There are simple ways to help prolong the colour of your hair from fading, like not washing your hair everyday, using dry shampoo between washes and adding some of the colour to a white conditioner once a week.
pH Levels: The pH level of your hair can influence color absorption. If your hair is too alkaline or too acidic, it may resist color. Hair Health: If your hair is overly damaged or has buildup from products, it may not take color well.
Another reason could be that your hair has already been sensitised by products which are too harsh for your locks or the heat from a heating device. If the cuticles are damaged, logically colour will not hold as well. As a result, it is very important to revive your locks with targeted treatments before colouring.
Our favorite color-depositing conditioner is the dpHue Gloss+ thanks to its wide range of shades, easy application, and ability to soften and hydrate hair. For a clear gloss that adds shine to any hair color, we recommend the Pureology Color Fanatic Top Coat + Sheer.
Rinse With Cold Water
“Hot water fades color faster, especially if you have a vivid color,” says Ellis. Washing your hair with cool or cold water can help minimize fading, but it also helps seal the cuticle and retains more moisture on your scalp, strands, and skin.
For best results, we recommend washing your hair with a clarifying shampoo 24 hours before dyeing, but no sooner. You can use your normal conditioner, but we'd advise against using a deep conditioner before dyeing your hair due to potential product build-up.
To do so, Kusero advises clients to: “Treat hair weekly to a heavy-duty mask in shower, take a break from heat tools and wear your natural texture to allow your hair time to heal, always use heat protectants when using hot tools, lower your settings when you can and move quickly; don't wash hair daily and try to go as ...
As a general rule of thumb, darker colors tend to stay on the hair for longer. So, if you're adding lowlights, a root shadow or all-over depth, the shade will offer more mileage than, for example, light blondes, light browns or light reds. The same goes for pastel colors versus rainbow colors.
Wash your hair less often
We're not telling you to skip out on showers completely, but the more you shampoo, the more you rinse or fade out your color. So try to limit your hair washes to a couple of times a week and wait at least 24 hours before shampooing your hair for the first time post-color.
To preserve hair dye, use products specifically designed for color-treated hair, wash your hair less often with lukewarm water, avoid heat styling, and use hydrating treatments regularly to maintain moisture and vibrancy.
The vinegar actually helps the hair dye to remain bonded to the hair, according to my awesome stylist Viviane of Marina Beach Hair.
Sulphate-rich shampoos are ideal for stripping hair since they help to release the colour - especially with dark or vibrant colours. These include clarifying or deep cleansing shampoo or anti-dandruff shampoo.
Redken Acidic Color Gloss Sulfate-Free Shampoo
Though they're a splurge, the products earned the best score for preventing hair color from fading over a month of simulated wear. They also came out on top for making color look shiny, richer and more vibrant.
Pureology is well-loved for its color-safe formulas, and the Color Fanatic Heat Protectant Leave-In Conditioner is no exception.
“Anything from hairspray and styling products with alcohol to too much blow-drying can all contribute to color fading.” The chemicals found in styling products open up the cuticle allowing the color to slip out.
If you're using semi-permanent or demi-permanent hair color, you'll need a developer with a lower volume, between 3 and 20 Vol. If you're using a permanent hair color, you'll need a developer with a higher volume. This is usually between 20 and 30 Vol.
When applying you can mix in any white conditioner which will not impact the color result. If you do want the color a bit lighter than use a lot more white conditioner to color. Do not use any color with yellow or blue tones to it as it will alter the color.