The Top 5 Ways to Protect Your Color
There’s more to changing your hair color than just a trip to the salon for highlights or some all-over color. It’s a commitment that requires a bit of upkeep for a longer lasting look. But it doesn’t have to be an annoying hassle—with the right products and just a bit of preparation, giving your color a daily dose of TLC can become an easy habit. Make these five things part of your everyday routine to keep your color gorgeous.
1. Use the right shampoo
When it’s time to sudz up, use a sulfate-free color-protection shampoo designed for your new hue. Blonde hair does best with a formula like TIGI Bed Head Dumb Blonde Shampoo, and brunette shades will last longer if washed with Redken Color Extend Magnetics Shampoo or DESIGNLINE Color Care Shampoo. If you’ve gone red, use Joico Color Infuse Red Shampoo or a similar red-protecting product because reds typically fade fastest—the dye’s large molecule isn’t able to penetrate hair as deeply as other shades, making it more vulnerable to shampoo.
2. Shampoo a bit less often
Yes, you read that right. Not over-washing your hair is one of the best things you can do for your color-serviced hair. Shampooing removes unwanted dirt and oil, but it also washes away your new color. By skipping a day or two between washes, you’ll retain the color and the natural oils that condition it, keeping hair healthy and making the color last.
3. Deep condition weekly
Colored hair often becomes porous and delicate, leaving hair cuticles weak. By applying a deep conditioning treatment every week, you can protect and moisturize the cuticle, making your hair smooth, soft, shiny and lustrous. Try It’s a 10 Miracle Deep Conditioner Plus Keratin or Redken All Soft Heavy Cream, or look for labels that include hydrolyzed protein and list water as the first ingredient.
4. Give it protection
Blow dryers and hot irons can zap your color quickly, so protect your locks from heat treatment by misting a thermal styling primer like Redken Pillow Proof Blow Dry Express Primer Spray or DESIGNLINE Weightless Thermal Primer on to damp hair before you blow dry, and on dry hair before you flat iron or curl.
5. Cover up
Sun fade is very real, even on cool fall days. Don’t let the sun bleach out the vibrancy of your color. By wearing a hat or wrapping your hair in a scarf when you spend time outdoors you’ll keep it safe from the sun’s rays.
