7 Solid Ways to Make Your Hair Color Last Longer ...

You don't have to give up your favorite hair products when you choose a different shade, but one of the best ways to make your hair color last longer involves changing them up a bit. Look for color-friendly brands in your favorite lines of shampoos and conditioners, hair sprays, protectants, and creams. They keep your hair color from fading and many are geared toward specific color spectrums for extra protection and vivid color.

Even if you have a color-safe shampoo and conditioner, don't use them too often. Experts say you shouldn't wash your hair every day anyway. It's especially true when you have color-treated hair. Unless a lightening or bleaching process was involved, too much washing will fade your color. Stick to every other day, or every two if you can manage. You can sub in a dry shampoo on your off days to get rid of grease and oil, and give your hair body and volume.

In addition to color-specific shampoos and conditioners, you can get a glaze. There are at-home glazes for every base shade, which you simply use in the shower. You can let them set and dry a while for even more vibrant color. If you get your color done professionally, you can also get a glaze treatment at the salon; it's cheaper than an all-over color or touch-up treatment.

The sun may burn your skin but it fades your hair, and it dries out both of them. You need to protect your hair when you go outside, even in the middle of winter. There are plenty of SPF formulas for hair, ranging from light products to spray-in options. You can also cover your hair with a pretty hat or scarf when you're outside – as long as the sun doesn't touch it directly.

Deep conditioning is an essential part of keeping your hair vibrant. You should deeply condition at once a week, although if you have oil-prone hair, every 10 days or two weeks is acceptable. Just make sure you target your roots as well, and choose a color-friendly product.

How much time do you want to spend on the upkeep of your hair? Think about that before you make a choice. Red is the hardest to keep up because it's the fastest to fade, due to the way the color adheres to the hair shaft. If you've got dark hair and go light, realize your roots will come in dark. Light roots with dark hair is often noticeable because of the stark line of demarcation. That's not to say you should avoid these choices and combinations, just know what you're in for before you color the first time.

If you really just want to enjoy a new pop of color for a short amount of time, you can still play around with a vivid new shade. Instead of choosing a permanent color, get a temporary hue, or even a glaze treatment. You won't be stuck with the color for keeps, although if you like it, you can make it permanent when it's time for a touch-up.

If you got the color bug recently, these tips should help you keep your chosen shade strong and vibrant. If you've been holding back because you don't want to deal with a lot of retouching, hopefully they've allayed your fears. Do you have a special trick for keeping your hair color looking brand new?