Courtesy of L’Oréal Professionnel
Put in the extra effort so you can prolong your hair’s shade the minute you leave the salon
Whether it’s a first-time hair color experience, a French balayage or a full head of pink, maintaining your mane after a color appointment requires utmost dedication.
With the right care and products, you can have the best of both worlds: a gorgeous color paired with healthy hydrated strands. Fine-tuning your aftercare routine can maintain your hair’s color and integrity for weeks—even months—longer than skipping essential steps.
We talked with Jude Hipolito and Rose Velasco, creative director and technical director, respectively, at JuRo Salon Exclusif, who shared their insights as L’Oréal Professionnel ambassadors of six years and what they recommend for hair color veterans and rookies alike.
Get a pro to work on your hair
Making the decision to color your hair is a big step and it can be quite tempting to do it yourself. However, when it comes to getting the right shade and applying the correct formulation that will suit your skin tone, cut, texture, and even scalp condition, there are some things that a professional stylist knows better. Ensuring your dye job goes well is one of them.
“Color on your hair can last if you’ve had proper consultation with your stylist. It’s like couture— we need to tailor it according to your hair’s condition, style, and even your skin tone,” says co-founder Rose Velasco.
A quick check on a stylist’s social media accounts and reviews on online forums can give you insight into their skillset and the roster of clients they have throughout their professional career.
Apply a pre-treatment neutralizer to protect your strands
Whether you’re going for the cozy blonde balayage trend or a spicy cinnamon hue, applying a pre-treatment neutralizer will strengthen the pay-off and vibrancy of the color on your strands.
The L’Oréal Professionnel ambassadors also highlights the importance of removing any inessential metals from your hair and prevent damage before coloring begins. Through L’Oréal Professionnel Metal DX Metal Neutralizer Pre-Treatment, you can protect your hair and neutralize unwanted pigments by adding warmth and depth without dulling or washing out the shade you want on your mane.
The Metal DX series contain Glicoamine 10 percent, a molecule that can penetrate into the fibers of hair and eliminate elements that can affect hair color deposit.
“We use the Metal DX series for coloring services as it goes within the molecules of the hair. It neutralizes from the inside,” explains Hipolito. “This first step is essential to us. It adds oomph to make your desired shade stand out.”
Commit to going sulfate-free and ammonia-free
Your dye job doesn’t end in the salon. For JuRo, it’s only the beginning of your hair color journey. A conscientious approach to your post-salon aftercare is to use products that are sulfate-free and made for color-treated hair.
Sulfates can strip the color from your hair and make that shade you’ve desired in so long fade faster.
“Aftercare is just as important as going in for that initial appointment with your stylist,” says Hipolito. “An anti-metal cream cleanser like L’Oréal Professionnel Metal DX Shampoo detoxifies and strengthens hair after any coloring or hair lightening service.” At the same time, iNOA, L’Oréal’s permanent ammonia-free hair coloring range, can extend the vibrancy of each strand while giving it a shiny finish.
Beat the heat
If there’s one thing that hair needs to fight off constantly, it’s heat. “There are so many elements out there that can damage hair. Heat is definitely at the top of the list. It’s best to be strategic with the way you use heat, like your hot tools, to prevent it from fading fast,” says Velasco.
“A heat protectant should be your hair’s best buddy whether you have colored hair or not,” adds Jude.
Indulge in a masque routine
A weekly detoxifying mask ritual such as the L’Oréal Professionnel Metal DX Mask prevents new metal particles from coming back into the system and depositing themselves onto your hair. An anti-metal mask at the ready removes build-up from your strands and scalp.
“It can also be easily done at home. Your hair will thank you whenever it gets its weekly dose of a soothing mask,” says Hipolito.
Do a maintenance check with your stylist
Every four to five weeks, you should make an appointment with your stylist so they can assess the condition of your hair and offer advice on how to keep it looking its best. They’ll be able to tell if any new growth needs coloring, or if there are any areas that need more attention than others.
“Hair is a very visual and tactile experience [for both the client and stylist],” says Velasco. “We can tell you what’s going on, if you need a touch-up with your regrowth or address any issue you might have faced since your last visit.”
“Every individual is different. We want to see your progress or if you need any help, we’ll definitely find a way that works for you,” says Hipolito. “It’s ideal to see us at least every month after a color treatment. For darker shades, on average, every quarter is good, too.”
Getting the most out of your color-treated hair is all about commitment to maintenance. With L’Oréal Professionnel’s pledge to formulate safe and effective hair products powered by technology, as well as collaborating with skillful hairstylists, you can keep your strands healthy and vibrant no matter what the weather or how much time has passed since your last appointment.
Follow L’Oréal Professionnel Global on Instagram and Facebook. JuRo Salon Exclusif is located at Unit 2D, Kensington Place, 1st Avenue, Taguig City.
