How To Keep Your Hair Looking Fab Between Dyes, According To A Celebrity Hair Colorist

After 28 years of embracing my natural brunette hair, I really chose the worst possible time to discover whether or not blondes have more fun. Just about a month before hiding myself away in quarantine, I visited hair colorist to the stars and Matrix brand ambassador George Papanikolas, who gave me a much-needed change and lightening up. For the record, I did have more fun during those last few weeks of BC (before corona) living as a Balayage blonde. But now, I'm freaking out. 

With hair appointments still seemingly a ways away here in NYC, how do I keep my color looking good? Should I DIY a dye-job? Will I ruin my locks while locked inside? Should I just never post a quarantine selfie again? Luckily, George has all the expert answers (spoiler alert: he does not want you picking up a box dye).

Since it seems like we won't be getting to our hair colorist anytime soon, what are some ways we can best hold on to our color right now? If our roots are getting out of control, is there anything we can do?

The number one hair color issue most people are facing is the grey or dark roots. While a DIY may be tempting, you should be reminded that color corrections are very expensive and potentially damaging.  In order to get the color right, you have to have an exact match. Any lighter will result in unwanted orange/brassy tones. Any darker will look inky/harsh. Temporary sprays are the best option as they can wash out, otherwise it's best left to a professional. 

The second most common color issue is fading. To minimize the fading, use a color locking shampoo/conditioner like KMV with an Acid PH that seals the cuticle, locking in the color and minimizing fading. If your hair is past that point and you need to neutralize the unwanted brassy tones, it's best to use a pigmented shampoo/mask specifically designed for your color.  Most blonds fade to yellow so a violet based product like Matrix SoSilver will neutralize the unwanted yellow tones. Brown hair tends to fade to orange, so a blue based product like Matrix Total Results Brass Off will cancel out orange tones. Finally dark hair which tends to fade to red now has the option of the first green based shampoo/mask which cancels out red tones on dark hair.

Product recommendations: Each collection comes with a Shampoo, Conditioner and at-home treatment mask

Matrix Total Results Brass Off: Neutralizes brassy tones while refreshing your hair with cool tones. Best for brunettes who lighten their hair, this shampoo deposits balancing blue-violet pigments to reduce brassy tones.

Matrix Total Results So Silver: Neutralizes unwanted brassy warmth and eliminates dull, yellow tones. It illuminates highlights on blondes and adds shimmering brightness for color treated and natural hair ranging from grey to white shades.

Matrix Total Results Dark Envy: First range that neutralizes red undertones in virgin and all-over black to dark brown hair color. Total Results Dark Envy Shampoo is a green color-depositing toning shampoo that enriches dark bases and neutralizes red undertones.

Matrix Total Results Keep Me Vivid: Sulfate-free technology gently cares to maintain vibrancy of fast-fading colors (greens, pinks, blues, etc.)

Are you totally against box dyes? 

Yes, I am totally against because it's hard to decide on which color to use based on the model on the box and do not give a realistic representation of your end result. Also in the salon, we never use the same color on the grey roots and refreshing the ends. You need ammonia, or a non-ammonia product that swells the cuticle to penetrate the grey hair. You would never need to do that when you refresh the ends. Doing so results in hair that looks dull and dry from over processing the cuticle.  It can also result in the ends becoming darker than the roots which is the biggest issue with people who color their hair at home. This happens because the ends are more porous and suck up the color. It can be a very difficult process to fix. 

[Photo via @georgepapanikolas]