True Colors
by Terence Lance Buckley
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Seven tips to achieving (and maintaining) flawless-looking color and highlights.
It’s a new year — time for a new you! One of the easiest and most convenient ways to change your look is by adding a splash of color or some warm highlights. But before you take the plunge and make your salon appointment, there are a few things to keep in mind in order to achieve the look that is best suited for the way you live your life.
We sat down with Louis Viél, co-owner of Miano Viél Salon & Spa in NYC, to get his advice on how to cover gray or simply make your current color look so last year.
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1. CONSIDER YOUR LIFESTYLE
Start by determining what color change you want to make and then consider whether that choice fits into your lifestyle. Depending on which look you choose, you may have to visit the salon more often, which means spending more of your time and money there. “Most guys should visit their stylist every four to eight weeks depending on the length of their hair and the service required for the maintenance of their color,” says Viél. “If guys have longer hair and are going for a more subtle change in color, they can usually go a little longer between visits.” If you’re in doubt, your stylist can help determine a hair color that fits your look and your schedule.
2. TAKE IT SLOW
One of the biggest mistakes many people make when first changing their hair color is trying to go from one extreme to the other too quickly. “A good rule of thumb is to choose a color that you love and then go one shade lighter, especially if you’re trying this at home,” says Viél. This allows you to make adjustments as you progress. Think of it like painting a wall: Though you can easily go from white to black with a few simple strokes of your brush, going the opposite route requires several coats of primer before you can add the new color. The same is true for hair color — you can always go darker, but returning to a lighter shade requires your stylist to lift color from your hair, which can cause damage over time. Taking it slow also allows you and those around you to warm up to the change, making for a more natural transformation.
3. REMEMBER THAT LESS IS MORE
A subtle approach is safer for your hair. “Often times, people will come into the salon and want to drastically change their appearance,” says Viél. “While this can easily be achieved with one process, it sometimes requires two or more.” Whenever possible, it’s best to not exceed two processes in quick succession, as they can begin to break down the cuticle of the hair, resulting in dry, brittle strands that don’t look very healthy.
4. USE THE RIGHT PRODUCT
It’s important to take proper care of your hair between salon visits, and the right products can help prolong the life of your color. After all, who wants to see all that effort washed down the drain? According to Viél, “A great hair care regime should include sulfate-free shampoos, as well as styling products with little or no alcohol in them — as both of these ingredients can be abrasive and strip the hair of the new color.” Look for products made specifically for color-treated hair, but avoid those that claim to add color back. “If a stylist/colorist has done their job correctly, you don’t want to mess with it by using products that contain more color.” Condition on a regular basis, especially if you’re planning to be in the sun or expose your hair to chlorinated water. Going swimming? Apply some conditioner under your swimming cap: it acts as a physical barrier to outside elements that can damage your color.
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5. AVOID TRENDS
Trendy hairstyles and colors look great in magazines, but they don’t always translate so well to everyday life. Consider Adam Lambert -— his jet black hair (not to mention that smoky eye make-up) has become part of his trademark look, but that look probably wouldn’t fly in a more corporate setting. Find a happy medium between what’s trendy and what’s practical: |
If you desire Glambert-like locks, start by adding a few lowlights to ease into the darker look. Looking for something even more intense like a bold red or blonde?
Start by adding just one or two streaks for an extra pop of color,
which can still be easily blended with a more conservative cut.
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JOCIO K-PAK Color Therapy Collection is a dual-benefit system that strengthens strands while doubling the life of your color’s vibrancy. Using the breakthrough QuadraBond Peptide Complex™ — a blend of peptides, arginine, polymers and African Menketti oil — the collection helps maintain color intensity, strengthen hair and reduce breakage, resulting in shinier, healthier looking hair. $13.95-$19.95 @ joico.com
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BENNIEFACTOR B MIGHTY™ conditioning treatment contains Vital Hair and Scalp Complex, an essential complex that paves the way to healthy hair by pampering the scalp underneath. A rich mixture of fruit extracts, antioxidants and amino acids makes for ?a deeply penetrating moisturizer that is ideal for color-treated hair. $26, call 1-866-B-BRIGHT to order. |
6. KEEP IT NATURAL
Covering gray correctly can knock ten years off your appearance, but getting it wrong can make you look older. Leaving a little on the sides is not only sexy, but also helps create a more natural look. If you’re concerned with covering part of your gray or even completely concealing it, speak with your stylist about choosing a color that is appropriate for you — completely concealing gray with a very dark color can wash you out (and can create a bizarre hairline). There are many great at-home products that can help cover gray around the crown of the head — while leaving the sides untouched — leaving you with very attractive results.
7. WHEN IN DOUBT, ASK
No matter how much you know about style, properly applying hair color is probably out of your realm of expertise, so make sure you feel comfortable asking your stylist/colorist even questions that might be considered basic. Ask about what colors are best for your skin tone and eye color and what treatment options will be the least invasive but still allow you to achieve your goals. Find out how often you need to visit to maintain your color. The more you ask, the better your stylist will be able to manage your expectations, resulting in a happy, longstanding relationship — not to mention gorgeous color.
For more information about Louis Viél, visit Miano Viél Salon & Spa in New York, NY at 16 East 52nd St., call 212-980-4109 or mianoviel.com.
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