Hi, friends!
I’m Lisa Edwards, and I like to think of myself as a storyteller—except instead of words, I work with hair. At Sunday Salon at Raleigh Iron Works, 1101 E Whitaker Mill Rd Suite 170, Raleigh, NC 27604, I’ve had the privilege of helping people express themselves through hair color. From fiery reds to icy blondes to rich, sultry brunettes, I’ve seen it all—and met some amazing people along the way.
You might be wondering: “Lisa, how do I keep my hair as vibrant as it was when I left your chair?”
Well, you’re in luck because I’m about to spill my secrets. Along the way, I’ll share stories, tips, and tricks I’ve picked up over the years. Think of it like a coffee chat—but all about hair (and yes, I’ll take mine with a splash of oat milk, thanks!).
Finding Your Hair Personality
Yes, your hair has a personality! Just like we all have quirks, hair has its own tendencies. I learned this the hard way early in my career when I turned my best friend’s hair bright orange with a home dye kit (sorry, Sarah!). Why? I didn’t understand her hair's type—its porosity, texture, or natural tone.
Now, I treat understanding hair like detective work. For example:
- High-porosity hair acts like a sponge—soaking up dye but losing color quickly. One of my clients with jewel-toned emerald hair used to complain that it faded to olive in no time. After testing her hair’s porosity (a water strand test revealed it sank immediately), we added moisture-rich products to her routine. Problem solved—her color stayed vibrant for weeks!
- Low-porosity hair is more resistant to dye—like a closed-off introvert. For these clients, I use a little heat during the coloring process to help the cuticle open up.
Knowing your hair’s porosity is game-changing for maintaining vibrant color. Research even shows that porous hair loses pigment faster, while low-porosity hair resists dyes. The right products and techniques make all the difference.
Care Tips You’ll Actually Stick To
Every client who leaves my chair promises to follow my “golden rules” for keeping their hair color lush and beautiful. Of course, some are better at sticking to them than others (looking at you, Alexis!). Here’s the rundown, as if we were chatting post-appointment:
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Use Color-Safe Products:
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Check your shampoo labels! If you see sulfates, run. Sulfates strip natural oils and moisture from hair, leaving it dry, prone to breakage, and speeding up color fading. Instead, stick to color-safe shampoos with nourishing ingredients like argan oil or keratin.
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Wash Less (and I Mean It!):
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Washing your hair too often is like watching your beautiful color swirl down the drain. Limit washes to 2-3 times per week, and use dry shampoo in between. One client calls it her “magic dust” for keeping her blonde balayage fresh!
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Protect from UV Damage:
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Sunlight can wreak havoc on hair color. One client learned this the hard way when her blonde turned brassy after a beach trip. These days, she rocks a big floppy hat and swears by an SPF spray for her strands.
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Defend Against Chlorine:
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Love swimming? Protect your hair first. Coat it with conditioner and tuck it into a swim cap before jumping in. Trust me—no one can pull off green swimmer’s hair, even a hair color expert like me!
Keeping That Salon Shine
Want to keep that glossy, salon-fresh look? These tricks will help:
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Rinse Smart: Start with warm water during your shower, but end with a cool rinse. The cool water seals your cuticle, locking in color and adding shine.
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Deep Condition Weekly: Treat your strands to some TLC with a professional keratin mask. One client learned this the hard way after a sticky DIY mask disaster. Now, she swears by salon-quality products, and her golden blonde has never looked better.
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Protect from Heat Styling: Your flat iron might be your BFF, but it can also be a frenemy if you’re not careful. Always use a heat protectant spray before styling. “Protect first, style second,” as I always say!
My Journey and Favorite Tricks
I’ve made my fair share of mistakes (hello, bubblegum pink roots during my DIY platinum phase), but those blunders pushed me to learn and improve. These days, I swear by:
- Ammonia-Free Hair Color: Gentle and effective, it delivers stunning results without the harsh chemicals.
- Gloss Treatments: A good gloss can take your color from ordinary to commercial-worthy, adding shine and richness.
Real Talk About Maintenance
Here’s the truth: hair color doesn’t last forever. But regular touch-ups—every 6-8 weeks—will keep your vibrant shade feeling timeless. And no, I’m not just saying this to see you more often (though I’d love that!). I want you to feel amazing every day.
Parting Words from Your Hair Color Expert
Hair isn’t just hair—it’s your crown, your personality, your signature. Taking care of it is about more than just looking good—it’s about feeling good.
If you’re in Raleigh, NC, come visit me at Sunday Salon at Raleigh Iron Works! I’d love to laugh, hear your story, and help you achieve your dream hair color. Until then, be kind to your hair, wear your color with pride, and don’t forget your hat when it’s sunny out!
With love,
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Lisa Edwards
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Your Trusted Hair Color Expert at Sunday Salon
Protect your investment between lived-in color and dimensional color appointments at our Raleigh Iron Works flagship with color-safe Davines hair care. Read more on why salons wash your hair after coloring and the science of hair glossing.
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