Blog-EveryDay Beauty Supply.com

Coloring your hair can give your self esteem a lift and help you to feel more confident. The last few years have seen advances in hair color kits that can be used at home safely, with good results. But how do you know when you can color at home, and when it is best to go to the salon?

Here is a short guide to when you should visit the salon, and when you can color at home.

Color at home if:

Your roots need touching up.

It will take around 4 weeks after coloring your hair, for your roots to begin to show through. If you are visiting the salon each time you need them to be touched up, then it can prove expensive. There are many root touch up kits on the market today that can be used at home with good results. They are not intended for a full head color, but are adequate for covering up root growth in the most obvious areas, for example, around your crown and along your parting.

You are still experimenting with color.

If you are still experimenting with color on your hair then it is wise to use one of the many semi-permanent hair coloring kits that are on the market. These can either be the ‘wash in, wash out’ variety, or they may last for up to 6 shampoos or so. These are a good way of experimenting with color, without the expense of the salon, or making a commitment to a permanent color change.

You are hair color savvy.

There are many different coloring kits on the market today, and they are easy to use and can give great results. If you know what you are doing, and what color you want, then using these kits can cut the cost of a trip to a hair salon considerably, leaving you money to spend on a good cut to compliment the color.

Go to the salon if:

You want highlights.

Highlights can be difficult to do at home. Even if you have someone to help you, it can be hard to get the same results as at a salon. If you want two or more colors on your hair, then it is safest to go to a salon and have them put in professionally. Your hairdresser can blend them in, and advise on what colors would work well together.

You want a complete change of color.

If you want something completely different to your usually color, then it is essential that you go to the salon. Your hairdresser can advise you on what colors will suit your skin tone. They will also advise you of how light or dark you can safety go in one step.

You already have gray hair.

If you already have a high percentage of gray hair, then a salon can advise you on what products can give true coverage, and what colors to use. For example, most reds that are sold in home coloring kits are unsuitable for hair with a high percentage of grays. As you age, your skin tone changes, so it may be a case that you need to go a little lighter than your ‘natural’ hair color.

When coloring at home, (and when visiting the salon) always take the recommended safety precautions, such as testing the product on your skin 48 hours beforehand.

Susie Brown owns an online Beauty Supply Store, where you can find all your Favorite Brands of Beauty Products.

EveryDayBeautySupply.com

This article may be reprinted provided the resource box is kept intact.

Most women have left a hair salon with a hair cut that they are not happy with. We may know what we want before we go, but somehow this gets lost in translation when we get the gown on, and we end up with something complete different!

Here are four points that will help you to get the hair cut you want.

Know what you want before you arrive at the salon. It is amazing how many women arrive and have no idea of what they want. Before your appointment spend some time in front of the mirror at home and experiment with holding your hair back, pushing it forward and other looks that you may be thinking off. Plan your haircut as you would plan an outfit. Ask yourself whether it the style you are thinking of is suitable for different occasions. If you are considering a color as well, make sure that you are certain it is not a whim. It will be with you for quite a time! Make a short list of what you love about your hair, and what you loathe about it. This will give the hairdresser a clearer idea of what you need from a good haircut.

Take a picture of the haircut you want, or at least a picture of something that is very similar. This will give the hairdresser some idea of what look you are aiming for. However, you may need to be prepared to modify your expectations and listen to your hairdressers advice, if, for example, your hair is not suitable for such a cut. But a picture can prove to be a good starting point for discussion.

Make sure you are clear on the style of cut that you have decided on before the hairdresser begins cutting. Sometimes, after discussing lots of styles, it is easy to become confused and forget which one you have actually decided on. You need to ask for clarification that you both have the same style in mind!

Do not put on a false persona. The best thing you can do to ensure that you get a cut that will suit you, is to be yourself. If you are a busy mum who does not have time to spend on her hair in the morning, then you need something simple. Do not be tempted to use your time at the hair salon to be someone you are not. By letting your true personality shine through (even on a bad day!) your hairdresser will have a clearer idea of how your day is spent and what you need from your haircut.

By using these four simple steps, you can build up a relationship with your hairdresser that means that you will always get the cut you want.

Susie Brown owns an online Beauty Supply Store, where you can find all your Favorite Brands of Beauty Products.

EveryDayBeautySupply.com

This article may be reprinted provided the resource box is kept intact.

If you are considering a visit to a salon that you have not been to before, then make an appointment for an initial consultation before you book a haircut or color. These are very often free and can save a lot of heartache in the future.

Use your time at this appointment to look for the following issues that could mean that you are not going to get the attention and service that you require.

What type of atmosphere are you looking for? Are you looking for an outing to socialize and visit with others while getting your service of hair, face, toes or massage? Or, are you looking to enjoy getting a service done in a more private setting? Then a salon that has a location that puts clients in front of a window with foot traffic walking by may not be for you.

A salon that services there clients in individual spaces may also be considered. A salon that maintains a quieter atmosphere with soothing music, less talk, would lend to a relaxing experience.

Do the staff and management all seem to be friendly with each other (albeit in a professional way) as well as with the clients? If there are signs of friction between the staff then you run the risk of a bad day being taken out on your hair!

Does the staff answer personal calls on their cell phones while they are with clients? If so then they are probably not paying the amount of attention to their client as they should.

Inquire with the receptionist about cancellations among the staff. Is the staff attentive? How long did you have to wait in reception to book your appointment? These are signs that will show you how seriously the staff takes the client/hairdresser relationship, as well as their level of professionalism.

Is the salon clean and tidy? Are dirty towels left hanging around rather than being put out of site quickly? Does your gown smell clean and fresh? Is the equipment well maintained and clean? Remember that it will be used on your own hair at your appointment.

If you are not happy with any of the above, then do not feel obliged to follow up your initial consultation with another appointment. It is important that you feel totally at ease with your hairdresser and your surroundings before you let anyone near you with the scissors!

Susie Brown owns an online Beauty Supply Store, where you can find all your Favorite Brands of Beauty Products.

EveryDayBeautySupply.com

This article may be reprinted provided the resource box is kept intact.