3 ways to care for freshly coloured hair
Whether you love a low-maintenance Balayage or prefer a statement full head bleach, nothing quite beats a professional salon colour. But are you doing everything you can post-appointment to ensure that colour lasts for as long as possible, retaining its vibrancy until your next salon visit? We’ve pulled together some tips to help:
1. Handle with care
You wouldn’t wash an expensive cashmere sweater with harsh laundry detergent – and that same logic should apply to coloured hair. You’ve invested a lot of money in your hair, so choose your care products wisely. We always recommend professional brands which have been scientifically formulated to target hair’s specific needs – yes, they’re pricier than their high street counterparts but you’ll often find that the formulas are more concentrated, meaning that a little goes a long way. We always recommend the L’Oréal Professionnel Vitamino Color range which is gentle on the hair to help lock in colour for longer. For blondes, L’Oréal Professionnel Chroma Crème is ideal for neutralising any brassy tones between appointments – but avoid using too often or you’ll risk adding a purple tinge to your shade!
It's also important not to shampoo too frequently – 2-3times a week is adequate. This prevents dulling or fading and ensures that you aren’t stripping the hair’s natural oils. If you need to refresh hair between washing, a light mist of dry shampoo should help absorb any excess oil. Try to keep the water temperature cool too – it’s proven that warmer water causes hair to fade more rapidly.
2. Turn down the heat
Hairdryers, irons and tongs can all cause colour to fade more rapidly, zapping moisture levels and dulling the look of freshly coloured hair. Ideally, you should limit how often you heat style if you want your colour to last – but if you truly can’t step away from the straighteners, then always ensure you apply a professional heat protective product before styling.We love L’Oréal Professionnel tecni.art Constructor. Also try to turn down the temperature a little – your colour will thank you for it.
On sunnier days, you should also consider applying a UVfilter product to your hair (or covering up with a hat). The sun’s harsh rayscan ‘lift’ your hair colour and accelerate fading, not to mention leaving itdry and brittle. Likewise, if you swim, you should always protect hair first –either with a swim cap or by slathering hair in conditioner and securing in abun.
3. Condition, condition, condition
Although colour formulas have come a long way, the chemical process can still cause hair to become weaker and more fragile – particularly if you are lightening the hair. Combat this by ensuring your care routine includes products designed to nourish and increase shine. A good professional conditioner is essential – never skip this step. This helps create a protective barrier which stops colour escaping. And make time to add in a hair mask every week, leaving on for as long as possible to really smooth the hair and help restore shine. Finally, consider using a nourishing serum or oil through the ends of your style where the hair is weakest and most fragile. Not only will this add softness and shine, but it can also help detangle and make hair more manageable when styling. We love L’Oréal Professionnel Metal Detox Anti-DepositProtector Concentrated Oil.
