This is one thing I’ve always wanted to know, but been afraid to ask. For one thing, there’s no one to ask. I just feel like my colorist would be insulted to the bone. ‘Do it yourself? Do you really think it’s that easy you ungrateful shmuck?’ Point of fact, he’s truly talented, but my hair grows like a dandelion weed. Who has time to hit the salon every three or four weeks when those annoying roots appear? Then, there’s the cost. And, finally, it’s just ridiculous high maintenance that I want to be way beyond. Who wants to go to the salon as often as they go to the grocery store? There’s something intrinsically wrong with that in my book, ladies.
So, with the at-home color kits flirting with me each time I stroll down the hair care aisle, I thought I’d bare my soul … oops, I mean scalp … and ask SheSez’s celebrity stylist, Enzo Angileri.
Linda: So, should we or shouldn’t we?
Enzo: Oh, why not, I say give it a try. But be smart about it. Ask your colorist what he or she is using on you and see if they’ll order some for you to take home.
Linda: So you wouldn’t just buy it off the drug store shelf?
Enzo: Well, you could do that. But the at-home color kits don’t last as long as professional color. And, why not try to be consistent? I think you’ll find many colorists happy to help. If the client wants to touch up the roots herself every three or four weeks—why not? It is better to stick with the color you’ve been using. A colorist does not want to do “repair” work after you’ve botched your hair with the wrong color. Use what your colorist uses, if you can.
Linda: So what if the colorist says “no”?
Enzo: Then, buy the color at the store. But go a shade darker. Remember, to look natural, your roots should be a bit darker than the main color on your head. I generally don’t do color, but once I was in an emergency situation and the actress needed her roots done. We picked something up at the drug store and, quite honestly, I was surprised at how good the results were.
Linda: What about highlights?
Enzo: That’s where it gets complicated—like for women who have several processes—women who get color and highlights. Really great highlights can be tricky and tough to do yourself, especially balayage. Maybe the thing to do is, stick to doing root touch up yourself, and then get the highlights at the salon. At least you’ll cut out one process at the salon—the base color—and you’ll still save on time and money.
Linda: So if I wake up and don’t like it can I call you in the morning?
Enzo: Let me get back to you on that, Linda.
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