If you just spent money getting your hair colored at a salon (or spent a lot of time doing it yourself), you’ll want to know ways to maintain your hair color at home to get the most out of your color. The sad truth is that color doesn’t last forever – it is destined to fade or pull colors we just don’t want. However, you can minimize the risk of your dye job looking sub par by following these ways to maintain your hair color at home.
One of the easiest ways to maintain your hair color at home is by using specially formulated shampoos. You can buy certain lines of shampoos that will prevent your hair color from fading and kinds that will revitalize your color. You can find a specialty shampoo designed for nearly every hair color. And if you are a blonde, using a purple shampoo can help fight brassy undertones. This method requires no extra work since you shampoo your hair frequently anyway!
Toning your hair is another great option. This especially works well for blondes who find their hair pulls a yellow or gold tint a couple weeks after bleaching. Hair toners are also an easy way to play with the hair color you already have by allowing you to try out new tints.
Another way to rejuvenate your hair color is by adding color to your conditioner. I especially recommend this for bottled red heads since red is one of the fastest fading hair colors. If you are going to use this method, make sure your conditioner is free of other dyes to guarantee you get your best color. Then, when you find your hair is looking dull, use your color treated conditioner in the shower and let it set for a few minutes.
Another easy way to maintain your color at home is by using a color-safe clarifying shampoo. Make sure it is color-safe before you use it, otherwise it will strip your color. Sometimes our hair color looks less bright and fresh because our hair is full of product build up and impurities. Using a clarifying shampoo can restore your hair and also your dye job.
The less often you wash your hair, the longer your color will last. This is especially important right after you get your hair colored. Avoid hair washing for as long as you possibly can after you leave the salon. Not shampooing your hair on a daily basis has other benefits besides keeping your color vibrant weeks after getting it done as well. Regular shampooing strips your hair of its natural oils that keep your hair healthy. So go ahead and stock up on some dry shampoo – your hair will thank you for it!
I know this rule is easier said than done. I don’t expect you to go from straightening your hair on a daily basis to suddenly letting your hair go natural. However, avoid as many styling tools as you can. Wash your hair the night before and let it air dry to avoid having to break out your hair dryer. If you begin washing your hair less frequently, you may not have to use your flat iron or curling iron every day (or in less spots) because it will already be fixed from the day before. These little changes can make a big difference when it comes to your hair color because many stylists swear heat fades your dye job.
This goes hand-in-hand with the rule above. Since heat isn’t exactly the best thing for your hair, this applies for your showers as well. Your entire shower doesn’t have to be cool, but when you are rinsing your hair, crank up the cold. The colder you can make it the better, but don’t make yourself miserable either. While this simple change may not be the most fun, it is one of the easiest changes you can make to maintain your hair color at home.
These ways to maintain your hair color at home have helped me throughout my bottled blonde life. When I started using these steps, I noticed a big difference in not only the appearance of my hair, but also the health of it. Steps like skipping the shampoo and avoiding heat have really helped out my locks. Now that I have offered up some of my suggestions, I’m curious what you do to maintain your color at home. Share any good tips you may have in the comments section.