Is Longer-Lasting Color Always Better? What Truly Matters Is the “Longevity of the Design”
When you get your hair colored, do you think “long-lasting color = good color”?
That’s actually a bit of a misunderstanding.
Of course, enjoying beautiful color for a long time is nice.
But methods such as “using strong alkaline dye to make it last longer” can often lead to hair damage.
Designing with Fading in Mind
Hair color will inevitably fade.
This is a natural phenomenon that cannot be avoided.
The important thing is to create a design that still looks good even as it fades—“not awkward, but naturally beautiful.”
What I recommend as “long-lasting color” is not about making it dark and resistant to fading, but about designing it so that even the fading process looks beautiful.
The Use of Highlights and Lowlights
A representative method is highlights and lowlights.
- The regrowth line is less noticeable
- It blends naturally even after 1–3 months
- Gray hair becomes less visible
These are the benefits.
Even for gray coverage, “completely hiding it” is not always the right answer.
Coloring it just lightly can make regrowth less obvious, giving a softer, more natural look.
Why Avoid Strong Chemicals
Some salons use strong alkaline chemicals for so-called “long-lasting color.”
But unnecessarily strong chemicals reduce hair quality and accumulate damage.
What I focus on is choosing low-alkaline dyes (semi-permanent colors) when brightness isn’t needed.
This minimizes damage while still achieving beautiful colors.
- Hair color will always fade
- The key is making the design look beautiful even as it fades
- Highlights and lowlights create a natural blend
- Avoid strong chemicals to protect hair quality
Hair coloring is not about “making it darker so it lasts longer.”
Designing with fading in mind is what truly creates “lasting beauty.”
