When it comes to how to highlight your hair, there’s a lot of information out there on the internet. In many ways, it’s a little bit like the advice on what to eat – it’s just so confusing most people throw their hands up in the air and just forget about it.
But it turns out that there are specific ways in which you need to care for highlighted hair. Knowing how to care for colored hair is essential if you want it to look good. Remember, once you take the plunge and dye your hair, it’ll easily last for a year and longer if you’ve got long hair.
Going From Brunette To Galadriel Overnight
We’ve all heard it said time and time again: “blondes have more fun.” But should you go full-on Galadriel (the elf queen from the Lord of the Rings films) straight away? Probably not. A much better way to ease yourself into being blond might be to opt for a bronze or light brown color to begin with, just to ease yourself into your need look. Going blonde overnight can be incredibly dramatic, and you might not like the results.
What about using hair extensions instead if it’s just for a night out? At least then you can revert back to your normal hair if your experiment goes bad.
Coloring Too Often
Having your hair cared for on a regular basis is one thing. But rushing out to the salon to get it professionally colored every five weeks is quite another. You might imagine that because it’s a professional stylist doing it, that your hair will be better protected. But it turns out that stylists use the same harsh chemicals as you can find in the home kits. (It turns out that there are only so many ways to highlight hair). These chemicals can then cause permanent damage to your hair if continued over the long-term. It’s why so many women complain of having dry or brittle hair: the chemicals in many of these coloring products literally obliterate the soft outer casing of hair, revealing the dry, dead follicle beneath.
So what can you do? The obvious solution is to wait a little longer between visits to give your hair a chance to recover. Perhaps just get your hair colored before big social occasions, like weddings, rather than just out of habit. This will not only save you time and money but help it grow and look better too without so many repeated treatments.
You’re Not Deep Conditioning Enough
Remember, every time you get your hair colored, the little flexible sheath that protects the underlying hair follicle gets damaged. This damage can them lead to dry, brittle and unmanageable hair.
The solution is to use a deep conditioner at least a couple of times a week. These conditioners can’t replace your hair’s natural elasticity. But they can help to make exposed follicle temporarily more flexible and manageable. If you do use deep conditioning, try to avoid using the straightening irons more than once per week.
You’ve Chosen The Wrong Shade Of Blonde
Would you choose the wrong shade of foundation? No, definitely not. If you did, it would clash with your natural skin tone. The same goes for your hair. Choosing the wrong shade of blonde for your particular skin type can end up making your new hairdo look out of place.
If you’ve got olive or darker skin, choose a darker shade of blonde, or more brunette highlights. If you’re paler in complexion, choose more bronze or golden colors to lift your naturally pale undertones. If you are pink, choose a cooler blonde or silvery color.
Ask Your Stylist About Your Options
Changing your hair highlights can lead to a dramatic change in your appearance, and there’s no guarantee that you’ll like what you get. It’s a good idea, therefore, to talk through your options with your hair stylist. They’ll be able to tell you whether you’re able to change it if it doesn’t work. They’ll also be able to tell you how often you’ll need to go back to the salon to have the highlights reapplied.
It’s worth thinking carefully about your hair highlights before having them applied. You never quite know what you’re getting yourself into.
Failing To Choose The Right Options
You don’t necessarily have to choose foils anymore to get your hair highlighted. You can also get painted highlights or even balayage. Both these approaches tend to be more natural, allowing your hair color to grow out, and healthier for your hair in the long term.
