Your Dream Hair Color Awaits: 5 Expert Tips to Nail It
Timeless doesn’t have to mean boring—here’s how to get it right.
In the age of self-expression, it is high time we let Filipinos of all ages experiment with their hair—including hair color. Luckily, for those unsure of where to start, Allure Philippines sat down with industry veterans Alex Carbonell, creative learning director at Bench Fix, and Suyen Salazar, founder of Studio Suyen.
A colorist’s roots.
Twenty six years ago, Alex Carbonell began his career in hair styling. As of 2012, he has taught a total of over 2,190 students at the Bench Fix Salon Training Center. It’s hard to imagine a time when he struggled with self-expression through hair styling, but when Carbonell first dyed his obsidian locks, his university’s assistant dean nearly had a heart attack. Carbonell’s fringe was a confluence of colors—electric blue, neon pink, bright yellow, and glowing orange. The rest of his hair stayed dark. Outraged, the assistant dean asked, “Why would you dye your hair these colors?” To which Carbonell replied: “The colors represent how I feel.” Fast forward to 2025, Carbonell now heads Studio Fix by Alex Carbonell, aptly named after his genius. Studio Fix is a favorite among celebrities like Bianca Gonzalez-Intal, Bianca King, and Francine Diaz.
“This experience shaped my principle regarding hair color: it should express your identity,” Carbonell tells Allure Philippines. “Your hair color is a vital accessory that reflects who you are. It’s crucial to find a colorist who understands not only the theory of color, but also the science behind it.”
His advice? Classic coloring placement is what makes a hair shade timeless. “It’s all about placement and tones when it comes to color. If you’re looking to enhance, stick to tones that flatter your skin tone,” Carbonell says. “Going up to four shades lighter is ideal if you want to achieve something natural. When you want to play with your color, like going from black to platinum blonde, it’s also important to get the blonde tones properly.”
“Understanding the relationship between hair color and skin tone is essential,” he continues, highlighting the importance of choosing based on undertones—not the deepness of your skin color. “The right hair color complements your skin tone: matte cool tones, such as ash blondes and brunettes, work best for red undertones; iridescent pearl browns suit yellow undertones; and golden copper tones brighten ashy skin tones.”
It’s an art and a science.
Turns out, dyeing your hair is closer to a chemistry experiment than it is to a painting workshop. Carbonell stresses how maintaining your hair color involves knowing more about maintaining a healthy pH balance. Hair’s natural pH typically ranges between 4.5 and 5.5, which is slightly acidic. Keeping your hair acidic is key to maintaining cuticle integrity and damage resistance. Hair coloring processes, especially those using ammonia-based dyes, can raise the pH level, making hair more alkalic and prone to damage, but using the right products can help restore balance. “To keep your color vibrant,” he says. “It’s essential to restore your hair’s natural pH level. This practice enhances hair porosity, ensuring that color remains rich and lasts longer without becoming brassy. Generally, permanent colors are alkalic, and acidic products [like pH balancing leave-in conditioners and serums] can balance the hair condition.”
Celebrity-favorite Suyen Salazar of Studio Suyen echoes the same ideas. This New Jersey-raised hairstylist is a graduate of Arrojo Cosmetology School in New York City, later assisting in hair colorist Louis Licari’s salon. She moved to the Philippines full-time in 2017, where she built relationships with personalities like Kelsey Merritt, Christina Nadin, Jess Wilson, and Kim Jones. Since opening her hair styling studio last October, Salazar and her team have helped clients prioritize scalp health with specialized treatments, all while achieving their desired hair colors.
“You should make sure that you’re using the proper products all the time so that when it is time to color, your hair will be less compromised,” Salazar says. “There are a lot of bond builder shampoos and treatments you can use that help build up strength for your hair. This preps and strengthens your color.” Investing in quality bond builders like Olaplex No. 4 Shampoo and No. 5 Conditioner is crucial for maintaining strong, healthy hair, especially when coloring or using heat. These products, which won Allure US’s Readers’ Choice Awards in 2022, help repair and protect the hair by reconnecting broken disulfide bonds (the bonds that give hair its shape, structure, and texture), reducing damage, and improving strength and shine.
Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
Olaplex No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner
Salazar goes further into detail, sharing how bond builders can be added to lighteners and color. “Some colors have them built in also, so it’s important to do your research [together] with your colorist and what they use, especially if you have fine hair,” she says.
Once you’ve found the right color, maintaining healthy hair is crucial, especially when working with color-treated strands. “Keeping your hair healthy will highly depend on your aftercare,” says Salazar, emphasizing the importance of practicing small hair care habits, such as avoiding brushing wet hair and ensuring your conditioner stays on long just enough to penetrate and nourish the strands. She also suggests using a leave-in conditioner or serum to seal in moisture and protect the hair cuticle from damage.
Hair that grows with you.
When it comes to making your hair color look timeless, Salazar is a fan of a classic technique that’s become a staple of modern hair trends. “Front-framing pieces also known as money pieces, I feel really worked its way into a timeless highlight technique. When done right, it can really enchant and make everything come together,” she says. A few well-placed highlights can make all the difference in keeping a color fresh and flattering, and the money piece is proof of that. Working with a trusted colorist can help determine whether this hair coloring technique would flatter your cut, since money piece size and shade could either make or break your overall look.
When it comes to experimenting with your hair, the possibilities are always endless. The key is knowing how to choose the right colors and styles that work for you, so you can enjoy the transformation without compromising your hair’s health. Hair care, like self care, can only be achieved with the right support from experts. It takes a village to care for a person, so why should looking after our hair be just a one-person job?
