Changing Your Natural Hair Color

​​The best thing about having natural hair is that it is versatile. You can switch up your look any day of the week, just because you can. Even with all the things that can be done, hair color is the most questionable. A lot of questions arise before the final decision is made to color or not to color your hair. Below are few questions that will cross your mind before your color your hair.

Questions To Consider

• Is the color work appropriate?

Before you slap on the gloves to dye your hair a radiant purple, you may want to consider whether the color will be work appropriate or corporate America appropriate. Going for a natural hair color different shades of blondes or browns may be a better choice.*Alternative: You can purchase hair chalk, use vibrant eye shadow, or hair color spray to give your hair that pop of purple you love for a weekend trip and go back to black for your 9 to 5 on Monday.

• Will I have the extra time to treat my hair?

As for a natural, normally a wash day is a wash day. From adding conditioner to detangle to finally styling your hair, the process can take hours. However, without color treated hair there is room to slack. You can probably skip moisturizing your hair for a night or two, but if your hair is color treated you have to stay on top of your hair regimen. Moisturizing your hair and using the proper products will help you in avoiding hair damage, breakage, most importantly cutting off your hair.

• Will the hair color look good on me?

This is important, because you want to avoid having to worry about how long it will take before you can re-color your hair. First, make sure that the hair color is of your choice. This may be a job you don’t want your “yes men” approving, because they may approve a color that doesn’t suit you. Second, browse online and find different shades on people that has similar skin tone. This way you can either look for that specific color or tweak it to your liking. Third, before your final decision, find a hair salon that caters to natural hair and has a colorist or you can take the chance and do it your self.

• What brand of color should I use?

There are different types of brands out there that provides color. The question is should you use it? Do your research and find the best brand that will cater to your hair, as well as provide the hair color you want. Make sure it is ammonia free and has benefits like long-lasting coverage, rich in moisture, and gray coverage.

Other Things To Consider

• The longevity of the hair color; sometimes brands discontinues different shades of hair color.
• The health of your hair; is it healthy and strong enough to take the extra manipulation.
• Do you use heat? The extra heat will require more time for protecting your hair OR may damage it before you know it.

Hair Color Options To Consider:

• Shea Moisture Hair Color System Kit: Comes in 12 different colors. The kit comes with the developer, color creme, and Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter elixir, shampoo, and conditioner.
• Manic Panic: Has tons of bright colors from reds, greens, blues, and purples. If you have dark hair, lifting your natural hair color or bleaching your hair will make the colors pop.
• Creme of Nature Hair Color: Comes in 10 different colors. Each color is infused with Creme of Nature’s Argan Oil from Morocco, which will leave your with an “Exotic Shine”.

A good protein treatment will strenghten the hair and a great deep conditioner will moisturize the hair and keep it from drying out, or worse breaking. Before you color you decide to color your hair youself, see a professional. Do not color your hair by yourself. A professional will be able to decide whether coloring your hair is the best thing and/or what steps to take to prevent any damage.