Revamp Your Locks: Post‑Pandemic Color Trends
When the world finally started to “un‐lock” after Covid, beauty routines didn’t just stay on skin and makeup – headlines shifted to hair. Micro‑ingredients for scalp care, reviving outdated shades, and sprucing up your style with bold new colors have all become the talk of the town. If you’ve been toying with a daring hair makeover, here’s a quick rundown straight from three of Singapore’s top stylists.
Why Color Matters After Covid
- We’re not just covering up scabs or chats; we’re expressing ourselves. Hair color helps you feel fresh and fearless.
- Glasses and masks have left us a little less face‑focused. Hair has the power to become an easy “glam squad” anchor.
- Red flags? Think simple: keep the base healthy, and sneak in a splash of flair.
Stylist 1: Embrace the Shimmer
“It’s about mixing tonality and texture,” says Julie K., Creative Director at LUX Hair Studio. Her mantra: “Awesome hair is a conversation piece.” She recommends stepping away from the dull brown and experimenting with muted pastels or soft silver highlights to add depth without bashing your natural base.
Stylist 2: Bold Bites Are the New Black
With Chris L., Salon of Tomorrow backing him, Chris tells us that “If you want to feel alive, paint a palette that’s lively.” Quick hacks:
- Use a semi‑permanent dye for a temporary rainbow run. This keeps the roots light.
- Try a two‑tone balayage to evolve your look gradually.
- Remember: underpainting makes the main color pop. Prep your scalp – a healthy canvas is essential.
Stylist 3: Low‑Maintenance, High‑Impact
Sophia M., MyHair Studio champions the low‑maintenance chromatic shine – “The idea is to keep day‑to‑day upkeep low but wow the crowd.” Her top tip: “Color your hair on worksheets that match your skin tone. Blend the highlights to get a sheen rather than a brash look.”
Final Thought: Don’t Fear the Change
Colors are a mirror of our post‑Covid hopes. In her words, “A vibrant shaft is an in‑style celebration.” Hop on the wave. Go from simple brown to rainbow pop and watch your confidence color wave on the horizon.
1. Choose darker shades if you want a longer-lasting colour
Want Your Hair Color to Stubbornly Stay Fabulous?
It’s that moment when you’re rocking a stunning hue and you’re terrified that a quick rinse will turn it into a wilted shade of whatever. Well, don’t panic! Knowing a few colour‑science secrets can keep your locks looking fresh longer.
What’s Actually Making Your Color Fade?
- Shade Darkness: The darker you go, the longer the color stays. Think of it like a stubborn stain that refuses to wash away.
- Tone Intensity: Rich, saturated pigments give your hair a stronger hold. That’s the difference between a deep pink that gradually lifts to a peachy‑pink, and a pale pastel that vanishes in a day.
Expert Advice in a Nutshell
Denton Koh from Shiseido Professional Color Creator reminds us: “A darker hue lasts, but choose colors with vibrant pigments for an extra edge of endurance.” He’d probably say that a rich, dark magenta is like a superhero cape—hard to wash out.
Wai Kan of Chez Vous Hair Salon would add, “Pastel blonde‑like shades? They’re the house‑cleaning staples—quick to fade, especially if you bathe daily.” But if you crave drama, go for colors that battle the wash: purple and green. They’re the heavyweight champs of the shade world.
C.Y. Wang at Prep Luxe offers his two‑step mantra: “Red hues are powerful because of their pigment strength. Pick a bold scarlet if you want the color to linger.” He emphasizes that deep reds are the “no‑quit” color people swear by.
Quick Tips to Keep Your Color Fresh
- Opt for darker, richer shades whenever possible.
- Try bold purples or greens for a longer fade life.
- Choose red hues if you’re ready to commit to a long‑lasting look.
- Avoid daily deep‑condition washes if you want the color stable.
- Use color‑protecting shampoos to keep your pigment strong.
Bottom line: Dinner boards, dried sun, or a bragging selfie? No matter how many times you rinse or a color you choose, these simple tricks keep your hair looking irreconcilable. Grab your favorite shade and let your locks shine for as long as you wish!
2. Be wary of your ash-coloured hair turning green
Stuck in the Swamp? Avoid the Joker Look
Ever wonder why you end up looking like a swamp creature— or worse, a half‑dead Joker— even after adding those cool “ash” tones to your hair?
Why Ash Tones Turn Your Hair Green
The trouble starts when you skip the blonde lighten step. Ash colors work best on a lighter, blonde base before you throw in the silver or ash pigment. Depending on how yellow your blonde is, you’ll need to adjust the dose of the blue because yellow plus weak blue equals green.
Quick Guide to the Right Ashing
- Step 1: Lighten your hair to a bright, true blonde—not a golden yellow hue.
- Step 2: Add the ash or silver pigment (usually a blue pigment).
- Step 3: Watch for a faint greenish tint—if it’s too pronounced, your ash has faded or you used too little blue.
- Step 4: Fine‑tune with a stronger blue color if the green starts creeping in.
Bottom line: Yellow hair + weak blue dye = green hair. Keep your base blonde and the blue pigment strong enough, and you’ll shine in that sleek, silver‑gray look—no swamp vibes required!
3. Add a pre-colour treatment to minimise damage
Pre‑Dye Prep: The Secret to Gorgeous, Not Gouged Hair
Hey, hair lovers! Think you’re all set for a stunning new hue? Pause. Your strands might be on the brink of a “broken‑up‑damaged” drama, even if you’ve been busy washing, conditioning, and slapping on every shiny hair‑product in the last few months.
Why the Big “OOPS” Moment Happens
- Cuticle Conundrum: Cutting‑chemical treatments basically fling the protective cap of each strand—its cuticle—open. That’s like an invitation for the good stuff (amino acids, water, conditioning micelles) to flee.
- Dry Dilemma: With the loose cuticles, hair’s internal moisture escapes, leaving you with brittle, flaky, and shockingly thirsty strands.
- Break‑Fall: The loss of those essentials leads to breakage and dullness—classic “why is my hair feeling like a cardboard sheet” moments.
Hair’s Reality Check
Unlike your skin (which can sprout fresh cells), hair doesn’t come with a built‑in regrowth mechanism. If it gets damaged, you’re stuck with it unless you act before the damage gets deeper.
Simple Pre‑Colour Fixes
- Pre‑Treat: Apply a leave‑in conditioner or a protein shampoo that locks the cuticle back into place.
- Moisture Boost: Use a hydrating mask a day before coloring.
- Cool Compliment: Brush gently with a wide‑tapered comb—no cattle‑driving in the frizz club.
Wrap those steps into your routine today, and you’ll future‑proof your glow before the dye even touches your locks. Because the truly fabulous you deserve bright, healthy hair—without the black‑hole of breakage!
4. Be honest with your hair history
Why Your Hair’s “Life Story” Matters When You Hit the Salon
Think of your hair as a little biography. If it’s a mystery just to your stylist, you’ll end up with a colour that feels like a bad match‑making app. Wai Kan stresses: “Share what’s happened to your hair. It’s the quickest cheat‑code to get the shade you’ve been dreaming of.”
What Dropped In the Keratin Party
- Macroscopically silky, but microscopically tampered.
- Unseen chemical coatings make your strands act like a secret agent—hidden from any routine bleaching round.
Letting your stylist forget that keratin treatment took place could create a “hair out of this world” illusion. The hair appears ripe for bleaching, but it’s actually utterly fragile. The result? Suffering from unexpected breaks while you’re trying to go blonde.
When Dark Color Gets Stubborn
If your hair history is a tale of black, dark, and a lot of hues that’ve stayed in the shade, then it’s time to confess.
- Dark pigments are like ink that never dries—palatable but stubborn.
- Bleach and even the best colour removers behave as if they’re fighting a mythical beast.
The consequence? An uneven, patchy finish that feels like a celestial misfire. The fix typically requires more bleaching rounds, throwing ego and follicles to the rescue.
Wai Kan’s Take: One Truth Is Enough
“A light‑up journey can be painless if you unveil the truth early,” she explains. “Agree that darker pigments can make your hair resistant, but it also means your final hue could invite patchiness unless you start fresh.”
Bottom line: Speak up. Let the stylist know it’s a full‑scale hair history lesson. Unlock that dream shade without risking a grey‑friended follicle crisis.
5. Plan your hair look with your stylist
Planning Your Next Hair Adventure: More Than Just a Color Splash
When you walk into the salon, it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of a new shade. But here’s the scoop: before you dive into the dye‑pool, you’ve got to think about the whole hair makeover package.
Heat‑Intense Treatments Aren’t Friends With Bleached Locks
Intense heat style sessions—think rebonding or perming—tend to wreak havoc on hair that’s already been heavily bleached. C.Y. warns that trying to stir the pot can lead to extra frizz, breakage, and a general sense of “my hair is on fire!”
Get Your Hairstylist in the Loop
- Make a list of looks you’re itching to try.
- Show it to your regular barber or stylist—they’ll let you know which options are safe.
- Ask them to map out a timeline, so you can roll one style into the next over a few months.
Think of it as planning a road trip: you don’t just jump into a new city without scouting the route. By giving your stylist a heads‑up, you’ll avoid turning your tresses into a hot‑melt disaster.
Why Timing Matters
Timing is key. If you color your hair and then let a heat‑based treatment follow up too soon, you’ll amplify damage. Give your strands a breather, then schedule the next service. Your hair will thank you with less breakage, more shine, and a more successful style transition.
Bonus: Stay Up‑to‑Date With Color Trends
Need a visual cue for the freshest shades? We’ve spotlighted the 9 biggest hair colour trends of 2022 in a top‑stylists guide—check it out if you’re craving inspiration.
Bottom line: talk with your stylist, plan ahead, and keep your hair happy and healthy. Switching up styles doesn’t have to be a roller‑coaster—just a smooth, stylish ride.
