Since my first attempt at the wonderful world of hair dye, I have been determined to find ways how to keep my hair looking as fresh as it does right after the hair salon.
We all know the struggle: It is such a shame to spend a good amount of time or even money to get that perfect shade, and then it disappears as quickly as possible.
Despite my many attempts and errors in doing my hair and attending expert advice, I am now able to maintain the vibrancy and endurance of my hair color last longer.
Below, I will list out my top recommendations on how to make hair dye last longer, with anecdotes and tips that may or may not apply to you.
My First Lesson: Colored Hair Treatments Are Key
I stupidly faded too early more than once, it wasn’t until I started getting my hair coloured regularly that I found out that was the way to go. Such treatments are very effective in closing the cuticle of the hair and regulating the acidity of your hair. To me, they have been a great invention, which gives my hair a shield against strong enemies such as chlorine, seawater and hard water. These elements were once a nightmare every hair colourist, and I once fell prey to, but not any longer. Now, my hair remains colored for longer and I could not be more contented with it. I am not kidding when I say that your hair will be grateful for the addition of this step to your hair wash routine.
The Art of Washing: Less Is More
When I first began to dye my hair, I was also culpable of washing it on a regular basis. Of course, my mind went in the direction of washing it often so that it could be clean and fresh. Later on, I changed this notion to understand that repeated washing actually speeds up the color fading, which removes the much-needed brightness. In the current days I wash my hair a maximum of two to three times every week and I use water that is warm or cold. Since hot water makes the hair’s cuticle lift, colour wash out, switching from hot water has been a complete game changer.
On non-wash days, dry shampoo has become my best friend. It not only refreshes your locks but also helps preserve your hair’s natural oils, which keep it healthy and hydrated. Since adopting this less-is-more approach, I’ve noticed a significant improvement in how long my color lasts.
Choosing the Right Shampoo and Conditioner
When I was not aware of it, I could use any shampoo and conditioner that was in my bathroom and my hair became dull and brassy. That is when I realized that there is such a thing as color protecting products. These shampoos and conditioners appear on a UV filter and antioxidants that are necessary to fight dried-up color from factors such as the sun. Well, if you’re like me and like blonde, silver or gray shades, a purple shampoo can really be a lifesaver when it comes to avoiding the unwanted brassy brightness and maintaining color you love.
A speculation I have grown to despise – don’t ever neglect the conditioner. Colour reduces hair moisture than usual and therefore a colour protection conditioner is helpful to avoid the embarrassing fad. As to my balayage style, The Leave-in Bombshell conditioning cream is fantastic in toning down yellow tones and keeping the hair looking salon fresh.
The Battle with Heat: Turn Down the Temperature
One of the fundamental changes that was not easy to make was the change from using hot tools. Chemically treating hair, especially through heat styling, tends to very much quicken the rate of hair color depreciation. In the beginning, I was using the high temperature of the hot air to set my hair each day. But soon, I got to know that reduction in the use of heat was extremely important if I were to maintain my colour. Now, I allow my hair to dry naturally by refuting the use of heat as much as I can or only using heat when it is extremely necessary. And when I do use them, I always adjust the temperature to the lowest notch possible and always use some heat-protective spray to conserve my colored hair.
Likewise, washing my hair with hot water was also one of the causes that exacerbated my hair problem. I moved to a bath with water that was lukewarm and even finished the wash by rinsing with cool water because this closed the cuticle of the hair. This small change made my hair look as bright and healthy as it should be.
Moisture and Shine: The Ultimate Boost
The scale was once the main problem I associated with dry hair as far as the longevity of hair dyes was concerned. Eventually, I got to know that your hair color will always shine more in the presence of moisturized hair. Today, I use hair masks every week and those which claim to increase the moisture and seal the cuticle. Within 20 minutes, these masks do miracles on my hair and provide intense colors and incredible softness. For the other days when my hair requires a bit of pampering, I also use lighter hair oils that serve as a sealant and give my hair the much-needed sheen.
Protecting Against Everyday Stressors
Over the years, I have come to discover that even the most mundane factors such as hard water, chlorine, and sunlight play the role of giving undesirable tones and faster fading to colors. To mitigate these effects:
Hard Water
Chlorine and Saltwater
UV Protection
UVA can be pretty unforgiving to exposed hair and it damages colortreated hair in particular. When I am travelling or just outside the house, I have allowed myself to tie a hat, a scarf or a cloth of some sort on my head to make sure that the hair does not get burnt. It is one of those great natural precautions that I don’t have to spend much time on, yet helps protect my hair from the cruel rays and retain the color.
The Vinegar Myth: To Try or Not to Try?
At one point, I wondered about the home remedies I have seen on the net such as using vinegar to make hair dye last longer. While vinegar can help to close the hair cuticle and impart a shine, the literature provided only scattered information on its ability to protect hair color. Instead, I have limited myself to using only products that are developed to be used on hair that has been colored and processed and they always work best.
Conclusion: A Journey of Colorful Discovery
Getting and keeping good vivid hair shade is challenging but it is worth it in the end. From stopping the use of heaters, using protective shampoos, colored hair treatment, and most of all increasing the moisture of my hair before dyeing has helped me in making my hair dye last for a long time. If you are following your own hair dye longevity mission, I hope some of these lessons learnt can make that luscious and colorful hair possible.
It is all about selecting proper products, washing your hair rarely, using rather cold water, and providing your hair with the moisture it needs. New to the world of colored hair, or a dyed redhead for quite some time now? Incorporating those tips into your haircare regimen will assist you in maintaining that fresh-salon shine for weeks. Cheers to gorgeous, lasting hair color!
That is all I have to say about the topic; I hope you enjoyed this colourful ride. Do not hesitate to add your ideas and stories in the comments section below: let’s keep it lively!
