How To Maintain Coloured Hair
How to prevent hair colour from fading.
1. Avoid Over-Washing
Washing your hair too often can strip it of natural oils that help protect it. Aim to wash your bleached hair 2-3 times a week, using a dry shampoo in between if needed.
2. Turn Down the Temperature
Hot water opens the hair cuticle, causing color to fade faster with each wash. Using lukewarm or cool water helps close the cuticle, locking in color and preserving vibrancy longer. You HAVE to watch here!
3. Limited use of Heated Tools
Heated tools such as straighteners can strip hair color. This is because the intense heat opens the hair cuticle, causing color molecules to escape.
Limit your self to heated tools for special occasions only and make sure you use a heat protection spray. I recommend GHD Heat Protection Spray, ensure to spray it from a distance and allow it to fully dry into your hair before styling.
4. Avoid Chlorine and the Sun
Chlorine strips hair color with just one exposure, causing premature fading and drying out the hair, which weakens strands and makes it harder for the color to last.
5. Healthy Hair = Longer Lasting Colour
Ultimately, healthy hair is key to longer-lasting color. When you nourish and protect your hair, it holds onto color more evenly, keeping it vibrant and fresh for longer.
For all my tips, tricks and product recommendation, check out my latest blog on How to Care for Coloured Hair!
How to refresh your hair colour in-between salon visits.
1. Apply Direct Dye
Direct dye is ideal for at-home touch-ups, as it’s easy to apply and only adheres areas on the correct depth.
For best results, apply to dry hair and leave on for 30 minutes to all day with a plastic cap. This product won’t damage your hair at all. Instead, it will condition the cuticle, leaving your hair soft, shiny, and restoring both color and overall appearance.
Wear gloves for this application, as all colours will stain your hands and nails.
My direct dye of choice is Directions.
2. Use Colour Pigment Conditioner
Colour conditioners are the quickest way to restore faded or dull color at home by depositing pigments directly onto the hair. Apply to clean, damp hair after shampooing, leave on for a minimum of 10 minutes, then rinse for refreshed, vibrant color.
Here are my favourite recommendations for vivid, natural and blonde colour masks; Maria Nila Colour Refresh, Wella Colour Fresh Colour Mask, Revlon Professional Nutri Colour.
If your color conditioner is intense, be sure to wear gloves during application to avoid staining your hands and nails.
3. Mix Direct Dye with Conditioner
Create your own colour conditioner by mixing your direct dye of choice with your conditioning mask of choice.
Start by mixing your conditioner with the desired amount of direct dye in a bowl. To test the color, brush some onto a piece of kitchen roll. Keep in mind that the color will be slightly diluted by the conditioner and wet hair, and the result on your hair may not match exactly what you see on the kitchen roll as your hair isn’t white.
Use this the same way as the colour pigment conditioner listed above and don’t forget to wear gloves!