Why would your hair break off from dyeing? Unless you’re bleaching it, hair dye is actually good for your hair.
Isn’t it?
Not really, salinqmind. Hair color is mixed with a developer (either 10, 20, 30, or 40 volume in most brand lines) to cause the oxidation necessary to color the hair. The developer is basically hi-test hydrogen peroxide that lifts the outer layer of the hair shaft (cuticle) up and open, and pretty much shoves the color into the hair. The higher the volume, the more lift the color will give you. The more lift, the more damage is done to the outside of the hair.
There have been instances of breakage from hair coloring, especially those that use a hi-lift formula on a regular basis. Hair color is way LESS damaging than bleaching, but over time it does cause dryness, porosity issues, and other not so life threatening things. 
Is it AWFUL for your hair? No. But it’s definitely not GOOD for your hair. No matter what the TV commercials say, and no matter how many ampoules of random heavily fragranced oil additives they put in the box. 
Guests can send and recieve PMs now. You just have to set your preferences to allow them.
I have a million questions. Thank you for this thread–I am learning a lot.
I have very thick, curly, medium to fine hair. I will try the Redken’s you mentioned. I have noticed that Garnier or John Frieda seem to leave my curls lank after a few weeks–is this the build up you were talking about earlier? Does that Neutrogena shampoo (it’s advertised as a cleansing shampoo) really work? It sure does smell strong…
Also, does the John Frieda line of “color” shampoos (not temporary color, but those shampoos that are labeled blonde, red, brunette and supposedly “help” your hair keep its color) really work? :dubious:
And what is with the baking soda? A few years ago, I was told here on the Dope to add a small amount of baking soda to my regular shampoo (in my hand, not the bottle!), to get rid of that build up. It seems to work and makes the shampoo foam like crazy, but am I drying the hell out of my curls?
Lastly, I was white blonde/straight/fine haired as a child, turned to golden (wheat) colored with waves as a teen; then loose curls ash blonde with reddish undertones as a 20-something… With every pregnancy (3), my hair got darker and curlier. I now dye (to cover up the gray), so who knows what my color actually is at this point, but the curls just keep getting tighter. I’m going to look like I have a 'fro by the time I retire! Isn’t it odd how hair changes throughout life? I have heard that hair texture and color change about every 7 years–is that true?
Not lastly–here’s something that has bothered me for awhile. I am happy with my stylist (although she’s pricey–so pricey, I now do the home coloring thing and she only cuts my hair every 8 weeks or so). But it seems to me that every hairstyle out there is designed to give volume and “body” to hair. What if you have enough volume and “body” to spare, yet don’t want to look like a bed head? Bedhead is great in some circumstances, but I end up with my hair in a ponytail almost every day because I can’t stand it jitterbugging all over. But I also look like shit in short hair. Right now it’s shoulder length or a bit longer. I have layers etc, and like I said, I like what my stylist has done with it, I just don’t know quite how to live with my “mane”. Any suggestions?
That is definitely the build-up issue. Products like Garnier, Frieda, and Pantene (yes, even Pantene) are full of oils and waxes designed to make your hair feel oh-so-soft when you’re washing it, it will cause build-up over time, and make your hair look limp, even greasy depending on your hair type.
Any clarifying shampoo will work, just don’t use them as your daily. Once a week to get the gunk and built-up product out should be more than enough. Neutrogena will work, but just like any other clarifier, it WILL dry out your hair. Hence the reason for NOT using it every day.
The every 7 years thing is a guideline, I think. I think it depends more on hormones and what is going on biologically, every 7 years or not.
If you’re having a poof issue because your hair has natural body, you may need a cut that will collapse the shape a little so it doesn’t look AS body-full. 
Undercutting is a good technique, or taking out some bulk underneath the top layers of hair may help that problem. Without you sitting in front of me, and putting my hands in your hair, it’s tough for me to really make any kind of recommendations.
Thanks for the quick response. What about those John Frieda “color” shampoos (I think Pantene also has a line of them)? Do they really help newly dyed redheads stay red? If you used them w/o coloring your hair at all, would they accentuate the subtle colors already present in your hair? I’m just curious.
Eh. Depends on the dye load in each product. The Frieda line tends to be a little heavy on the direct dye, which in essence stains the hair. Used on natural hair, it can chance the TONE, but probably not much more than that. I don’t really recommend it for colored hair - the kind of pigment used can react with the dyes in permanent haircolor and cause a serious change in color. That, and it’s actually harder to lift out than permanent haircolor. If you wanted to refresh your color or enhance your natural, I suggest going to a salon and asking for a demi-permanent/glaze (depending on the salon, it’s called different things).
I have to admit, I do a lot of complaining about mass-produced haircolor and such, but, honestly, that industry keep me and my co-workers pretty busy.
That makes a lot of sense–I used the Red Frieda one for a bit, after I colored my hair “Brioche” (I love the names)–and it did seem to change the color and not for the better. I shall cease and desist.
I also bought some of that lotion–it’s not Redken because my grocery store was out of Redken, but I already like it much better than any mousse or gel. Thanks!
This is a really great thread.
I have a question about my hair. It’s thick, straight, and usually lies flat like in thispicture. For the most part I use Redken, the shampoo and conditioners that come in the dark blue bottles (temporarily forgot the name of them.) I like that brand a lot, it feels a lot lighter than when I use cheapie shampoo and conditioners. Do you recommend the once a week clarifying shampoo? Like, will I actually notice a difference if I use it?
Also, can you think of any products or tips that could help to give my hair a little more body? I never dye my hair and don’t plan on chemically altering it in any way. It’d be awesome if there was something out there that could make it, y’know, less flat against my face.
Nifty thread! I have Asian hair, very thick and – well, not that coarse, but definitely not fine stuff – razor-cut about three inches long and definitely off my neck.
The thing is, at the end my stylist manages to get it to spike much better than I ever do. I’ve tried a number of different hair waxes, gels, and what not to try to get the same effect, but in the end gravity always has its way with me within a few hours. Is there a way to get my hair to stay more spiky for longer without resorting to shellacking it to death?
If you aren’t using a lot of heavy product on a regular basis, then the clarifyer may be to harsh. If you don’t use product but by some chance have well-water or otherwise hard water, then I would absolutely work a clarifying shampoo into your routine on a weekly basis.
It looks like you have long layers through the top sections of your hair. I recommend bringing the layers a little shorter for added volume. But as I have said to many other Dopers, until I get my hands in your hair, it’s really hard for me to make any recommendations on styling or cuts. Or have your stylist give you a heavily textured cut with lots and lots of shaggy layers.
And it’s Redken Extreme. The stuff in the dark blue bottle. 
Ah, the dilemma of Asian hair. I love working with it, actually. It pretty much falls and lies exactly where you imagine it will when you’re cutting it. In hair school, I was known as One of The Few White Girls Who Could Cut Asian Hair Without Completely Jacking it Up. The only thing I can suggest to you is to use the exact same product your stylist is using. Most likely it’s a professional line, so they probably sell it in the salon you’re going to. If you haven’t tried it already, give American Crew Fiber a shot. It’s kind of like a gel/wax hybrid, infused with fibers of something-or-other (so says the AC rep). Ive used it on short hair, and it seems to work well and has decent staying power, doesn’t get crunchy, and gives the hair good shine.
Can you recommend a short style for a woman that has had surgery. She had to have the back of her head shaved from ear to ear and top to nape of neck. The front and sides are medium length. There is about a inch and a half of growth since the surgery. She wears it in a pony tail to cover the new growth with a center part.
I saw a couple on the Llongueras site that might blend the short in back to something longer in front? Does it have to look that messy/ bed head?
With that small amount of length, it’s going to look messy until it grows past the point where the hair sits into its natural fall. Without a point of reference, I really can’t make a hairdo recommendation, but the first thought that came to mind was a modern pixie cut. It’s pretty short, but sexy and feminine if the person can pull it off (and the stylist cuts it the right way). I’m really over those graduated (short in back-long in front) haircuts and have been steering most of my clients away from them for a while now.
Thanks LilGypsyGirl,
I let her know about a modern pixie cut. I had a pixie back in the 70’s and they have come a long way.
Thanks for your unput!
Thanks for making this thread, LilGypsyGirl! I’ve had a lot of fun reading your answers so far!
I don’t know if there’s much that can be done in my case, but I had a styling question for you: I have long hair (just below the shoulders) that is thick and VERY curly: I usually end up brushing it out in the shower with one of those air-filled brushes with lots of space between each prong, because it’s practically impossible to get kinks and knots out when it’s dry.
In any event I’m going to a very rural area of India in a couple of days, where I’ll be living for a couple of months. I have access to showers and very cheap shampoo some of the time, but I’ll be spending quite a number of days in areas where washing my hair isn’t really feasible. I had been planning on bringing a soft-bristled brush for rough styling, wearing a lot of hats, and generally getting yelled at by my stylist when I get home. Is there anything you would recommend I do to either prevent damaging my hair or actually keep it happy and stylish? (Other, of course, than getting a buzz-cut. )
I have long, straight hair (only slightly wavy) parted in the middle, no bangs. I’ve been wearing it like that since college, and I’m ready for a change. Problem is, I have a round face, and good hairstyles are hard to find. Any recommendations?
What a great thread!
Question…what can i do to make my face appear less, well… chubby? Every suggestion i turn up on the web refers me to round face cuts, thing is i clearly have an oval face. Are bangs a terrible idea ???Because i’m oh so tempted. Thanks, Gyp
A shamelessly self serving question:
These are pics of me on Arnold Winkelried/Noodles’ site. Ignoring the one with the horns, any suggestions for how long/how short/changes you’d make in my hair (on head or facial)?
How did I miss this thread? I need SO MUCH HELP when it comes to my hair.
I have dark brown hair, very fine but quite a lot of it. It sits fairly straight but I have a cowlick on the right side of my forehead.
Is there a haircut I can rock other than ‘the bob’?
At the moment I’ve let it grow long, but then I always have to put the front up with a clip of some sort. I’m very fat, so I don’t want a short short cut because then my head looks out of proportion to my body.
Here’s my Facebook profile pic, sorry I haven’t got anything better, I’m a bit camera shy!
