Dye Dilemma Follow-Up
ask an expert: at-home hair dyecanada
(Jan.15.10)
After the last Ask an Expert column with Clairol Consulting Colourist Luis Pacheco got such a great response, we decided to bring him back to answer some of your other questions. Here, he answers five reader questions regarding at-home hair dye.
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Question: I would like to know if I can just go ahead and dye my whole head again rather than just touching up the roots - honestly, it just seems easier! - mshelagh
Answer: Better to target just the root with a product like Nice ‘n Easy Root Touch-Up that won’t compromise the integrity of your colour and will match it perfectly. Leave it on for 20 minutes and then run it through the full length of your hair with your fingers just before rinsing. With all-over application every time, you might experience colour build up.
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Q: This is a great article but I would really like to read about black hair and what the possibilities are. Articles always seem to focus on blonde hair. - Kashi
A: Lightning black to a dark brown is a great way to make it look less severe and softer looking. Try an ash brown tone. This will ensure a level of lift (or lightening) without it looking brassy (unwanted yellowish or orange undertones). |
Q: Here's a question for anybody that can answer: why does my hair turn a greenish looking colour with drugstore dye and not salon dye? I'm going from blonde to brunette. It sucks because I've been paying a lot at the salon for the past four years! - MissDrea
A: Avoid using natural tones and lean more towards warmer golden tones that will counter balance the green. Use a demi-permanent hair colour like Natural Instincts. It is more gentle on the hair, has better lasting power and it won’t fade to unwanted brassy or green tones.
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Q: I have a hard time avoiding dye build up when I dye my hair at home; the ends will be black (I'm aiming for dark brown) but to cover the grey, I need to leave the dye on for as long as it allows. - Fantod
A: Apply colour to the roots ONLY. When ends start to look faded, run colour through full length of hair for the last five minutes. One other great trick: if you’re applying full colour every time, use some conditioner on your ends before running the colour all the way down. This will create a barrier and avoid the build up. |
Q: Thanks Luis Pacheco! Here's a question, if permanent hair dye opens up the cuticle, removes existing pigment and replaces it with artificial pigment (of desired tone) and then seals back the cuticle, does this mean that you lose your natural pigment? Is this why they say "once you colour your hair you can never stop"? - lmartins
A: Yes and no. The only place you lose natural pigment is in the hair that has been coloured. When the new roots grow in they will be in the same colour that you were before you dyed your hair – they won’t have lost any of the natural pigment. You can stop colouring, you just have to let your hair grow out. The reason most women won’t stop colouring once they start is because of the positive effect that gorgeous hair colour has on the psyche. Even a subtle boost in your natural colour will make you feel like a million bucks!
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Luis Pacheco has been a colourist for 15 years, and recently joined Clairol as a Consulting Colourist. He worked as a Master Colourist in both Toronto and New York, before moving back here to open his own salon, Hair on the Avenue.
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