It’s definitely no secret that vibrant hair color fades fast but today I am going to tell you my top 5 tips for keeping your red tints and loud direct dyes looking their best for as long as possible! Read along to learn more.
When I first started doing hair, my own hair was changing tones as often as I could get it to. Meaning, I really didn’t mind the fading because that just meant I could change tones that much quicker. I mean, I just hit the jackpot of any creative teenagers dreams and learned the proper technique and gained the ability to do it anytime I wanted.
I had become a hairstylist and could now have whatever hair I wanted!
As a more mature stylist now, I definitely am not trying to do my own hair anymore but the need for knowing how to keep those vibrant tones is just as strong! When my customers come in to get their hair done they are paying good money and I want these colors to last and look their best for as long as possible, which is why I have written this guide for you today!
A couple things to keep in mind when reading is that most of these tips and tricks are actually really good for not only bright vibrant hair but also any hair that has color on it.
By this I mean, if your browns go reddish and your blonde goes yellow…most of these tips are going to work for you too.
Read all the way to the end for a few extra tips for those of you non-vibrant hair color peeps!
5 Tips for Vibrant Long Lasting Hair Color
1. Wash your hair LESS OFTEN! 
This is the easiest one and you are either really good at this one or it’s your biggest struggle. When your hair is washed you are subjecting your hair to possible fading. By stretching your washes out over a longer period of time you are naturally going to get a longer life out of that color
The tricks to getting you through the days of no washing: Try using a dry shampoo on day 2 or 3. This will help absorb some of the natural oils that accumulate on your scalp[ keeping your hair feeling less greasy while giving it more volume. Another trick is to let your style evolve. A lot of my clients do a smooth and straight day, leading into a curled day, leading into an up-style day.
2. Use cooler water when you do wash it!
If you haven’t heard before, the temperature of the hair can open and close the cuticle (the outside layer of the hair). Any time the cuticle is opened it has a higher chance of the color fading because just inside of that layer is where artificial color lives. When your hair has really hot water on it the color will inevitably fade quicker.
The trick to getting your through a cold shower: Don’t worry. This doesn’t mean you have to take a cold shower! You can still take a warm shower but stay away from the scorching hot ones. Give your head a quick cold rinse right before you turn of the shower to help the cuticle close. Cold water can almost be like…a toner for your face that closes the pores. It not only helps your color last longer but it also gives your hair more SHINE! Who doesn’t want that?!
3. Keep your irons low!
Like in the last tip, heat is a major cause of color fading and using hot tools like irons is not only terrible for the fading of your color but the overall health of your hair. I like to start the temperature low, at around 350-370, let it get to temp and then test it on the hair. If it needs a little warmer give it a shot but try to stay as low as you can. Also, before you go any higher, go ahead and get those delicate pieces around your face and by your ears. Most women have breakage in these areas because the hair is more sensitive and doesn’t actually need a very high temperature to straighten or curl. By exposing it to high temperatures you are literally frying it off!
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The trick to saving your hair when using irons: If you really feel like your hair needs the high heat at least make sure you are using a heat protectant. This will also keep your color from fading. Just make sure to read the bottle and double check it protects to the temperature you are using it. Most only protect up to 395 even though irons can go up to 450! My go-to heat protectant in this one here: (affiliate link)
4. Use protection when necessary!
Like your skin, your hair can be damaged by the sun if you are not protecting it properly. You can easily protect your hair from the sun by wearing a fashionable hat! You can also use a swim cap when deciding to take a dip. Not only does the chlorine in the water help your beautiful locks fade but wet hair with sun beating down on it is a double threat. There are also many products on the market like (affiliate link) that are formulated with SPF in it to protect you.
My favorite is the Fekkai Hair Radiance and Protection Mist
The trick to protecting your hair from the sun: Don’t forget after you take that dip in the ocean or your pool to RE-APPLY your sun protector. Whether that is a hat or an SPF product, you want to make sure it is something you take with you just in case!
5. Use Color Depositing Shampoos or Conditioners!
Let me fill you in on a little secret that some stylists don’t often tell their clients… There are products on the market these days that can re-tone your hair for you in just a couple minutes, from your SHOWER! Now, I will be honest, there are some catches and a few details you want to keep in mind if you are considering using this option for yourself. First and foremost, going to your stylist and getting your hair colored is ALWAYS going to be best because your exact color is matched and a thorough application of the color is done!
My favorite is the Water Colors Intense Shampoo (affiliate link)
You have to remember that your exact color was probably specifically formulated for YOU by your hairdresser. Some variation between the color you walked out of the salon with and the color that you can get at home in your shower will probably be slightly inconsistent. For the BEST possible color matching, consult with your hair stylist!
The trick to using toning products for NON-vibrant tones: If you have colored hair that changes tone over time, let’s face it almost all does, there is a product out there for you. Firstly, remember that for a lighter dirty blonde to blonde hair, to remove yellowy tones a purple or lavender product is best. For darker hair with orange or red tones, a blue product is going to help cancel the warm tones. I do recommend consulting with your own stylist before putting a toning product on your hair.
If you don’t have a hairstylist and you are in the San Francisco area you can schedule a completely free in-person consultation by visiting the Book Now page.
Phew, now that you have these 5 tips you can trust that you will be able to get the most of your vibrant summer hair!
These tips are meant to help it last a little longer so you can stretch your time between full colors where a full application and deposit can happen.
Don’t forget, all vibrant hair colors fade eventually. It’s only an opportunity to try something new!! 😉
Cheers,
