Colouring Curly Hair at the Salon: Can You Do It Without Damaging Your Curls?

One of the most common questions we get asked — and see everywhere in curly hair forums — is:

“Can I colour or lighten my curly hair at a regular salon?”“Should I bring my own Curly Hair products, or can they use theirs?”

Here’s the real answer, from someone in the hair industry who colours her curls regularly and still has healthy, defined hair: Yes, you can colour your curls — and keep them healthy. But there’s a smart way to do it.

My Colour Routine as a Curly-Haired Professional

I previously coloured my hair every 6 to 10 weeks, usually with a full head of foils, toner, and Olaplex. And nope, my stylist didn't use Curly Girl Method (CGM)-approved washing or styling products — and that’s okay!

Would my curls be healthier if I skipped colouring and stayed 100% CGM? Probably. But I loved my blonde, and guess what? My hair is still strong, shiny, and defined.

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How to Prep Curly Hair Before Colouring

Want to protect your curls during and after your salon visit? Follow these prep tips to keep your hair strong, defined, and frizz-free:

1. Choose a salon that uses Olaplex or similar

Olaplex protects your hair's internal bonds during bleaching or colouring. Ask if they include Olaplex No.1 in their colour mix and apply No.2 afterward.

🛒 Get your own Olaplex No.3 here for pre- and post-colour care.

2. Prep your curls at home with Olaplex No.3

Use Olaplex No.3 one or two times the week before your appointment. I like to do a deep treatment the day before — it makes a huge difference.

3. Detangle with care

Wash your hair, apply your treatment, then gently detangle your curls while wet. Let them dry smooth and knot-free — this saves time and breakage during your salon appointment.

4. Communicate with your stylist

Let them know you’ve already detangled and kindly ask if they can avoid brushing it out again. It’s a small step that helps protect your curl pattern. They'll likely still need to run a comb of some description through it, especially with foils - so be prepared for that too.

5. Be gentle with towel drying

Stylists are often taught to roughly towel dry — ask them to gently press or squeeze the water out instead. Less friction = less frizz.

6. Ask to leave Olaplex No.2 in your hair

If you’re not getting a cut, ask if you can leave the Olaplex No.2 treatment in your hair as you head home. It continues to strengthen and repair long after you leave the salon. Some stylist might be ok with this, others prefer to fully dry your hair to see the colour properly.

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What to Use After Colouring Your Curls

Healthy coloured curls need TLC. Here’s what I use and recommend:

✔ Weekly Olaplex No.3

Keeps your hair’s internal bonds strong after chemical processing.

✔ Salon-quality shampoo & conditioner

They’re worth every cent. Curly hair — especially coloured curls — thrive on moisture and balanced pH. Skip the supermarket stuff.

✔ Protein treatments

A light dose of protein helps repair damage from bleach or dye. I love EverEscents Remedy Protein Treatment — it's CGM-friendly and works wonders post-colour.

Respect Your Stylist

Your stylist may not be trained in curly techniques — and that’s okay. A kind and respectful approach goes a long way. You might even inspire them to learn more about curly hair (and become your future curl expert!).

And most importantly! Don’t give up your favourite colour just to follow the CG Method perfectly. If you’re ready to embrace your greys or natural tone — amazing! But if you love your colour? Keep it. You can absolutely have beautiful, healthy, defined curls and a colour you love.