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Changing your hair colour often comes at a price. But there are a few things you can do to protect your tresses.
To trim or not to trim?
If you’re changing the natural colour of your hair, whether it’s professional highlights done in a salon or a DIY dye-out-of-a-box in the comfort of your own bathroom, you should be going for a trim every six to eight weeks. ‘I know it’s trim time when my ends feel straw-like, my hair lacks shine and I have noticeable split ends.’
The moolah
Coloured hair needs extra TLC, so be prepared to spend more time (and money) on it. That means investing in professional shampoos and conditioners, at-home masques, treatments, salon visits and making peace with a bit of inevitable breakage and damage to your hair. And if you’re making a dramatic change you need to be patient – going from brunette to blonde, for instance, is a gradual process. It won’t happen overnight.
Cheat sheet
If you’re going to use a dry shampoo, use one specifically for your hair colour. Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo for Light Tones and for Dark Tones, R397 each, are great.
Use protection
Using a heated tool? Make sure you spritz on a heat protectant beforehand – your poor hair is going to need all the help it can get!
Do your homework
Before you take the leap and dye your hair My Little Pony pink, make sure to check the code of conduct of the company you work for. In a creative environment it probably won’t matter, but it might not go over too well in a more formal corporate office.
Top hair masks
Kérastase Reflection Chroma Captive Masque, R475
L'Oreal Professionals Vitamino Color A-OX Masque, R320
Matrix Biolage Color Last Mask, R215
Original article appears in Fairlady February 2017
