Take precautions against the fade and keep your hair colour lively after you’ve exited the salon. You’ll soon become a bit of a colour master yourself to ensure those beautiful hues don’t go to waste. Everyone can struggle to maintain hair colour, whether it’s rainbow or subtle but the right approach to aftercare will definitely change everything.
After colouring, wait a full two days before shampooing
This can help make it last and give it time to absorb and settle in. It takes up to three days for the cuticle layer to fully close, which traps the colour molecule, allowing for longer-lasting hair colour. Following this tip, remember that less can be more! Try washing your hair every other day or 2-3 times a week to maintain its natural oils and keep colour stronger for longer.
Use sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner
Shampoos and conditioners containing sulfates can cause the colour in your hair to fade prematurely and lose moisture. Look for sulfate-free brands like Pureology, specially designed for coloured-hair. Keep the vibrancy and ask our stylists to point you in the direction of some great quality salon-approved products to provide all-round shine, care, and colour shielding powers!
Turn down water temperature when shampooing
As heat causes your hair cuticles to open and allow colour to be washed out, your shower water temperature can play a key factor in ruining your colour-treated hair. So avoid hot showers if you’re looking to make your colour last. We know a hot shower is a blessing and difficult to step away from but using mild heat is a great way to help your hair products to become deposited into the hair strand right where you want them!
Wash hair less often
Did you know you can actually ‘train’ your hair not to become greasy?! As much as we like to feel squeaky clean with a wave of fresh scents wafting through as we swish our strands, do remember the downside to frequently washing your hair.
Shampoos strip away the hair’s natural oils and defences, and conditioners are only able to replace a part, but not all, of the moisture balance, that healthy hair requires. Further to this, we do tend to blow dry or heat style our hair after a wash which can lead to greater damage or breakage.
On off days, use dry shampoo – A time-saving gem
Give your barnet a break and add a ‘dry shampoo day’ into your routine. This can lengthen the time between regular shampoos and save you time in the mornings! This is beneficial, since washing your hair too often can dry it out. It’s typically applied to the crown of your head and other areas where oil and shine may visibly collect. Some people swear by dry shampoo for touching up strands after a heated workout or extending the life of a salon blow wave so it certainly gets then thumbs ups from us! The active ingredients soak up the oils and sweat from your hair so you feel freshened up too. You can choose from an aerosol and powder these days. It’s really down to personal preference as sprays are fast and convenient, but fine-textured hair might do better with powder that can be applied before bed and let it work its magic through till the morning. Voila!
Use heat protectant spray before using hot tools
When things get heated, use protection! If you can’t resist a blow wave or heated styling tools, it’s best to come prepared to save zapping the colour and moisture and keep locks looking lustrous. A good spritz of heat protecting spray works wonders and is well worth the extra time so don’t bypass this important step. It can help calm and prevent frizz too so it’s an all-round winner that doesn’t invade into your time schedules.
Avoid chlorine
If anything sucks the natural oils from your hair, leaving it dry, rough, and damaged, it’s chlorine. It can cause chemical reactions, changing the natural colour of your hair, weakening each strand, and causing split ends. It’s safe to say, chlorine is not your hair’s best friend. It might sound dramatic but chlorine causes much destruction! Although it’s great for blitzing bacteria and making that public swimming pool a little less gross to dip in, it’s also very harsh. It’ll strip the good oils from your strands but we understand it’s not totally avoidable so here come the tips… Your hair can only absorb so much water so if you actually wet it first with fresh water, it’s almost at full capacity. Therefore, less chlorine can penetrate and your hair repels the enemy! Of course, we recommend a swim cap where possible but understand it’s not the summer sun and cocktail vibe your aiming for poolside!
Keep up with the trims
More frequent haircuts can help prevent over-drying and breakage and keep the hair looking its best. A regular trim keeps on top of split ends, keeps the style sharp and strands strong. It depends on hair type and style as to how often you frequent the salon chair but you probably need to get your hair cut every three to six weeks to keep the look precise and polished which can enhance any colour too.
Get a professional colour (not a box dye)
Put the box down! We understand you always want to look polished and professional in a time-poor world but it’s not worth the risks that come with home hair colouring (she’s most likely been photoshopped for that box pic anyway)!
Applying colour is an art in itself. It’s why we train and have that professional eye and technique to take into consideration many factors. We call these the risk factors!
Choosing the right colour for you, your skin tone, and your starting colour is the first. It can be very overwhelming although sometimes exciting too (we get it). But by not being tailored to hair type, that’s where the risk factors really come into play.
choose a colour too dark or leave it on too long and you could risk a lack of depth that completely washes you out or even makes you age a little.
Choose too light and you could just get that hint of orange. Already damaged hair could even worsen and the rectification takes a lot of time, work, and a bit more than what you hoped to save!
Opt for a pro! We like to make a full assessment and give full consultations to get it just right. This includes customising your haircare to your individual needs. The brand you buy in the grocery store uses the cheapest ingredients which are more likely they are to damage your hair. Yes, healthy hair will always grow back, but how long do you want to give it?!
Make every day a great hair day; Use the right products
Keep your hair looking fabulous and fresh between your appointments by investing in the right products. Consider the season, hair type, and end goal within little help from our team. We’re sure most people have gotten a fabulous cut and watched it depreciate the next day, so you’ll know what we mean when we say it’s the hair products—not the scissors—that can make or break your look. It can be an overwhelming task with shampoo’s, conditioner, masks, sprays and spritzes, pastes and powders so start with your hair type and the end result you are going for.
Start with knowing your scalp, just as your skin type with regards to being more oily or dry. With a staggering amount of shampoo options out there, this will help determine which shampoo is right for you.
When it comes to a conditioner, take a good hard look at the texture of the ends. Note that your scalp and ends could well need different attention so don’t be lured into those matching sets of shampoo and conditioner (as fancy as they look in your bathroom)!
Oils are an all-round winner with pampering benefits. They’ll boost health and shine and give that just-stepped-out-of-a-salon softness. Oil isn’t just oil. Choose the right one for you to compliment your needs.
Whatever product you’re looking for, check out the ingredients. This is especially important with a hair mask if your rocking coloured hair. Ensure it will help maintain colour integrity and delay fading and try a few if you don’t like the way it leaves your hair feeling. If it feels greasy post-mask, try something lighter.
Looking to protect your tresses? Grab yourself a little pocket rocket of goodness… the serum. With protection against environmental damage, heat, and styling tools, you can promote shine and prevent breakage.