Hair should not be excessively dirty, sweaty or oily. Dirty hair does not “grab color better” *see next slide. However, you want there to be a natural protective oil layer on your scalp to act as a barrier against the chemicals in the hair dye. Wear your normal makeup routine to your appointment.
"A good thing to do the day before coloring is to use a clarifying shampoo to remove any product buildup, and to help even the hair's porosity so color takes evenly," says White. "You should follow that with a deep conditioner to replace any moisture that may be lost during coloring."
Should You Wash Your Hair Before Coloring? As it turns out, most hair dyes are designed to work better on hair that is not freshly washed. Skipping a wash allows for oils to build up on your scalp, which in turn helps protect against irritation that can be caused by hair dye.
The first "Golden Rule" of color choice is to stay within two levels of your natural or base color. This applies to both lighter and darker shades. Hair color is divided into ten different levels. These levels are used to describe how dark or light your hair color is.
Moisturized smooth strands are the best canvas for hair color application. That's why applying a hydrating hair mask or leave-in conditioner a day or two prior to changing your shade with home hair color “will prime hair by plumping up the hair's cuticle,” says eSalon colorist Emily M.
While stylists generally recommend skipping a few washes a week to achieve healthier hair, you might need to scrub it prior to your colorist appointment so your stylist can get an accurate look at your hair's natural color and texture. The same applies for darker tones.
If you're coming in to get your color done, it's better to leave your hair dirty ( the second day, the third day is fine). It makes it easier for our stylists to place foils in your hair and the color actually holds better to dirty hair due to clean hair being too slippery.
It's also best to wash your hair the night before coloring—hair that's too clean or too dirty can mess with how the color turns out. And if you're going to a salon, wear your hair as you normally do so the colorist can get an accurate sense of your style.
Don't worry about any styling products that are left in your hair--they won't affect the coloring process.
Salons wash hair after coloring because they need to prepare your hair for the next treatment, which is important if you are planning a straightening or curling treatment directly after your hair has been dyed.
Skip the shampoo before you dye.
"Dirty hair is ideal for color application," says Alvarez. "The natural oils on your scalp act as a buffer between your scalp and the chemicals in the formula, so skip the shampoo a day before you plan to color."
As a result, colorists recommend washing the hair to remove the grime before coloring, because the excess buildup might result in an uneven dye job. The best way is to wait for at least 24 hours after washing before dyeing your hair.
If you're planning to visit the salon to get your colour done and are wondering whether or not to wash your hair prior to your appointment, Gareth advised showing up with hair that is "not too clean, but definitely not greasy" is the sweet spot - and explained why arriving with greasy hair is a big no-no.
"After having your hair colored, wait a full 72 hours before shampooing," says Eva Scrivo, a hairstylist in New York City. "It takes up to three days for the cuticle layer to fully close, which traps the color molecule, allowing for longer lasting hair color."
DON'T: Wash Your Hair the Next Day
"I recommend clients give their hair two to three days to let their new color truly set in," says Pineda. While washing your hair the next day doesn't necessarily do any harm to your hair or color, waiting it out may offer an added boost for longer hold.
One of the main reasons why it's important to wash your hair before getting a toning treatment is because your stylist needs to be able to see your natural hair color. This is especially important if you're looking to achieve a specific tone or shade.
Come In With Relatively Clean Hair
While it's okay for your hair to be somewhat dirty before an appointment (it's okay if you've gone a couple of days without a wash!), if you think your hair is overly dirty, your stylist probably will too.
Hair color needs at least 48 hours to settle into the hair strands. So, if you wash your hair 24 hours after highlighting, the color will quickly wash away and become dull.
During the first 48 hours after a color service, the pigments of the salon color are still settling—meaning if you shampoo your hair too soon after an appointment, it can cause your hue to fade quicker.
On the day of colouring, don't wash your hair. Having natural oils present will help the stylist achieve a more even colour result. Although if you are having highlights, keep hair clean to help the colour to lift. Your last wash before colouring the hair should be with a clarifying shampoo.
Sweat is made up mostly of water, with trace amounts of ammonia, urea, sugar, and salts. Those salts can cause your color to fade quickly and the dampness of your hair makes it vulnerable to damage as well.
Not using a conditioner for color-treated hair
Dyed Hair is more likely to become dry and brittle, so treat it often with conditioners specifically formulated for color-treated hair. It helps create a protective barrier, which can prevent your dye from quickly washing out.
Hard water, for example, is high in minerals like calcium, magnesium and metallic elements. These are naturally occurring substances that can make your colored hair appear faded, dry, and dull. On the other hand, hot water can strip off the outer cuticle layer of your hair that speeds up the process of fading.