How To Make Your Hair Color Last Longer

Has your hair color been fading faster than ever before? Have you been wondering if there’s anything in the world you can do to save your color?

Don’t worry, we got you.

If you love coloring your hair, but need a crash course on the upkeep, read on. Here’s why your hair color is washing out faster and what you can do to stop that from happening.

How to take care of hair before color

How fast hair color washes out largely depends on whether or not your hair is healthy. Here’s the thing: Damaged hair may be easy to dye, but the color will fade out way faster, as opposed to it being healthy. This is because well-groomed locks are prepared to keep color for long periods of time, despite being difficult to process.

So how should you take care of your hair before dyeing it?

First thing’s first, avoid using a straightener and curling iron for a few weeks. This will ensure you’re not damaging your hair with unneeded heat.

Second, protect your hair while you sleep. Those with textured hair can count on a scarf or bonnet, and those with other types of hair can benefit from a loose bun or braid. This technique will prevent hair from breakage during the night.

Third, every time you shampoo your hair, apply a mask to your hair and a serum to the ends. As we know, masks and serums are formulated to give your hair that extra boost of nourishment and vitalization. Remember to wash your hair in warm water, gently pat it down, and detangle it slowly. When it comes to hair color, air drying before is going to be your best friend.

If you notice that you have badly damaged hair, reach out to your hairdresser. They’ll help you decide if you can go for that new color, or if you should wait some time and let your hair regenerate.

What’s the drill immediately after hair color?

The helpful thing about going to a salon to get hair color is knowing that a pro will take over the reins and tell you everything you need to know about upkeep at home. The cardinal rule to know is to keep sulfate-free, color-friendly shampoo and conditioner. This will allow for proper nourishment and will help protect the color.

But what if you’re dyeing at home? Well, if it’s your first time experimenting with hair color at home, be sure to read the instructions on the dye box carefully. Depending on the brand, the steps may look just a tiny bit different. Generally, though, this is what you can expect afterwards: Wait at least 24 hours before getting your hair wet again. This will prolong the intensity of the color, as the dye will have properly acclimated itself to your hair. 

Stay away from anti-dandruff shampoos

Above, we mentioned that using color-safe shampoo is the way to go. This is because, well, pretty much every other shampoo is going to counteract what you actually want: Staying power.

For instance, dandruff shampoos are actually recommended for those that want the dye to fade away faster. If you want to keep your color strong for a longer time, give up anti-dandruff shampoos, as well as natural, herbal shampoos. 

Shampoos and conditioners intended for colored hair, however, contain special ingredients intended to enhance color of your hair. Before washing, you can apply a conditioner or a mask to dry hair. This will additionally protect your hair from the effects of the shampoo.

Use products with UV filters to protect your hair color

Ultraviolet radiation is one of the biggest factors that cause color fading. So naturally, you will find UV filters in products for colored hair.

If you’re new to the hair color game, here’s some of the products you can look forward to adding to your arsenal: Oils with natural sunscreen, such as raspberry oil (SPF 30–50), carrot oil (SPF 30–40), coconut oil (SPF 2–10), or avocado oil (SPF 4–15).

Remember to use products with these filters, especially in summer. But don’t put them away in the spring and autumn as well. As we all know, the sun doesn’t go away once the temperatures drop. 

Remember, nourishment is key also with color-treated hair

Colored hair needs even more attention, so taking proper care of it everyday is very important. To help prevent damage, focus on nourishing your strands. As mentioned above, use products for colored hair. You can also reach for products that are natural for nourishment. Walnut oil, hemp oil, grape seed oil, sunflower oil, or linseed oil can really help your mane stay strong and healthy.

Get your hair dyed by a professional

How hair color turns out depends on the dye used, the method of its application, the concentration of the oxidant, as well as how long the dye is kept on the hair. To make sure everything goes smoothly, we recommend visiting a color specialist. 

A good stylist will assess the condition of your hair, select the dye, and the appropriate concentration of the formula. If your strands are very damaged, or you’re confused about the process, it’s best to avoid coloring your hair by yourself.

This is because the effect can come out completely different than on the package. You can end up with green hair, even though it was supposed to be brown. Secondly, you can further damage your hair, making it extremely difficult to bring back to life. (And you’ll definitely need a salon if that happens). 

Remember, if you’re ever in the need of booking an appointment at a hairdresser, head to Booksy! It will take just a few seconds, and you can book from your couch or train.