Fabbylous: Dyeing for a new hair color? Abby has tips!

Hayley Williams lead singer of the band Paramore, performs with her band on MTVs Total Request Live at MTV studios in Times Square, Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2007 in New York. Paramore is promoting the release of their new CD Riot.   (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Hayley Williams lead singer of the band Paramore, performs with her band on MTV’s Total Request Live at MTV studios in Times Square, Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2007 in New York. Paramore is promoting the release of their new CD “Riot”. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

Abby Mohr, Staff Writer

The color of your hair makes a statement. Be it bubblegum pink, natural brunette, or bleach blonde, all kinds of color have taken over the high school scene as teenagers strive to break the mold in an experiment of self-expression – emphasis on experiment. Despite the best of intentions, not every hairstyle turns out like the shiny one on the box. To avoid a variety of late night dye disasters in favor of better-planned successes, I’d like to present you with the top five things I wish someone had told me before I took the plunge.

 

  • Give yourself plenty of time.

 

The box may say “only takes 30 minutes,” but dyeing your hair is the last thing you want to rush. Taking time to evenly section out your hair, evenly distribute the dye, and let it sit long enough to fully transfer the color will pay off the next day when you are able to show off your new ‘do instead of hiding a botched attempt under a beanie. Just in case, try to dye on a weekend to allow for re-dyeing or fixing before having to encounter the entire population of North Penn.

 

  • Section off your hair. 

 

Dividing the different layers of your hair into sections with clips and attacking them separately will allow you to make sure you cover all parts evenly. Throwing all the dye on at once and hoping for the best can lead to uneven color and patches.

  • Wear gloves and cover your neck and shoulders.  

 

Though they may seem to get in the way, gloves and towels for your neck and shoulders are super important, as hair dye is meant for just that: your hair. Getting it on your skin is not a life-threatening catastrophe, but the dye may take a few days to wear off, despite excessive scrubbing in the shower. In addition to these precautions, applying Vaseline or lotion around the edges of your face or placing a headband there can save you from an abundance of awkward stares Monday morning.

  • If it’s your first time, go with the foam.  

 

Dying your hair for the first time can be a daunting task, but to ensure a do you can be proud of, choose a foam dye formula. Generally it will say either foam or serum on the box. The serum formulas can be tricky because they tend to be more potent and if not distributed completely evenly through the hair, can leave patches of varying color throughout. The serums can also be far more drippy and therefore messy, putting not only your hair but your favorite rug in danger. The foam formulas are far easier to distribute throughout the hair, tend to come out more glossy, and are generally “no drip” allowing for a much easier clean-up.

  • Invest in the color-safe shampoo.

 

Regular shampoo can strip your hair of the color and its natural oils, but shampoos deliberately formulated for colored hair can make the color last longer. To extend the life of your color, try washing on alternate days and using as little heat (blow drying, flat ironing) as possible. If your hair has too many oils for alternate washing, try a dry shampoo at night to freshen it while maintaining a vibrant color. Hair dyeing can be a liberating change-up to the daily grind, so take these tips and have some fun this holiday season!

 

 

Stay classy North Penn,    

Abby