Dyeing your hair or getting a haircut are great ways to achieve a new look that you can feel happy and confident about.
What is the ideal hair styling sequence: get a haircut then color it or color your hair first and then cut it? Well, the answer depends on some factors.
The type of dye used, whether you get a trim or major cut, and the overall health of your hair decide whether to cut or color your hair first. Let’s cut to the chase and find out!
Should You Color Your Hair or Get a Haircut First?
It’s standard practice to dye your hair and then get a haircut. Longer hair is easier to section and it is easier to apply dye rather than doing so to shorter hair. However, there are some instances where a haircut before dyeing is preferable.
Dyeing hair first is easier in evenly distributing the color throughout your hair. Your hairstyle will look more colorful and uniform.
But if you have too dry of hair or it’s damaged with split ends, you may want to opt for a haircut before dyeing your hair.
Think of the haircut as a healthy reset to your hairstyle so you can apply the hair dye when your hair is at its best.
Also if you want hand-painted highlights on your hair like balayage, it’s best to cut your hair first so you and your colorist can understand where exactly you want the color to be incorporated into your hair.
Coloring Hair Vs. Cutting Hair First: Factors to Consider
Dyeing your hair before or after cutting depends on the cut and desired hair color, the condition of your hair, and the type of dye used.
Type of Hair Color
Permanent dyes use harsh chemicals and developers to penetrate the hair cuticle. When hair gets cut, the cuticle gets opened, which ramps up the risk of your hair being damaged.
In addition, some hair treatments used when cutting can remove natural oils, which act as a protective barrier when coloring.
So, if you plan on using permanent dye, color your hair first and then cut, and both steps can happen in the same appointment once the color has been rinsed out.
Semi-permanent dyes shouldn’t pose an issue for freshly cut hair, as they aren’t intended to penetrate the cuticle.
Trim or Major Cut
If you are getting maintenance trimming that’s no more than an inch, you can choose to cut or color first as both are perfectly fine for this situation.
However, a more extensive cut will benefit from dyeing first and then cutting it later since dry, unwashed hair keeps natural oils that make color application more comfortable on the scalp and it is easier to apply hair dye on longer hair.
It is true for single-color application on hair, but highlights or balayage require accuracy. So if you get balayage or multiple colors on hair, get a haircut first so that your stylist can apply the highlights on desired sections.
Your Hair’s Condition
Damaged hair or hair with split ends might benefit from a haircut first to ensure that color is applied to healthy strands.
Coloring is an intensive process, especially when using permanent dye and developer. If your hair is already brittle or dry – perhaps due to previous dye jobs – it’s best to wait a little longer after cutting.
Moreover, if your hair is on the finer side, err on the side of caution since the chemicals used in the dye could lead to breakage and aggravate the appearance of thin hair.
Expert tip: If your hair gets shampooed during the haircut, wait a day or two before applying dye so your natural scalp oils can build back up for a more comfortable color treatment.
Can You Cut and Dye Your Hair on the Same Day?
It is possible to cut and dye your hair on the same day, whether you are getting a little trim or a bigger change. But if you choose to color your hair first, the cut can follow in the same visit; the familiar 24-48 hour wait after dyeing applies to washing your hair, not cutting it.
On the other hand, if you decide to get a haircut first, you can usually get balayage, highlights, or a completely different color in the same visit, since your stylist can place the color on the finished shape.
A haircut might seem straightforward, but it only changes the freshly cut ends, so it does not make a subsequent dye job riskier.
In addition, there is the possibility of the product being left behind, which could interfere with the hair dye and lead to less-than-stellar results.
So waiting a couple of days before you wash freshly dyed hair is the real key, that way you will not lose the color too fast.
So, Hair Dye or Haircut: Which Should Be Done First?
The general practice is to color your hair first and then get a haircut. But you should take the following factors into consideration when deciding:
Color First:
- Using permanent dye
- Healthy hair condition
Cut First:
- Damaged or split ends
- Getting precision coloring techniques like balayage
