Just documenting the changes that are taking place in my hair. No more bleach for a long while. Only sulfate-free shampoos. (Sulfates are cheap foaming detergents… the same ones used in car wash soap. They strip hair of color, proteins, and upset the pH balance.) Only tlc and pampering now. I wanna get it as healthy as I can.
Platinum blonde, my before hair.
After lots of research and several protein treatments I was able to remedy most of the porosity issues with my hair and get it to hold color. Then I matched my roots and voila’! I have my natural hair color back.
With hair that had been bleached to the point where most of it was white, it was certainly a chore. Some hair color doesn’t react well over bleached and porous strands. One could end up with all sorts of strange pigments showing thru, and most of the desired pigments washing down the drain. Blotchy grey, green, and violet being the results in cases of failed coloring attempts.
Matching my natural hair color.
I used a professional color, b/c boxed color kits suck and just don’t deliver professional results. (I should buy stock with Sally Beauty Supply. Professional color products on a budget. Note: Not every color product they carry is pro, only select ones.) I wanted my hair to look natural, not like I had a girlfriend color it with a magic marker. Also I didn’t want every strand to be the same color, since each strand would naturally have its own unique shade- creating those natural highlights. Box color kits=bad and might end up sending you to a professional anyway.
Relieved strands, no more bleach.
I had to let my roots grow out for several inches so I could match them. It was kind of annoying, and very unkept looking, but I did it. I’m glad that my hair grows so fast. On average head hair grows about a half inch per month. Mine grows at about double that. It’s a fact that bewildered my hairdresser since it required more frequent touch ups.
It’s getting really long and full now. The thick of it is just past bsl. I’m happy to have my natural color back and to know it’s not so damaged. It makes me feel good to know I’m taking better care of it.
