How to Ease Your Hair Color Nerves
By Sophia Panych, Allure magazine
Lately I've been obsessed with thoughts of dying my hair; it's been years since I've colored it, ever since a horrific high school dye job that left me looking like Morticia Addams for my graduation. Well, this week I'm heading to the salon to make a change, and being a bit apprehensive I went to talk to colorist Laurie Foley, founder of L'Atelier de Laurie in New York City, on how to ensure that I walk out of the salon 100 percent satisfied.
Related: The 10 Commandments of Gorgeous Hair Color
Foley has worked as a stylist and color-expert for over 33 years, sharing her skills on countless photoshoots and throughout several Fashion Weeks (she famously took models Jessica Stam, Raquel Zimmerman, and Siri Tollerand platinum blonde for Marc Jacobs's Fall 2010 show). And even though she treats the process as a painter would a canvas, what she finds most important comes before the dyes are even mixed. "Every appointment should start with a one-on-one consultation between the client and colorist," Foley explains, "The stylist needs to be in tune with what you are looking for, get a sense of who you are, and needs to know your history so they know what they're working with. Our job is not only to have you leave looking great, but to maintain the health of your hair, and we can't do that without knowing what you've done to it before you came to us."
Seems logical-but a shocking 42 percent of women say they've never had a consultation before a dye-job, according to a study by P&G Beauty & Grooming. Foley's other pointers on how to have a successful consultation:
Related: How Much Do You Trust Your Hairstylist?
Ask questions. While your colorist should be asking questions about what you want and about your hair-coloring history, it is important to ask questions as well. Ask how your hair texture and density will impact the end result- "It's just as important that you know what the process is and what will be going on with your hair during the appointment," Foley says. She suggests jotting questions down before you head to the salon so you won't forget while you're there.
Offer full disclosure. Don't be embarrassed about any of your past dye experiences. It's important your stylist knows everything you've done to your hair so they can best assess how to work with it.
Come prepared. Bring pictures to show the colorist what you have in mind, giving them a visual reference. Don't rely on so-called "salon talk," or you may end up with someone else's idea of a "honey" blonde or "chocolate" brown.
Photo Credit: WWD
