So, you’ve decided it’s time for some color. Maybe it’s just to cover up some stubborn grey, maybe you’re interested in going lighter, or perhaps you’re ready to do something entirely different. In any event, getting your hair color done in a salon is a better choice than trying to do it yourself. You’ll know more about what to expect and how to maintain it, which means you’ll end up happier with your new look. Here’s a quick run-through of how to get your color right for the first time.
Why Get Your Color Done in a Salon?
Getting your color done in a salon doesn’t mean you have to go from natural black to platinum blonde overnight. In fact, it can be a subtle change that enhances your look by matching your skin tone, hair cut, and overall style. Plus, a professional colorist will have a lot of experience and skill, which means they’re more likely to give you a good result. They’ll take the time to evaluate your hair before coloring, including:
- Natural shade
- How much grey you have
- Texture
- Density
- History of chemical treatments
All of this can impact how long the color process takes and how your new color develops. A mens hair color salon also gives the colorist a chance to be precise with the color, especially around the temples, hairline, beard, and anywhere else that grey tends to show up.
Professional colorist evaluating a man’s hair before coloring
Choose What Type of Change You Want
You don’t need to know all the technical terms before you visit the salon. What you do need to know is how subtle or dramatic you want your change to be, as well as how much maintenance you’re willing to commit to. There are many choices for changing your color:
- Gray blending: Blends your grey hair with your existing color without covering it completely.
- Full coverage: Gives you an overall uniform look and covers most of your grey.
- Highlights: Lightens portions of your hair to create a more dimensional and sun-kissed look.
- Lowlights: Adds darker portions to your hair to create dimension or reduce the appearance of thinning areas.
- Creative colors: Bold or fashion-forward colors that may require bleaching or pre-lightening.
Bring some photos to help the stylist understand what you’re going for, but remember that your final color may differ depending on your base shade, hair texture, and condition.
What Will Happen at the Salon?
During the first appointment, the stylist will ask you questions and evaluate your hair. Depending on your situation, they may recommend a patch test or allergy test – you can see more at nature.com/subjects, before the color process. Once the color has been mixed, the stylist will apply it and let it develop. How long this takes depends on what type of service you’re receiving, whether you’re highlighting, doing full coverage, blending, or lightening. After the color is developed, it will be rinsed and conditioned. You’ll then be given a blowout and/or style, so the stylist can check the final color in its dried state. If you’ve had color treatments or other chemicals applied previously, let your stylist know. Some previous products can cause new color to develop differently or more unevenly.
Keeping Your Color Looking Great
When you should return to the salon to touch up your color depends on the type of service you receive and your rate of growth. Full coverage will generally require a more frequent return, as you can see on her latest blog, than blended or highlighted styles. To keep your new color looking great, here are a few tips:
- Wash with a color-safe shampoo.
- Don’t wash your hair with hot water.
- Avoid using too much heat on your hair.
- Wear a hat or scarf to protect your hair and scalp if you’re spending a lot of time outdoors.
- Return to the salon for toning or root service when your color starts looking faded or uneven.
Man maintaining professionally colored hair between salon visits
Even with full coverage color, if you have very short hair you may start seeing regrowth quickly. Try to coordinate your color visits with your regular haircut visits to avoid long periods where your hair color looks uneven.
Don’t scratch your scalp or apply any heavy product before your appointment, as it can get in the way of your colorist applying the dye.
Also, wear a shirt you won’t need to pull over your head afterward, and ask if your colorist wants your hair to be fresh from the shower or not.
Getting a Result You Like
The point of a professional color visit is to achieve a color that matches your ideal image. But there’s more to it than a picture you find online; it needs to match your hair cut, maintenance routine, comfort level, and more. Have an open discussion with your stylist about what you’d like to see happen when your color grows out. Choose a service that you’re happy to maintain. And always keep in mind that it’s easier to make changes gradually.
