Fashion Colors: How to Maintain
You’ve seen those dazzling pastels, metallics and bold bright colors on Instagram, TikTok and maybe when you dream at night. Those rainbow/unicorn/mermaid colors are wild and vivid and you MUST have them.
We are so on board with helping you achieve the look that screams YOU. One of our favorite parts of our job is making hair goals become a reality. But before you get your heart set on a certain fashion color, you should know what it’s going to take to achieve that perfect pastel and how to maintain it.
Namely, this is an investment in time and you’re going to need to commit to a higher level of color maintenance. If you’re down, we’re definitely down.
Here’s what you can expect from the fashion color process.
Let’s have a color consultation
Before we just start prepping your hair for that fantasy shade, we’ll need to sit down, talk through your goals and take a look at the head of hair we’ll be working with. Each person’s hair is unique and everyone’s color plan will need to be customized. Come on in, let’s create a best path going forward.
Lighten up
The first thing you’ll want to take in consideration when going the fashion color route is that the bright colors won’t take to dark hair. So, before you can apply those magical colors, you’ll need to lighten up. This means that brunettes are going to have to go blonde and most blondes will have to go even blonder before colors can be applied.
The bleaching process can be hard on hair. We use the highest quality products and take care with your hair, so we won’t risk any damage. For darker hair shades, this could mean that you’ll have to come in for more than one lightening session.
These things take time
In addition to having to potentially come in for multiple lightening sessions, you may have to come in for more than one coloring session until you finally achieve that picture perfect tint. Not only that, but you may be sitting in the salon for longer than average during these sessions as well (minimum 3 hours). Hey, there are worse things than getting a salon spa treatment, sipping on local craft coffee and feeling luxurious. But we do want you to be aware that fashion colors are rarely achieved in a single session. These colors are a time commitment.
And speaking of time, fashion colors are semi-permanent so they typically last for about 4 weeks. There are other options like ombre and balayage that can give you a little more time. But again, this means if you want to maintain that color pop, you’ll need to continue to come in for color upkeep. These sessions won’t be as tedious or time consuming as the beginning sessions that established your color.
Protect your hair (and your fashion color investment)
Maintaining a fashion color can be a little like taking on a second job. We’re absolutely not trying to scare you away but if you want to keep that color, it’s going to take some work on your end. Sorry, but grocery store and over-the-counter products are just not going to cut it for the colors you’re wanting to achieve and hold on to. We’re going to stock you up with our high-end, best quality on the market products that will protect your hair. ColorWow or F18 Shampoo are wonderful for this and we have them exclusively in our salon.
Additionally, you’ll want to take some added precautions with your hair. We’re going to insist that you wash with cold water. Hot water will take your color away far too fast. You’ll also want to dial down the heat on any styling tools you’re using. In fact, it’s best to avoid heat completely if possible. And finally, protection from the sun will be crucial too. Use stylers and finishers that offer UV protection and even consider a hat.
All right, we know we made fashion colors sound like a whole lot of work but we just like to be up front and honest about what you can expect. Once you get in the routine it won’t feel so overwhelming. These colors are a time commitment and will require some extra upkeep but for many women out there it is totally worth it.
Are you ready for your hair to turn heads? Let’s do this!