Summer Hair Color Dos and Don'ts

Hello! Now, I would be remiss if I didn't ackowledge the BOOMING market of at home hair color- aka box color. As a professional, I would always prefer every woman to get their hair color done in a salon. This an unrealistic expecation, so I'd like to offer some tips on at home color to save women from some heartache. 

DO cover grays, dye hair slightly lighter, or try ombre color at home. But save extreme color changes (more than three shades lighter or darker) for the salon.

DON’T use warm-hue dyes when coloring dark hair. Those shades tend to turn brassy, so stick with cool or ashy tones for a more realistic effect.

DO choose a box hair color that is one to two shades lighter than you think you want to go. In my experience, women always think their hair is darker than it actually is.

DON’T try dramatic hair color changes in the summer. Wind, sun, salt, and chlorine make color fade fast, so stick to more natural, easy-to-maintain shades. Start with a few tiny highlights and let the sun do the rest. Wait until October to do your major shifts!

DO use a mousse color formula if you have thick hair. Mousses were originally developed in Japan, where a majority of women have thick hair. They’re easier to control and distribute evenly. You don’t need a mousse if you have fine hair.

DON’T wash hair with shampoo after a day at the beach. “Your hair’s not dirty. It just full of sand and salt. I suggest using a conditioner to gently cleanse hair without stripping it.

DO spray apple cider vinegar on hair and scalp after shampooing for a purifying deep cleanse once a week. The vinegar dissolves silicone and mineral (i.e., calcium) deposits left from your tap water. (You might temporarily smell like a salad, but that goes away after a few minutes, I swear!) At home, put six drops of apple cider vinegar into a cup of water and add the mixture to a spray bottle. For a ready-to-go version, try Philip B pH Restorative Detangling Mist or Santa Maria Novella Verbena Toilette Vinegar.

DON’T overdo it with hot hair tools in the summer. They’re the worst thing for hair color.

DO treat your hair to an indulgent oil mask. Warm up a cup of apricot, avocado, or nut oil and brush through hair, then put it in a ponytail and go for your workout. (Blonds, steer clear of argan, palm, and olive oils—they can leave a yellow tint on hair.) Afterward, shampoo out with a non-sulfate shampoo like L'Oréal Ever-Pure Sulfate-Free Color Care System Moisture Shampoo. Do this once a week for damaged hair, once a month for healthy hair.

DON’T bleach hair without first using a salt scalp treatment to prevent dryness and itching.“Eight out of 10 women get itchy scalp after coloring. The salt neutralizes the pH imbalance created by the bleach. Before coloring, use a mixture of one tablespoon of salt to one cup of water. Pour onto scalp, massage it in, and leave for three minutes. Also try:Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Mask with Sea Salt—it’s less messy and smells lovely, but it’s certainly more of a splurge than a bag of salt.