2024-09-30｜Lena

Wanting to create a personal style, you chose to undergo a major hair transformation with bleaching and dyeing at a salon, spending 4 to 5 hours in the chair. While it took a significant amount of time and money, the result—an eye-catching hair color that turns heads—is worth it! However, after bleaching, are you properly maintaining your precious new color? Using color-depositing shampoo is absolutely the top priority for post-bleach hair care.

Catalogue

I. Why should you use color-depositing shampoo after bleaching?

II. How does color-depositing shampoo work? Is it a dye?

III. How to use color-depositing shampoo?

1. Step-by-step guide

IV. Recommended color-depositing shampoo – MCG Color-Depositing Shampoo

V. How to play with color mixing using MCG Color-Depositing Shampoo?

After coloring your hair, stylists often recommend taking home a color-depositing shampoo primarily for your benefit. Bleaching and dyeing open up the hair cuticle, leaving it vulnerable and more prone to damage. In severe cases, the cuticle may even be entirely compromised, leading to hair that quickly loses color upon contact with water.

Most regular shampoos are slightly alkaline, which causes the hair cuticle to open during the washing process, allowing it to remove oils and dirt—but also taking away hair dye in the process. In addition to shampoo, bleached hair is inherently more prone to color fading. As HOCC Municipal Store Stylist Anson mentioned, “After bleaching, hair loses its natural melanin, making it easier to dye but also easier to fade.” To counteract this, using color-depositing shampoo helps stabilize pigment particles and prevents color loss by maintaining the hair’s vibrancy for longer.

Further reading: [Hair Care] Can you perm your hair after bleaching?

As mentioned earlier, after bleaching, hair cuticles open up when exposed to water, leading to a significant loss of hair dye pigments. Color-depositing shampoo works by replenishing pigments when the cuticles are open, helping to maintain the beauty of your hair color. However, it's important to note that this shampoo is not a dye, so it won’t color natural or gray hair, only hair that has been bleached or dyed previously. Additionally, post-shampoo conditioning is crucial because it helps close the open cuticles, preventing further color loss. It also makes the hair smoother and shinier, improving the overall health and appearance of bleached or dyed hair.

After bleaching and dyeing your hair, it’s recommended to wait 2-3 days before washing your hair. During the week, you can use a color-depositing shampoo 2-3 times. However, since most color-depositing shampoos have a slightly acidic pH level, their cleansing power is milder. For those with an oily scalp, it’s a good idea to use your regular cleansing shampoo for the first wash to effectively remove excess oil, followed by the color-depositing shampoo for the second wash.

For color-depositing shampoos, pigments are absorbed into the hair when no lather is formed, while lathering primarily cleanses. If you want more intense color, let the shampoo sit on the hair; for a lighter shade, rinse immediately. You can apply it to dry hair for more saturation or wet hair for a subtler effect.

For those curious about using color-depositing shampoo as a regular shampoo, you can check out Miyake's video on YouTube titled "What Happens When Miyake Uses Color-Depositing Shampoo as a Regular Shampoo?"

MCG Color-Depositing Shampoo is formulated without chemical thickeners or sulfate-based foaming agents, using plant-based alternatives instead. This reduces damage to the scalp and hair. The product has a lighter, more liquid consistency, making it easier for users to apply evenly at home, ensuring better color absorption. After washing, there’s no worry about color staining hands or leaving residue on the scalp. You can use this shampoo confidently, just like any regular shampoo, without concerns of uneven coloring or pigment build-up.

The concept of color mixing in hair care is similar to the principles of color theory, where "complementary colors" and "blended colors" work to achieve specific results. For example, if you want to neutralize yellow tones in your hair, you can use MCG's White toner, which is actually purple. The purple pigment counteracts the yellow, softening the faded yellow tones. If you're aiming for a more misty, muted effect in your hair color, you can mix your current color-depositing shampoo with MCG's White toner. This blending creates a subtle, smoky hue.

The results of color mixing depend on your current hair color and condition, so the effects can vary for each person. For more demonstrations and techniques, MCG's official YouTube channel offers videos on color-mixing ratios and applications. For those who want to experiment with mixing colors at home, you can purchase two different color-depositing shampoos, and MCG provides a complimentary mixing bottle to help you create your personalized shade.

Bonus: Check out more color-mixing tips and demonstrations on how to achieve your desired effects!

MCG professional hair care products recommendations

Further Reading:

• Should You Use Shampoo After Dyeing Your Hair? Follow These 5 Tips to Make Your Color Last Longer!

• Uneven Color with Color-Depositing Shampoo? Here Are 3 Tips to Solve Streaky and Unapplied Color Issues!

• Achieve a Misty Hair Color Without Bleaching Using Shower Hair Dye – Gentle on Damaged Hair!

• A Must-Know Technique for Asian Hair Stylists: The Art of Even Dyeing!

• Japanese Imported Color-Protecting Shampoo Tutorial – Create Your Own Voluminous Look!

• How to Choose the Right Color-Depositing Shampoo After Dyeing: A Must-Have Guide for Hair Enthusiasts!

• Uneven Color with Color-Depositing Shampoo? 3 Secrets to Fix Streaks and Patchy Color!

• 6 Common Questions About Color-Depositing Shampoo:  When to Start Using It and How to Pick the Right Shade?