Hair Care Help

Elle1036

First, for the girls out there who color or highlight, what do you do to care for your color?  I get all-over highlights a few times a year, and the last couple times, I've noticed that my highlights have quickly lost that fresh new brightness.  It's been 8 days since my last highlight job, and I can already tell they're a little dingier than they were before.  They still look good, just not AS good.  Is it something I'm doing?  Do I need a different shampoo (I currently just use the L'Oreal sulfate-free stuff)?  Is it possible it's the product my salon uses?  I'm not sure I remember noticing the same fading after visits at previous salons, but it's also possible that I've only recently started paying attention.  Anyway, help?

 

Second, my hair tends to get stringy pretty quickly if I wear it straight.  Short of using a ton of hairspray or brushing it every 30 minutes, is there something I can do to make that not happen?

 

Thanks!

Elle1036

Thanks for the response, @bubbles053009!

I only wash my hair about every 3 days and I definitely don't wash it for at LEAST 48 hours after a salon appointment.  I basically hate washing my hair and do it as infrequently as possible.

 

I do love my heat styling, though.  That's pretty much a daily thing for me and I know I could ease up on it, but I can't stop.  ha.  What I guess I don't understand is why my stylist can get my hair to look good all day but I can't.

KateJ16

It's a little pricey, but I highly recommend Rene Furterer's Okara spray-in stuff - it's for color-treated hair, it detangles, and it protects from heat for blow-drying.  I stopped using it for a month and tried something cheaper, and have gone back recently because it just works so well. 

I have really fine hair so my hair gets a bit undone fairly easily - I think using the right stuff on your hair initially when doing it helps, and I just keep a small brush at my desk that I run through just the ends of my hair a few times a day.

KateJ16

Forgot to mention - a bottle of that usually lasts me a couple of months at least.

buddysmom80

@elle1036

As someone who was a licensed hairstylist I've never heard of letting color "set" in your hair for 24-48 hours, so don't go by that, more than likely your hair was bleached, then toned. If that's the case you may want to get a shampoo/conditioner formulated for blondes. When was a blonde (will be again soon I think) I used KMS Vitality blonde shampoo and conditioner. I alternated that with Bed Head dumb blonde shampoo and conditioner. The vitality shampoo has a blue-ish tint to it which will counter act any dullness or brassiness in your highlights. Also Paul Mitchell makes a line of blond-focused shampoos and conditioners. I worked in a Paul Mitchell salon, but haven't tried these products yet, they're probably just as good though.

Do you have city or well water? Is it hard or soft water?

In regards to stringiness what products do you use in your hair before you blow dry it? I find that when I used Paul Mitchell's Quick Slip on clients, it made hair smoother across the board.

If you have any more questions, you know where to find me

GoldenPenguin

I use Matrix Biolage Colortherapie (LINK)

My friend who does my hair got me a dual package of big bottles of shampoo & conditioner at her salon supplier for like $16 with her discount. If you have a good relationship with your person, ask if they can do something similar, or check out a Sally Beauty Supply or something similar - they usually have the packages that are cheaper than the regular store.

She has told me to NEVER use regular store-bought shampoo, even the "fancy" stuff like Tresseme or Loreal, because it's "as bad as using dish detergent" on your hair. My hair has been much shiner, and responsive to styling since I started using this stuff. I only wash my hair every 2-3 days too, and these big bottles are going on three months! So, even if you can't get them for as cheap as I did, it's still worth it, to me. 

Elle1036

@katej16 - Thanks for the recommendation.  I'm a sucker for expensive beauty products, so I'll try it out.

@buddysmom80 - I was wondering whether I should try a shampoo made for blondes.  I do love all of the Paul Mitchell stuff I've tried, so maybe I'll do that.  I'm pretty much out of shampoo anyway.

I have city water and it's very soft.  Like, you can't tell when to stop rinsing soft.  My current product regimen is just a bit of mousse (some drugstore brand -- not sure which) in the roots for body and then Aveda Smooth Infusion all over to tame frizz.

phira

As someone who colors her hair darker (although I haven't colored my hair in about a year and a half), I've been reminded to use cooler water on my hair to keep the color in longer.

I have a more obnoxious and embarrassing hair problem ... dandruff! It popped up once I went off the pill (?!). Head and Shoulders helps immensely, but I'd like to do something more to really get rid of it. I don't want to switch to another kind of dandruff shampoo unless it'll DEFINITELY help.

buddysmom80

also to chime in on what @brisox81 said, even though the non-store brand stuff is a lot more expensive you use a hell of a lot less than store brand stuff which makes it worth the money.

@bubbles053009 I've had my hair colored, gone home and washed it again because I'm weird and like to blowdry my hair my own way, and yes, color does come out, but if you know the basic chemistry of hair dye, you would know why that happens and it's nbd.

And if we're going tit for tat in who knows who in the industry, I can go ask my friend who is a top artistic director for Redken but he's too busy being fabulous (he also washes his hair less than 24 hours after coloring it).

bride2b71614

I used to have my hair highlighted every so often. I am assuming you highlight with blonde or multiple variations of blonde? You said about 8 washes in and the color is fading?...When do you first wash your hair after its colored? Even though they wash it out at the salon, if you wash it immediately a day after, it could affect the dye.

It could be a number of things, but here is my .02 there are specific products that cater to specific hair colors. For example, KMS California Vitality Blonde shampoo is one of the best for protecting blonde highlights. Also, you said that your hair gets stringy, which is normal. Instead of loading your hair with a ton of products, You probably need some sort of moisturizing conditioner, I would suggest Jocio. The only issue that I have with moisturizing conditioner is that my hair tends to get greasy quickly. So using a hair dryer on the roots out tends to prevent the excess grease and build up. This can cause heat damage, and I usually prevent this by using the  southern belle a product provided the dry bar company to volumize my hair and it always comes out looking great. I hope this helped.

buddysmom80

@phira Neutrogena T-gel it smells so gross but it works!

@elle1036 the Aveda is good stuff, don't throw it out, change up your mousse though, I've never found a drugstore brand that I've liked and I've tried them all.

Elle1036

BriSox81 said:

I use Matrix Biolage Colortherapie (LINK)

My friend who does my hair got me a dual package of big bottles of shampoo & conditioner at her salon supplier for like $16 with her discount. If you have a good relationship with your person, ask if they can do something similar, or check out a Sally Beauty Supply or something similar - they usually have the packages that are cheaper than the regular store.

She has told me to NEVER use regular store-bought shampoo, even the "fancy" stuff like Tresseme or Loreal, because it's "as bad as using dish detergent" on your hair. My hair has been much shiner, and responsive to styling since I started using this stuff. I only wash my hair every 2-3 days too, and these big bottles are going on three months! So, even if you can't get them for as cheap as I did, it's still worth it, to me. 

See, I thought this, too, but then I read somewhere else that as long as you get something sulfate-free, you're ok.  Oh well.  Back to salon products I guess.

And I appreciate your advice so much that I'm not going to comment on the split infinitive. 

buddysmom80

I'm sad that the L'oreal sulfate free stuff isn't working out for you though, I used it since September and my color hasn't faded and I was out in the sun a lot

Elle1036

buddysmom80 said:

@phira Neutrogena T-gel it smells so gross but it works!

@elle1036 the Aveda is good stuff, don't throw it out, change up your mousse though, I've never found a drugstore brand that I've liked and I've tried them all.

I love the Aveda stuff.  I will explore a different mousse though.  Also, what's your opinion on thermal protectant products?  I've tried several, but I never felt like they were doing anything, so I stopped using them.  Do you recommend one? 

buddysmom80

bubbles053009 said:

@buddysmom80 I wasn't trying to one up you. You've been doing it much longer than I have so you obviously know more than I do. I only studied it in high school, for a total of three years while going to a technical high school, and never went further with it after I graduated like I wanted to when I first went into high school. I've been out of school for 7 years now. I follow what I was taught when it concerns hair coloring. It's not perfect, trust me. I should also mention that the color I had that then washed right out that night because I washed it was red, which is the one color that fades fastest.

Ohhhh I thought you meant you were going to ask someone who has been in the industry for 15 years, I'm like "ooookay"

I love being a redhead but hate that it does fade out so quickly, I need to get my hands on European haircolor.

minskat30

Ahhh color.  I think I've dyed my hair just about every shade but black (would look terrible on me). 

@Elle1036 - I do buy the expensive salon stuff (Bumble and Bumble is my current favorite) to keep the color in as long as possible.  I also only blow dry my hair maybe 1-2 times a week (it takes 45 minutes to an hour to do and I have just past shoulder length hair) but do it in teeny tiny sections so it stays straight for 3 days at a time. 

Do you have to style every day?  When I was blow drying more than 1-2 times a week my hair started to get dry and damaged.

ShallowSeas

bubbles053009 said:

buddysmom80 said:

bubbles053009 said:

@buddysmom80 I wasn't trying to one up you. You've been doing it much longer than I have so you obviously know more than I do. I only studied it in high school, for a total of three years while going to a technical high school, and never went further with it after I graduated like I wanted to when I first went into high school. I've been out of school for 7 years now. I follow what I was taught when it concerns hair coloring. It's not perfect, trust me. I should also mention that the color I had that then washed right out that night because I washed it was red, which is the one color that fades fastest.

Ohhhh I thought you meant you were going to ask someone who has been in the industry for 15 years, I'm like "ooookay"

I love being a redhead but hate that it does fade out so quickly, I need to get my hands on European haircolor.

No! I don't even think I know any one who has been in the industry for 15 years. I meant that if I ever had any questions, I know now to ask you, silly.

*points to avatar picture* I'm a redhead there. I love being a redhead since it brings out my green eyes and I try really hard to keep up with it but it fades out so fast. I just wish my natural color wasn't so damn dark or else I'd try something different like possibly bleaching it first but I know how badly that can be as well.

^^I'm a redhead too. I want to cry every time i wash my hair and see red swirling around the drain

Elle1036

minskat30 said:

Ahhh color.  I think I've dyed my hair just about every shade but black (would look terrible on me). 

@Elle1036 - I do buy the expensive salon stuff (Bumble and Bumble is my current favorite) to keep the color in as long as possible.  I also only blow dry my hair maybe 1-2 times a week (it takes 45 minutes to an hour to do and I have just past shoulder length hair) but do it in teeny tiny sections so it stays straight for 3 days at a time. 

Do you have to style every day?  When I was blow drying more than 1-2 times a week my hair started to get dry and damaged.

I FEEL like I have to style every day.  Regardless of how perfect it looked the night before, my hair never looks good in the morning.  It gets flat and misshapen and needs at least a little work with a flat iron before it looks presentable again.  If I'm determined not to style it, I just end up wearing it in a pony.

GoldenPenguin

@elle1036 you know I did that on purpose for your benefit  

I also thought the "sulfate free" stuff was good too, but she said no. If she was trying to get me to buy full-price fancy shit, I'd be less likely to trust her, haha - but she got me giant salon bottles for 16 bucks, and my hair has never looked better, so I guess she's right.

Also, because my hair is such a drastic change (from platinum blonde to dark brown), I have tried a lot of different products to keep the color from fading as much as possible, and the Biolage is by far the best shampoo/conditioner I've used. I'm about 6-7 weeks out (which is WAY too long) and the color has faded some, but if it wasn't for my white roots, you probably wouldn't be able to tell it has been that long. 

Elle1036

@brisox81 - I was pretty sure.  You are an evil genius.

KateJ16

@elle1036 what is your hair like?

@brisox81 I will need to try that out.  I have been using Aveeno Naturals lately (due to the lack of all the scents/chemicals/whatsits) but I haven't been the biggest fan of how it makes my hair feel.  Sigh.  I wish hair stuff was cheaper!

Elle1036

@katej16 - If I just let my hair dry naturally, it's a wavy, frizzy mess.  Medium thickness.

minskat30

Elle1036 said:

minskat30 said:

Ahhh color.  I think I've dyed my hair just about every shade but black (would look terrible on me). 

@Elle1036 - I do buy the expensive salon stuff (Bumble and Bumble is my current favorite) to keep the color in as long as possible.  I also only blow dry my hair maybe 1-2 times a week (it takes 45 minutes to an hour to do and I have just past shoulder length hair) but do it in teeny tiny sections so it stays straight for 3 days at a time. 

Do you have to style every day?  When I was blow drying more than 1-2 times a week my hair started to get dry and damaged.

I FEEL like I have to style every day.  Regardless of how perfect it looked the night before, my hair never looks good in the morning.  It gets flat and misshapen and needs at least a little work with a flat iron before it looks presentable again.  If I'm determined not to style it, I just end up wearing it in a pony.

Awwww, I'm sure it looks great and you look great even if it is "flat" to you.  I've definitely had stylist tell me to avoid the flat iron and just blow dry in pieces if styling is needed.  I have no idea if it causes more damage (a flat iron that is) but it is what I've been told so that's my two cents (and buy good product). 

And, I'm the queen of the pony hairstyle when I'm just to tired to do anything with my hair.  I think my H forgot what my hair looked like down for about 2 months recently.   

labro

I also want to second the recc on using the Matrix Biolage stuff. My mom colors her hair regularly and has used it for a couple of years now I think. She loves it! I only recently started using Matrix (their regular shampoo since I'm not currently coloring my hair) and I love how smooth and soft and silky my hair feels. I honestly feel like I can feel my hair getting gunked up and crap if I use a cheaper drug-store brand long-term.

When I had my hair highlighted a couple of years ago I used the Bedhead Dumb Blonde Shampoo and Conditioner and I really felt like it maintained my highlights for a ridiculously long period of time even after I stopped keeping up with them at the salon.

Also @phira I'm seconding that Neutrogena T-Gel stuff. It smells terrible but my BF refuses to use anything else for his dandruff and it works wonderfully.

Elle1036

minskat30 said:

Elle1036 said:

minskat30 said:

Ahhh color.  I think I've dyed my hair just about every shade but black (would look terrible on me). 

@Elle1036 - I do buy the expensive salon stuff (Bumble and Bumble is my current favorite) to keep the color in as long as possible.  I also only blow dry my hair maybe 1-2 times a week (it takes 45 minutes to an hour to do and I have just past shoulder length hair) but do it in teeny tiny sections so it stays straight for 3 days at a time. 

Do you have to style every day?  When I was blow drying more than 1-2 times a week my hair started to get dry and damaged.

I FEEL like I have to style every day.  Regardless of how perfect it looked the night before, my hair never looks good in the morning.  It gets flat and misshapen and needs at least a little work with a flat iron before it looks presentable again.  If I'm determined not to style it, I just end up wearing it in a pony.

Awwww, I'm sure it looks great and you look great even if it is "flat" to you.  I've definitely had stylist tell me to avoid the flat iron and just blow dry in pieces if styling is needed.  I have no idea if it causes more damage (a flat iron that is) but it is what I've been told so that's my two cents (and buy good product). 

And, I'm the queen of the pony hairstyle when I'm just to tired to do anything with my hair.  I think my H forgot what my hair looked like down for about 2 months recently.   

Yeah, I don't touch the flat iron on days when I wash it and have time to blow dry thoroughly.  I just use it if I let my hair air dry or on non-wash days to get rid of weird creases from sleep or ponytail holders.  I guess this is my general cycle:

Day 1 - Wash and blow dry.

Day 2 - Flat iron out the kinks but otherwise try to ride out the previous day's style.

Day 3 - Flat iron all over OR say fuck it, spritz with dry shampoo, and put it up.

buddysmom80

Elle1036 said:

minskat30 said:

Elle1036 said:

minskat30 said:

Ahhh color.  I think I've dyed my hair just about every shade but black (would look terrible on me). 

@Elle1036 - I do buy the expensive salon stuff (Bumble and Bumble is my current favorite) to keep the color in as long as possible.  I also only blow dry my hair maybe 1-2 times a week (it takes 45 minutes to an hour to do and I have just past shoulder length hair) but do it in teeny tiny sections so it stays straight for 3 days at a time. 

Do you have to style every day?  When I was blow drying more than 1-2 times a week my hair started to get dry and damaged.

I FEEL like I have to style every day.  Regardless of how perfect it looked the night before, my hair never looks good in the morning.  It gets flat and misshapen and needs at least a little work with a flat iron before it looks presentable again.  If I'm determined not to style it, I just end up wearing it in a pony.

Awwww, I'm sure it looks great and you look great even if it is "flat" to you.  I've definitely had stylist tell me to avoid the flat iron and just blow dry in pieces if styling is needed.  I have no idea if it causes more damage (a flat iron that is) but it is what I've been told so that's my two cents (and buy good product). 

And, I'm the queen of the pony hairstyle when I'm just to tired to do anything with my hair.  I think my H forgot what my hair looked like down for about 2 months recently.   

Yeah, I don't touch the flat iron on days when I wash it and have time to blow dry thoroughly.  I just use it if I let my hair air dry or on non-wash days to get rid of weird creases from sleep or ponytail holders.  I guess this is my general cycle:

Day 1 - Wash and blow dry.

Day 2 - Flat iron out the kinks but otherwise try to ride out the previous day's style.

Day 3 - Flat iron all over OR say fuck it, spritz with dry shampoo, and put it up.

I love the Day 3 style option alot ;p

KateJ16

Hmm... maybe go to a salon and ask for a reco?  Last year my salon this lady in who pulled three strands of hair from your head and analyzed them right in front of you for free (you could see them under a microscope thingy) and explained based on your hair type the best type of products to use to nourish/volumize/etc.  It actually really helped me find some good stuff (although stuff at the time I couldn't continue to afford).

Elle1036

Me too, @buddysmom80, but since chopping my hair off last week, I've found the 'fuck it' option a little more difficult.  I barely have enough length to do a ponytail, and my hair has to be pretty much straight for it to hold.  That's the one major drawback to this new style I've got.

GoldenPenguin

Elle1036 said:

Me too, @buddysmom80, but since chopping my hair off last week, I've found the 'fuck it' option a little more difficult.  I barely have enough length to do a ponytail, and my hair has to be pretty much straight for it to hold.  That's the one major drawback to this new style I've got.

But you look so pretty! It's totally worth it. 

Elle1036

BriSox81 said:

Elle1036 said:

Me too, @buddysmom80, but since chopping my hair off last week, I've found the 'fuck it' option a little more difficult.  I barely have enough length to do a ponytail, and my hair has to be pretty much straight for it to hold.  That's the one major drawback to this new style I've got.

But you look so pretty! It's totally worth it. 

D'awwww.  Thanks!  I do love the look.  It's just a little more work than before.

GoldenPenguin

Elle1036 said:

BriSox81 said:

Elle1036 said:

Me too, @buddysmom80, but since chopping my hair off last week, I've found the 'fuck it' option a little more difficult.  I barely have enough length to do a ponytail, and my hair has to be pretty much straight for it to hold.  That's the one major drawback to this new style I've got.

But you look so pretty! It's totally worth it. 

D'awwww.  Thanks!  I do love the look.  It's just a little more work than before.