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How to Make Your Hair Color Last Longer

Remember the feeling of stepping out of the salon with fresh, soft balayage or rich brunette tresses, feeling confident and ready with your just-colored hair? But within a few washes, the color starts fading, and the rich dimensions and glossy shine look lackluster and dull. You wonder if there is a way to make your hair color last without booking your next salon appointment sooner than expected. 

Absolutely! With the right color care routine and a few simple changes to your daily habits, you can help protect your color, maintain its shine, and keep your hair looking fresh between salon visits. 

10 Stylist-Approved Hair Care Tips to Keep Your Hair Color Vibrant Longer 

  1. Choose a permanent hair color: If you are looking for hair color that lasts longer, avoid temporary and semi-permanent hair colors. Choose a permanent one instead, as it is designed to provide more durable, fade-resistant color than the other options.
  1. Use color-safe hair products: Give up your regular shampoo and conditioner and go for a sulfate-free one, meant for color-treated hair. These products have color-safe formulas that gently cleanse your hair without stripping away color and natural oils, making your hair look vibrant and healthy between salon visits.
  1. Wash less often: If possible, wash your hair only 2-3 times a week instead of every day, as frequent washing will speed up the fading of your hair color. If you must wash, use a dry shampoo on the days between washes to absorb excess oil while helping your style last longer. 
  1. Wash with lukewarm or cold water: Hot water strips your hair of its natural oil and allows hair color to wash off more quickly. It is recommended to wash your hair with lukewarm or tap cold water to preserve your hair health and color.
  1. Use hair protectants: Try air-drying your hair instead of blow-drying and avoid using heating devices like hair curlers and flat irons, as they can cause your hair strands to lose their natural oils and hair color fade to more quickly. But if you absolutely need to use heating tools, ensure you protect your hair with a hair protectant spray before use. 
  1. Moisturize and hydrate: To ensure that your color-treated hair gets the extra moisture it needs, keep it hydrated by applying deep conditioners and hair masks at least once a week. This will ensure that your hair not just looks soft and shiny, but also vibrant and resilient to fading. 
  1. Refresh your hair color regularly: It’s a good idea to refresh your hair color once every 4-6 weeks to avoid color fading, neutralize unwanted tones, and keep your hair looking salon-fresh between full color appointments. 
  1. Touch up gray roots: Regular root touch-ups to cover grays in between hair color appointments can keep new growth from becoming noticeable. Most people need a gray coverage touch-up every 4-6 weeks, depending on how quickly their hair grows.
  1. Protect your hair from sun and water: The sun’s UV rays, chlorine in pools, and saltwater in the ocean can fade hair color and leave color-treated hair looking and feeling dry. Before heading outdoors or swimming, protect your hair with a hat, UV-protectant product, or leave-in conditioner, and rinse thoroughly with clean water afterward.
  1. Keep your hair healthy to make color last longer: Healthy, well-moisturized hair has a smoother cuticle that helps lock in color, while dry or damaged hair can lose color more quickly. Regular trims, nourishing treatments, and salon-quality hair care products can help keep your hair strong, smooth, and vibrant for longer. 

Keep Your Hair Color Looking Salon Fresh Longer

Gone are the days of hiding faded, in-between hair color under a hat or scarf while waiting for your next salon appointment. With today’s advanced hair color formulas and the right color-safe hair care products, you can help extend the life of your hair color and keep it looking healthy, shiny, and vibrant for longer. From choosing the right products to protecting your hair from heat, sun, and frequent washing, a little extra care can go a long way. Follow the simple tips mentioned above to enjoy beautiful, salon-fresh color until your next visit. 

To book an appointment with the haircare professionals at Salon Artigiano, give us a call at 609-581-6600 or send us a message.