Clairol textures and tones is a popular at-home hair coloring product that allows you to highlights or color your hair. When using textures and tones, it’s important to leave the product on your hair for the recommended time to ensure optimal results.
How textures and tones works
Textures and tones uses a gentle ammonia-free formula with color-gel technology to deposit color onto your hair. The formula contains dye molecules that penetrate the hair cuticle and deposit color inside the hair strand. Leaving the product on for the recommended time allows the dye molecules adequate time to fully saturate the hair.
There are a few factors that determine the recommended processing time:
- Your natural hair color – Darker hair typically requires more time to achieve noticeable results.
- Amount of gray coverage desired – More gray coverage requires more processing time.
- Hair condition and porosity – Damaged or porous hair absorbs color quicker.
- Desired shade – Light colors require less time than darker colors.
Following the advised processing time stated on the textures and tones box allows the dye to thoroughly penetrate and color the hair for optimal long-lasting results.
Recommended processing times
The recommended processing or development time for textures and tones is based on your hair type and desired shade:
| Hair Type | Processing Time |
|---|---|
| Natural medium blonde to black | 30 minutes |
| Natural dark blonde to light brown | 35-45 minutes |
| Natural light blonde to medium blonde | 25-35 minutes |
| Color-treated hair | 45-50 minutes |
| Resistant gray hair | Up to 50 minutes |
For optimal gray coverage and even color deposit, textures and tones recommends always processing for the maximum time listed for your hair type and desired shade.
Step-by-step guide
Here is a step-by-step guide for using textures and tones effectively:
- Prepare your hair – Hair should be clean, dry, and product-free. Use clarifying shampoo 1-2 days before coloring for best results.
- Mix the color – Combine the color cream and developer according to the instructions inside the box. Shake or stir thoroughly until fully blended.
- Section your hair – Work on one section of hair at a time for the most even coverage. Use clips to section off hair.
- Apply the color – Use the included applicator bottle to apply color from roots to ends, one section at a time. Wear gloves to avoid staining hands.
- Process the time – Once hair is fully saturated, set a timer for the recommended processing time based on your hair type.
- Rinse and clean – When time is up, rinse hair thoroughly with warm water to remove excess dye. Then shampoo and condition as usual.
- Style as normal – Apply any styling products as desired and style hair as usual. Enjoy your fresh new look!
Carefully following these steps and adhering to the advised processing time will help ensure you get beautiful, even results from textures and tones.
What happens if you leave it on too long?
While it’s important not to rinse the color too soon, leaving textures and tones on for too long can also have unintended results.
Potential issues from over-processing include:
- Hair damage – Excessive processing time can dry out and damage the hair cuticle.
- Color build-up – Too much time allows more dye to accumulate, leading to dark or uneven color.
- Brassy tones – Over-depositing can bring out unwanted brassy or red undertones in hair.
- Skin staining – Dye can drip onto the skin and cause stubborn stains if left too long.
As a general rule, leaving textures and tones on for more than 10 extra minutes past the recommended time is not advised. If any irritation occurs, rinse immediately.
What if you didn’t leave it on long enough?
On the other hand, not leaving textures and tones on long enough can also lead to disappointing results such as:
- Uneven coverage – Some areas may appear lighter or darker than others.
- Lack of gray coverage – Gray hairs will not get fully saturated and remain visible.
- Color fades quickly – The color won’t properly penetrate the cuticle and will fade out faster.
- Brassy result – Undertones can peek through if color is not deposited evenly.
If you happen to rinse too soon, you can reapply the color and process for another 10-15 minutes to improve the results. Adding extra processing time immediately in the same coloring session helps maximize saturation.
Tips for optimal results
Here are some tips to help you get the best outcome when using Clairol textures and tones:
- Strand test – Try a strand test first to determine exact timing needed for your hair.
- Section thoroughly – Evenly divide hair into sections for meticulous application.
- Use a timer – Use a clock, stopwatch, or timer to track accurate processing time.
- Account for warmth – Heat from blowdryers or steamy showers can speed up processing.
- Comb through – Use a wide-tooth comb to distribute the product from roots to ends.
- Monitor color – Check in on the color development during processing time.
- Shampoo gently – Use a sulfate-free, color-safe shampoo after rinsing.
- Condition well – Nourish and hydrate hair with a rich conditioner to maintain vibrancy.
Carefully following all label instructions and patch testing first will help ensure you safely achieve gorgeous, salon-quality color results at home.
How long should you wait between colorings?
To maintain bright, healthy hair it’s recommended to wait 4-6 weeks between colorings with textures and tones. Repeated coloring sessions any sooner can overly dry out and damage hair over time.
Signs your hair needs a break include:
- Dry, brittle texture
- Frizziness
- Breakage
- Dull or brassy tones
If your hair shows signs of damage from over-coloring, give it a rest from any chemical treatments for 6-8 weeks. Use conditioning masks and oils to deeply nourish hair back to health before attempting to recolor.
How long does it last?
With proper application and processing time, the color results from textures and tones can last 4-6 weeks depending on your hair type and lifestyle factors. Color treated or frequently heat styled hair may require more frequent touch ups.
To make the color last longer:
- Use cool water when shampooing
- Wash hair less often
- Use sulfate-free shampoo
- Limit use of hot tools
- Add a glossing treatment once a week
With a bit of TLC, you can extend the life of your textures and tones shade. But when roots grow out or color begins to fade, you can simply touch up application as needed.
Conclusion
Getting the most out of your Clairol textures and tones depends on carefully following the advised processing time for your hair type. Leaving the formula on hair for an adequate duration allows the dye to fully saturate for bright, long-lasting color. Going overboard with processing time can lead to damage, while not leaving it on long enough provides uneven results. With some handy tips and your ideal timing, textures and tones can give you gorgeous, dimensional color at home.