Q. How should I prepare my hair for chemical lightening and care for it after the service? —Brooke Valdez; St. Petersburg, FL
A. The strength, shine, vibrancy and longevity of your color is largely dependent on how you maintain the health of your hair. Being that it’s made mostly of keratin (that is, protein) and moisture, you’ll need a balanced dose of both when choosing a pre- and post-color regimen. Before lightening it’s best to undergo a clarifying treatment to remove any product, mineral deposits or chlorine that may be lingering inside your hair’s cuticle (aka its protective layer). After color, your stylist will probably recommend an intense moisture treatment, like Biolage hydrathérapie Aqua-immersion Crème Masque, to take home and use at least once a week. Your hair will benefit, inside and out, from its blend of protein, moisture, aloe vera and avacado extract.
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2 Comments at "Ask a Stylist: Pre- and post-color care"
I have dark blond hair…I like to get high lights and low lights and then a funky color like bright burgundy on the underneath w a few strands of the same color through out my hair and bangs…my problem is that the underneath color never lasts more then a few weeks before fading away? What, if anything, can be done to ensure the color will last at least a few months?
The reason your deep hue is fading quickly is because the deep pigment of Burgundy lives at the lower end of the red tonal family. Translation: darker colors need an anchor color to hold fast in lighter hair. If your stylist applies a filler color, prior to lowlighting, the vibrancy and color will be longer lasting.
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