6 things everyone should know before colouring their hair

How ‘bad’ is bleaching? Is balayage different to ombré? Will I have to wear this beret forever to hide my dodgy at-home dye job? We spoke to Suzanne Alphonse – Wella’s Technical Education Manager – to answer our big q’s on hair colouring. Here’s everything you need to know, according to a pro.

• 1 Can I go from brown to blonde in one salon trip?

  "Hair that is natural brown will be easier to make lighter, than hair that has been coloured already.Too much processing in one day can cause the hair to become dry and brittle (even with the best products), and colour looks best on healthy locks. When going from a darker base, to blonde, you’ll need to plan the journey with your colourist, to help manage expectations of the end result."
• 2 How often should I colour my hair?

  "This depends on your reasons for colouring – covering greys, going lighter or darker, enhancing your natural hair colour, or playing around with current trends. Colouring your hair is an expression of you – maybe that’s a natural look, or in-your-face shade. Your colourist will be able to advise on how often you should be visiting the salon depending on what you go for." ​
• 3 What's the difference between balayage and ombré?

  "Ombré is the finished look – like darker, to lighter. Balayage is the technique to achieve it (though many colourists will actually use a combination of techniques). There are multiple ‘trend’-led words to describe varying hair colours, so my advice would be to head to the salon with an end-look in mind, and let your colourist decide on the best technique to achieve it (making your hair unique to you!)."
• 4 How can I keep blonde hair healthy?

  "Start treating your hair from the minute you’ve coloured it. Use a good protein-based product if you are lifting the shade, or focus more on hydration if you’re going bold with your blonde. You’ll need to include a treatment in your routine – at least once a week – that’ll help to nourish the hair. I would also advise adding Wellaplex to your colouring service. It keeps your hair strong during the process (rather than trying to fix the hair once damage is already done)."
• 5 How often will I need to colour bleached hair?

  "This depends on the colour service. For example, a scalp bleach is a high-commitment service (think visiting the salon every five weeks), compared to a soft balayage technique, where you'll visit the salon twice. Don’t worry too much about expense – work with your colourist to establish how much bleaching you’ll need. There are affordable glossing services and treatments to keep your hair healthy and add shine, while playing around with different tones."
• 6 My hair feels damaged – can I colour it?

  "Colouring hair doesn’t always mean damage. That said, if your hair is feeling brittle or dehydrated, I would advise going to see a colourist for a consultation prior to your appointment. This way, the colourist can test the hair (and skin), to advise the best options for you."

  And just like that, we're ready to get back in the hair-colouring game. Hand me a good magazine, we're off to the salon. 

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