist at your salon to get the color corrected. Figuring you'll put the cost on your credit card and worry about that bill later. Because things turned out so disastrously bad you couldn't dare show your face in public. Not while looking like that at least.
Not surprising. Happens all the time to first time home colorists. Which would suggest you need some proven hair coloring ideas you can use to make your next home hair coloring adventure a big success. Because while this isn't exactly rocket science, it's not as easy as one might think no matter what your BFFs might tell you. At least not if you want to end up with healthy, shiny hair afterwards.
Tip#1: You never know so don't go and forget to do the patch test to see if you're going to have any kind of reaction.
Tip#2: If your hair is long or super thick buy two boxes just in case. Nothing worse than finding out mid process you don't have enough dye to do the job.
Tip#3: Take care to apply the color to all of your hair. Sounds obvious I know. But it can happen. A good way to do that is to split your hair into sections. Then do one at a time making sure you saturate the strands. Otherwise you may end up with chunks of hair where the color did not take.
Tip#4: Start from the top and work your way down to again make sure not a single strand is missed.
Tip#5: Make sure to massage the color in all over your head like you're shampooing your hair.
Tip#6: Don't forget the hairline. Some forget to do that you know.
Tip#7: Some find piling their hair on top of their head helps them to see if they missed anything underneath.
Tip#8: This can be messy so plan on doing it in the bathtub. Makes cleanup is easier. And you will need to clean up since as you massage the dye in it will likely splatter some.
Tip#9: Don't dare use your fav micro fiber towel. Instead use an old ratty one you can pitch and never see again.
Tip#10: Remember to follow the directions on the box and you should be fine. It's really not hard at all if you do what the box says for as long as it says.
Tip#11: Try real hard to avoid getting any dye on your face or ears. Yes, it will wash off, eventually, but you don't want any splotches of dyed skin on display. Ruins the effect, you know? You might also run a little Vaseline around your hair line and on your ears to make sure this doesn't happen.
BONUS Tip: Remember to ALWAYS use the follow up conditioner found in the kit.
Coloring your hair at home doesn't have to be a nightmare. It also doesn't have to mean you will do horrible things to your hair. Not at all. At least not if you follow proven tips like the ones shared here.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Hair Q&A: Smart Answers To Hard Hair Questions
Imagine you had 30 minutes of uninterrupted face time with your stylist where you could get any and all of your tough hair care questions answered. Even better imagine it was time spent with Paula Abdul's ace Hollywood stylist. If either scenario were possible what questions would you ask about having a perkier, sexier, or more manageable mane? Here are three suggestions that can help you maintain the look you have when you get home from the salon.
Making Color Last
Who hasn't yearned to do this? That is make your color last longer. Because it's so disheartening to see the color circling the drain in the shower, isn't it? Knowing that means you've got color pigment leaching out of your strands. Which only shortens the length of time before you have to color again. That is if you want to keep your color looking vibrant and all.
Okay so the first line of defense suggested during your one-on-one stylist consult would obviously be to give your color time to set before washing. Any stylist worth their salt will suggest that.
Next to cut down on the dye going down the drain, you might combine shampooing and conditioning into one step. Wet your hair and then apply your color safe conditioner from the ears on down. After giving that four or five minutes to work, shampoo your scalp and only your scalp. Rinse and call it good. This smart approach to hair care might extend your color another week to 10 days if you're lucky.
Another idea would be to wear a hat of some sorts whenever your hair is at risk of sun exposure. As you know UV rays can be hard on the color. In fact this is the most preventable source of color fade. Which is to say shielding your hair from the sun just makes color sense.
Finally after the color starts to fade you might use a color depositing shampoo to add some oomph back to the color.
Finding the Best Style or Cut
Knowing that you're talking with a stylist don't be surprised if it's suggested you consult with them when it comes time to change your look. And this may not be bad advice. They can serve as a sounding board to help you sort out your needs and wants in light of your hair type.
Again they should know your hair. So should be able to offer good ideas that work with your hair's natural tendencies rather than against them.
You also want to remember to take into consideration your face shape, your lifestyle which also dictates how much bathroom time you'll have to devote to maintain a specific look, as well as your hair type. That last one keep popping up but it will most influence the style you can easily keep up with the least amount of work.
Split-end Therapy
Another common problem many of us face is split ends. You've always heard they have to be snipped off since repair isn't possible. But is that for real? Nothing else can be done for them? Or is there some magic potion that will repair the ends?
Sadly, your stylist would likely tell you that what you've heard is correct. That sealing of the splits and restoring them to their former health isn't likely. Besides when you snip them you are keeping the damage from running up the shaft. All this is why a regular trim is smart. Such an act will cut the splits off at the pass so to speak. Leaving you with shinier healthier hair all the way around.
In any case, you don't need to be a stylist to the stars to maintain that stunning, just stepped out of the salon look at home. Sure it's not always simple. But as these tips suggest it can be done. Even by you.
Making Color Last
Who hasn't yearned to do this? That is make your color last longer. Because it's so disheartening to see the color circling the drain in the shower, isn't it? Knowing that means you've got color pigment leaching out of your strands. Which only shortens the length of time before you have to color again. That is if you want to keep your color looking vibrant and all.
Okay so the first line of defense suggested during your one-on-one stylist consult would obviously be to give your color time to set before washing. Any stylist worth their salt will suggest that.
Next to cut down on the dye going down the drain, you might combine shampooing and conditioning into one step. Wet your hair and then apply your color safe conditioner from the ears on down. After giving that four or five minutes to work, shampoo your scalp and only your scalp. Rinse and call it good. This smart approach to hair care might extend your color another week to 10 days if you're lucky.
Another idea would be to wear a hat of some sorts whenever your hair is at risk of sun exposure. As you know UV rays can be hard on the color. In fact this is the most preventable source of color fade. Which is to say shielding your hair from the sun just makes color sense.
Finally after the color starts to fade you might use a color depositing shampoo to add some oomph back to the color.
Finding the Best Style or Cut
Knowing that you're talking with a stylist don't be surprised if it's suggested you consult with them when it comes time to change your look. And this may not be bad advice. They can serve as a sounding board to help you sort out your needs and wants in light of your hair type.
Again they should know your hair. So should be able to offer good ideas that work with your hair's natural tendencies rather than against them.
You also want to remember to take into consideration your face shape, your lifestyle which also dictates how much bathroom time you'll have to devote to maintain a specific look, as well as your hair type. That last one keep popping up but it will most influence the style you can easily keep up with the least amount of work.
Split-end Therapy
Another common problem many of us face is split ends. You've always heard they have to be snipped off since repair isn't possible. But is that for real? Nothing else can be done for them? Or is there some magic potion that will repair the ends?
Sadly, your stylist would likely tell you that what you've heard is correct. That sealing of the splits and restoring them to their former health isn't likely. Besides when you snip them you are keeping the damage from running up the shaft. All this is why a regular trim is smart. Such an act will cut the splits off at the pass so to speak. Leaving you with shinier healthier hair all the way around.
In any case, you don't need to be a stylist to the stars to maintain that stunning, just stepped out of the salon look at home. Sure it's not always simple. But as these tips suggest it can be done. Even by you.
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