8 Things You Should Know Before You Dye Your Hair For The First Time

So you are ready to color your hair for the very first time. While you are debating on the color to get and if it should be ombre, highlights or the whole thing, you should be aware of some things first.

Here are 8 things you should know before dyeing your hair;

1. Lots of things can make your hair color fade

Hair will fade faster in the sun, from using shampoo and conditioner not created for hair color, and depending on how often you wash it.

2. You will have to get touch-ups

 No matter how well you take care of your strands, fading is inevitable, and since hair grows about 1/2 inch every month, you’ll at least have to get your roots redone every 6-8 weeks, depending on what look you’re going for. If you don’t have the time or the money to keep re-doing your look, stick to a color that’s closer to your natural shade, so your roots won’t be as noticeable. Or go ombre so you only have to worry about it once or twice a year.

3. Bring pictures of the color you want to the salon with you

You should always bring photos of your desired color. Sometimes your definition of ‘blonde’ can be different than your colorist’s. Pictures are a great way of ensuring you’re on the same page.

4. Switch to a shampoo and conditioner made for color-treated hair

To help preserve your hair color, go with a shampoo that literally says on the bottle either ‘a shampoo for color’ or ‘color vibrancy.

5. Highlights are the easiest color treatment to maintain

You can’t see your roots as much when your hair grows out because it’s not all-over color, so you don’t have to touch up your hair as often.

6. Pool water can ruin your color

Chlorine really messes with your hair color. Because copper is often found in water, the metal can mix with the chlorine and oxidize your hair, causing it to actually turn green. To protect your strands apply a hair mask before you get into the pool. You can get it wet first and then apply a mask created for color treated hair that will help fill the cuticle with the conditioner so the water doesn’t get in there and strip the color.

Real talk, most of us probably aren’t going to do this, but even just getting your hair wet in the shower before you jump into the pool will help, since dry hair is more absorbent.

7. Red shades are the hardest to maintain

If you’re looking for a low maintenance shade, you might want to reconsider going ginger. The red color is the hardest to get, the hardest to achieve, the hardest to get rid of and also has the possibility of fading the fastest. It’s the trickiest color that’s out there.

8. Your hair health affects the outcome of your color

Brittle, broken hair won’t accept color the same way healthy hair does. If you’ve been skimping on your cuts, get a quick trim before you color to trim away any damaged strands and make sure the new shade goes on evenly.