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M$2 April 23, 2009 10:50 PM

Is it better to get foil highlights done when my hair's just washed or when it's dirty?

I've heard arguments on both fronts. Some people say that clarifying shampoo before coloring/bleaching your hair helps the color catch better and then others say that your hair should be dirty (maybe because of the oils?).
In your experience, knowledge, professional opinion which one is it?
If this makes a difference in any way, I have dark blond hair and get foil highlights with both bleach and color.
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April 25, 2009 04:32 AM
You want your hair to be clean, well-conditioned, and product free before highlighting (or any other color treatments). Oiliness could cause issues with the bleach getting through the hair shaft, which may result in uneven or splotchy color...never cute!

I usually shampoo my hair as normal the morning before a color treatment, but use a deep conditioning product in place of my everyday conditioner because the bleach can be drying. I also make sure to not use any products on my hair at all, even hairspray, that may interfere with the color process.

Hope that helps!
Source(s):
I'm a beauty school dropout who once studied to be a colorist.

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Helpful: dumblonde

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April 25, 2009 06:08 AM
Thanks for the advice! Hehe I couldn't help posting the video. The song just started playing in my head after I read your answer :-)

My appointment's in the morning, so I guess I should wash the night before right? I don't use any products except for frizz ease so I guess I'll forego that.
The deep conditioning is a good call. I'll totally do that.

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April 25, 2009 06:17 AM
haha perfect video placement!

Yes, in that case, I would wash the night before and skip the frizz ease. Good luck! :)

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April 25, 2009 07:04 AM
Ya, no products should be in your hair.

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April 23, 2009 11:05 PM
Top 10 hair dying mistakes!

- Number 10: Applying dye to dirty, tangled hair

Deep condition your hair a month before dying to maintain color. Be sure your hair is relatively clean before applying. Trim hair especially dry and split ends to even out color. Hair should be slightly damp when dye is applied.

- Number 9: Using hair conditioner before you dye

Do not condition your hair a few hours before applying hair dye, shampooing will do the trick. Your hair needs to be free of free radicals such as dirt and oil as much as possible.

- Number 8: Choosing hair dye based on what the model on the box looks like

Consult the local salon or stylist on what colors would look best on you. The hair dye you choose should have the same tone as your skin color.

- Number 7: Forgetting to check for allergic contents

After choosing a brand, apply a tiny amount of hair dye near your neck or behind your ear to see if irritation, redness, inflammation, allergy, hair loss or any bad reactions occur. Wash the affected area right away if this happens. Remember the instructions carefully. Do the patch test 1-2 days before hair dye application.

- Number 6: Doing your entire head without testing a small amount of your hair first

Do a strand test by applying a bit of dye to a few stands of your hair to see if you got the right color.

- Number 5: Staining your skin or clothes

Protect your skin by wrapping a towel around your neck as the dye can irritate your skin or affect your clothes. Gloves should be used and must be included in a hair dye kit. Applying petroleum jelly or cream around your ears and neck part will keep off stains. Wipe off oil after shampooing. If you do happen to stain your skin, don't worry, rubbing alcohol will remove dye stains from your skin

- Number 4: Picking a color that does not fit with your natural hair color

Pick a color one shade lighter when dying your roots. This will make the transition from your colored hair back to your natural hair color graceful without roots that are a completely different color sticking out. Obviously, this rule does not apply if you are dying your hair a completely different color than your natural hair color.

- Number 3: Losing hair

After dying, always rinse with cold or tepid water to avoid your own hair from falling out.

- Number 2: Over-dying hair

If you did not achieve the desired effect, using Liquid Tide can correct this. A couple of days of use will lighten the color until your hair returns to the original color. Instead of over-dying, do touch-ups every four to five weeks to keep your hair color picture perfect.

- Number 1: Dying eyebrows and eyelashes

Never use hair dye on eyebrows and eyelashes! Ask for medical help when dye gets into your eye.
Source(s):
http://ezinearticles.com/?Top-10-Hair-Dying-Mistakes&id=139900


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April 23, 2009 11:19 PM
Thankfully I don't dye my own hair! I go to the salon. Thanks for the answer but dying and foil highlighting are different processes so I'm not sure if the same applies.

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April 24, 2009 01:50 AM
That's what happens when a guy tries to help with beauty matters! Ha! :)

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April 24, 2009 03:03 AM
Haha that's all right.

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April 23, 2009 11:20 PM
It is best to highlight your hair when it is NOT freshly washed. You hair has natural oil that is necessary to protect the cuticle in your hair. If you freshly wash your hair, you will strip away the oils and leave the cuticles over-exposed to the chemicals. Also, shampoo slightly lifts the cuticles in your hair, conditioner helps smooth them back down. With the added protection of your natural oil, you are causing less damage to your hair. This answer is for the bleach process not the color. Hope this helps!
Source(s):
http://www.howtodothings.com/fashion-and-personal-care/a3206-how-to-highlig...


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Helpful: dumblonde

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April 24, 2009 05:14 AM
I agree with kjasmine my daughter in-law is going to beauty school and this is what she told me. Mine turns out every time we do it.

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April 25, 2009 07:09 AM
There is a huge difference between hair color and bleach that is used to highlight. Hair color deposits color. It basically paints over what you already have. Bleach, however, swells and softens your hair and is much more damaging. It lifts color out of your hair. Peroxide or ammonium persulfate is used to oxidize the hair along with an alkaline solution to lift the cuticule enough for the oxidizer to reach the melanin inside the hair strand in order to change the composition. This is a much harsher process than simply depositing color. The ph balance of natural hair is between 4.5 and 5.5. The ph of hair dye which deposits color is around 7. Bleach is usually around 9. it has to be in order to lift out your color. That is why hair should not be freshly washed. The natural oil helps protect your cuticle from the damage. I did hair for seven years and I can tell you that it's best to go with hair that has not been freshly washed if your bleaching it.

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