Summer may not officially end till September 22, but people are already harvesting Fall styles by swapping flip-flops for boots, tank tops for sweaters, and sun-kissed highlights for warm, rich haircolor.
An important step often overlooked when transitioning haircolor between the seasons is restoring and repairing Summer damage.
Restore & Repair
For the last few months hair has been exposed to an increased amount of sunlight, heat, chlorine, sand, and saltwater. All of these elements alone can make the hair dry, but together they are especially stressing for even the strongest hair.
When considering a trip to the salon, make sure to ask your stylist for a clarifying treatment to remove excess minerals and chemicals from hair. In addition to clarifying you might also ask for a protien reconstruction treatment to moisturize and strengthen hair from the inside out.
After the hair has been colored continue to replenish the hair with the nutrients it needs with a restoring shampoo and conditioner.
Choosing Color
Although the weather may be cooling off, the hair tones are the opposite! Warm up icy blondes with trendy hues like “cream soda” that have hints of beige, light brown and gold. Brunettes can embrace the golden cream soda look as well by breaking up all over color with hand-painted strands around the face and ends to increase warmth. Light brunettes looking to go darker should try chocolate shades that are rich and full of shine.
Similar to color changing leaves, reds and burgundy's are also colors that many embrace in the Fall. The key to rocking red is finding the right shade for your skin tone. Fair skin tones with light eye colors like blue and green should try vibrant copper colors. For extra drama, pair a rich ruby or auburn tone with fair skin for a bold contrast. Medium skin tones can wear almost the whole spectrum of reds because of the variety of pigment in the skin, but a medium auburn is the most flattering hue. Darker skin tones and brunettes wanting to add a pop-of-color can incorporate hints of deep purple and red with shades like burgundy, eggplant, and mahogany.
Maintain vibrant shades with a color protecting conditioner and color depositing shampoo once a week.
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Climate Control
Depending on location, the products you need to protect your hair going into the Fall and Winter months may vary. Follow the map below to find out.
Blue Zone: With states like Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont that experience cooler temperatures during the Fall should fight the effects of moisture loss and dryness with hydrating shampoos and conditioners. Cold air can remove the moisture from your hair and lead to a dry scalp and dandruff. To lock in moisture and prevent dryness and inflammation use an all-natural oil that is made for the hair, scalp, and skin.
Green Zone: In the Midwestern part of the U.S. temperatures can swing 100 or more degrees between Summer and Winter. States like Missouri, Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Ohio that have fluxuating temperuatures should use volumizing shampoos and conditioners that add strength, body, and shine to dull, tired strands.
Purple Zone: Southern states like Florida, South Carolina, Alabama, and Texas that have hot humid summers should clarify hair from days spent in the pool. To combat humidity and replenish depleted nutrients use a smoothing shampoo and conditioner that will control frizzy and dry hair.
Yellow Zone: The Yellow zone is similar to the blue New England states in the Fall, daytime temperatures in states like Oregon, Wyoming, and Montana can be in the 60's and 70's but quickly drop to low 50's and 40's in October. These states have also been known to drop even lower and have early snowfall. While the days are still sunny make sure to use UV protecting products to preserve new color from the sun. When the air begins to chill, hydrate the hair with a shampoo containing essential fatty acids that restore moisture and smooth the hair. An exception in that Zone is Washington. Washington, espeically the city Seattle is known for raining almost 50 percent of the year. With so much moisture in the air, control humidity induced frizz with a smoothing shampoo infused with Keratin protiens and amino acids to strengen hair. A great styling product to use along with a smoothing shampoo is a smoothing gloss. The gloss delivers ultimate shine for curly or frizzy hair. Its moisturizing formula can be used on wet hair before styling or dry hair for finishing.
Orange Zone: For all the West Coast lovers who experience the highest amount of UV and heat exposure throughout the Summer – hydrate, hydrate, hydrate hair before thinking about switching colors! If you live in dry desert areas like California, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico your hair is likely to be just as dry. Use a deep conditioning treatment to repair overstressed and porous hair. Similar to New England, hot air will also remove mositure and cause dryness to worsen. Mix an all-natural oil with a deep conditioner for enhanced hair, skin, and scalp hydration.
Protect
Regardless of location, limit heat exposure as much as possible. When showering use cool water to wash hair, this will not only protect any new color service but will also keep scalp healthy and flake free. If you can’t bare to wash without warmth, limit shampoos to one or two times a week so natural oils aren't stripped away quickly with multiple washes.
Put down the blow dryer, we know Fall is full of fun hair styling opportunities during the holiday's but let hair air dry as much as possible. When using hot tools like flat and curling irons make sure to coat hair with a thermal protectant before applying heat. If styling tools have adjustable temperatures keep heat around 350 degrees to save your hair and the color. After styling, seal hair with a serum for extra shine and to lock in moisture.
Accessorizing with scarves and brimmed or knitted hats is also a great way to protect hair from wind and other elements this Fall!
Topics: Fashion
