Recessionista Style: Extending the Life of Your Hair Color at Home
By
McLean Robbins
Luxuries such as regular hair highlights are quick to fall by the wayside when your wallet is stretched tight between car payments, BlackBerry bills, and finagling just that little bit of extra cash for a weekend cocktail with friends.
In hopes of saving stylish Washingtonians from the dreaded mistake that is boxed hair color, we sat down with Boy Sharp, color specialist at Bella Bethesda salon, who offered several tips for extending the life of your color-treated hair.
“Having a professional dye your hair will give your hair color longevity and will leave it in better condition,” he says. “In the long run, you’ll get more bang for your buck.”
Stretching a Dollar
When trying to stretch out treatments, it’s crucial to maintain moisture and use proper shampooing and conditioning products and techniques. Avoid products with sulfates, which can irritate the scalp, and try to shampoo less frequently because washing eliminates natural oils that coat your hair and protect the color. A shampoo every other day is enough for even the greasiest of hair, Sharp says. Phyto products are his personal favorite because they can be customized for every hair type.
“Treat your hair-care products like you would medication,” says Sharp. “They lose their potency after the printed expiration date, so throw them out.”
In the summer, use a hair-sunscreen product or wear a hat to prevent fading.
Do or Dye
Sharp strongly recommends against dying your own hair for two reasons. The first and most obvious is that cheap isn’t always better. “It costs a lot more to fix a bad color than to do it right the first time,” he says.
Next, salons rarely use only one color combination when dying hair and hardly ever use a simple single-process dye. Instead, they have hundreds of colors and thousands of combinations at their disposal, while the average grocery store has 20 or so options.
Those who insist on dying their own hair should try to find a relatively natural shade and apply it to “virgin hair” only, cautions Sharp. Dye is meant to adhere only to untreated hair and can damage and discolor already-dyed pieces. And never, ever allow the dye to touch the ends of hair: It’ll result in strange colorations on dry end pieces.
Shampoo 101
Don’t skimp on the act of shampooing and conditioning either, he says. Wash your hair in lukewarm water, concentrating only on the roots. The suds will trickle down to the ends, but washing those directly can dry delicate hair. After washing, thoroughly rinse your hair and dry it with a towel before using conditioner.
“Applying conditioner to sopping-wet hair doesn’t allow the moisturizer to penetrate into the hair follicles, which are already saturated with water,” says Sharp. Comb conditioner through with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb before rinsing. Gently towel-dry, and avoid heat styling whenever possible—it can fade delicate hair color, especially auburn shades. If you must heat-style, try a cooler setting than usual. More>> Shop Around Blog | Style | Find a Spa
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Comments
Thank you. I have been looking for a new hair designer because i haven’t been thrilled with my hair designers hair color job. She made my color look fake or unreal.
Read this article about haircolorist Boy Sharp at bella salon and checked him out. He has give me the best color i think i have ever had. It’s nice to get compliments on my hair. Boy is a great hair color designer and also a great person and friend now. Thank you for this article Washingtonian.
Posted by: Diane, Dec 30, 2011 08:35:06 AM
My sister-in-law turned me onto the best stylist in Bethesda. I had moved back the the Bethesda area to be close to my mother to help take care of her, and hadn’t lived in the area in12 years. I was having an awful time trying to find someone to do my hair. In my search i did more damage to my color than benefit. I was just about to give up and grow my highlights out.
She told me that she had found him from her o-worker when she had a bad hair experience that he fixed.
His name is Boy Sharp, yes Boy Sharp. But it’s possible that is a nickname. But he looked my hair over very well and took great time in talking to me about what my best options were. Not only did he fix my color and haircut. He has given me the BEST color and cut i have ever been given. He is a genius colorist and stylist.
Posted by: Rachel, Aug 11, 2011 05:03:17 AM
OMG! He is the worst ever. A real pathological liar. I have no idea where he coppie these bunch of BS but that’s insane. He will make you think that he knows all,but the true is he makes all his clients looking absolutly the same. Boring Bob and same hilight! give me a break, he SUCKS
Posted by: C.L., Oct 15, 2010 09:04:42 PM
Awfull hair stylist! The worsthair cut and color. Don’t waste your time and money. UNPROFESSIONAL!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Lori, Sep 02, 2010 08:39:19 PM
Just one more thing about all the "wonderfull" comments about Boy, They are pretty much all done at the same day. What a coincidence, right??? So fake!
Posted by: Keep it real, Ann, Jul 24, 2010 10:30:48 PM
My worst hair color ever was done by this " colorist" Boy Sharp. He had no idea what he was doing. I age years with his bad choice of color for my skin tone. After reading so many nice reviews about him, I decided to try his skills. Huge mistake. I also learn that the owners of Bella offer discountts to clients that write nice reviews about them!!! Shame on them. Don’t go to him. Unprofessional and lack of knowledge for sure.
Posted by: Keep it real, Ann, Jul 24, 2010 10:16:25 PM
About a decade ago, I moved into the DC area and having never had a "hair person" in the past (i.e. - just went to the Hair Butchery) I wasn’t really looking for someone specific. I was not in a position to spend a lot of money on some fancy salon cut, but then a co-worker of mine refered me to this energetic, friendly guy (Boy Sharp) with a great attitue and mad skills for creating colors that work well for an active young professional. So 10 years later, Boy is the only one who has cut and colored my hair since that first meeting. He knows that I don’t have the time or the money for a super high end treatment, so he tailors the service accordingly and always gives me great advice on how to care for my hair so that the color stays vibrant and lasts for a long time.
I think that stretching your dollar is something that everyone should do, but you have to make your priorities. I save a lttle money here and there so that I can have my special "salon time" with Boy, Khang and the rest of the Bella Bethesda staff. This is something that is important to me, so I make it happen.
I love the warm welcoming feeling that I get when I step into the salon, the helpful information from the staff, the attention and care to the litle details (where to put my glasses while I am getting washed and colored, a glass of cool water while the color is setting), and of course the way my hair looks when I leave. I would say more, but I don’t want Boy to get so famous that I can’t get an appointment!
Recession or not, one should not forget about taking care of themselves, plan ahead and make it happen.
Posted by: Jen, May 29, 2009 07:06:43 PM
Boy is wonderful! not only is he a talented colorist he is so much fun! i always look forward to my appointments with him not only for the great looking hair i walk out with but the great time i’ve had chatting with him!
Posted by: Brooke, May 28, 2009 06:07:16 PM
Boy is awesome, what can I say? He does a great job on my hair and he is a joy to chit-chat with while at the salon! Keep up the great work, Boy! Will see you when I can!!!!
Posted by: Keri Ludwig, May 27, 2009 02:44:20 PM
I was never much into hair coloring other than to hide grays until I went to Boy Sharp (based on a recommendation from another client of his) and now I have life, shine and of course hidden grays. I have used the OTC products and they are harsh and you never really know how your hair will take it. I also get my hair straighted (at Bella Bethesda) and Boy always understands the previous chemicals used on my hair and recommends coloring to fit me.
Boy also listens to me when I want to go with a more conservative look and can offer single and double processing colors according to my taste.
I appreciate reading about how to extend your color. We are all trying to watch what we spend but going to a professional colorist ends up saving money in the long run.
Posted by: Jennifer A, May 26, 2009 04:44:31 PM
I have been going to Boy for almost 10 years now. Not only is he a talented colorist, but also a good friend. I have never been to a hair stylist who enjoys his work as much as Boy does. From the moment I walk through the door, Boy greets me with a huge smile and hug and always has a kind word for me. Our discussions range from the last couple months of movies and our reviews of tv shows to our upcoming vacations. Even while Boy is drying and styling my hair, he has this "boyish" smile on his face...I know he adores what it does. And I don’t leave without a final hug!
I have amazing trust in Boy. Let’s put it this way...he asks what I want and I tell him to do his thing and surprise me. He does and I always love it! Now tell me how many women out there would ever just say, "Surprise me" about their hair unless they truly trust their hair person? Not many. That’s how good Boy is.
I can always call him with a hair problem and he is ready with an answer. My hair has never looked better since I have been going to him. I receive wonderful compliments. He is a true professional but has a warm personal touch about him as well. Although I moved to Annapolis from Bethesda over 5 years ago, I continue to see Boy.
Posted by: Heather, May 26, 2009 11:12:11 AM
Boy is the greatest! I always get compliments on my color.
Posted by: Claire, May 26, 2009 10:05:16 AM
I have been going to Boy Sharp for the last 3 years. He is an amazing colorist. Boy is very professional and takes the time to talk to me before we get started on washing and coloring. He takes my thoughts into consideration. With his recommendaitons I have also changed the health of my hair by changing my shampoo and conditioners to a brand that is for those who color their hair. Bella Salon is a wonderful place to visit and all the stylist make you feel welcome. If you need a change...go to Boy..just don’t take my appt.LOL
Posted by: Lee Ann, May 26, 2009 08:03:33 AM
The key to stretching out those dollars is making sure you’re working with a stylist who is in it to make your hair last as long as possible between visits. Not all stylists are created equal. I was a virgin to haircolor when I first started seeing Boy almost 4 years ago now. And even when I moved to NYC, I still tried my best to make it in to see him every 4 months or so. He’s always attentive to what you want and what your hair needs to look its absolute best. I’ve had to move on from Boy to a stylist near me, but if I had it my way, I would still make it into Bethesda to work with him. Great hair is worth it!
Posted by: Bryn M., May 26, 2009 07:30:22 AM
I definitely agree that getting professional input is going to be a good value in the long run. I have done boxed color in the past and it doesn’t last -- it needed a touch up every 3 weeks. Plus it strips the life out of your hair -- which then requires you to spend more money fixing a problem you are constantly exacerbating.
I have been a client of Boy’s for going on 3 years now and he takes the time to really listen to me. Once he understands where I am coming from he makes suggestions. I think having a stylist/colorist who is a true professional is also a way to stretch your beauty budget because you maximize what you’ve got and avoid mistakes. If the person you see now isn’t the one -- keep looking (or call Boy!).
Posted by: Julie, May 26, 2009 05:42:18 AM
Impressive. It is really refreshing to hear from a true professional on how to maintain haircolor. Granted some of these tips I have heard before, but really just started doing some and I am really seeing a true difference. Now I just need to find someone who can give me great color that looks a little more real. Don’t fool yourselves, great haircolor never comes from a box from the grocery store.
I am going to check out this "Boy Sharp" for some new highlight color. My woman I go to is really nice but not the best at haircolor.
Thanks again Washingtonian you again have turned me onto yet another place I am sure I am going to like!
Posted by: Amanda D., May 26, 2009 05:05:10 AM
I have had my hair professionally colored for the past 3 times and the last two times it has been anything but good. The last color I got was 10 days ago and a seasoned stylist commented on how streaky it was (something even I noticed). And I have used plenty of boxed color and got great comments from very good hair stylists on how even and nice the color was. Spending $100+ on hair color that doesn’t work is really not a way of stretching your wallet! Spending $10 on a boxed color that you can change if you don’t like it, is.
Posted by: Vesela, May 19, 2009 08:41:11 AM
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