RAINBOW HAIR: HOW TO MAINTAIN, BEST SHAMPOOS, AND TOP TIPS
Nothing makes quite as dramatic a statement as rainbow hair. But as awesome as this bright, fun trend looks on Pinterest and Instagram, it’s not always as carefree in real life. Before you bring the colors of the rainbow to your hairstyle, check out these rainbow hair tips to see if the rainbow look is really for you and how to maintain your rainbow hair.
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How Do I Get Rainbow Hair?
To get rainbow hair, you’ll have to first bleach the pigment out of your locks until your strands are light enough to start dying them those fun and funky colors. The darker your natural color is, the more bleach sessions you’ll have to go through. If you’re new to coloring your hair, this process is best left to a professional stylist. Incorrectly using bleach on your hair can lead to harmful burns and permanent damage, so the salon is your best bet for a safe coloring experience.
The bleaching process can be very damaging, so you’ll want to make sure your hair is healthy and unprocessed before you begin. To safely bleach your hair, you’ll need to be patient. Your locks will need time to recover after each bleach treatment, and it can take as many as 3-4 bleach sessions before your hair is light enough for you to rock the rainbow.
While you’re going through the bleaching process, wash your hair with a color-correcting shampoo. It will help neutralize warm and brassy tones, preparing the perfect cool palette for your rainbow transformation.
Your locks will need time to recover after each bleach treatment, and it can take as many as 3-4 bleach sessions before your hair is light enough for you to rock the rainbow.
Consider Your Rainbow Hair Goals
Rainbow hair is a highly versatile look that can be customized to create a style that’s uniquely you. From deep gem tones to soft pastels to shiny metallics, you can transform your tresses into any color of the rainbow. But no matter which color you choose, rainbow hair will involve some amount of bleaching.
Pastels like unicorn hair and metallics like the trendy silver hair require the most amount of bleaching. You will need to lighten your locks to an almost white to overlay these softer shades.
Electric tones like blue, hot pink, and violet require less bleaching, but you’ll still need to strip your strands down to a light yellow if you want to achieve these bright tones. The darker your hair, the more bleaching will be necessary as well.
If you’re not sure what color to choose, use your skin tone as a guide:
- For warm-toned skin, choose cool tones like blue or purple
- For cool-toned skin, choose warm tones like pink or orange
- For neutral skin, any color will be a hit
Pastels like unicorn hair and metallics like the trendy silver hair require the most amount of bleaching...Electric tones like blue, hot pink, and violet require less bleaching, but you’ll still need to strip your strands down to a light yellow if you want to achieve these bright tones.
Do your research and bring your stylist a collection of your favorite rainbow hair photos to inspire your new do. A good colorist can advise you on how best to achieve the dramatic look you’re going for, be it rainbow tips, ombre, or full-on mermaid hair while making sure to keep your hair’s health a priority.
Taking Care of Rainbow Hair
Rainbow hair may look cool, but if you’re going to sport crazy colors, prepare to spend some time—and money—maintaining it. Funky electric colors may last longer, but softer, more subdued pastels and metallic hues can start to fade from the first wash. Help protect those unique colors from fading by following these tips:
1. Try cold water when washing. Hot water can open the hair cuticle, causing the color to escape. Also, regardless of whether your hair is colored or not, hot water can be drying. On the other hand, cold water will keep your hair hydrated as well as make sure that as little color as possible escapes.
2. Protect your rainbow hair from the heat. Avoid direct sunlight on your freshly-colored tresses as the harmful rays of the sun can cause your color to fade even faster. If you cannot avoid the sun, try to shield your hair from direct sunlight. Heat that comes in the form of blow-drying and straightening can also damage your rainbow hair, so make sure to use a heat protectant before you apply the heat. In general, also try to use heat products as little as possible in order to preserve the health and color of your hair.
“Heat that comes in the form of blow-drying and straightening can also damage your rainbow hair, so make sure to use a heat protectant before you apply the heat.”
3. Use color-safe shampoo and conditioner. From colored shampoo, colored conditoner, to vibrancy enhancing conditioner, make sure your color-treated look stays vibrant and illuminated. Use shampoos and conditioners that are specially formulated to preserve hair color and prevent damage.
Best Shampoo for Rainbow Hair
Depending on the colors you choose for your rainbow ‘do, you want to find the best shampoo that will keep your hair bold and vivid for as long as possible.
Purple Shampoo
For lighter hair, knock out brassy tones and keep your rainbow color bright. Purple shampoo works to cancel out the pesky brass of yellow and orange, making it our perfect shampoo to use throughout the bleaching process.
Blue Shampoo
If you notice brassy tones that are on the warmer orange, red, or copper side, try blue shampoo. Just like purple shampoo cancels out cooler yellow and orange brassy tones, blue shampoo can knock out the brassy tones on the warmer side of the color spectrum.
Tone-Correcting Shampoo
Many tone-correcting shampoos that are made for blonde or brunette hair are also safe for all color-treated hair. They will revitalize and rebalance your rainbow hair to keep it bright and vibrant. Make sure to carefully read the instructions and labels to ensure the shampoo is safe for your specific colors.
While at-home products can prolong your rainbow hair’s color life, prepare to keep it looking fresh and vibrant with regular touch-ups at the salon if rainbow hair is going to be your signature look.Now go rock the rainbow! Can’t get enough? Check out more John Frieda hair color ideas here and the proper products for hair care.
