How to Pick a Low-Maintenance Hair Color, According to the Pros
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Going to the hair salon is a treat, but that doesn't necessarily mean you want to drag yourself back every month or so for a color touch-up. If you find certain activities deemed a form of self-care a bit of a drag — like getting your hair done or going to the nail salon — you're not alone. Aside from not dyeing it at all, the best solution for that is to opt for a low-maintenance hair color.
These easygoing styles allow for longer wait times between appointments, so you can spend more time enjoying your new look and less time in the hairdresser chair with your head wrapped in foils. Not to mention, they're a bit gentler on your wallet. But what makes a color low-maintenance, you ask? And what types of styles and hair trends fall into this category? We asked three hair colorists to weigh in.
What Makes a Hair Color Low-Maintenance?
There are a couple of factors that make a hair color choice low-maintenance versus high. "[They] require minimal upkeep and touch-ups, allowing you to enjoy your hair color for longer," Chase Kusero, celebrity colorist and cofounder of IGK Hair Care, tells POPSUGAR. Styles that fall into this category include natural hues, as well as certain coloring techniques like shadow roots, balayage, highlights, and ombré, "which help blend the demarcation line," Kurseo adds.
"If the color has a seamless blend from root to end that transitions really softly, then it typically falls under low-maintenance color," says Briana Cisneros, colorist and Wella ambassador. The goal is for the regrowth to be unnoticeable and for the color to continue looking fresh weeks after you leave the salon.
In general, you should be able to get roughly three months or more of wear out of our color if you opt for something low-key. This is compared to the average six to eight weeks you typically get out of more drastic color changes, as Cisneros explains.
Low-Maintenance Hair Color Ideas
Just because you want your hair color to be easy to maintain doesn't mean you're limited in options. Keep reading for a few low-maintenance hair color ideas to bring with you to the salon.
Natural-Looking Hues
To start, you can't go wrong with picking a hue similar to your natural base. "You want the color to blend seamlessly with your existing hair color, reducing the contrast between new growth and dyed hair," says Richy Kandasamy, colorist and R+Co collective member.
Highlights and Babylights
Highlights are another great way to make your color look good for longer. "This means incorporating subtle highlights or lowlights, adding depth and dimension to your hair," Kandasamy adds. The ultra-blended look helps mask regrowth.
Balayage
Similar to highlights, balayage is a great stress-free option. "The hair is painted to look as though it has been naturally highlighted in the sun, offering very little to no line of demarcation as the hair grows out," Kusero says.
Ombré
It doesn't get much more carefree than ombré. Because the hair dye is just at the ends of your hair, you don't have to worry about any visible regrowth at the roots. When you're tired of the color and are itching for a change, you can simply get a trim.
Shadow Root
Even if you opt for a color that's a bit of a change from your natural base, incorporating a shadow root can help make regrowth less noticeable. "If you want the color to last, then I would recommend a soft grow-out at the root," Cisneros says. "It is essential to not appear overdue for a hair appointment."
Temporary and Semipermanent Color
If you're interested in debuting a bolder hue but still want the look to be low-maintenance, Kandasamy has a fix: choose a temporary or semipermanent hair color. "The color will naturally fade away slowly and easily, so you don't have to worry about extensive upkeep," he says.