This actually isn't true, despite what many people seem to think. Dirty hair doesn't "grab" colour any better than freshly washed hair, quite the opposite infact. Colour will always take better to freshly washed hair. It makes zero sense to go in with hair which hasn't been washed for days and will therefore have a buildup of minerals, metals, etc. Colour will take better on clean hair, coverage will be more even, etc. The only time having dirty hair actually works better, is if you're going for lightening with global bleach.No washing beforehand, in fact two-three days old 'dirty' hair. Dirty is best!
I wouldn't worry about using anything beforehand. Depending on the condition of your hair, your stylist may recommend a pre- or post-treatment (which is definitely worth spending the money for).
Worth looking into the Metal Detox range by L'Oréal Professionnel (although a little pricey). Although chances are, the salon may offer this as a pre treatment anyhow.Do you guys wash your hair before colouring/highlights? I always do but was told today it’s best to have two day old hair for highlightsalso what products do you use before a salon visit? Anything particularly good clarifying wise that I should use to get the best colour result?
That just says the oils on your dirty hair can help with any irritation that might occur when colouring. Nothing about the colour looking better if your hair is unwashed vs washedI can only go off my own experiences - which are a mix of getting my hair professionally coloured and doing it myself for the past 30 years.
I have been to salons where they've applied foils and colour (using a brush) to freshly washed hair (which they've done), and the results have been lackluster. On the occasions I've been back to complain, I've been advised to wait a few months for it to fade, then return with unwashed hair for them to re-do it (which they've done without washing first).
On the packets I use (normally L'Oreal), they always say to apply the colour to unwashed hair (and that's been blonde, brown, red and everything in between).
This advice from L'Oreal explains:
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Should I Wash My Hair Before Dyeing It? | L’Oréal Paris
Unsure whether it’s best to dye clean or dirty hair? Let’s find out. Explore everything you need to know about washing your hair before dyeing it.www.lorealparisusa.com
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The in-salon treatments I mentioned in my post above are usually something like Olaplex or KMS, which encourage the colour to look its best.
No washing beforehand, in fact two-three days old 'dirty' hair. Dirty is best!Do you guys wash your hair before colouring/highlights? I always do but was told today it’s best to have two day old hair for highlightsalso what products do you use before a salon visit? Anything particularly good clarifying wise that I should use to get the best colour result?
I can only go off my own experiences - which are a mix of getting my hair professionally coloured and doing it myself for the past 30 years.This actually isn't true, despite what many people seem to think. Dirty hair doesn't "grab" colour any better than freshly washed hair, quite the opposite infact. Colour will always take better to freshly washed hair. It makes zero sense to go in with hair which hasn't been washed for days and will therefore have a buildup of minerals, metals, etc. Colour will take better on clean hair, coverage will be more even, etc. The only time having dirty hair actually works better, is if you're going for lightening with global bleach.
Worth looking into the Metal Detox range by L'Oréal Professionnel (although a little pricey). Although chances are, the salon may offer this as a pre treatment anyhow.![]()