Robinson says, "Exposure to the elements can result in hair looking dull." For example, the sun breaks down color molecules in hair follicles, and dry, cold weather can make hair brittle. But, she says, "This can easily be reversed with simple tweaks to the everyday routine that cost next to nothing. [In the shower], I recommend doing a final rinse with cool to cold water -- this enhances shine potential [by closing the hair follicle and making it lie flat]." Next, "make sure you have the right brush. A boar-bristle brush is best, as it evenly distributes natural oils in your hair. [And] when drying hair, gently pat it down with a towel, don't rub or pull your strands."
Photo 7/8
Problem: Dry hair from frequent coloring
Fast Fix: Semi-permanent dye
If you color every couple of months, you may be left with dry, coarse hair. Robinson says there are three great options to keep your hair looking healthy. "First, opt for a semi-permanent hair color, if you have less than 50 percent gray or are looking for a less dramatic change," she says. "Or do a root application when re-coloring your hair rather than coloring all over. That way, your grays and obvious roots are covered up without applying product over every strand." She also recommends applying a deep conditioning product to your hair each week to restore moisture.
Photo 8/8
Problem: Fading color
Fast Fix: Color-depositing products
We know you're as wary of marketing ploys as we are, but Robinson says color-protecting products actually do prevent your shade from fading. "Color-protecting shampoos and conditioners... are specially formulated to protect your strands from heat styling and other damage that can cause hair color to fade," says Robinson. She recommends Clairol Professional Shimmer Lights Shampoo, $7.99 and Conditioner, $11.49. "Its purple hues help cancel out brassiness [in blonde shades]," Robinson says.
Did your attempt to try the latest celebrity hair color trend end in tears and a shade that was more Bozo the Clown than Rihanna? Or did that just happen to us?
Unfortunately, box dye botch-ups this extreme can usually only be remedied by a costly trip to the salon. But, you can actually fix many smaller color disasters without a stylist's help. Which is great news for all of us trying to save a few bucks by fixing our hair at home.
We talked to Clairol's Color Director Marie Robinson to find out the industry's best tricks for slyly covering up unsightly roots, preventing color from fading, fixing a nasty green hue, and any other hair color disasters that could come your way. Not only that, she told us how to solve all these dilemmas quickly and on the cheap. With her ingenious tips, you don't have any excuse for sporting those blotchy, leopard-spotted "highlights." See how to fix them and the rest of the hair color emergencies now.
