1. After coloring, wait a full 72 hrs before shampooing

When coloring hair, your cuticle layer is opened, making it easy for color to penetrate the hair shaft. When you wash your hair too soon after your appointment, the cuticle layer could still be open which then leads to your color being washed down the drain. It takes up to three days for the cuticle layer to fully close, so the longer you wait to shampoo your hair after you color your hair, the more time the color pigment will have to soak into the hair cuticle – which will help your color last longer in between salon visits.

2. Use sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner

Sodium laureth sulfate, also known as sodium laureth ether sulfate, is a type of anionic detergent that is found in many personal care products. This ingredient is used to help produce a foaming effect to your shampoos and conditioners. By using sulfates, you run the risk of stripping your hair of its natural oils and moisture, which can then lead to stripping your beautiful color treated hair (which you just spent hours and dollars at the hair salon to achieve).

Try using a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner to keep your hair color from fading. L’oreal has great options for all hair types, so whether you have frizzy, curly, straight, or even thin hair, there is a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner option for all!

3. Turn down water temperature when shampooing

Though hot showers feel amazing to some, it isn’t so great for your hair color. When washing hair with hot water, your hair’s cuticle is opened, allowing your color to wash out while shampooing and conditioning.

To prevent seeing all of your color go down the drain, try shampooing with slightly warm water and then rinse with cold water after conditioning. The warm water will allow the shampoo and conditioner to penetrate and cleanse, while the cold water will help seal in the moisture from your conditioner while preventing color from fading by sealing the hair’s cuticle.

4. Wash hair less often

Washing your hair every day is something you want to avoid if wanting your hair color to last longer. Not only are you washing away the natural oils that moisturize and keep your hair color looking fresh, you also wash away a little bit of your hair dye every time you wash your hair. Try washing your hair every other day or even 2-3 times a week to keep your color on lock.

5. On off days, use dry shampoo

On your off days of not washing your hair, try using color-safe dry shampoos. These will refresh your hair and make it look like you just got a blowout without even having to wash your hair! You can also try color-tinted dry shampoos to revamp your color without having to head to the salon.

6. Use leave-in treatments to protect hair color when styling

Colored and chemically treated hair needs extra hydration and protection from the sun to prevent damage and loss of nutrients to the hair. Leave-in treatments will help keep your hair smooth and hydrated, and it’s important to find one with UV protection so that the sun won’t fade your hair color.

7. Use heat protectant spray before using hot tools

Heat will strip away color and hydration and lead to damaged hair. To help prevent these problems from happening while using hot tools, try using a heat protectant spray before blow drying or styling. Heat protectant sprays will help reduce moisture loss from inside the hair, smooth the outside of the hair, and protect your hair from humidity after heat styling which, in all, will help maintain your color.

8. Prepare your hair for next color process

Use a clarifying shampoo the day before your next color treatment at the hair salon. This will strip your hair of any oils that could block your color from penetrating the cuticle at a deeper level.

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Nowadays color & bleach is not as harsh as before. So, due to the products being more gentle, they are now not strong enough to fully fight through buildup from not asking the hair for a few days. Many products claim to provide the best results when applied to clarified hair. Meaning the cleaner the hair, the better color will hold and the stronger lightener is able to lift to lighter levels in one sitting.