Hey, guys! I know I’ve been MIA for months, but life has kept me extremely busy for the past year. I hope all’s well with y’all! I’m gonna ease in with a topic I’m asked about a lot: how am I not bald from all the bleaching and coloring I put my hair through?

Honestly, I ask myself the same thing sometimes. I’ve been coloring my hair since I was about 17, and I first had my hair bleached when I was 21. Even when I was a kid, I’ve always wanted colored hair, after seeing a brunette with blue roots in a magazine. Heck, I even tried those stupid hair mascaras that were all the rage in the 90s (they didn’t work and I got in a bit of trouble in school for it). Nobody warns you about the literal pain sometimes involved, and the time, money, and effort you gotta give to maintain such a cool ‘do.

Well, here are some personal tips I can share! All these are based on my personal experience – I am NOT a hair stylist, nor are the products/companies mentioned in any way affiliated with me. I’m not paid to mention any of them (though I’m not opposed to an endorsement or two, heyyy lol)

About my hair

First off, here are details about my hair: it’s naturally straight/semi-wavy and fine, scalp is somewhat flaky/dry at times, hair’s original color is dark brown, I am of mostly Asian descent (some Hispanic), and I live in the tropics. I also shed like a Siberian husky (you should see my apartment floor and shower drain. Or not. Just take my word for it).

So the thing is, what works for me may or may not work for you. Nobody knows your hair better than you do, so I suggest you take note of such details as well as products you’ve tried that work (and those that don’t).

Cleansing & conditioning

Let’s get this thing done and over with: I don’t wash my hair every day. Before you start groaning like a school kid getting grounded, first you gotta realize you shouldn’t shampoo your hair that much anyway! As a Filipino, we shower/bathe every day, sometimes even twice a day. However, hair shouldn’t be in that much hoopla. There is such a thing as washing too much! Every other day should be fine, even for people who don’t dye their hair. It holds styles better when hair’s a little bit less clean. If you can’t resist washing, use some dry shampoo after to build volume and hold style.

Anyway! For people with colored hair, stay the hell away from shampoos and conditioners with parabens, phthalates, and sulfates. Simply saying a shampoo/conditioner is “color safe” just won’t do – look out for these monsters that strip away color and damage your hair!

Purple shampoos/conditioners are awesome, but they serve a particular purpose: the purple contrasts the brassy tones in hair. As such, it’s usually best for people with bleached blonde hair and silver/gray (aka ash blonde) colors.

Clarifying shampoos can be the devil and an angel depending on when you use them. If you wanna get rid of gunk and buildup, go for a clarifying shampoo once a week. Beware that it strips color SUPER fast! Now if you’re looking to fade that color, then by all means, go for it.

And my final advice about cleansing is never go without conditioner after!! Even on days you don’t shampoo, try to use conditioner (not on the scalp, just mid to ends). If you can spare it, use a conditioning hair mask once or maybe twice a week as well.

Personal favs:

Dry shampoo: Beach Born Dry Shampoo

Purple shampoo/conditioner: Beach Born Classy Not Brassy Shampoo and Conditioner, One ‘N’ Only Shiny Silver Ultra Conditioning Shampoo

Color-safe shampoo/conditioner: Human Nature 100% Natural Shampoo and 100% Natural Conditioner, any variant except Clarifying

Clarifying shampoo: Human Nature 100% Natural Clarifying Shampoo

Hair mask: Pantene Pro-V Intensive Mask

Bleaching

If you’re new to dyeing your hair, believe me when I say go to a reputable salon for lightening services (I personally recommend Azta Urban Salon and Bangs by Tony and Jackey – they know their shit).

Now, if you or a trusted friend has done this before, kudos. Depending on what color you’re going after, you may need to bleach your hair several times. Basically, the lighter the shade you want (such as pastel colors or silver hair), the lighter your hair should be bleached.

Do not – I repeat – DO NOT bleach several times in a row on the same day. Salons can do it because they have access to things like Olaplex, but even then they warned me of possible risks. Sometimes even they’re in awe my mane’s still intact and relatively healthy.

Wait a week between bleach jobs, and do not put the bleach on your scalp! Apply it about a centimeter/half an inch from the scalp. It will burn if it touches your skin! Also, do not apply heat while the bleach is still there – it will damage your hair and scalp, possibly irreparably. I know because a non-reputable salon burned my scalp when I was 22 and I’m still suffering from it 9 years later (think flaky, itchy scalp and falling hair). It wasn’t until my stylist at T&J gave me the lowdown on applying bleach half an inch away from the scalp that I realized what a huge mistake I made going to a cheap salon. Definitely an aha moment!

Also consider your hair’s health – if it’s damaged, or you just went in for a perm or rebond, wait 1-2 months before you bleach and vice versa. You do not wanna come into this situation with a head full of hair and come out with a bob forced upon you due to breakage. Be kind to your hair (and wallet!) and do one treatment at a time.

Personal favs:

Bleaching kit: Splat Lightening Bleach (complete and comes with treatment/reconstructor)

Hair treatment: the reconstructor that comes with Splat’s bleach kit is awesome, but any keratin treatment is good too. And of course, Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3!

Coloring

Again, if you’re a first timer, go to a salon. Trust me, Hayley Williams did not go platinum blonde in her bathroom sink by herself.

If you’re after silver/white hair, look for ash blonde shades, or a toner (I haven’t tried but Wella Color Charm 050 is a popular choice).

If you’re more into bright colors, check out the myriad of (usually vegan) dyes everywhere. I’m almost always using Manic Panic, while Splat is a close second. These have a cream/gel like consistency and keep for months – you could store them for touch ups!

Now, if you’re after strange combos and ombre/balayage types of transitions, again, go to the salon. This is not for first timers, no matter how brave thou may be. You can always try it by yourself at your own risk, but I simply don’t recommend it.

Personal favs:

Semi-permanent: Manic Panic High Voltage or Amplified, Splat 30 Wash

Color deposit: Roux Fanci-Full Rinse

Final thoughts

If you plan on coloring your hair often, I suggest you invest on the following: plastic bowl/s, dye applicator brush/es, plastic hair clips (to section off your hair), gloves (plastic, rubber, or surgical), petroleum jelly (to protect your ears and skin surrounding the hair from getting dye on them), a smock (or old t-shirt), and towels you won’t mind getting tinted with a bunch of dye.

Having colored hair is awesome, but it’ll of course have its own downsides. While it’s rad when people (especially kids) strike up a conversation with me because of my hair, I must admit there are times I kinda rethink things because of the maintenance. I have gotten really short hairdos after I got tired of certain colors, and then go back and forth between loving and regretting my decision.

You can always wear a wig (which can also be fun, but is a different adventure on its own) – it’s certainly cheaper in the long run and less of a commitment than sitting in a salon chair for hours on end.

Bottom line: have fun! It’s only hair 😉