It happens to all of us. We spend a lot of time and money getting those cool tones and highlights just perfect, only to notice that the color has almost all but faded by the end of the month. Maybe your platinum blonde turns brassy or your grays start coming in again.
Either way, it’s extremely frustrating. The good news is that understanding the science of tone and color can make all the difference between keeping your hair color for months and having it fade within weeks. That got us thinking, wouldn’t it be great to know the hacks to keeping hair color last longer?
We sought the expert advice of celebrity hair stylist Brianna Colette at Nine Zero One salon in West Hollywood to find out what she recommends to her many clients and uses herself. Keen to know more?
Ahead, the need-to-know tips for keeping your hair or wigs blonde or other color longer.
TIP 1: USE A COLOR SAFE SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER
“If you love your hair color, it’s important to protect its tone. I recommend my clients use a color safe, sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner, says Brianna. “Sulfates can strip color from hair, so if you have color-treated hair, always look for sulfate-free products. There are plenty on the market but I personally love R+Co Gemstone Shampoo and R+Co Gemstone Conditioner. These products are not only great for anyone with color-treated hair, but they also work great for natural blondes, brunettes and redheads, too. You’ll fall in love your color all over again.”
TIP 2: USE A PIGMENTED SHAMPOO ONCE A WEEK
“You should use a pigmented shampoo once a week to maintain your hair color,” Brianna tells us. “It might be annoying if you change colors every season, but it’s worth it when you get your perfect shade. All of us at Nine Zero One love Unite Blonda Shampoo. Perfect for both natural and highlighted tresses, this purple shampoo is packed with Pure Violet Pigment and Reflective Pearl to correct brassiness and yellow tones,” says Brianna. “Not only will it add amazing shine, it will also protect your hair from UV rays and color fading. It smells good, too!” Fortunately, there are a number of terrific pigmented shampoos on the market. Scroll through to shop a few more.
TIP 3: WASH YOUR HAIR ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK
“This one might make you squeamish but you should really wash your hair as seldom as possible,” Brianna recommends. “I recommend my clients wash their hair 1-2 times per week. Washing your hair strips color. Plus, as it turns out, not washing your hair is actually good for your hair, too. Win-win. In between washes, you can use a dry shampoo. If you’re looking for a good one, I love Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo, a beautiful-smelling dry shampoo that soaks up scalp oil and odor for super-clean tresses.
TIP 4: RINSE WITH COLD WATER
“Using hot water lifts the outer cuticle layer of hair, which is one of the most common reasons hair color fades quickly,” says Brianna. “To keep hair color longer, try cold water rinses at the end of your shower. If you absolutely can’t stand the idea of cold water hitting your body, rinse out your hair in the sink after your shower.
TIP 5: USE A CONDITIONING TREATMENT
“It sounds obvious, yet so many of us don’t do it. You have to use a conditioning treatment once a week. And if there’s one thing I swear by, it would be purple conditioner. It’s pretty amazing,” says Brianna. “Christophe Robin’s Shade Variation Care Nutritive Mask is one of my favorites and is known to be the Rolls Royce of purple conditioners,” says Brianna. The ‘Shade Variation’ mask comes in a variety of shades depending on your color so choose the one that matches your color best. Scroll down to shop “Shade Variation” plus more conditioning treatments Brianna recommends.
