By Sam Escobar, Good Housekeeping
Pastel hair has been on the rise for the past several years, and it's showing no signs of stopping. From pretty purples
to bold blues to dramatic pinks, going with a milky bright shade in an
unnatural hue is still totally on trend. There have even been a ton of
sub-trends incorporating pastels, including underlights, opal hair, and colombre.
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course, just as with so many beautiful trends, there's one big thing
you should know before going pastel: It's a truly tough style to
maintain. If you're a low-maintenance beauty lover, it may not be the
best pick for you. That said, there are some pro-approved tips that can
keep your locks looking their best for as long as possible.
1. Go to a pro for your color.
For my own hair makeover, I headed to Meri Kate O'Connor, senior colorist and educator at Eva Scrivo Salons
in New York City, who took me from a scraggly, split-ended rose gold
color to a vivid ombre pink that melted magenta into pastel blush
shades.
This may not be what you want to hear, but going to a pro is so
wise when it comes to such a dramatic 'do. I know this from personal
experience, having bleached and colored my hair at home numerous times
and — surprise, surprise — damaged it to the point where several inches
had to be chopped off.
Since
my college hair coloring days, I've primarily had my hair done by pros
and the difference is astounding. Rather than a messy, uneven dye job,
it's a sleek, healthier style that looks consistent and deliberate.
(Have you ever tried
to bleach the hair on the back of your head? It's very, very difficult
to do well.) An experienced colorist is going to give you more
professional-looking results that are less likely to damage your hair,
simple as that.
Read reviews about salons in your area and pick one that both fits your budget and is reputable for the services you seek.
2. Choose your shampoo and conditioner wisely — and with assistance.
"Most
clients who are new to the world of color-treated hair don't know the
proper way to take care of their color," explains O'Connor. "Proper
aftercare is a must to maintain bright, shiny, vibrant hair." What
constitutes proper haircare? First of all, it doesn't involve playing a
guessing game — you need to know whether you hair is simply dry or
actually damaged.
"If
you are using a shampoo for damaged hair, but your hair is just dry, you
could be doing more harm than good," she warns. "If the reparative
shampoo you're using is protein-based and there is already enough
protein in your hair, you end up over-depositing the protein, making
your hair brittle and more likely to break." If your hair is simply dry,
opt instead for moisturizing products.
So,
how can you tell the difference? This is where your stylist comes in.
After your initial appointment, ask your stylist to make recommendations
based on your hair's needs, as they have the expertise to steer you in
the right direction.
3. Get your hair cut regularly.
As you can see in these before and after photos, my hair was not in great condition until Eva Scrivo stylist Stephen Thevenot snipped off all that deadness at the bottom:
Double processes wherein the hair is bleached and toned can often lead to damage, so it's imperative that you get your hair trimmed regularly.
"I always recommend that my clients get regular trims when they book
color services with me, especially if they are bleaching their hair,"
advises O'Connor.
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"A cut every six to eight weeks helps keep hair healthy and free of split ends, which can cause more damage." A good way to stop yourself from going way too long without a cut: Each time you go in for one, book your next appointment right then and there.
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"A cut every six to eight weeks helps keep hair healthy and free of split ends, which can cause more damage." A good way to stop yourself from going way too long without a cut: Each time you go in for one, book your next appointment right then and there.
4. Prep properly.
Before
you even head to the salon, there are steps you can take to ensure your
locks stay pretty and pastel for as long as possible — and won't wind
up unhealthy and dull. "For clients that want a double process, I
recommend doing weekly deep conditioning treatments for a month prior to
the color service," recommends O'Connor, who adds that the "healthier
the hair, the better."
5. Play with new styles for a fresh look.
Find
yourself feeling fussy after just a couple of weeks with a new
hairstyle? Rather than going wild with the bleach again, try a new look
instead. The cool thing about multicolored hair is that it can look like
a totally different shade when you do a new style, like a crown braid:
To accomplish this elegant style created by Adonica Torres, stylist at New York City styling bar Glam&Go,
apply a spray wax or powder grip to help keep hair smooth while
braiding. "I like to start the braid where the hair parts, then Dutch
braid it all the way around," explains Torres. "After securing the braid
with an elastic, I start to pancake the braid by gently tugging out the
edges." If any edges seem too loose, secure them with hair pins, then
set the style with an alcohol-free hairspray.
Feel like channeling a ballerina instead? Try this pretty bun for a chic dancer-inspired look:
o get this look, Torres
recommends following the angle from your cheekbones to the crown of your
head — this should lead you to a good placement area for the bun. "Prep
the hair with a bit of dry shampoo or flexible hairspray, then use a
smoothing brush to gather hair towards the top of your head and secure
it with an elastic," she instructs. Next, smooth out your hair in the ponytail
and curl four sections — "think like a compass with north, south, east,
and west" — and secure each section with hair pins, fanning out the bun
so there aren't any gaps. Mist a setting spray once you're finished so
your pretty style lasts all day.
6. Visit the salon for regular touchups.
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roots aren't the only thing you have to worry about when it comes to
getting your hair touched up on a regular basis — skipping a touchup for
too long could affect your results when you finally get to the salon.
"The heat from your scalp can affect how the color processes, so it's
important to keep in mind how much root regrowth you have," explains
O'Connor. "If you have any more than three quarters of an inch of
regrowth, there's a possibility that the color can 'band,' causing an
uneven result." Head into the salon every six to eight weeks to keep
your color fresh.
7. Incorporate dry shampoo into your routine.
We're big fans of dry shampoo:
Not only does it keep your style from getting shiny, it prolongs your
time between washes, meaning you can keep your color looking vibrant and
beautiful for longer. Rather than scrubbing your scalp with shampoo
each time it gets a little greasy, spritz on some of this oil absorber —
and follow these easy tips to make the most of it.
Just like that, you can
say goodbye to grease and hello to refreshed, voluminous locks. The only
stipulation: avoid going overboard, lest you accumulate tons of product
at your roots.
8. Rinse with cool water to preserve your color.
Ever
heard this old wives' tale that cool water keeps your locks looking
great? Turns out it's true. "Hot water forces the hair cuticle open,
allowing the color to seep out," warns O'Connor. Instead, opt for a
chillier finish to your shower. "Rinsing with cool or lukewarm water
seals the cuticle and locks in your color, making it last longer." Plus,
it'll wake you right up in the a.m.!
9. Get a custom conditioner.
"Bright
and pastel colors typically wash out quickly compared to other colors,"
says O'Connor. To help her clients maintain their color, she mixes
customized conditioners that perfectly coordinate with their new shade
so they can keep their locks looking great at home.
You
can also opt for a deep conditioning service before you leave the salon
for an extra boost of moisture and healthiness. "I also suggest that my
clients do a Goldwell Dualsenses Color Lock treatment in the salon
after getting their color done — this serum locks in the color and adds
shine for bright, healthy-looking hair." Ask your colorist if there are
any in-salon treatments that will help prolong your brand new hue.
10. Always use heat protectant.
Anyone's
hair can get damaged by heat processing, but folks with bleached
strands should be especially careful. "When hair is heavily processed,
it becomes weak and dry, so any product that provides color protection
and added moisture can help," explains Torres. Before using your flat
iron, blowdryer, or curling wand, use a heat blocking spray to keep your
locks from getting dry and damaged.
Before
picking a protectant, though, heed this warning: Unless your stylist
recommends them, steer clear of heavily tinted products — using, say, a
dark brown hair oil could deposit color onto a pale pink 'do and make it
look muddled.
Bonus: Take lots of selfies!
As
someone who has had funky hair colors for the majority of their life, I
can tell you firsthand that one of the best things about having a fun
hair shade is snapping tons of pics that feature it.
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On top of showing off the 'do you've worked so hard for, it also immortalizes your spectacular, albeit temporary, style. Trust me — you'll be happy you did!
On top of showing off the 'do you've worked so hard for, it also immortalizes your spectacular, albeit temporary, style. Trust me — you'll be happy you did!
