When it comes to changing your hair color, it’s always exciting, but it also can be a big decision. Finding the right color can do wonders for your look, but going about the wrong color can lead to brassiness, hair damage (see here now) and a tone you just won’t feel in. That’s why finding the right hair colorist is so important before taking on a major change in hair color.
The Role of a Hair Colorist
A hair colorist is more than someone who simply applies hair dye. Colorists are skilled at mixing, painting and blending colors. They understand how different products like dyes, lighteners, toner and glossing will affect your color.
hair colorist mixing custom salon color
They look at many factors before creating a color plan, including what your hair looks like now, your hair history, skin tone, texture and lifestyle. You should also expect a consultation to include questions about past coloring, how you style your hair, whether your hair has been damaged and how often you plan to return for touch-ups.
Why Experience Counts With Hair Color
Since hair coloring is based on chemistry – you can read more at fda.gov, every formula will work differently on every hair type. Hair colorists who know their craft will know how to achieve the results you want without causing harm.
Services requiring experience include:
- Balayage and multi-toned blonding
- Blending or covering gray hair
- Color correction
- Adjusting copper, brunette and red tone
- Bright, vivid colors
You might expect a color change of this magnitude to take more than just one appointment. A good colorist will walk you through the steps it takes to reach the color you’re looking for.
Finding the Right Houston Hair Colorist For You
Searching for a Houston hair colorist goes beyond choosing someone near you. Be sure their type of hair color work matches what you’re looking to accomplish. Soft, bright blondes, rich brunette hair, vibrant reds and bright fashion colors are all achieved through unique techniques.
Bringing along photos to reference at your appointment will help the colorist understand what you’re looking for, but remain open to hearing a bit about what might best fit your hair.
client reviewing hair color inspiration with stylist
Questions to Ask Your Hair Colorist
Make sure to ask about a few things before setting up your first appointment, including:
- What level of care will be needed for the color?
- Will it take more than one appointment?
- What should you do to prepare your hair for the appointment?
- How can you care for your hair at home to make the color stay?
Understanding the answers to these will give you a feel for what you’re getting into before sitting down in the chair.
Climate will factor in as well. In a town like Houston, the humidity can affect the way the color looks and wears over time, while the heat, exposure to the sun and frequent rinsing after pool or gym visits can alter the tone and luminosity. A color that’s perfect on day one should also take into consideration your lifestyle, are you out and about a lot, outdoors or do you have to maintain a specific style that’s polished for weeks between appointments?
You can also discuss some minor things that can make a difference with your stylist. For instance, the way in which your hair reflects light, where your part falls, whether your hair is usually straight, curled or pulled back can change the way the color looks. This is just as important as the shade in order to achieve the best look you want, especially if it’s a color that needs placement work (such as highlights, face-framing light, or subtle grow-out).
Finally, check the salon beforehand and see how they answer questions or concerns about a color process. They should be open about the timeline, the pricing and the end results. A professional colorist will be upfront about these things and will recommend a strand test or a slower progression if your hair has previously processed color, or has been chemically or heat damaged in the past or has an uneven tone. That will help ensure your hair remains healthy and wearable, not just lighter or darker or shinier once you walk away from the stylist chair.
Should your color change be a factor for your wedding, photo shoot, or vacation, it is recommended to book your appointment in advance so that you’ll have time to make modifications as needed.
New color tends to fade after a couple of washes, so you might wish to schedule a gloss or toner appointment to tweak your shade prior to the big day.
Choosing a Color That Will Work for You
You should feel like you made the right choice for color even when you aren’t in the salon. The best colorist will guide you in what type of color is right for you, what it will take to maintain the color and how to care for your color once the work is done. Whether you want to try a new tone or just a fresh wash of color, let us help you make the change.