There’s something about the feeling of a fresh, new hair colour. It can totally transform your look, make you hope (for once) that you bump into your ex and justify plenty of unashamed selfies. There are many new and innovative hair-colour products on the market that can give us bold and trendy colours. But you know what’s a less amazing feeling? When you hop in the shower to wash it for the first time after having it dyed, and emerge with it looking drab. All that colour down the drain!
All semipermanent hair colours fade over time. Sad but true. How long your colour takes to fade depends on a number of factors, ranging from the quality of the product itself to how you look after your hair after it’s been coloured. The latter you have more control over. Here’s what you can do to extend the life of your fabulous new hair colour.
Pin this article for later! For more, follow Good Housekeeping on Pinterest.
Check your products
L’Oréal master stylist and co-owner of Tanaz Hair, Shelene Shaer, knows what’s what when it comes to keeping colour fresh. ‘The first step is investing in a good shampoo, as you want to clean the hair without stripping colour,’ she explains. ‘The second step is using an equally good conditioner, as this is what keeps hair moisturised, seals the cuticles and increases shine.’ The L’Oréal Professionnel Vitamino Color Shampoo & Conditioner Bundle is designed specifically for colour-treated hair and prolongs the intensity and length of a dye job.
Not too hot
As we all know, heat damages hair. So it should come as no surprise that it can also make your hair colour look less than radiant if you are frequently using hot styling tools. ‘Heat can burn and dull the hair,’ says Shaer, which is why, when using styling tools, you should try to avoid using the hottest setting. The ghd air hairdryer allows you to control the temperature so that you can keep your hair looking healthy and lush.
ghd air hairdryer / R1 709,10
Protect yourself
Sun exposure is just as bad for hair as it is for skin. ‘If you are going to be spending time outdoors, wear a hat as often as possible,’ advises Shaer. Before you even put one on, it’s a good idea to use a spray that can protect hair from damaging UV rays. Balmain Sun Protection Spray is not only effective but also smells and feels really luxe.
Balmain Sun Protection Spray / R545
Related: How to straighten your hair without using heat
Get a snip
You may not think that getting a haircut will enhance your colour, but it’s all down to illusion. Why? Because it just makes your hair look better. ‘A cut or trim is a fantastic way to extend the life of a colour,’ says Shaer. ‘Try to separate those two services, as hair ALWAYS looks freshly coloured after a good cut.’ The pro has spoken!
PHOTO: iStock/PeopleImages
ALSO READ:
Avoid making these hair colour mistakes
