Whether you’re rocking freshly bleached hair, lowlights or balayage, these 10 tips will help you fight fading and keep your color brighter, longer.
1. Wait at least 72 hours before showering post-treatment.
It’s important to give your hair time to seal in the color so it doesn’t wash out too quickly.
2. Use color-toning shampoos + conditioners.
These pigmented products cancel out unwanted yellow, orange or red tones that can show up in colored strands over time. Purple Shampoo and Purple Conditioner are must-haves for lightened locks, which tend to turn brassy yellow over time. They deposit violet pigments that neutralize yellow ones so that your shade remains vibrant and true to its intended color. Here’s more on how purple shampoo works.
3. Stick to color-safe products.
“Color-safe” means a product has been deemed free of harsh chemicals that cause color fading. Sulfates are one of the biggest culprits when it comes to stripping color, so look for sulfate-free shampoos.
4. Space out your shampoos.
Spreading out wash days will help you preserve your color longer. Keep a good dry shampoo handy for the in-between time. A texturizing spray can also help boost volume and revive limp locks between shampoos.
5. Skip the hot water.
Hot water opens up the hair’s cuticle, which lets color leak out. Before rinsing your hair, turn the temp to lukewarm. Cool or cold water is even better if you can handle it—and it’s healthier for your skin, too!
6. Max out the moisture.
Dry, damaged hair will fade faster, so don’t skimp on moisture. Leave-in conditioners and hydrating hair masks are your best friends.
7. Boost shine and protection with a hair oil.
A lightweight hair oil can help to seal in moisture and add an extra layer of protection for color longevity. It also adds shine that’ll make your hue look brighter and healthier.
8. Protect against chemicals and minerals.
We’re talking about the ones that come out of your shower head (hard water), your pool (chlorine) and the ocean (saltwater). All of them can lead to unwanted tones in your color-treated strands, and they’re just plain harsh on hair in general.
To protect against hard water, consider installing a shower head filter. Using a hair mask after you shower can also help offset hard water’s drying effects.
You can minimize how much chlorine or saltwater your hair absorbs by saturating it in regular water before you take a swim. It’s that simple: just wet your hair in the sink or shower before you jump in the pool or sea.
9. Use UV protection.
It can be as easy as throwing on a hat, a scarf or wrap when you’re going to be out and about.
10. Scale back on heat styling.
Heat styling can fade color, so opt to air dry as much as possible. If you must heat style, try turning down the temp to reduce damage, and always use a heat protectant.