Trend alert: unique hair colors are all the rage this season from multicolored “unicorn hair” to rich jewel toned “oil-spill” hair. A fun and vibrant hair color is the perfect, yet daring, way to mix up your life this summer. Unfortunately, new adventures sometimes come with new responsibility… learning how to keep your freshly dyed hair from fading! These tips and tricks are vital to keeping your look feeling brand new.
1—Healthy hair is happy hair. I’m sure everyone who dyes their hair has gotten this speech from their hairdresser before, but with good reason! Getting a trim every time you color your hair will keep it not only looking healthy but it will grow faster as well. In addition to this, it is important to lay off the heat from curlers, straighteners, and blow dryers as much as possible. Don’t forget to use a protectant spray when you do use them.
2—Find your perfect products. Dying your hair a vibrant color doesn’t come cheap. I only use products designed for colored treated hair to ensure it is safe to use. I have tried many different brands on the market but my personal favorite is Redken Color Extend Shampoo and Conditioner ($17). I will also switch to KMS Color Vitality Shampoo and Conditioner ($21) from time to time to give my hair a break. Products that are specifically made for color treated hair make a world of difference.
3—Don’t be a victim of overwashing. Washing your hair every single day is a no-no if you want your color to stay fresh. Experts say washing every two to three days is key. Dry shampoo and shower caps are your new best friends! My personal favorite is Batiste Instant Dry Shampoo ($7). This product comes in a variety of scents and gets the job done fast and easily.
4—Beware of the sun. The sun is hands down the worst for bright colored hair and guaranteed to speed up the fading process. Luckily, this is a great excuse to try all the headwear trends we have been seeing lately. I try to always keep some type of hat handy to protect my hair wherever I go. No matter what your personal style is, there is a hat out there for you. Whether you’re into headscarves, baseball hats, sun hats, fedoras, ranchers, or bucket hats, try working some fashionable headwear into your wardrobe to protect your hair from dangerous sun rays!
5—Be patient. Rome was not built in a day, and neither was a great head of colored hair. My color has come a long way since I first started dying it burgundy three years ago. The longer you stick with a color, the deeper and more vibrant it will become. Life is too short to not have the fun hair you want so go for it!
Have any other anti-fading tricks that work for you? Let us know in the comments below!
