Preparation Will Lead to Better Results
Any Hair Stylist will tell you, when it comes to coloring hair, the fewer variables they have to deal with the better the outcome will be. If a client comes in and their hair is completely unprepared for a color service, the process can be longer and there is a smaller chance that the result will be as fabulous as it would otherwise be. To guarantee a better result for yourself and avoid additional costs of unexpected preparation treatments, it's smart to take a few extra steps to prepare for your appointment before stepping into the salon. Follow these few simple steps to properly prepare for the hair color treatment you've scheduled for yourself.
1. Avoid Hair Conditioner
In order to permanently color your hair, your stylist must penetrate your hair shaft to deposit color pigment. The process involves opening up your cuticle to deposit or remove color. The easier it is to open your cuticle, the easier it will be to deposit the pigment and less damaging the process will be on your hair. A difficult to open cuticle may result in more damage to the structural integrity of the hair and a less permanent or rich result. Many people don't realize that the purpose of their hair conditioner is to actually close the cuticle. A tightly closed cuticle will make the hair shaft more smooth and reflective and provide that healthy shine and silkier feeling. However, a tightly closed cuticle is quite counter productive to the hair color process. Clients should try avoiding using hair conditioner for at least 1 - 2 days prior to a hair color appointment. This will enable you to come in with a less tightly closed cuticle and make it easier for the color to penetrate your hair shaft to deposit the color pigments.
2. Clarify
A few days before your appointment, use a clarifying shampoo. This will remove any buildup and "clean the canvas" so to speak so that your color is more vibrant and true.
3. Avoid Scalp Irritation
Your stylist will do everything they can to ensure a great salon experience for you including making sure you are comfortable. No one wants to experience an irritated scalp during a hair color treatment that may only lead to heightened irritation during the treatment, blow drying, and styling process. It is a good idea to not scrub, scratch, or otherwise manipulate your scalp for 1 - 2 days before your hair color appointment. If you are experiencing any scalp irritation, you should let your stylist know before the service begins.
4. Go Natural
During your service, your stylist will wash, condition, dry, and style your hair. To begin the process, they will have to remove any tangles, braids, twists, or any such styles to your hair and begin with a natural canvas from which to start. In order to save time and trouble, avoid having any tight styles in your hair before you arrive at the salon. Your stylist will appreciate it and be able to do a much nicer job. If you must come to the salon with styled hair, opt for something lose and manageable that can be quickly removed or washed out. Avoid tight braids, kinks, or tangles.
5. Select Your Colors
Professional hair color is as much an art as it is a science. There are so many paramaters to deal with that you must ultimately trust and rely on your stylist's individual creativity. Remember that they see clients all the time, have a deep understanding of what colors are going to look best with your skin tone, eye color, and facial structure; and should be used in a consultancy capacity to guide you through your selection. However, also keep in mind that your stylist is not a mind reader. Ultimately, you will have to be happy with your hair color and to do that, you must have a good idea of what you want. Before your appointment you should look through magazines or online photos to select shades and tones that you like. Bring these photos with you to your appointment. Be prepared to show them and describe why you like them. Be open minded to feedback and guidance and work with them to determine what works best for you. Be as open minded, bold, or conservative as you like. Make sure your hair color is an expression of who you are and what you want to look like. But overall, have fun and enjoy the experience!
1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day, and while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate antidepressant.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. I like to take this 10 minutes (sadly sometimes just 5 minutes if pressed for time) to think of everything that is going RIGHT and not wrong and to give thanks for what I do have...so many people have it worse.
3. Buy a DVR and record your late night shows and get more sleep.
4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, “My purpose is to _______ today.”
5. Live with the 3 E’s – Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
6. Play more games and read more books than you did in 2011.
7. Make time to practice meditation and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.
8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of six. There is so much wisdom to learn from people in their 60's, 70's, 80's --take some time to take it all in. As far as kids go...try to remember what it was like to find everything so exciting and so new. We can learn a lot from kids!
9. Dream more while you are awake.
10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants. Eat less food that is manufactured in plants!
11. Drink green tea and plenty of water.
12. Try to make at least 3 people smile each day.
13. Clean clutter from your house, your car, your desk, and let new and flowing energy into your life.
14. Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip, or issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out credit card.
17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the NEGATIVE BLUES away.
18. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
20. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
21. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
22. Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present.
23. Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: “In five years, will this matter?”
26. Forgive everyone for everything.
27. What other people think of you is none of your business.
28. Ask, Believe, Receive. (And it WILL happen!)
29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
30. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
31. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful, or joyful.
32. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
33. The best is yet to come.
34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.
35. Do the right thing!
36. Call your family often.. (Or email them to death!)
37. Each night before you go to bed, complete the following statements: “I am thankful for _________________. Today I accomplished _______________.
38. Remember you are too blessed to be stressed.
39. Enjoy the ride. Remember this is not Disney World and you certainly don’t want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.
40. May your troubles be less, May your blessings be more, May nothing but happiness come through your door! It just doesn't happen though on it's own YOU NEED to stop thinking negative thoughts and focus on wishing good things in your lives and everyone around you!
