If there’s a way to extend time between color appointments, we’re always down to try it. One easy hack is opting for a low-maintenance hair color. As fun as it can be to switch up your dye job and try a new hair color trend, saving time (and money) by taking fewer trips to the hair salon can also be a big win.
Getting a low-maintenance hair color doesn’t mean boring. While you can opt for classics like blonde, brown, or red, you can also play around with trending easy-to-wear shades like bronde and ash blonde that help conceal harsh signs of regrowth. Combine your new color and a fresh blowout, and your hairstyle will look better than ever. There are plenty of shades and in-salon hair coloring techniques that ensure that your hair continues looking great long after you leave your appointment.
Before heading into your next appointment with your colorist, it’s a good idea to know what you want. Our best advice: Bring photos of the colors you like (this will ensure no room for miscommunication and post-color regret) and consult with the colorist to decide what looks best with your hair type and skin tone. To help you get started, we’ve spoken to top colorists to get their expert advice on which colors grow out most effortlessly, ultimately buying you more time between your salon visits. Scroll on for all our best low-maintenance hair color inspo, and get ready to screenshot.
What is the lowest maintenance hair color?
According to Lorena M. Valdes, a colorist at Maxine Salon in Chicago, “anything that leaves your natural hair alone and only adjusts the mids and ends” is best for not needing as many touch-ups. With something harsh like highlights, you would get a band of growth from the roots down, but if you’re not touching the roots and leaving them natural, there won’t be a recognizable “line of demarcation,” she says.
“Balayage is amazing for low-maintenance hair, as it starts off as a soft point at the root to a thicker ribbon towards the bottom, which mimics what the sun does to our hair naturally,” says Valdes. Balayage is a highlighting technique in which colorists hand-paint the highlights strategically, so that the lightened pieces appear more naturally placed.
Celebrity hair colorist Brian O’Connor, who is co-owner of Fruits Salon in Nashville, adds that “baby lights are always a nice way to leave a soft blend and an easy grow-out.” Baby lights are more delicate than highlights, and they’re woven throughout the hair for a more natural blend of colors.
If you want to try something between blonde and brunette, bronde is one of the most popular hair colors lately (Jennifer Lopez and Kate Middleton have signed off). The blonde-brunette mix “gives such a sun-kissed, dimensional look, while at the same time being very low-maintenance and not resulting in a dramatic grow-out,” says Rita Hazan, celebrity colorist and founder of Rita Hazan Salon in New York City. Bonus: If you have any silver strands popping up, the lighter bronde strands help hide them, making it a great choice for those with gray hair.
Read the full article here
