Hair Color Tips For Natural and Relaxed Hair
Ladies, we know when it comes to hair one size does NOT fit all. The same is true for hair color. Some general rules do apply, but depending on your hair’s texture, you will have different results when coloring your hair. Some of the hair industry’s most notable mavens, Tish Celestine, Pekela Riley, and Diasha Hollingsworth, share their tips to achieve the best color results for both natural and relaxed hair.
Natural Hair
1. Experiment
While natural hair does have its “challenges,” it also lends itself to the most creativity. “Coloring highly-textured hair allows your creativity to shine. You can ‘hand paint’ strand by strand or dye exactly where you want the color to pop,” says Diasha Hollingsworth.
2. Protect Your Curl Pattern
An important thing to remember, however, is that color can affect your curl pattern. Pekela Riley advises, “Remember in selecting your color to keep in mind the amount of curl retention you want to keep. The rule is, the lighter the color the more curl elasticity loss.” Does this mean you can’t go lighter without dramatically changing your curl pattern? Absolutely not! Tish Celestine, known for bold colors on her celebrity clientele, avoids bleach because of the high risk for damage to the curl pattern. “Permanent colors have advanced to the point where now you can achieve the desired color without using bleach,” says Tish.
3. Moisture Is Key
Natural hair is more prone to dryness. “The natural oils and moisture from your scalp don’t travel through the strands as easily, preventing them from being well nourished,” says Diasha. Clairol Textures & Tones’ infusion of jojoba oil and five botanical extracts make it a great option for natural hair to retain much-needed moisture. Jojoba oil adds shine, elasticity, and softness to hair, so instead of drying out your hair, it will actually provide even more moisture. Regular hydration treatments were also recommended by all 3 stylists to keep colored hair in optimum condition.
Relaxed Hair
1. Bleach Is Not Your Friend
Be VERY careful if you decide to use bleach on relaxed hair. All 3 stylists agree: Bleach breaks hair and can cause structural damage. Textures & Tones is ammonia-free and a much safer option to lift your hair.
2. Don’t Mix Your Chemicals
You should never relax your hair and use permanent color on the same day. Wait at least two weeks between your relaxer and color applications to prevent damage to your hair. If your color just needs a slight refresher, a semi-permanent color from the Clairol Professional Beautiful Collection line is a safe option to use on the same day you get a touch-up.
3. Strength is Key
Coloring and relaxing your hair will leave it in a weakened state. Regular deep conditioning and protein treatments is key to preserving your strands and preventing breakage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Clairol
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