Almost everyone in their lifetime has coloured their hair that has faded away much faster. Most of the time we wish the colour stayed as long and as fabulous looking as it could. With a little extra care and creativity, you can protect your hair colour and keep your hair looking as it was coloured yesterday. These
23 quick tips might just save your day (and colour!)
1.The foremost thing to consider when deciding to colour your hair, is the quality of colour to be used. Ask your stylist to use only the best quality colours that conditions too. While it may cost you an extra dime, it is going to be worth every penny once you are done colouring and you see it staying for long and nice. Professional hair colours that have superior conditioning properties than those sold loosely in retail are the best option to go for. Another great option is ammonia-free colours that are all the rage now.
2.The staying power of colour depends the choice of colour. You may not know but red colour family is the first to fade away. Colours like red, mahogany, burgundy and all others from the same family bleed faster than any other colour family. Their large molecular size is to be blamed which makes them more difficult to penetrate into the hair shaft, thus making them more susceptible to fading. Be sure to use a high-definition red hue that lends minimum stress to the hair cuticle.
3.Too much of shampooing can be ruining your coloured hair. While ammonia-free colours are demi-permanent as they have a 20-28 shampoo resistant time frame, permanent hair colours too can fade off too quickly with regular washing. Wash your hair less often to retain the natural oil of the scalp that conditions your coloured hair naturally. This will help keep the vibrant colour.
4.Do not shampoo your hair immediately after shampooing. In fact, hair companies and stylists suggest just conditioning the hair with a good mask after washing off the applied colour. This helps to lock in the colour.
5.Wait for at least two days after you have coloured your hair. This will give the colour ample time to set in the hair and less likely to be washed off faster.
6.The days when you are not shampooing, try to keep your hair dry in the shower by either tying it up or wearing a shower cap. Protecting it to get wet can save it from fading faster.
7.When shampooing colour-treated hair, wash it under tepid or cold water. Never wash hair with hot water, even in winters. This might take a toll on your hair quality and make the colour fade faster.
8.Every time that you shampoo your hair, be sure to condition it as well. Go for hair spas or heavy hair masks once in a week to lock in the moisture and make your colour-treated hair appear shinier and healthier.
9.The kind of shampoo and conditioner you use on your hair decides in how you hair is going to look. Go for professional shampoo and conditioners that are high in conditioning qualities. Salon grade products protect and condition your hair, thus minimizing the damage of colour on your hair.
10.Special colour-protecting shampoos are available for colour-treated hair. Use them whenever you shampoo your hair. Try the conditioner from the same range. This will make your colour last longer.
11.Look for sulphate-free shampoos. Sulphates tend to wash off colour faster, thus making hair look lifeless and dry. Sulphate free shampoos are much safer option.
12.Clarifying shampoos are good only before colouring. Use them to remove any traces of dirt, dust and chemicals such as hairsprays, resins and wax. Using it after colouring your hair might make it strip away hair colour due to high concentration of detergent in them.
13.Use leave in conditioners for that added care and softness to the hair. Leave-in conditioners are a great way to protect coloured hair from heat styling products, dirt and dust. Its special formulation locks in the moisture and leaves it tangle free and soft for hours.
14.Go for deep conditioning treatment at least once in 15-25 days if you have coloured hair. These treatments give a boost to the colour and make it look fresher. You can either opt for it at a salon or do it yourself at home. Apply a deep conditioning treatment cream onto the hair from roots to tips and wrap your hair up in a soft warm towel. After 30mins, wash off to get shinier healthy looking hair.
15.A hot oil treatment definitely has its benefits. Go for an oil rich in minerals such as coconut and castor oil mix. Apply it on hair that has been freshly shampooed and cleaned. Apply heat by either a hot towel or a steamer. Wash off after 30mins with cold water.
16.Heat protecting products are a great way to protect coloured hair from heat tools. Spray a good amount of heat protectant spray or mousse on to the hair before using blow dryer or straightener. This will save the hair from going extremely dry and unmanageable. Finish with a protective hairspray.
17.The importance of a healthy diet in great looking hair cannot be denied. What you eat will reflect on your skin and hair. Foods rich in iron, fibre and vitamins will add lustre and growth to your hair. Protein rich food helps the keratin in the hair and improves texture. Consume protein rich food such as fish, meat, cheese, egg whites and soy to enjoy gorgeous looking hair.
18.Supplements are a great way to boost your hair growth and look. If you are not getting enough nutrients from your diet, try taking iron and vitamin supplements such as Vitamin A, B-complex and Vitamin C. Biotin, an essential Vitamin B, is said to strengthen weak hair and support growth. It is found in salmon, egg yolks, sardines and carrots. If your diet is lacking in these, take supplements to keep your hair healthier and shinier.
19.Avoid chlorine, mostly found in swimming pools for colour treated hair. Chemicals in chlorine may react with hair colour and cause it to change in hue. Always apply a protective leave-in conditioner before entering the pol. This will help the colour to lock in and prevent chlorine from stripping away the colour and softness.
20.If you are out in the sun frequently, use a UV protection to protect your hair colour from harmful rays of the sun. Leave in sprays, styling products and hairsprays have SPF in them. Invest in some good ones and use them before going out in the sun to prevent damage. Wear a hat or a cap if you are going to be out for long.
21.Try not to colour your hair too frequently. Too much of colouring can strip your hair of its natural oils and make them look dry and frizzy. Colouring your greys once in 5-6 weeks is good enough. Invest in touch-up kits, spray on concealers or hair mascaras to tackle untimely greys instead of colouring your whole hair for 2-3 grey hairs.
22.Remember never to over process your hair with colour. Stick to the time mentioned in the colouring kit if you are doing it at home. Chemicals in the colour will damage your hair if kept for too long. Again, avoid colouring your hair immediately after any chemical treatment such as straightening or perming. If you want to do both, ask for ammonia free colours that condition while colouring.
23.Go for regular trims to save yourself from dry locks and split ends. Colouring does make the hair dry and damaged. Regular trims every few months will save you from frayed ends.
These simple tips have let you have coloured shinier and healthier looking hair in no time. Always use imported shampoo and conditioner to protect your colored hair.
