In an ideal world, we’d be able to schedule a hair appointment with our go-to stylist at the very first sign of our color fading. As we know, that’s not always possible. While stylists don’t recommend DIY-ing your own color at home, that doesn’t mean you’re relegated to brassy, dull hair until your next visit to the salon. In fact, there are plenty of tried-and-true strategies for preventing the side effects of a postponed salon visit. It all starts with implementing good hair habits and a little at-home maintenance.
Don’t know where to begin? Here are 7 stylist-approved tips for how to preserve and maintain your color at home.
3. Briogeo Color Me Brilliant™ Mushroom + Bamboo Color Protect Shampoo 8 oz
When you color your hair, it’s vital that you use a shampoo (and ideally a conditioner) that is specifically designed for your hair type. Doing so will not only help your color look fresh for a longer period of time, but also help maintain the health of your hair, explains Stephanie Brown, master hair colorist at IGK SOHO.
We like Briogeo's Color Me Brilliant Mushroom + Bamboo Color Protect Shampoo, which is naturally derived shampoo that cleanses and protects dyed hair against color fade and extends the needed time between color treatments
4. Philip Kingsley Pure Blonde Booster ColourCorrecting Weekly Mask (5.07 fl. oz.)
If your blonde color turns brassy—i.e. you’re starting to see unwanted warm tones—you can use a purple shampoo to return your hair to their intended hue. “Purple is complementary to yellow tones, meaning they cancel each other out,” explains Brown.
Since a weekly deep conditioning treatment is a must for bleach-treated hair, kill two birds with one stone with Philip Kingsley's Pure Blonde Booster ColourCorrecting Weekly Mask tp help strengthen and restore blonde locks. Formulated especially for dull, damaged strands, this keratin-packed formula neutralizes brassy blonde tones while improving moisture retention and flexibility.
6. dpHUE Root Touch-Up Kit (1 kit)
If you’re noticing some grays peeking through, Christine Thompson, hair colorist and founder of Spoke & Weal, suggests using dpHUE Root Touch-Up Kit. This gentle, salon-quality kit helps conceal your roots with a low-ammonia formula that won’t damage or fade your hair. The best part? Everything you need for two applications is included in the box.
7. Alterna CAVIAR Anti-Aging Restructuring Bond Repair Leave-in Heat Protection Spray 4.2 oz
When we overuse heat-styling tools, like blow dryers, straightening irons and curling wands, our hair becomes increasingly porous, explains Paglionico. “Heat tools also let out steam, which can open the cuticle and lift the color right out,” she warns. She recommends cutting down your use of styling tools to a maximum of two times a week and to use a heat protectant to create a layer between your hair and the heat.
For long-lasting thermal protection, reach for Alterna CAVIAR Anti-Aging Restructuring Bond Repair Leave-In Heat Protection Spray. Clinically proven to shield hair from heat damage and reduce breakage.
