Colouring your hair is a fun way to change your look, but keeping that fresh, vibrant colour calls for extra care and attention. Whether you’ve chosen a dramatic, bright hue or a subtle, natural tone, maintaining your coloured hair healthy is essential for long-lasting colour and shine. Here’s how to start caring for your colored hair like a professional.
1. Choose Color-Safe Products
The foundation of good coloured hair care begins with the right products. Choose shampoos and conditioners formulated specifically for color-treated hair. These products are sulfate-free, which means they won’t strip your hair’s natural oils and colour molecules, keeping it vivid. Avoid clarifying shampoos, as they tend to fade color more quickly. Look for formulations with nourishing ingredients like keratin, argan oil, and antioxidants to keep your hair smooth and lustrous.
2. Wash Your Hair Less Frequently
One of the best ways to keep your hair colour for longer is to wash them less frequently. Every time you shampoo, some of the colour molecules are taken away, resulting in rapid fading. Wash your hair 2-3 times per week to keep the colour vibrant and moisturised. Dry shampoo is your best friend in between washes. It absorbs oils and refreshes your hair without removing the colour.
3. Use Cold or Lukewarm Water
Hot water can open the hair cuticles, causing the colour to fade faster. Rinse your hair with cold or lukewarm water to seal the cuticles and preserve the colour. This small tweak can make a big difference in keeping your colour vibrant and your hair silky.
4. Deep Condition Regularly
Colouring your hair can weaken its structure, making it dry and prone to breakage. To counteract this, incorporate deep conditioning treatments into your hair care routine. Look for a moisturising hair mask or leave-in conditioner developed for color-treated hair and apply once a week to restore hydration and strength. Keratin and protein-based products can help repair damage caused by hair colouring and heat styling.
5. Limit Heat Styling
Excessive heat styling is a leading cause of colour loss. If you need to blow-dry, straighten, or curl your hair, always use a heat protectant spray first to protect your strands from excessive temperatures. Better yet, choose air-drying or heat-free styling methods to keep your hair healthy and your colour preserved.
6. Protect Your Hair from UV Rays
Sun protection for your hair is just as important as it is for your skin. UV rays can damage the colour molecules, making your hair look dull and faded over time. Wear a hat or use a UV-filtered hair product when spending time outside to protect your colour from sun damage.
7. Stay Away from Chlorine
Chlorine can be tough on coloured hair, causing dryness and discoloration—particularly if you have blonde or light-colored hair. To create a protective barrier before swimming, use leave-in conditioner or coconut oil. Alternatively, donning a swim cap is an excellent way to avoid chlorine exposure.
8. Schedule Regular Touch-Ups
Even with the best care practice, colour will fade with time. To keep your hair looking good, get regular touch-ups in the salon or at home. Depending on your hair colour and type, you may require touch-ups every 4-8 weeks to keep it vibrant.
9. Consider Color-Boosting Treatments
If you aren’t ready for a full touch-up, consider using color-depositing shampoos and conditioners. These products contain pigments that renew and enhance your current hair colour in between colouring sessions. They’re an excellent method to keep your colour looking fresh without committing to re-dyeing.
10. Trim Your Ends Regularly
Dry, damaged ends may make even the most bright hair colour appear dull. Schedule frequent haircuts every 6-8 weeks to remove split ends and keep your hair healthy. This also helps to maintain the general form and style of your hair, giving it a new, polished appearance.
Final Thoughts
Caring for coloured hair requires effort, but with the appropriate routine, you can keep your hair looking vibrant, healthy, and attractive for weeks after your salon visit. By using color-safe products, protecting your hair from heat and the environment, and staying hydrated, you can keep your colour vibrant and your hair healthy.
Until next time, Ashh xo
*This is a sponsored article. Any opinions shared are my own and unbiased.
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