Why Do Hairdressers Dye Hair Before Cutting?

Getting your hair colored and cut at the salon can be an exciting experience. However, you may wonder about the order in which your hairdresser does things. Why does it seem like they always dye your hair before cutting it? Wouldn’t it make more sense to cut first?

There are good reasons why hairdressers typically color hair before cutting it. Here’s an in-depth look at why this order of operations makes the most sense.

Overview: The Reasons Hairdressers Color Before Cutting

There are a few key reasons why it works better for hairdressers to dye your hair before cutting it:

• Coloring first allows the hairdresser to see where the dye takes best. This helps inform decisions about cutting.

• It’s easier to section and color long hair before cutting. Short hair can be tricky to section out for coloring.

• For major changes, seeing the new color first can help with envisioning the new cut.

• Coloring damaged hair before cutting trims away less healthy ends afterwards.

• Lightening hair beforehand avoids cutting off lightened strands too short.

• Some short styles work best coloring first to have enough length to work with.

• Pre-lightening for vivid fashion colors helps assess wearability before cutting.

Now let’s look at each of these reasons in more detail.

Seeing How The Color Takes Helps Guide The Cut

One of the biggest reasons hairdressers opt to color your hair before cutting it is so they can see how the color takes first.

Observing where and how the new dye or bleach job saturates the hair helps inform decisions about the cut.

The hairdresser can see which areas grab the color well and which are more resistant. They can then factor that into the cutting plan.

This allows the hairdresser to complement the color with the most flattering cut. They aim to show off the new color to its best advantage.

If they cut first instead, they lose the advantage of seeing how the color takes before making cutting decisions.

Long Hair Is Easier To Section For Coloring First

Trying to color short hair can prove tricky when it comes to sectioning out the hair neatly and methodically.

With longer hair, it’s much easier for the hairdresser to cleanly divide the hair into sections before applying the color.

The longer length gives them more room to work with and move the hair around as needed.

That’s why for longer styles, they prefer to color the hair first while the length makes segmenting the hair simpler.

Envisioning Major Style Changes

Sometimes clients come in looking for major changes like going short for the first time or opting for a whole new color.

In those cases, hairdressers will often do the color first before cutting.

Seeing the new color on you helps them envision the possibilities for the new cut. The color brings the inspiration for the cut to life.

The finished color also helps you get on board with a big change. You may find you feel more comfortable going shorter once you see how great the new color looks.

Color Damage Means Healthier Ends To Cut

Most chemical hair coloring processes involve some level of damage to the hair strands.

That’s especially true for lightening from darker to lighter shades. That lifting process leaves hair particularly dry and porous.

It makes sense to trim off those damaged ends after lightening to restore a healthy appearance.

But if you cut first instead, you’d just have to trim again anyway post-color. It’s more efficient to only cut once.

Coloring first also lets the hairdresser assess the level of damage. They can then customize the amount to trim accordingly.

Avoid Cutting Lightened Strands Too Short

If you’re going lighter with your hair color, the hairdresser will want to be careful not to cut off too much of the lightened length.

It takes time and care to lift dark hair to light blonde shades. The hairdresser doesn’t want to lop off all that hard work!

That’s why it’s important to see how light the color gets first before making any cuts.

This helps ensure the right amount of lightened length remains to complement the ends that get trimmed.

Short Cuts May Need More Length To Work With

Trying to color very short haircuts can prove nearly impossible.

In order to effectively apply dye to super short styles, the hair needs some length to it first.

That’s why for dramatic short styles, hairdressers often opt to color your hair before the big chop.

The longer starting length gives them enough hair to section and saturate with color.

Then once the color is complete, they can cut it all off into the short look you want.

Assessing Vivid Fashion Colors Before Cutting

Vivid semi-permanent fashion colors require pre-lightening the hair first before applying the fun hue.

Hairdressers need to lighten up your base before putting on that pink, blue or purple shade.

It’s important to see how the lightening process goes first before cutting.

The wearability of a vibrant look depends on getting the right undertones from lightening.

Once the hairdresser sees how much lift is possible, they can then advise you on a cut that complements the final result.

The Exception: Cut First For Subtle Highlights

In some cases, hairdressers will cut your hair before coloring – typically for subtle highlights.

It’s important to have a clear game plan of where highlights will be placed and how much length is getting cut.

That way, they don’t highlight strands just to lop them off right after.

A fresh cut gives the hairdresser a clean canvas to work with for precise placement of highlights and balayage.

Talk To Your Hairdresser About Customizing Your Service Order

While coloring first works best in most scenarios, alternatives may make sense in your unique situation.

Have an open conversation with your hairdresser about your particular hair goals and challenges.

They may recommend customizing the standard order of operations to best suit your needs.

The most important thing is communicating clearly so you both understand the plan.

Things To Keep In Mind When Coloring Before Cutting

Here are a few tips to make the most of having your hair colored before cutting:

• Come to your appointment with clean hair – don’t pre-wash dyed hair.

• Point out any damaged sections needing extra TLC when trimming.

• Have inspiration photos ready to discuss how you want the cut to complement the color.

• Use conditioning treatments afterwards to nourish hair from processing.

• Be open-minded if the hairdresser suggests going shorter than you planned.

Get Gorgeous Color + Cuts At The Salon

Now you know why hairdressers prefer to color your hair first before giving you a fabulous new cut.

It allows them to make the most informed decisions about how to boost your style to the next level.

When performed correctly by a skilled colorist and stylist, you’ll leave the salon looking and feeling amazing.

Are you ready to revamp your hair with a fresh color and cut combo? Book your next salon appointment and get ready to turn heads!