How to Prepare for a Colour Correction Appointment

So you've booked a colour correction, or you're about to. Whether you're fixing a box dye mishap or undoing years of built-up colour, what you do in the run-up to your appointment genuinely affects the result. Here's how to arrive with your hair in the best possible condition.

Step one: stop adding colour

The single most important rule: don't apply anything else to your hair before your appointment. No more box dye, no colour removers, no home bleach, no 'toning' products from the chemist. Every extra layer changes how your hair responds and can turn a one-session fix into a multi-session project.

Strengthen your hair in the weeks before

Colour correction often involves lifting old pigment, which asks a lot of your hair. Give it a head start: use a weekly deep-conditioning or bond-repair mask for two to three weeks beforehand, ease off the straighteners and curling irons, and always use heat protection when you do style.

Healthy, well-moisturised hair lifts more evenly and can safely take more work in a single sitting, which can genuinely reduce how many appointments you need.

What to bring and tell your colourist

Be completely honest about your colour history: every box dye, henna application, or salon visit you can remember, roughly in order. Nothing shocks us, and hidden layers of old colour are the number one cause of unpredictable results.

Photos help enormously: your hair before the mishap, the result you're hoping for, and anything in between. If you've used henna or metallic-salt dyes, say so, because they react differently to lightener and we'll test a strand first.

On the day

Come with dry, unwashed-or-lightly-washed hair: a little natural oil protects the scalp. Skip heavy styling products, wear a top you don't mind risking, and clear your schedule: corrections can take several hours, and rushing is the enemy of a good result.

Most importantly, arrive with realistic expectations. At our private Quedgeley salon we'll map the full journey with you before mixing anything, including what's achievable today and what needs a follow-up visit.