Make Hair Color Last With These 8 Stylist-Approved Tips

Getting a new hair color is exciting! Whether you added in some fun highlights or got a complete makeover, nothing beats that fresh-out-of-the-salon look. But in between hair color appointments, things can get a bit rough—that’s why knowing how to make your hair color last longer is a game-changer.

Properly maintaining colored hair might seem daunting, but our eight stylist-approved tips make it simple. Read on to learn more about how to keep your hair looking vibrant—even if it’s been weeks since you left the salon.

8 Tips To Make Your Hair Color Last Longer

Life gets busy, so keeping up with hair color appointments isn’t always easy. But that’s okay! The following hair-care tips can help keep your hair vibrant, fresh, and shiny until your next appointment.

1. Choose the Right Shampoo
   First things first, you want to make sure you have the right shampoo. Swap out your old shampoo for a product that is formulated for color-treated hair. Can’t find one? Use a shampoo without harsh chemicals like sulfates or sodium chloride. When applying the shampoo, make sure to focus it on the root and not on the middle or ends of your hair. This helps prevent color fading.
2. Use a Bond-Building Hair Treatment
   After washing your hair with the right shampoo, use a bond-building hair treatment. This will help keep your hair vibrant by locking in hair color and preventing damage. For extra effectiveness, rinse it off with cool water to seal your hair’s cuticles.
3. Avoid Heat Styling
   This one might be tough to do, but it’s important to limit styling tools to prevent color fading. This means laying off the straighteners, hairdryers, and curling irons. If pausing these styling tools is out of the question, try using them on a lower heat setting. Heat protectants and lightweight hair oils are great to help protect hair from heat damage. You can also try pin curls or braiding your hair to give it volume without the need for styling tools.
4. Try a Gloss
   In need of a color boost? Use some hair gloss. This is a type of shine treatment designed to make color pigment in hair more vibrant and longer-lasting. Salons typically offer glosses free of charge. Try an at-home hair gloss to get the same results without having to visit the salon.
5. Wash Your Hair Less Often
   Even if you have the right shampoo and conditioner, the truth is that washing your hair strips away color. Avoid washing your hair every day and wash it every one to two days instead. Dry shampoo will be your new best friend in between wash days. Apply it to your hair to help prevent greasy strands.
6. Deep Condition Your Hair Weekly
   Take notes—a deep conditioner could be your saving grace for fading hair. Deep conditioners (or hair masks) contain many nourishing ingredients to hydrate your hair, helping bring color and shine back. Opt for one containing jojoba oil or coconut oil. To see the best results, use a deep conditioner once or twice a week.
7. Decrease Pool Time
   Who doesn’t love a dip in the pool? Unfortunately, being in the pool harms your hair. The chlorine in the pool fades color and damages strands. If you’re a regular pool-goer, tie your hair up and avoid putting it in the water or use a cap. Stylists also suggest mixing conditioner and water together and spraying the mixture on before and after going to the pool. This helps mitigate the damage from the chlorine.
8. Cover-up in the Sun
   Last but not least, make your hair color last longer by protecting your hair from the sun. Too much sun exposure fades colored strands, leading to dull hair. If you love being outdoors, make sure to wear a hat!

The Bottom Line: When it comes to maintaining hair color, it’s best to be overly cautious. If something sounds like it would damage your hair, then it probably will. Avoid chlorine, heat, and UV rays the best you can, and increase your use of hydrating, nourishing hair products. And overall, enjoy your new hair!

Launch Your Salon Career With Florida Academy Cosmetology Programs

Do you see yourself working in a hair salon? Do you want to help people feel beautiful? Then becoming a hairstylist might be the perfect job for you—and Florida Academy can help get you started.

At the Florida Academy beauty school, professional cosmetologists will train you in a chic, high-end salon. You’ll learn all the latest techniques and trends in the hair industry, including:

• Haircutting
• Hair Color
• Hair Design
• Sculpting
• Men’s Sculpting and Grooming
• Maintaining Healthy Hair

Our hands-on learning model will prepare you for success in the industry, and our instructors will equip you with timely, relevant knowledge.

Ready to get started? Contact us today.