You need to let that color sit! Your cuticle layer is lifted during chemical hair coloring treatments, which is what makes it easy for the color to infiltrate your hair shafts. But while that cuticle layer is still activated, that means the color can easily wash out as well. Give it about 72 hours before putting any shampoo in your hair or scrubbing at your scalp.
Don’t go for any old shampoo when you have a fresh dye job. Sulfates are what make shampoos so good at what they do (cleansing), but they’re a nightmare for color. Grabbing a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner is the bare minimum for color-treated hair, but you may as well go the distance and get a set that’s specifically made to maintain color. (I love John Freida’s collection.)
Even though the hot water vs. cold water debate for washing your face is still up in the air, it’s understood that hot water will open the cuticle layer again and strip your hair color faster. You don't have to take a cold shower -- just turn the temp down when it’s time to stick your head under the stream. You can even wash with warm water and rinse with cold to seal everything in.
Time to get creative here, people! Second- and third-day hair can be nightmares to style, but with a few staple styles in your back pocket you can make it during those days between washes -- and don’t forget about dry shampoo! Unless it absolutely can’t be avoided, go for two or three days in between washes.
Hair masks, spray conditioners or moisture bombs are treats for colored hair. Especially when you’re staying out in the sun longer, your color is naturally going to fade, so adding an extra oomph to it is exactly what it needs. You can try things like It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-In Product (they have color-specific options, too) or Living Proof Restore Repair Leave-In.
Using heat tools is nearly unavoidable, but the least you can do is give yourself a spritz of protection before turning them to your dyed hair. They prevent moisture loss, which helps to lock in your color. You want to show off your style the best you can, right? It’s a 10 is a great two-birds-one-stone product for this.
Pool parties are clutch come summertime, but chlorine? Not so much for your hair. One trick to try if you’re not down with donning a swim cap with your cute new bikini: conditioner. Before you hit up the diving board, skip the shampoo and just apply conditioner to wet hair without rinsing it out. It’ll act as a kind of barrier that will keep the chlorine out, to a degree.
Your color probably ends up needing a refresh every six to eight weeks anyway, but if not, stop in for a trim anyway! Dead ends are just that -- dead -- so they won’t be locking in your color, causing a quicker fade.
Remember how we said color treatments are a commitment? That means commit. Don’t think you can skip a salon visit and get away with box dye in the meantime. You’re better off biting the bullet and going in for a color correction or another treatment rather than spot-treating yourself -- the boxed dye is almost always more damaging than what the salon gives you.
It sounds silly, but furiously rubbing your hair with a towel dries your ends out and can literally rub out the color. Towels are made to suck up moisture, after all, which is what keeps your dye nice and bright. Gently squeeze and blot instead.