So you just got your brand new balayage, or you had your highlights refreshed and you ask yourself: “How do I maintain my colour?!”
I would recommend following your hairdressers advice that they should have given you. But perhaps you have forgotten, or maybe it wasn’t mentioned.
First things first!
Dont. Use. Supermarket. Crap.
There is a reason we stylists beg you not to use it. The detergent in shampoo and silicones in conditioners dry your hair out and then seal it away from the outside treatments you try to use over the top of it.
They dull your colour down and strip away the oils from your scalp and hair. As well as the to
ner you paid good money to have put in. Ask your Hairdresser how much your toner is in your next service, and then you’ll realise you won’t want to just strip it all out.
“Im using the natural range from the chemist”
Yeah, and I have the McVeggie from Maccas.
In other words, companies use very clever marketing to appeal to what means most to their target audiences. Green washing is a phrase you may have heard. It refers to labelling something as environmentally friendly or biodegradable, when in reality, it is not.
By extension, anything from Amazon or ‘Catch’ is also a no go.
This is because the quality of the product cannot be guaranteed. A lot of the time they are fake, or old stock, or real stock diluted with filler, water or other unknown ingredients.
Trust the product from your salon. It is more than likely new stock that hasn’t sat on a shelf in a warehouse for very long. You also will have their personal recommendation for you. In many instances, salons will happily exchange the product if you have used it once and it’s not for you.
Secondly,
Invest in a Leave in!
Many hair types, like fine or curly hair, are naturally drier to begin with. Adding any chemical service will perpetuate dryness overtime. Your shampoo and conditioner will aid with this, but for a more cosmetic, touchable finish, a leave in oil or serum will create that end polish.
Some are designed to style with a hair dryer, and others are made for naturally drying your hair.
Your stylist can give you their recommendations for their favourites!
Most leave ins offer heat and / or UV protection. Don’t style your hair without one!
Thirdly,
Cut your hair.
I mean it. Every 3 months. 4 months, maybe, but it’s pushing it. After 3 months in most hair types split ends occur. It occurs quicker in dryer, chemically altered hair types. Your hair will actually grow out quicker and stronger. This is because the ends are routinely getting maintained and kept strong on the ends by cutting the weaker bits off. Preventing brittle, broken hair.
Fourthly,
Avoid anything Purple or pigmented for the first 4 weeks.
I will hardly use purple shampoo in the salon, and I will never use It after a blonding session. Why?
Because my toner is going to do the hard work for me. Depositing a real colour that best suits you, as discussed in our consult together.
Using anything purple or pigmented requires the hair shaft to be opened, pulling out the toner we spent ages at the basin developing for.
Your pigmented shampoo/treatment is used to carry you between your appointments once your colour has already begun to fade / look brassy.
Tone on top of tone will DEEPEN, not lighten.
Lastly.
Be good to your hair. Look after it. Its been through a bit with the lightening, the styling, the tying too tightly etc.
Be gentle with it. Imagine its like your skin, it just doesn’t have nerve endings so you can’t feel it.
Trust your stylist. Ask them questions, even if you think it’s the most stupid thing. Just ask. We might have a little giggle, but we truly want the best for your hair. Its our work walking down the street, and its your crown!
Love, Mark.
