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3 Popular Hair Color Myths Debunked

FACT OR FICTION?

Clients bring hair color myths to their colorists all the time—and our Clairol experts have heard them all. Now our in-the-know pros are shattering the most common myths with their insider insights.

Do I have to use a permanent hair color?

MYTH #1

The best way for me to get the lasting results I want is to use a permanent hair color every time. Anything other than permanent just washes out.

CLIENTS MIGHT SAY:

  • “I’ve fooled around with demi-permanent colors when I was younger. But now that I’m covering so much gray, I have to use the permanent colors.”
  • “My colorist uses permanent color on me so it will last until I come back next month. The other kind just washes out.”
  • “I don’t really know what she uses on me, but I assume that it’s permanent...”

CLAIROL COLOR EXPERTS REVEAL:

Many desired looks are best achieved using demi-permanent hair color.
Your colorist may not tell you that she’s using a demi because she doesn’t want you to think that your hair color won’t last. But the truth is demi shades can give existing color subtle enhancement without “overloading”—applying color on top of color.

My hair color needs a couple of days to calm down before I like the result

MYTH #2

Hair color needs a few days to “calm down.”

CLIENTS MIGHT SAY:

  • “When I get a new color, it’s really intense for the first few days. It takes a couple days for everything to even out up there.”
  • “With all those chemicals, the hair is very bright in those first 48 hours. But then it fades to where I want it.”
  • “There’s those first few days where I really notice the color. Happily, some will wash off in the first day or two. Then I’m back to looking just how I like.”

CLAIROL COLOR EXPERTS REVEAL:

Hair color shouldn’t change in the first two or three days. You probably just become accustomed to it.
Colorists believe that when you color your hair, it just takes a few days to get used to—even if you color with the same shade every time.

I need to change my hair color depending on the season

MYTH #3

Your hair color has to change according to the season/time of year.

CLIENTS MIGHT SAY:

  • “When it gets to be summer time, you should go lighter because that looks more natural to be kissed by the sun.”
  • “During the winter months, it’s best to go darker because the lighter color or thicker highlights won’t look natural.”
  • “I like myself as a light blonde, because I really think I should have been born a blonde. However, I was told a long time ago that you have to tone it down in the winter.”

CLAIROL COLOR EXPERTS REVEAL:

Hair color is a very personal journey that shouldn’t be dictated by the season.
If a color looks good on you, there’s no harm in keeping it year-round. It’s better to have an end color in mind and work toward achieving that versus changing 3 - 4 times a year just because the calendar says so. Making subtle changes to one’s shade is a good thing, but a calendar is too arbitrary. A blonde will look great as a blonde in December just as much as in July.