Everything in life is temporary. Nothing lasts forever. We know this. But is it really asking too much to expect our newly dyed locks to stay looking vivid and vibrant for just a little longer? Well, no actually, it isn’t. The good news is that there are ways and means, and tips and tricks, to prolong that just coloured confidence. What’s more, it doesn’t cost a fortune to eek far more longevity out of your newest shade, with these; our 5 IDEAL ways to make your hair colour last for longer.
PREP YOUR HAIR
Long lasting colour starts before you wash it; you first have to lay the groundworks and deploy a little foresight to get the job done properly. So, the day before you get your hair dyed, wash it with a chelating shampoo, which removes build up of toxins and chemicals in your hair created by modern beauty products. It’s important to do this a day prior to the dying stage, as colour holds better to slightly dirty hair; just washed is just too slippery. It’s also important post-dye to lay further foundations for prolonging the colour. A decent toner is vital; for more advice on some of the best, get details on Allaboutthegloss.com.
WAIT TO WASH
If you can, wait at least 72 hours to wash your hair after dying. It takes up to three days for the cuticle layer of your hair to fully close after dying, and since this is what traps the colour molecule in, doing so will make sure your colour lasts for longer. When you do wash your hair, a gentle sulfate-free shampoo is best. Also, it’s worth splashing out on some products designed for colour treated hair such as a color treatment conditioner.
These types of product aren’t just a marketing ploy. Dyed hair is extra prone to becoming dry and brittle, so to help help prevent dryness, treat your hair with products specially formulated for coloured hair – they have ingredients in them that help create protective barriers, preventing the dye from washing out quickly.
Use a deep leave conditioner or hydrating oil treatment for an extra moisture boost, however don’t over-do the deep conditioning. This treatment is designed to penetrate the hair follicle and get deep inside to moisturise, but when the product is rinsed away, it takes the colour molecule with it which results in your hair colour fading.
INVEST IN A SHOWER FILTER & WASH LESS
Colour and water are not best friends. In fact, they don’t rub along at all harmoniously. While we’re not saying you should stop taking showers, you should think about making some tweaks to your routine. This starts with washing your hair less often and adopting a dry shampoo to soak up oil between washes.
If you dye your hair regularly then it might even be worth investing in a shower filter that’ll remove the chlorine minerals and chemicals from the water. It’s especially worth the expense if you live in an area with hard water, as this water is high in minerals and tends to strip our hair of its natural oils, dramatically affecting how much your hair colour fades over time.
AVOID HOT SHOWERS
Speaking of showers, you should be taking cooler ones when you do wash your hair; the hotter the water, the quicker the colour loss, to put it simply. Indeed, hot water can decrease the lifetime of your hair colour so it’s best to avoid those long, languid showers in super hot water. To get technical; high temperatures open up your cuticles releasing the hair colour and moisture and this is one of the most common reasons colour fades. So, to prevent colour loss, shampoo and wash your hair with just room-temperature water. Then towel dry, condition and rinse with cold water to seal cuticles shut.
STEP BACK FROM THE HOT TOOLS
It’s no surprise that hairdryers, straighteners and curlers speed up the process of your hair colour fading. We get it, it’s hard not to use them and it can be tough to imagine life without them. But if you want your dye to last, it’s best to steer clear of them for the first week after colouring your hair and limit the amount you use them thereafter. Always use a thermal protectant spray, too, which will help protect against heat damage and subsequently help to reduce colour fade by maintaining the condition of your hair. A multi-pronged process, we know, but one which will leave your hair looking gorgeous for longer.