The same rules apply when it comes to getting your color done. "The reason you need to come with your hair unwashed when it comes to color is that you can sometimes scratch your scalp," she explains. "Color is a chemical treatment, and anytime a chemical treatment touches a sore or scratch on your scalp, it will burn.
It's best to wash your hair 1-2 days before your appointment! Light, natural oils will help prevent your scalp from feeling itchy or too tingly when color touches it whether it's toner or a root touch up.
The short answer is clean; both Yusef and O'Connor advise that it's better to color clean hair if you want your new shade to be vibrant and adhere better. “Product and metal and mineral buildup could interfere with the process and cause a chemical reaction,” explains Yusef.
In general, it's always a good idea to arrive at your hair appointment with clean hair. This helps ensure that your stylist can properly assess your hair and determine the best course of action. It also helps avoid any potential scalp irritation that could occur if you had product build-up on your hair.
"Many stylists will select to wash your hair prior to cutting since most prefer to cut the hair wet rather than dry." This is especially true when you are looking to remove an inch or more from the ends, have curls or coils that could benefit from stretching before cutting, or are looking to add a lot more texture and ...
While stylists generally recommend skipping a few washes a week to achieve healthier hair, you might need to scrub it prior to your colorist appointment so your stylist can get an accurate look at your hair's natural color and texture. The same applies for darker tones.
Many salons include a shampoo in the price of a haircut service. If that's the case at your salon, there's usually no need to wash your hair first. But if a shampoo isn't included with your haircut, your stylist expects you to come in with reasonably clean hair.
It's generally not ideal to arrive with heavy product build-up from styling your hair the day of your appointment, especially if you're getting a dry cut or highlights before washing. It can cause hair color to go on unevenly and affect how your hair stylist evaluates your pre-cut hair type and texture.
"After you dye your hair, don't wash it for at least two days because the hair is still sensitive and therefore will be more like to fade faster," says Sergio Pattirane, a hairstylist at Rob Peetoom in New York City. "We recommend waiting to wash it so that the color stay fresh and longer."
Yes, you can! Believe it or not, greasy hair can benefit your tresses during the bleach and color process. The sebum or natural oils keep the hair healthy and moisturized and shield it from external damage caused by harsh chemicals.
“No, you shouldn't wash your hair before coloring it,” says Stephanie Brown, Master Colorist at IGK Salon. “It's best to have your natural oils in your hair to help protect your scalp and hair.”
But skip shampooing the day you dye your hair. "Shampoo doesn't make the color take better," says Rhys. Additionally, by not shampooing before you color, you're allowing the natural oils in your hair to protect your scalp from the irritation that can be caused by the ammonia in many dyes.
Myth #2: Hair color adheres better to clean, freshly washed hair. When the hair color does not need to eat through product build-up, dirt and oil, the color takes to the hair strand faster and more effectively.
"After having your hair colored, wait a full 72 hours before shampooing," says Eva Scrivo, a hairstylist in New York City. "It takes up to three days for the cuticle layer to fully close, which traps the color molecule, allowing for longer lasting hair color."
Many assume since you'll be getting the lather, rinse, and repeat prior to getting your hair done, that it's fine to roll in with dirty strands, but this actually makes the consultation process harder, says hairstylist Mirna Jose.
Virgin hair is a hair colorist's dream because it's also much easier to color hair that doesn't already have dye on it.
In fact, many hair color specialists near me have personally recommended bringing in at least 3-5 photos to help your stylist understand what look you're going for. Keep in mind to not only bring the photos into your appointment but to also pinpoint exactly what it is your adore about each appearance.
We love plain black tops as a contrast to highlight your blonde, but plain grey, white and nude are also great so we can photograph the hair best on a plan and neutral background. Patterns and colours on clothing can be distracting which shifts the focus and voids the purpose of the image.
Coloring your hair in a salon by a professional stylist on average can take anywhere from 2 to 6 hours, and can even extend to as long as 8 hours depending on your hair's condition, length, natural color, and intricacy of service.