If you’re reading this, you probably had a great hair colour job or are looking to extend your colour due to your rapidly-expanding greys. While hair colour can instantly lift your look(and mood!), it can be a hard one to maintain – for the longer term.
Luckily, there are some ways to keep the dye fresh and bright for longer. Below are some helpful tips and tricks to save your colour without resorting to a touch-up, too soon!
Do not wash right after your hair colour.
It usually takes 24 hours for the colour to fully set in, even if your stylist cleans your hair afterwards. It continues to work even after all that, so resist the urge to shampoo after your appointment. Washing your mane without waiting for a whole day will interrupt the dyeing process and cause fading. If you can no longer wait, do the cold water hack. Rinse your hair with cold water and scrub your scalp using your fingertips. It gives you a clean, refreshed feeling without affecting your fresh colour.
Hot baths are a no-no.
Taking a hot shower may be relaxing after a long day, but it is not great for maintaining brightly coloured locks. Hot water strips your hair and scalp of moisture and makes it look dull. Keep your water temperature in a cold setting to preserve the brilliance and bounce of your tresses.
Wash your hair less often.
Entering the hair dye zone means switching up your shampoo habits. Washing it every day may cause your colour to fade much faster; thrice a week is good enough. And when shampooing, apply it only to the roots and just let it run down the strands – no scrubbing! Applying shampoo directly to the strands can strip your colour and dry out your hair. You can also use dry shampoo to help absorb the greasiness and remove dirt in between washes.
Treat it with a hair mask.
Use a hair mask instead of conditioner once or twice a week to give your locks extra love and care. Hair masks moisturise and condition your tresses, plus it has other nourishing benefits. Choose a mask that fits your hair type to reap all the good stuff for you and your scalp.
Heat styling after your hair colour is best avoided.
Just like how it is with hot showers, styling tools like blow dryers, straighteners, and curling irons are a no go. They make our hair extremely porous, a.k.a. when our cuticles have gaps where moisture escapes. Heat styling tools also emit steam that opens up the cuticles and pulls the colour away. Make sure to use styling tools only two times a week at most. Plus, always use a heat protectant to prevent damage.
Watch out for ingredients that are bad for hair colour.
When choosing new hair products, always double-check the list of ingredients. You have to be careful of certain ingredients because they fade your hair colour and cause damage. If you see any of these on the label, steer clear!
- Sulphate
- Parabens
- Triclosan
- Alcohol
There’s plenty you can do to keep that hair colour in check. Just follow the easy tips above and watch your hair dye last longer than before!
