Ask the Experts: What you need to ask before you colour? March 30, 2017 11:18

A hair colour appointment shouldn’t be a confusing experience. Whether it’s your first time colouring your strands or you’re a knowledgeable colour chameleon, it’s natural to have questions about your hair.

Before you get swept up in Google searches, turn to your colourist. Chances are they have worked with your hair before, they understand your concerns and what will look best on you.

Asking questions is a normal part of any hair colour consultation. Not sure what to ask? With more than 30 years in the hair colour business, we asked salon owner, Schwarzkopf National Ambassador and Educator Jennifer Morgan  @jennifer.morgan.hair to pick her key topics to discuss before your next appointment.

DOES THIS COLOUR WORK FOR ME?

Choosing the right hair colour is about much more than liking a photo on Instagram. From eye colour to skin tone, there are several factors that go into determining if it is right for you.For instance, richer chestnut browns and golden highlights tend to look amazing on those with warmer skin tones. Conversely, those with more pink in their complexions tend to look lovely with ashy blonde hair or bolder silvers.

However, this doesn’t mean that you have to stay away from certain colour families all together. All it means is that if you want a particular colour range or trend, your colourist can walk you through which particular shades will look best on you

WHAT IS THE MAINTENANCE LIKE FOR THIS HAIR COLOUR/TREND?

Once you’ve decided on a shade, it’s time to learn about upkeep. While a stunning, vibrant red may seem like the perfect option, you’ll need to decide if you’re willing to do the legwork to maintain such a dramatic shade. According to Jennifer, the hair colours that require the most maintenance and upkeep are red shades, ashy tones, silvers, pearls, and grays. Due to their colour vibrancy and tendency to oxidise over time, these shades require more frequent salon visits.

If you're looking for less fuss over your strands, she recommends balayage or ombré. Both styles focus on darker roots and lighter ends, which means less noticeable roots or regrowth over time.

WHAT SHOULD I DO AT HOME TO MAINTAIN MY HAIR COLOUR?

At-home care is extremely important if you want to maintain the vibrancy, shine, and tone of your hair colour. Chatting with your colourist about the specific products to use and steps to take is a sure-fire way to help keep the integrity of your result.

For instance, we may suggest switching your daily shampoo from a deeper cleansing option to one that is color-safe and free of sulfates. Colour-safe and sulfate-free shampoos (Like Alterna Color Hold)  are formulated to help prolong the life of your hair colour. 

Almost every colour client can benefit from the personalised at-home revitalising treatment known as Fab-Pro. We customise a formula just for you using a combination of pigments to keep your colour looking fresh for longer

HOW LONG WILL THE RESULTS LAST?

While hair colour maintenance is important, it’s also good to understand the timeline of the colour itself. Some may last longer on the hair, while others tend to fade more quickly. It all comes down to how well your hair type can hold the reflect as well as the texture of the hair itself. Talking through this point with your colourist will help you to better understand the shelf life of your soon-to-be hair colour.

CAN THE HAIR COLOUR CAUSE IRRITATION?

Everyone’s skin reacts differently to different stimulants, chemicals and products. If you’re aware of a certain skin condition or sensitivity, be sure to let your stylist know beforehand. Having this conversation prior to colour application will ensure that your stylist uses products that are safest for you. 

If in doubt, we can offer a patch test to eliminate the risk but you will need to come in a couple of days before your appointment

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I WASH MY HAIR?

Once your hair is coloured, your haircare routine might need to change. In order to keep up with this new development, be sure to ask your colourist how often you should cleanse your hair. While over-washing can lead to fading colour, lack of cleansing can lead to product buildup. Find the perfect balance for your haircare routine by discussing your hair type and porosity with us.

HOW LONG SHOULD I EXPECT THE COLOURING PROCESS TO BE?

While this may seem like a pretty straightforward question, it’s something that every client should know in advance. Different hair services take different lengths of time to process. For instance, a gloss like Vibrance from beginning to end takes about 75 minutes. However, if you want a longer lasting look, a highlighting or lowlighting service might be right for you, but plan to carve out a few hours for the salon. We suggest you generally allow 3 - 3 1/2  hours but to really plan your day accordingly, make sure to ask how much time you should allow when you book your colour appointment.

As a colourist there is nothing worse than feeling like to have to compromise the results because you have to rush...when for the sake of an extra 30-45 minutes the final look could be so much better

If you have any other questions about services or products, just ask your colourist. Think of us as your hair’s personal beauty guru.