Getting your hair coloured is always exciting. The brand-new look makes you feel like a brand new you. What’s not cool is if the colour starts to fade or turn brassy too soon. The good news is that with the right care, your hair (or your extensions) can keep its sun-kissed highlights, lowlights, ombre, balayage, or global colour for a long time. If you would like some even better news, the care you take to keep your colour going is the care your extensions or hair need too. Read on for some top tips from our stylists on how you can make your hair colour last longer.
Go Easy on the Washes
Daily hair washes are a big reason behind dry, lacklustre hair. Over washing also causes hair colour to fade faster than it should. So, hold back on those hair washes as much as you can. Try and wash your hair a couple of times a week if you can. If you just can’t bear it, try a colour safe dry shampoo instead.
Also, avoid washing your hair for the first 48 hours after your colour appointment to really let the colour set in.
Keep Cool
Hot water can make your hair colour fade – fast! This is because hot water can loosen the colour molecules and wash them away. So as tempting as it is to get under a hot shower after a long day, wash your hair with lukewarm water instead.
Similarly, skip the heat styling tools as much as possible. The steam from the heat tools can open up your hair cuticles and strip the colour out. If you must use heat, then make sure you use a heat protectant spray before styling.
While we’re on the subject of heat, check out this article to see how you can protect your hair from the sun this summer. The tips we’ve shared work well to protect your hair colour too.
It’s All About the Products
When it comes to colour, you not only have to think about your hair type, but also colour. Choose shampoos and conditioners specially designed for coloured hair. Pick products that are sulphate free and alcohol free as sulphates and alcohol can strip your hair of colour. As a rule of thumb, choosing sulphate-free shampoos and conditioners is a good idea even if you don’t have coloured hair as they don’t strip your hair of its natural oils. Choosing a shampoo and conditioner based on the colour treatment you have had can help your colour last even longer. For example, purple shampoos are the ideal choice for blonde or grey highlights.
Avoid clarifying shampoos and if you do need an anti-dandruff shampoo, then pick one that is specifically designed for colour-treated hair. When you do wash your hair, make sure you shampoo only your scalp and skip applying it down the lengths of your hair and the ends.
When it comes to conditioners, pick one that is designed for the colour most similar to the shades you have on your hair.
Mask Up
Using a hair mask once a week is a haircare mantra that we can’t chant enough. Deep conditioning counter the drying effects of hair colour to keep your locks looking luxuriant and healthy. Remember to choose a mask that is either designed for colour treated hair or one that specifically states that it is safe for coloured hair.
If your hair is naturally prone to dryness, then it is a good idea to use a pre-shampoo treatment to extend the life of your colour even longer. The Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector, for example, only adds 10 minutes to your routine and strengthens and repairs your hair while giving it the deep nourishment it needs.
Consider a Hair Gloss
Hair gloss treatments not only add that shine to your hair but prevent hair colour from turning brassy or to give it a refresh when it starts to fade. Use an at-home hair glossing treatment to seal in the colour. You can choose a clear hair gloss treatment product to add tons of shine to your existing colour or a pigmented one to enhance your existing colour. If you’re opting for the latter, remember to choose a product which matches the lightest colour of your highlights. Most hair gloss treatments also add oodles of moisture to your tresses as a bonus!
Before you start your coloured hair regime, book your professional hair colour appointment at the Ivy Hair and Extension Lounge today!