7 Ways to Prep for a Hair Color Appointment, According to Stylists

Reviewed by Jeremy TardoFact checked by Anna Harris

A fresh hair color leaves you feeling like the best version of yourself. After spending so much time (and money) in the chair, it's only natural that our standards are set high to achieve the perfect color. You might have some questions about what you can do to prepare your strands beforehand. Should you go with clean or dirty hair? Should you cut it before coloring? And what about maintaining your color after the salon? If you're wondering what you can do on your end in terms of hair color before an appointment, there are a few things to keep in mind. We asked the experts for their advice on what to do before getting your hair colored. Keep scrolling to read what they had to say about the do's and don'ts before coloring your hair.

Meet the Expert

• George Papanikolas is colorist and Matrix Brand Ambassador.

• Lorri Goddard is a colorist, whose clients include Reese Witherspoon, Kim Kardashian, and Jennifer Lawrence.

• Rachel Bodt is a celebrity hairstylist, owner of Homecoming Hair Salon, and a Matrix Brand Ambassador.
  

Don't Shampoo

You may think that clean hair is a good canvas to take color better. However, that's not always the case. The idea is that you want there to be a natural protective oil layer on your scalp to act as a barrier against the chemicals in the hair dye.

According to celebrity hairstylist Rachel Bodt, washing your hair depends on your hair type and texture. "With some of my curly clients, I tell them to wash it a day or two before if they usually use a lot of products. If you are getting a double process or single process we recommend not to wash it up to a few days before so it doesn’t tingle as much," she says. If you're still not sure, a good rule of thumb is to shampoo your hair at least 24 to 48 hours before your coloring session, unless otherwise directed.

Shape Your Hair

Cutting your hair pre- or post-color all depends on how drastic the cut is and where the color is sitting, says Bodt. "If you are doing a lot of color on the ends, we recommend getting a haircut before so it doesn’t get cut out. But if you are doing something solid you can do it after," she says. Celebrity colorist Lorri Goddard adds that it's also a good idea to shape your hair to how you want it to be (or how you wear it most when it's styled). “When the shape of your hair is changed, the light and shadow are reflected differently,” she explains. “A fresh, natural shape will allow your colorist to maximize the look."

Lay off the Heat

Before your appointment, lay off the hot tools and leave your hair hair in its most natural state. Keep in mind that adding color to your hair, especially if you are going lighter and require bleach, is still damaging your hair. So if you can, avoid heat styling for at least a week before your coloring.

Bring Inspiration Photos

Whether or not you’re picky about your hair, it’s always good to bring inspiration so you and your colorist are on the same page (and they appreciate the guidance of what your end goal is). After all, “beachy blonde” to you might mean Gisele Bündchen, while your colorist might be picturing Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.

"Bring reference pictures of things you love and things you don’t like," says Bodt, who adds that showing your colorist what you don't want is also helpful.

And don’t worry about what’s realistic—your colorist will be able to tell you if the desired hue is doable, how many sittings it will take, and if it will be flattering on your skin tone. “I think we can have a fantasy color for everyone, and a reality check for what’s possible and what will actually enhance them the best,” Goddard says. "You can always use pictures as a reference and not for an exact [look]. Maybe it’s doing highlights of that color or maybe a gloss to get the vibe but not always diving into it," adds Bodt.

Be Patient

Here’s the thing—that silvery-gray color you’ve been dying to try is possible on your chocolate strands, but it will most likely take more than one session (which also means you may need to factor in extra costs, depending on your hair salon). Even though Goddard did Kim Kardashian's hair in one sitting (one very long sitting), she says you absolutely need to expect two to three sessions for “wiggle room” if you’re going from dark to super-light.

Your hairstylist should be able to tell you right from the get-go how many sessions it will take, how damaging the shade will be, and if it’s even possible to achieve the color. In the end, it’s important to trust your hairdresser—if he or she says going bleach-blond will absolutely ruin your hair, you should believe them and discuss other options.

Be Mindful About Maintenance

The amount of time you go between your color appointments can vary. If it’s ombré or balayage, you can go months without needing a touch-up (that's kind of the point of the lived-in style). If you’ve gone from dark to light, you may need to go back every couple of weeks. “It’s a personal choice,” Goddard says. “It could be every two weeks for continuity, or four weeks, or never again depending on what you want your color to look like.”

Byrdie Tip

Ask your colorist about upkeep before you take the plunge—it’s important to factor this into your decision, as it can affect your budget.

If you’re going from light to dark, you have a little bit more leeway, but Goddard does say you should make sure your colorist keeps “a little bit of movement at the ends,” with a few strands half a shade lighter toward the bottom.

As for the most high maintenance colors? Celebrity colorist George Papanikolas says that "single process color for gray coverage; a double process base color and highlight, and bleach and tone," require the most upkeep. Ombré, balayage highlights, and babylights, he says, are the most low-maintenance options.

Have Your Aftercare Products Ready

Papanikolas says that post-color, keeping hair hydrated is key. "Use products that like incorporate hyaluronic acid to nourish the hair, allowing the color to adhere, reduce fading, and moisturize after harsh highlighting services," he says, recommending Matrix Food For Soft, the brand's hydrating system that features hyaluronic acid and avocado oil as key ingredients. Color-safe shampoos that are sulfate-free will be your best bet to keep color vibrant, as will a good conditioner. If your hair feels more dry than normal post-color, a deep conditioning treatment or hair mask might help soften and restore moisture to strands.

Up Next: What Is Demi-Permanent Hair Color? The Answer Might Surprise You

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