Whether you’re a busy mom or an on-the-go executive, it’s always a bummer when roots show growth and color fades — because it means finding time to visit the hair color salon. Lived-in color takes care of that problem by cutting salon visits in half and allowing you to embrace your natural beauty. Find out how this technique delivers gorgeous, natural-looking locks that last for months.
What is Lived-in Color?
Lived-in color takes color correction to a whole new level by blending your natural color with highlighted strands of varying lengths and widths — delivering a natural look similar to sun-kissed hair. To prevent roots from showing within weeks like they can with traditional color methods, our stylists create a “fake” root that seamlessly blends in so there’s no visible transition as hair grows out. There’s no need to make another hair color appointment for up to six months. Or, you can look great while allowing your hair to continue to grow out naturally.
The Technique: How Can Lived-in Color Last So Long?
This method reduces the number of salon appointments you’ll need, but the initial color correction process takes one long visit. That’s because our stylists take plenty of time and effort to determine which colors will blend most subtly and seamlessly with your natural hair color to ensure growth won’t show.
First, they look at your hairline in the daylight, then recreate color at the roots that matches your natural hair. Next, they add narrow highlights throughout the hair. The color is customizable, so you and your colorist will decide which highlight shades will bring out the highs and lows of your natural hair and complement your complexion —keeping in mind whether you have cool or warm skin undertones.
Finally, the same color that was applied at the roots will be applied in streaks that blend nicely with the highlights. The whole application can take three to four hours at the hair color salon, but you’ll realize it’s totally worth the time when you don’t have to return until months later!
The Maintenance: How to Make Lived-in Color Last
There are a few tricks to extending the life of your color. Here are some steps to follow for the best follow-up care.
- Don’t wash your hair right away. Waiting at least three days will allow the color to settle into the hair’s cuticles.
- Invest in salon-grade products. The shampoos and conditioners your stylist recommends will have the best ingredients for preventing your color from fading. More importantly, they won’t have ingredients that are bad for your hair’s health, like sulfates and parabens.
- Only wash your hair 2-3 times per week. Every time you wash it, your color fades a little. If you need a recommendation for a dry shampoo, just ask us!
- Wash with cool or lukewarm water. Hot water lifts the outer cuticle, lifting the color with it.
- Minimize heat products. Blow dryers, curling irons, and flat irons cause fading. Embracing the natural wave and texture of your hair will allow your lived-in color to last longer.
In addition to using the right products, getting a lived-in haircut will add to the beauty of your lived-in color. Our stylists are skilled at creating cuts that look great and look even better as they grow out. A short bob can grow beautifully into a medium bob. Medium layers become gorgeous long layers. The key is that we cover every step when initially detailing the hair so it never looks choppy or uneven, even as it grows.
Does Lived-in Color Work if I’m Going Gray?
If your hair is turning gray, it’s still possible for our stylists to deliver lived-in color. We will just need to touch up your roots a little more frequently to match the natural color that’s blended through your hair. During a consultation, we’ll be happy to discuss maintenance expectations.
For Half the Visits to the Hair Color Salon and Gorgeous, Natural Color, Call Vakkar
We know how busy life can get, and that it’s not easy to make a hair appointment every other month. We’ve had many happy customers who love their lived-in look. Contact us today and we’ll show you how embracing the hair color you were born with can actually save you time!
