ASK AN EXPERT: THE TRUTH ABOUT BOX COLORING

ASK AN EXPERT: THE TRUTH ABOUT BOX COLORING

When it comes to coloring your hair, you want to make sure that you'll look fabulous without costing you your first born.  A lot of people turn to box coloring because it's cheap and easy, but what's the catch?  Anyone that's dyed their hair at home with box coloring a number of times knows that there is a price to pay - irreversible damage to your locks.  So, what's a girl to do?  We've brought in an expert on all things hair to help answer all of your burning hair coloring questions!

Readers, meet Master Stylist and hair expert extraordinaire, Danielle from The Kut Haus in Claremont, California - a modern and up to date salon with some of the most passionate stylists around.  Danielle's formally trained in all aspects of hair - from super curly kinky hair to fine thinning hair.  From well educated balayage (ombre) techniques to precision cutting.  She has had her work published in a number of magazines and worked backstage at Los Angeles fashion week as well as worked on set of a television series.  So, yeah - she's an expert! 

Here's Danielle to give you some expert tips on hair coloring and why coloring at home with box dye is a major no no!

FUNBERGER: So, why exactly is box color such a bad thing?

DANIELLE: I want to share some professional advice with you since all you hear now days is, “OMG you're using box color?! Tisk! Tisk!” but no one really explains the reason why box color is bad…  Basically, box color is “one size fits all” and salon color is formulated to match all your hair need.  There are many variables that go into hair coloring - a lot of chemistry that most people are unaware of. There is a formulation that needs to take place by the professional stylist to make sure that the hair is treated the best way it can be.  Box color is formulated with the harshest chemicals to make sure that if someone with super coarse, resistant hair wants to use it they will see a difference in color.. BUT what about the other lady with the fine, bleach blonde hair? Same chemical? Yikes.

FUNBERGER: What makes the coloring used at a salon different than what you find in box dye?

DANIELLE: If you go to a salon, your stylist is sure to use top of the line color products and is able to assess the condition of your hair to make a formulation special to your hair needs.  You must NEVER trust advertisements in any industry, especially the hair color industry.  It's brainwashing at its finest.  The beautiful celebrities endorsing the product spend hundreds of dollars to have their hair look spot on, do you really think they are going to use a product that costs $5?? NO WAY.

FUNBERGER: You're right. But $5 is very enticing. Why do salons cost so much more?

DANIELLE: I understand the salon can get pricey but it’s the expertise of the professional that you’re paying for.  By doing your own hair you may be saving a buck, but when your hair color isn’t what you  thought it would be, you will end up spending a lot more money on a color correction at the salon than if you went to the salon in the first place.  

Here are Danielle's tips to help maintain beautiful, long lasting color:

TIP 1:

Sulfate free shampoo!  Sulfates are the detergents that cleanse your hair and scalp of accumulated oils. It is very harmful and will eat at your color molecules. I recommend Bumble and Bumble Hairdressers Invisible Oil Shampoo and conditioner. It is sulfate free but will still give you a lather which unlike other sulfate free shampoos they do not lather and it can be frustrating. Lather makes everyone's life a little easier!

TIP 2:

Wait a few days after color service to let the color molecules settle into the hair strands.

TIP 3: 

Deep condition to lock in the color as well as add moisture that was taken during the color service.

TIP 4:

Rinse with COLD water…it closes the cuticles on each hair strand, thus allowing the color molecules to remain in the cortex (the middle of your hair strand where your permanent color lives) 

Just like how we have to eat to survive, so does your hair. Same goes for heat styling, if you touch a curling iron to your skin it will burn you… it does the same thing to your hair - you just don’t feel it, which is why protecting your hair from heat gets neglected.

RECAP:

-Wait a few days to cleanse

-Sulfate free shampoo (Bumble and Bumble Hairdressers Invisible Oil)

-Deep Condition

-Rinse with cold water!

If you're ever in Los Angeles County, be sure to stop by The Kut Haus in Claremont and ask for Danielle.  She'll be sure to give you the attention you and your hair deserve while making you feel right at home.  The Kut Hause Claremont is located at 123 Yale Avenue in Claremont, California.  Be sure to follow Danielle on Instagram @curlyd88 to catch all of her latest hair masterpieces!