You’ve decided to take the exciting step of coloring your hair. Whether it’s your first time or you’re ready to switch up your look, proper preparation can make all the difference in achieving stunning, long-lasting results.
At Ella Rose Hair Boutique, we’re here to guide you every step of the way, ensuring that your investment in time and money leads to hair you absolutely love.
Whether it’s your first trip to a hair color salon or you see a hair colorist regularly, here is everything you need to know on how to prepare for your next hair color appointment.
Follow these expert tips to get your hair ready for your next coloring appointment.
Step 1: Schedule a Hair Color Consultation
Every great color transformation begins with a consultation. This one-on-one time with your colorist is essential to understand your hair’s unique needs and create a plan that aligns with your goals.
During the consultation:
- Be honest about your hair history, including at-home dyes, chemical treatments, or past color corrections.
- Bring inspiration photos to help your colorist understand your desired look, whether it’s balayage, blonding, or vibrant highlights.
- Set realistic expectations, especially if you’re looking to lighten dark hair or cover gray.
Remember, achieving lighter or vivid colors often requires multiple sessions, while darkening hair tends to be a simpler process.
Your consultation ensures your colorist has all the details to create a customized plan. To book your consultation, complete our online booking form or give us a call at (505) 379-1829. We can’t wait to help you bring your vision to life!
Step 2: Prep Your Hair for Success
Preparing your hair before your appointment is crucial for achieving even, vibrant results. Here’s how to prep hair before coloring:
Two Weeks Before:
- If your hair is very damaged, schedule a K18 treatment to strengthen and fortify your strands.
One Week Before:
- Use a clarifying shampoo to remove product buildup and pollutants that can interfere with color absorption. We recommend Kevin Murphy Maxi Wash.
- Follow up with a deep conditioning treatment to hydrate your hair and enhance its receptiveness to color. We recommend the Iles Formula Masque.
24–48 Hours Before:
Should I Wash My Hair Before Coloring It?
- Avoid washing your hair if it’s been less than three days since your last wash. Natural oils protect your scalp and strands during the coloring process.
- DO wash your hair if it’s been over three days since your last wash and you have excessive oil production or product buildup from hard-hold hairsprays, mousse, texturizing sprays, or dry shampoo.
- DO wash your hair before your appointment if you are receiving a gray coverage service and have root color spray on your hair. This spray can interfere with the coloring process and may affect your results.
- Refrain from using heat tools or styling products after washing to keep your hair clean and natural for the appointment.
Step 3: Understand the Process
Every hair color journey is as unique as you are. Your appointment will be customized to your goals, hair history, and individual needs, which may require different techniques, timelines, and approaches to achieve your desired look. Here’s what to expect:
- Blonding and Lightening: Transitioning from dark hair to blonde or bronde often takes multiple sessions. This ensures your hair remains healthy and strong while achieving your desired level of brightness.
- Gray Coverage: Gray hair can be more resistant to color, requiring additional time, specialized techniques, and product to ensure thorough, seamless coverage.
- Balayage and Dimensional Color: These techniques use hand-painted highlights to create natural, sun-kissed looks that are low maintenance and grow out beautifully.
- Color Corrections: If your hair has been previously colored, achieving your goal may involve addressing uneven tones, banding, or unwanted shades. This process can take multiple appointments to restore balance and health.
We love working with our clients long-term, as this allows us to monitor, tweak, and refine your color over time. With consistency and a tailored plan, we can not only improve the overall look and result of your color but also enhance your hair’s health and vibrancy. Sticking with a plan is key to achieving your best hair!
Your colorist will assess your current hair color, condition, texture, and goals to tailor the process for optimal results. Patience and communication are essential to ensuring the outcome is safe, effective, and truly reflective of your vision.
Step 4: When to Wait
Sometimes, the best course of action is to delay your coloring appointment and focus on repairing damaged hair. Severely dry or brittle hair may require extra care, such as conditioning treatments, to restore its health and resilience before it can safely undergo color services.
At Ella Rose, we prioritize your hair’s well-being and will work with you to create a plan that prepares your hair for future color services while ensuring the best long-term results.
Talk with your stylist to understand their recommendations on how to proceed. This may include in-salon treatments like our K18 Treatment to repair and strengthen your hair, as well as refining your at-home care regimen and products. Investing in the health of your hair now will pay off in the vibrancy and longevity of your color later.
Step 5: Enjoy the Experience
Our skilled colorists specialize in creating personalized, artistic transformations that reflect your unique style and personality.
If you’re searching for a balayage salon near me, seeking expert gray blending, or looking for a team that delivers stunning highlights, Ella Rose Hair Boutique is here to bring your dream hair to life.
Ready to Transform Your Look?
Let us be your trusted destination for all things hair color in Albuquerque, NM. With the expertise of the Ella Rose team and the right preparation, you’ll walk out of our salon with vibrant, healthy hair you’ll love.
By preparing your hair before your appointment, you’re setting yourself up for success. To schedule your consultation or book your next appointment, call or text us at (505) 379-1829.
