Add to favorites

Dyeing your hair is a fun way to change up your appearance, whether you’ve applied an all-over color to it or added a subtle pop of color in the form of highlights, balayage, or an ombre. However, the coloring process could be pricey and time-consuming, so doing a little upkeep is necessary for maintaining your hair in between coloring sessions.

Below, we listed 5 ways to help you protect and extend the life of your hair color:

1. Use a bond conditioner: a reparative conditioner is excellent for treating damaged hair, especially if your hair has been bleached. Using a bond builder once a week will effectively work to rejuvenate and restore disulfide bonds in your hair.
2. Use toning shampoos: purple or blue shampoos are great products to use weekly if you’re looking to maintain your dyed locks in between coloring sessions. These shampoos deposit pigments onto hair to neutralize unwanted brassy tones (which often develop on color-treated hair over time as hair dye fades away.) The blue pigments counteract orange tones in darker hair, while purple pigments counteract yellow tones in blonde hair.
3. Use sulfate-free shampoos: moisture loss is one of the top leading causes of color fading, so maintaining hydration in your hair is essential for preserving color. Sulfates are typically found in most shampoos because they create a luxurious, lathering effect however they do tend to be drying for your hair and scalp. Sulfates strip away your hair’s natural oils as well as any hair dyes, so be sure to steer away from products containing sulfates if you’re trying to maintain your hair color.
4. Avoid excessive use of heat tools: color-treated hair is more prone to breakage and damage, especially from using heat tools such as dryers, straighteners, and curling irons. A great way to protect your hair from heat damage is to use heat tools sparingly and to always apply a heat protectant product before using any tools.
5. Wash hair less frequently: experts recommend avoiding washing your hair for at least 48 hours after getting it colored to allow time for the hair dye to settle and prevent it from lifting from your hair. It’s also recommended to reduce your amount of hair washing overall to a few times a week to help maintain your hair’s natural oils and help your color last longer.