Freshly dyed hair brings an air of confidence, until it starts to fade faster than you expected. You’ve invested time, money and trust in achieving that perfect shade. The last thing you want is for the vibrancy of your new colour to vanish within weeks. Fortunately, with the right routine, products and know-how, you can maintain healthy, vibrant colour treated hair that looks salon-fresh for longer.
In this article, we’ll share some practical, expert-backed tips from the stylists here at Onje Hair to help you preserve your colour treated hair, prevent fading and maintain your hair’s natural shine and overall health.
Colour-Safe Hair Care Products That Make A Difference
Not all hair care products are right for everyone, particularly when it comes to hair that has been colour treated. Many common products contain sulphates – harsh detergents that strip away natural oils and cause hair colour to fade prematurely.
By opting for sulphate-free shampoos and conditioners formulated for colour treated hair, you’ll cleanse gently and preserve your colour. These products are usually pH-balanced and enriched with antioxidants and UV filters that guard against environmental damage.
It’s also worth choosing colour-protecting conditioners that seal the hair cuticle and lock in moisture. Products with ingredients like keratin, argan oil and glycerine help maintain shine and prevent pigment from escaping. At Onje Hair, we also offer a curated range of vegan, ammonia-free and salon-grade products to support your hair health and colour vibrancy. If you need any assistance, our talented stylists will be more than happy to recommend suitable products based on your colour and hair type.
Do Colour Glosses & Toners Help Between Appointments?
Yes – colour glosses and toners offer excellent mid-cycle refreshers. They can revive tones, add shine and neutralise brassiness without the need for a re-dye. Glosses typically last for up to six weeks and are ideal between salon visits to maintain vibrancy. Ask your stylist about a custom gloss or toner tailored to your colour needs. It’s a subtle but effective way to extend the life of your hair colour. We recommend asking about our in-salon toning services to keep your colour looking rich and glossy between appointments.
Post-Colour Hair Care Tips For Lasting Vibrancy
Protecting your hair in the days following your salon appointment is critical. During the first two to three days, your hair pigment is still settling and washing too soon can pull the colour out.
Once you do wash:
- Rinse with cool water to seal the hair cuticle and reduce pigment loss. Avoid hot water, which opens the cuticle and can speed up fading.
- Use a leave-in conditioner or serum enriched with protective ingredients to smooth strands and shield them from heat styling tools and UV exposure.
How Your Hair Type Affects Longevity
Porosity, thickness and texture all influence how colour performs:
- Fine Hair: Colour may fade faster as pigment can wash out more easily. A richer conditioner or gloss helps to maintain vibrancy.
- Thick or Coarse Hair: Needs more moisture to avoid frizz and dryness, which can mask the shine of your colour. Deep moisturising treatments are beneficial.
- Curly or Textured Hair: Characterised by raised cuticles, making pigment harder to hold. Using gentle, curl-friendly moisturisers and protective styles helps lock in colour.
Recognising your hair’s unique traits allows you to tailor a colour-care routine that supports longer lasting dye results.
Avoiding Common Mistakes That Cause Colour Fading
Even the best products won’t help if everyday habits undermine your colour care.
- Over Washing: Shampooing every day removes natural oils and pigment. Instead, aim for two to three washes per week. It’s always a good idea to follow the guidance of your stylist when frequency is concerned.
- Using Hot Water: Hot showers impact your hair, opening the cuticle and allowing pigment to escape.
- Frequent Heat Styling: Urged with heat protectant; overuse causes cuticle damage and dullness.
- Chlorine or Saltwater Exposure: These can strip colour quickly. It is recommended to use a swimming cap or apply conditioner before swimming, and rinse hair immediately afterwards.
- Clarifying Shampoos or Strong Treatments: These can strip away colour if used too soon after colouring. Avoid them for the first fortnight.
How Often Should You Touch Up or Refresh Colour?
- Root Touch-ups: Typically every six to eight weeks, depending on growth rate and desired maintenance levels.
- All Over Refresh: If your ends fade noticeable (especially lighter tones), a full colour renewal might be needed at the 12-week mark.
- Low Maintenance Colour Styles: Balayage, soft root blending or shadow roots offer a more forgiving fade and can stretch time between salon visits.
Salon vs At Home: Does It Impact Longevity?
Professional salon dyes use higher-quality pigments and techniques that saturate hair more evenly and deeply, usually leading to improved colour longevity. Our ammonia-free, salon-exclusive colour range is gentler on the hair and better for maintaining long-term shine and vibrancy. A trained stylist can also ensure your hair is perfectly prepped for a colour treatment, and provide you with expert advice for aftercare.
If you choose at-home box dyes, you can still maintain colour longer by pairing them with salon-grade products and following post-colour care steps carefully. That being said, it will be much harder to achieve a ‘salon-grade’ result at home. If you’d like to learn more, check out our Professional Hair Colouring vs DIY blog.
Nutrition & Lifestyle Factors That Can Affect Hair Colour
Beautiful hair starts from the inside out. Staying hydrated and eating a balanced diet rich in proteins, healthy fats, vitamins A, C and E helps to maintain scalp and hair health – as well as colour retention.
Lifestyle factors matter too. Excessive exposure to the harsh sun, smoking and environmental pollution can degrade pigment over time. Making use of UV protectant sprays, avoiding smoking and minimising exposure to harsh outdoor conditions supports longer lasting shine and radiance.
Final Takeaways
To extend the life of your hair colour, choose colour-safe, sulphate-free products, wash wisely with cooler water and protect your hair after salon visits. Avoid common mistakes such as over washing, excessively heat styling and chlorine exposure, and tailor your routine based on your hair type and porosity. Incorporating glossing or toning between appointments, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and making use of your stylist’s expertise when you can ensures your colour treatment stays radiant for longer.
If you’d like to book a colour consultation with one of our talented stylists, get in touch today! We’d love to help you bring your colour vision to life – while keeping it healthy, vibrant and long-lasting.