Please visit the Style Tools section of www.clairol.com to get hair coloring tips!
Please visit the Style Tools section of www.clairol.com to get hair coloring tips!
A few tips for your “first date” with a new stylist or colorist.
Your high school reunion. The theatre. Prom. No matter where you’re headed, your hair should be the icing on your style cake and not a distraction from the main event. Avoid these pitfalls on your way to fabulous special occasion hair:
The wide load—Think higher, not wider when it comes to special occasions. Height can add sophistication, while extra width just adds bulk and can make you look matronly, too.
When curls attack—When in doubt, sleek is the way to go for a look that’s smart and polished. Go too curly and your look gets bouncy and detracts from the gown or outfit you’ve picked for the occasion.
Tendril-craziness—A special night out is a great opportunity to showoff your face and neck with an up-do—don’t ruin the look with too many overly curly tendrils. One or two well-placed pieces of hair looks chic without distracting from a sharp, clean look. If you don’t know what a tendril is, don’t find out. Just don’t do them!
Accessory overload—Less is more here, so use just one pin, barrette or clip—whatever gets the job done.
Forgetting to plan—Important! For bigger events, plan a trial run or two with your stylist. Color your hair within 7 days of any event.
I talk to women all the time who are afraid to color their hair at home because they think it will make a mess. Actually it’s relatively easy to keep your at-home coloring space clean.
Countertops are porous and can absorb even the smallest amount of haircolor. Make sure to cover all your surfaces. Newspaper or plastic will do the trick.
Sinks can take a beating because hair that’s colored needs to be washed and rinsed. In a perfect set-up, you’d have a stainless steel sink nearby. If not, be sure to rinse out your sink completely and apply a strong, non-scratch cleanser.
Clothes you no longer like are perfect for haircoloring occasions. We’re talking “never-go-out-of-the-house-in-this” outfits here.
Towel fibers are similar to hair fibers, so they can really absorb dye. Again, the older the towel, the better it is for the coloring process. It’s also a good idea to keep your other nice towels away from the coloring area—tiny droplets can fly while you’re rinsing or drying.
It happens to me all the time. I apply the same color a client always uses and get different results. Fact is, sometimes inconsistencies can be caused by everything from your hormones to the weather. Just to name a few:
Chlorine- It wreaks havoc on color-treated hair because it actually sets up shop inside the hair fiber—it’ll change your color immediately or down the road—so wear a swim cap in the pool or hot tub. If your hair is exposed to chlorine, rinse it as soon as you can. I always encourage women to use club soda for this, but plain water can still help.
The sun- I usually encourage the women I see to be in the sun because it makes haircolor lighter, warmer and brighter. If your color is bright enough, though, just wear a hat outside.
Dry heat- Stay comfortable in the winter, but before you crank up that radiator, keep in mind the heat can change your color.
New water- If you’re taking a vacation to a spot with hard or mineralized water, you’ll likely see the difference in your color. Try washing your hair with filtered or bottled water instead.
The days of washing your hair every single day are pretty much over. Nowhere is this truer than in the world of haircolor where washing your hair too frequently can cause your color to fade before its time.
I want you to think about using shampoo only when your hair is actually dirty—like after an intense workout. If it’s an average day at home or in your office, try doing a conditioner-only shower. Or you may want to use shampoo just on your scalp and rinse the rest of your hair with just water.
Be sure to wait at least 2 days after you’ve colored to shampoo your hair. Just like your body after a trip to the gym—your hair gets a real workout when you’re coloring. It needs to recover for you to get the most out of it.
If you have mineralized or hard water in your area, think about using purified water when you wash. Now before you go buy cases of bottled water, remember that you can use a filtered water pitcher or shower head attachment.
Thinking about making a major haircolor change? If you’re doing it at home, success comes from going one or two shades lighter or darker than your starting color each time. See a professional colorist to make a more drastic change. Either way, you should:
Expect the upkeep—You’ll need to recolor every four weeks to keep your color fresh. It may help to touch up your roots in between at a salon or with my favorite store brand Nice ‘n Easy Root Touch-Up.
Stock up on conditioner—Color-treated hair needs more care. Especially if your new color is lighter, your hair should have as much moisture as it needs and as much moisturizing as you can give it.
Stay committed to dark—The darker your new hair color, the longer it will take to go light again.
Get ready to get noticed—The more your color changes, the more attention you’ll get. And you’ll get lots of opinions from everybody.
Okay, let’s face some facts. If you’ve had long hair for more than two years, it’s time to cut it. Actually it’s past time—we experts have been converting long looks to beautifully short cuts for months (remember those styles you see in magazines take about three months to hit the newsstands).
My favorite short cuts are below. And celebrities are already looking gorgeous in them. There’s one that will be gorgeous on you, too.
Updated 60s bob
I love this statement-making style. Right now, it feels really fresh. It’s a great way to accentuate your jawline and keep the focus on your face. Blondes should try a rich golden color to flatter their skin. Brunettes, go one level darker than your current shade to really play up the lines of the cut. I want you to think of your updated cut and color as gorgeous new accessories.
Modern Pixie
This sexy, short style brings a classic look to the new millennium in a way that never looks overly “done.” This style is perfect for new moms because it’s simple without being ho-hum.
Mid-length and layered
Such a great cut because it’s not formal or stiff. It lends itself to getting just messy enough to create a look that’s young and sexy. To keep it fresh, experiment more with color—try lighter pieces in different areas to bring out a more dimensional look.
You’re not like anyone else, so now’s the time to make a statement with a brand new cut and style. What are you waiting for?
I talk to women all the time who are afraid to color their hair at home because they think it will make a mess. Actually it’s relatively easy to keep your at-home coloring space clean.
Countertops are porous and can absorb even the smallest amount of haircolor. Make sure to cover all your surfaces. Newspaper or plastic will do the trick.
Sinks can take a beating because hair that’s colored needs to be washed and rinsed. In a perfect set-up, you’d have a stainless steel sink nearby. If not, be sure to rinse out your sink completely and apply a strong, non-scratch cleanser.
Clothes you no longer like are perfect for haircoloring occasions. We’re talking “never-go-out-of-the-house-in-this” outfits here.
Towel fibers are similar to hair fibers, so they can really absorb dye. Again, the older the towel, the better it is for the coloring process. It’s also a good idea to keep your other nice towels away from the coloring area—tiny droplets can fly while you’re rinsing or drying.
