Late fall is the perfect time to give your locks a hair hiatus. Weaning off regular trips to the salon will help improve the health of your tresses and can save you serious time and money. It's especially important to give your strands a break if you’ve been compromising their integrity with too many lightening sessions this summer. But after months or even years of regularly scheduled colour appointments, how do you go about achieving a darker, natural looking colour on your own? You need a game plan, and we have just the one to help.
First, be honest with yourself about the current health of your hair. If you’ve been colouring your hair and not properly caring for it, your locks might be faded and in need of some TLC. This step is extremely important in choosing the best colouring option since damaged hair needs to be treated differently during the process.
If your hair is already dark but is in need of serious repair, consider a deep brunette shade from the Schwarzkopf Keratin Color line like 4.6 Intense Cocoa or 3.0 Espresso, depending on how dark you are to begin with and how dark you want to go. This colour line is especially designed to care for your hair while colouring it, leaving your locks with up to 80% less breakage. Plus, if you’re looking to cover grays, Schwarzkopf Keratin Color shades do that and more. Specifically formulated with a unique Keratin Care Complex, your hair will be fuller and less damaged in no time.
Secondly, decide on a realistic shade that you want to work towards. If you've been enjoying the lighter side for some time, it might come as too much of a shock to go back to dark all at once, and vice-versa. Work with the colour you have to help you get where you want, starting with small steps.
For example, you may be tired of your summer platinum, but that doesn't mean you need to get rid of your blonde shade altogether right away. Instead, consider a subtler change like Schwarzkopf color ULTIME® 10.1 Dark Blonde or 6.1 Smoky Brown shades, depending on your current colour. This way, you’re still achieving a high-definition, vibrant new colour without skipping too many shades in between.
Regardless of your current shade, it’s always important to take your time going darker. Colouring is a gradual process, so instead of changing your shade drastically in one process, it’s best to go one shade darker each time you colour. This will minimize any stress and damage on your hair, and look more natural in the process.
Lastly, don’t forget to stock up on products from the Schwarzkopf essence ULTIME® Diamond Color® line. Using a shampoo and conditioner made specifically for colour-treated hair will keep your strands looking glossy and vibrant on your journey back to the darker side. The process can seem daunting, but once you devise the right plan of attack, your locks will be looking lovely from start to finish!