Getting to the Root of It - Go Back to Natural Part Two

BellaSugar — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 08:00:22 PDT

After talking to master stylist Meredith Venesile-Spiros about getting back to your natural color in a budget friendly manner, it was clear that this job was one for a professional - at least for the initial change.

While it may be tempting to do a little kitchen sink coloring at home to save a few bucks, stop before you break out those plastic gloves and make an unintentional mistake. "The fact of the matter is, hairdressers want to help. They are actually saving you money in the long run."

To learn more about Meredith's advice on going back to your virginal (er...in the hair sense, of course) ways, read the how-to below:

If going from an artificial darker color back to your natural lighter or gray color:

Your stylist will have to take out the artificial pigments by "gradually putting in some super fine highlights," says Meredith. This helps subtly blend your colors without overly damaging your strands. If you were to go all light at once, it could be too much for your hair to take.
You'll probably have to return in a few months to finish off the job, but your healthy hair will thank you.

To find out more about getting back to your roots,

read more If going from an artificial light color back to your natural darker color:

Your stylist will apply something called a filler on your lighter pieces. What this does is create a "deep pure pigmented" base for your hair so that, "once color is applied it lasts longer and won't wash out of your hair," Meredith says.
Unless your hair is very porous, you probably won't have to return to the salon for another process.

For tips on keeping your hair fresh throughout the process:

Maintain shine with a glazing treatment every 10-12 weeks either at the salon or with a clear at-home glazing product such as John Frieda's Luminous Color Glaze Clear Shine ($10).
Use a color enhancing shampoo and conditioner to help boost fading hues. Meredith recommends Aveda's brown bottled plant-based color shampoos ($3.50 to $26.50) and conditioners ($17). Source

Getting to the Root of It - Go Back to Natural Part One

BellaSugar — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 08:00:11 PDT

A few weeks back, Bella reader lotuslight wanted to go back to her roots - literally. She asked what it would take to completely grow out her artificial color and go natural instead, all while keeping it budget-friendly. So, I’ve done a little sleuthing and here’s what was uncovered.

To get the facts straight, I consulted with Meredith Venesile-Spiros, master stylist at Salon V in Chicago and former contestant on the latest season of Shear Genius.

Ironically enough, to get rid of color, you're going to have to add some color. When going back to the tones that nature intended, it's best to stay out of the drugstore aisles to avoid a DIY color disaster, regardless of how tempting (and cheap) it might be.

"At least for the first time, go see a professional to properly make that change," Meredith advises. Let the experts guide you on what it's going to take keep the integrity of your hair intact. In the long run, you'll "save yourself some drama, money, and multiple trips to the drugstore."

To avoid having the embarrassment of heavy roots while your hair grows out, your stylist will talk about gradually blending your previously colored hair into your natural (virgin, if you will) color. Stay tuned to learn more about what Meredith says it takes to make this change a reality.

Photo courtesy of Bravo.