Proven Tips for Longer-Lasting Hair Color
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Have you ever gotten a gorgeous vibrant new hair color at a salon, only to have it fade to a duller version of its former glory within just a week or two? While in certain cases this is inevitable, it usually doesn’t have to be, and there are simple steps you can follow in order to prolong the lifespan of your hair color. The following expert recommendations will help extend the longevity of your color for longer:
1. Minimize Hair Washing
Reducing the frequency of hair washing is a game-changer for preserving hair color. Frequent shampooing strips away the color molecules, causing your color to fade more quickly. Luckily, there are tons of high quality products that can help you beat those greasy-haired blues! While it may be difficult to break the habit, consider incorporating dry shampoo into your routine to combat oily roots. R+Co offers excellent options, such as the Death Valley dry shampoo spray for oil absorption and volume, or the Badlands dry shampoo paste for a grittier texture. Showering with cooler water also helps color longevity, as does waiting 2-3 days after a color appointment to shampoo.
2. Opt for High-Quality Color-Safe Products
Investing in high-quality color-safe shampoo and conditioner is essential for maintaining the vibrancy of your hair color. The R+Co Gemstone line is an excellent choice, providing gentle cleansing and long-lasting color protection. If you have fine hair, R+Co’s Dallas biotin thickening line is a fantastic color-safe alternative that adds volume without compromising color integrity.
3. Protect Your Color from Environmental Factors
Shielding your hair from environmental stressors can significantly contribute to the longevity of your color. Limiting heat styling and minimizing exposure to direct sunlight, chlorine, and saltwater will help preserve your hair color. I myself adore the aforementioned bad-for-color but good-for-the-soul summer activities, so obviously no judgement if you choose to partake! Just keep in mind that if you spend a lot of time at the beach or poolside, you should be prepared for more frequent salon visits if you want to maintain your color.
4. Consider Your Hair Color Type
Understanding your hair color type is crucial for managing color longevity expectations. All hair color fades over time, whether semi-permanent, demi-permanent, or even permanent. It's important to note that very light colors like pastels and toners for blonde hair tend to fade the fastest. For instance, if you have platinum hair topped with a light pastel color, expect it to last only a few washes due to the minimal pigment content and high porosity of platinum blonde hair. Red tones also generally fade fairly quickly, so expect to visit the salon every 4-6 weeks to maintain a truly vibrant red. Toner shampoos and colored hair masks can also help maintain some colors longer at home.
5. Invest in Hair Treatments for Optimal Color Maintenance.
To truly maintain the health of your hair and help it hold color better, consider incorporating professional hair treatments into your routine. Two exceptional options that I use are Olaplex and K18. While conditioning is important, these treatments go far beyond that by rebuilding the hair’s structure and strengthening damaged hair bonds. Super damaged hair cannot hold color well because there’s almost nothing for the color dye molecules to attach to! However these treatments are truly revolutionary in their ability to repair hair from the inside out, which improves color retention, color longevity, and overall hair health.
Achieving a stunning, vibrant hair color is an exciting experience, but maintaining that brilliance can often be a challenge. Don't let your color fade into oblivion within a short span of time! Employ the above tips to preserve your hair color’s vibrancy for as long as possible.