January 11, 2018

Keeping your hair color looking fresh and fabulous isn’t always easy. From faded roots to dull looking ends, it seems as if hair color never wants to stay in place. While you can’t put off retouching your strands forever, you can maintain your hair color's vibrancy and shine in-between salon appointments. With a few simple lifestyle tweaks, you can create healthy hair habits that promote gorgeous, glossy strands. Wondering what you need to do to keep your hair color looking its best? Here are seven healthy hair habits that you need to adopt if you want to maintain the vibrancy of your hair color.

EVERY DAY

1. USE GENTLE FORMULAS

For those of us with color-treated hair, harsh formulations aren’t always our friend. Some cleansing agents can be too aggressive on colored hair and can cause the color to fade faster than normal. Instead, opt for gentle cleansing shampoos and conditioners that can cleanse your strands without stripping your color.

2. TURN DOWN THE TEMPERATURE IN YOUR SHOWER

Believe it or not, the heat of your shower can definitely affect the look of your hair color. Heat can cause the hair’s cuticle to swell and open, which can cause the color molecules in your hair rinse down the drain. This is especially true for those who dye their hair red as those dyes tend to have larger molecules than others. Having larger molecules basically means that there is a higher risk of your red hair color fading and dulling over time. So, next time you’re in the shower, make sure to keep things at a cooler temperature.

THROUGHOUT THE WEEK

3. LET YOUR HAIR AIR DRY

Switch up your hair styling routine by skipping the blow dryer and letting your strands dry naturally. By avoiding excess heat, you lose the risk of opening up those cuticles and allowing those color molecules to fade.

Now, don’t think that air drying your hair means that you have to end up with messy looking strands. Simply use an air dry cream and a few clips to create a hairstyle that’s all your own.

4. BLOW DRY CORRECTLY

If you do need to use a blow dryer throughout the week to style your strands, then make sure to do it properly. First, prep your strands with a multitasking hair primer that will help to detangle wet strands and add a layer of heat protection to your hair. From there, set your blow dryer to the lowest heat setting and be sure to keep the dryer a few inches away from your strands as you dry. This easy method will help to minimize the effects of the heat, while still allowing you to dry and style your strands.

5. USE A DEEP CONDITIONER

Nothing keeps your hair looking its best quite like a deep conditioner. By using a hair mask once a week, you can keep your strands moisturized and your hair color looking vibrant. Not sure what type of hair mask you should be choosing? For those with color-treated hair that’s also dehydrated, reach for a hair mask that is formulated with hydrating ingredients like avocado, shea, and jojoba butter to keep your strands feeling soft and supple.

Seeing more damage than you would like? Choose a mask that is going to strengthen your hair and bring it back to life. Look for a mask with ingredients like keravis, ceramide and arginine that help to heal and repair damaged hair.

THROUGH THE MONTH

6. WEAR A HAT

Love being outdoors? Who doesn’t! Even though there are tons of health benefits to being outside, the elements aren’t always so beneficial for your hair. For instance, too much sun exposure can cause your hair to lighten and your current color to fade. If you’re going to be spending time outdoors, be sure to wear a hat in order to keep your color covered.

7. AVOID HARD WATER

One of the main reasons that our color can look dull or lackluster is due to a buildup of hard water that can make our hair resistant to holding onto color molecules. Instead of rinsing your hair day every day try using a shower cap or buying a filter for your shower head to avoid the unnecessary buildup. On days that you skip the suds, opt for a dry shampoo to keep your strands oil-free and looking their best.

Looking for more ways to make your haircolor last? Chat with your local Pureology stylist for more tips on how to preserve your color.

/ Expert Advice

7 simple hair habits that can help maintain your haircolor