Why Professional Haircolor is Worth It

Whether you’ve been coloring your hair for years or are just beginning to think about dipping your toe in the water, there’s a solid chance you’ve considered going the DIY route. And we understand why! It’s convenient, it’s inexpensive, and there’s practically no wait time. Only you know what’s right for you, but if you’re on the fence, read on to find out why you might want to place your trust in a professional when it comes to permanent color.

You’re unique. Your color should be, too.

If you’re like most people, you probably gravitate toward certain colors. Maybe you unfailingly look good in blue, but are totally washed out by that particular shade of mustard that seems to be everywhere this summer. The same theory applies for haircolor. A cool, icy blonde might be one woman’s go-to cobalt sweater—but leave you looking not quite yourself. And trust us, it’s much harder to take back a permanent haircolor commitment.

A professional colorist keeps these mix-ups from happening in the first place. Before your service—particularly if you’re changing hues—they will make expert recommendations about what will best complement your coloring, taste, face shape, time constraints, styling habits and more. Whether you want your green eyes to pop or know you’ll wind up rescheduling your touch-up appointment three times, your stylist can take these and other lifestyle factors into account and create a shade custom-made to work for you. 

Your hair will look and feel healthier.

It’s not just color customization you gain when you opt for professional color—doing so can also help keep your hair in tip-top shape. “Your stylist will take into account the condition of your scalp, the porosity of your hair, and your at-home care regimen," says Moroccanoil Senior Educator Caitlin Eyk. "They will know how to blend color that imparts the least damage while providing the best coverage, then how to apply that color with intention and accuracy to preserve your hair’s health.”

In the salon, stylists also have access to professional-exclusive treatments that help promote healthier hair and more beautiful color. This includes the new Moroccanoil ChromaTech Service, which we developed specifically to address some of the needs we felt weren’t being met by traditional color treatments. The service includes ChromaTech PRIME, which is applied before color application to equalize hair porosity to promote more even color, and ChromaTech POST, which is used after the service to infuse hair with reparative COLORLINK™ technology. Best of all, your colorist can custom-create a regimen to help you maintain these results at home. For instance, Caitlin recommends that her clients use Moroccanoil Color Continue Shampoo and Conditioner, followed by Protect & Prevent Spray. Used together, they address all daily sources of color loss and help strengthen hair from the inside out.

These products don’t just make your hair healthier and your haircolor more vibrant—they make your colorist’s job easier, too. “My number one goal is maintaining the integrity of my client’s hair. It provides me with the best canvas and my client with the best version of their ‘hair goals,’” says Caitlin.

Color correction gets costly.

We know that affordability is one of the best things at-home haircolor has going for it—and it’s not a factor that should be taken lightly. That’s why we want to provide an important disclaimer: attempting to DIY a bleach job could end up having a far bigger impact on your bank account than you bargained for. “You might be looking for a cost-effective way to alter your appearance, but you could end up with a lengthy and costly color correction on your hands,” says Caitlin. “Ask yourself, is it worth it?”

Colorists are chemists.

Or as good as. The color process, done well, entails various components that must be selected and blended correctly to ensure optimal results. Colorists spend years not just honing application techniques, but understanding the science behind them to ensure your end result is as beautiful and damage-free as possible.

“Professional colorists are a delightful mixture of art nerd, science geek, and fashionista. We know the ins and outs of how and why what we are doing will work!” says Caitlin. “We are constantly continuing our education. Cosmetology school gives you what you need to be licensed, but to truly excel in this field, you never stop learning.”

You’ll get an honest assessment.

“Sometimes it’s easy to fall into a Pinterest hole and come out the other side wanting to be an entirely different human. We’ve all had those moments!” says Caitlin. But if it’s not going to work for your hair (or your coloring, face shape or lifestyle), your colorist will let you know—in the nicest way possible, of course. “For instance, if a new client arrives with six years of black box dye on her hair, I likely will advise her against a platinum à la Kim Kardashian. I’m never afraid to go bold or try new things, but it’s important to know what I choose will enhance and not detract from a person’s natural beauty."

Convinced yet? We hope so—we might be biased, but we happen to think a professional salon service is one of the best acts of self-care out there. If you’re ready to book your next color appointment, use our salon locator to find one near you.