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Caring for Color-Treated Hair: Tips & Products (2024)

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how to care for color treated hair

To care for your color-treated hair, give precedence to using products intended to augment and preserve your hair’s vibrancy. Condition with products like Kérastase Chroma Absolu Strengthening Conditioner to rectify damage and impart shine. Apply leave-in treatments such as IGK Mixed Feelings Purple Leave-in Blonde Toning Drops to sustain color and counteract brassiness.

Protect your hair from heat with sprays like IGK Good Behavior Hair Prep Spray. Remember to nourish with oils and avoid washing before coloring. By adhering to these steps, you’ll guarantee your hair remains healthy and your color, splendid. There’s more to uncover for maintaining that salon-fresh look.

Table Of Contents

Key Takeaways

  • Use color-specific shampoos and conditioners to maintain vibrancy.
  • Apply leave-in treatments to protect from environmental factors and prevent damage.
  • Use heat protectant sprays to shield hair from heat damage and color fading.
  • Incorporate hair oils into your routine for nourishment and shine enhancement.

How to Care for Color Treated Hair?

To care for color-treated hair, follow these tips:

  1. Use sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner: Sulfates can strip your hair of natural oils, leading to dryness and color fading. Opt for sulfate-free products to keep your hair healthy and vibrant.
  2. Wash less frequently: Washing your hair too often can strip it of natural oils, which can affect color-treated hair and cause it to dull and fade faster. Limit washing to two to three times per week.
  3. Apply a leave-in conditioner: A leave-in conditioner can help protect color-treated hair from damage and dullness. Apply it before using heat tools or spending time in the sun.
  4. Use heat protectants: If you use hot tools on your hair, always use a heat protectant to minimize damage and keep your color looking fresh.
  5. Treat your hair weekly: Apply a heavy-duty mask once a week to nourish and protect your color-treated hair.
  6. Eat a healthy diet: Consuming iron-rich protein and other nutrients can help keep your hair strong and healthy, which is essential for maintaining color-treated hair.
  7. Use color-safe products: Look for hair care products specifically formulated for color-treated hair, such as those that are sulfate-free and contain anti-brassiness and anti-fade protection.
  8. Protect your ends: Your ends are the most fragile part of your hair, so protect them with a nourishing moisturizer, serum, or oil.
  9. Wait between color services: Give your hair a break between color appointments. Wait six to eight weeks before your next color service to allow your hair to recover.
  10. Avoid damaging ingredients: Stay away from sulfates, parabens, sodium chloride, and petrochemicals, which can contribute to dryness and affect color-treated hair.

By following these tips, you can help preserve the color and vibrancy of your hair while maintaining its health.

Conditioners & Masks:

Your color-treated hair deserves the best care to maintain its shine and strength. Consider using products like IGK Expensive Amla Oil Hi-Shine Topcoat or Shu Uemura Color Lustre Brilliant Glaze Conditioner to enhance vibrancy and provide essential nourishment.

IGK Expensive Amla Oil Hi-Shine Topcoat

IGK Expensive Amla Oil Hi-Shine Topcoat is a must-have for color-treated hair. The formula is enriched with Amla Oil, a natural hair conditioner that strengthens hair and adds shine. It also contains Sea Kelp Extract, which helps prevent damage from external aggressors, and Sunflower Seed Oil, which hydrates for long-lasting softness and frizz control.

This in-shower gloss treatment adds high shine and enhances color, while also preventing fading and fighting frizz. To use, apply after shampooing and conditioning, or use it in place of conditioner. Leave it in for 2-3 minutes, then rinse. For an extra boost of shine, apply a small amount to dry hair.

Shu Uemura Color Lustre Brilliant Glaze Conditioner

Shu Uemura’s Color Lustre Brilliant Glaze Conditioner is a must-have for color-treated hair. This conditioner provides lightweight conditioning with a glazed touch and polished shine, preserving the hair color from mid-lengths to ends.

The formula is infused with musk rose oil, known for its inherent healing properties, and goji berry extract, which keeps the hair from fading.

To use, apply a quarter-size amount onto palms and massage through wet hair from mid-lengths to ends, leaving it on for 5-10 minutes before rinsing thoroughly.

Kérastase Chroma Absolu Strengthening Conditioner for Color-Treated Hair

Kérastase Chroma Absolu Strengthening Conditioner for Color-Treated Hair is a must-have for those seeking to enhance their hair color and improve its overall health. This conditioner is designed to strengthen and rebuild hair damaged from color treatments, while also preventing future breakage. It deeply hydrates and smooths the hair, leaving it with a vibrant color that’s protected against environmental stressors and color stripping.

Here are three key benefits of using Kérastase Chroma Absolu Strengthening Conditioner for Color-Treated Hair:

  1. Color Enhancement: This conditioner is formulated to enhance your hair color, ensuring that it stays vibrant and true to its original shade.
  2. Damage Repair: The conditioner is designed to repair damaged hair, making it stronger and more resilient.
  3. Shine and Vibrancy: With its nourishing formula, the conditioner leaves your hair with a beautiful shine and vibrancy, making it look and feel healthy.

To use the conditioner, apply a hazelnut-sized amount on mid-lengths and ends, avoiding the roots to guarantee a lightweight volume. Massage it into your hair and leave it on for 2 to 3 minutes before rinsing thoroughly. For best results, follow up with a Chroma Absolu Shampoo to complete your hair care routine.

Briogeo Superfoods Mango + Cherry Oil Control & Balancing Conditioner

Briogeo’s Superfoods Mango + Cherry Oil Control & Balancing Conditioner is a must-have for those with oily hair types or active lifestyles. This sulfate-free conditioner is packed with vitamins and minerals, such as mango extract, which provides antioxidant protection against free-radical damage, and cherry extract, rich in natural sugars and Vitamin C for increased hydration and antioxidant protection.

The papaya enzyme helps balance oil production on the scalp, while goji berry extract strengthens and protects hair. To use, massage into wet hair and leave in for up to two minutes before rinsing. This conditioner is vegan, phthalate & paraben-free, and suitable for all hair types.

Leave-in Treatments:

Leave-in Treatments:
Leave-in treatments are an essential part of caring for color-treated hair. They provide additional protection and hydration to maintain the vibrancy of the color and prevent damage. Some recommended products for color-treated hair include:

IGK Mixed Feelings Purple Leave-In Blonde Toning Drops

Oribe Power Drops Color Preservation Booster

Davines Oi All in One Milk

Reverie Milk Anti-Frizz Leave-in Nourishing Treatment

Pureology Color Fanatic Multi-Tasking Leave-in Spray

These products help to strengthen the hair, reduce breakage, and protect against environmental factors.

IGK Mixed Feelings Purple Leave-in Blonde Toning Drops

Embrace your color with IGK Mixed Feelings Purple Leave-in Blonde Toning Drops. This leave-in treatment offers:

  1. Color protection
  2. Anti-brass toning
  3. Hair color trends
  4. Hair color inspiration

These drops are your secret weapon for vibrant, long-lasting hair color. Don’t miss out on the transformation!

Oribe Power Drops Color Preservation Booster

Oribe Power Drops Color Preservation Booster: A leave-in treatment that strengthens damaged hair and preserves color, making it a must-have for anyone looking to enhance their hair styling and care routine.

Davines Oi All in One Milk

The Davines Oi All in One Milk is a multi-tasking leave-in treatment that softens, detangles, controls frizz, and protects hair from heat. This lightweight formula is suitable for all hair types and provides a detangling and anti-frizz moisturizing effect, as well as antioxidant and heat protection.

To use, apply 10-15 sprays to washed, towel-dried hair, and proceed with styling without rinsing. The product can also be used as a moisturizing finish for particularly dehydrated hair.

Reverie Milk Anti-Frizz Leave-in Nourishing Treatment

Embrace smooth, frizz-free hair with Reverie Milk Anti-Frizz Leave-in Nourishing Treatment. This lightweight formula offers detangling benefits, anti-static properties, and heat protection for color preservation. Enhance your hair’s moisture balance, reduce hair breakage, and combat hair loss. Ideal for all hair types, this leave-in treatment is your secret weapon for a salon-quality finish.

Pureology Color Fanatic Multi-Tasking Leave-in Spray

Pureology Color Fanatic Multi-Tasking Leave-In Spray is a game-changer for color-treated hair. This innovative product offers 21 benefits in one bottle, making it a must-have for anyone seeking to maintain vibrant, healthy hair. Here’s what you can expect from this leave-in treatment:

  1. Primes hair for heat and styling: This spray prepares your hair for styling by creating a protective barrier against heat damage.
  2. Protects from damage: The AntiFade Complex in the formula shields your hair from damage, ensuring that your color stays vibrant and healthy.
  3. Acts as an anti-frizz hair spray: Say goodbye to unruly frizz with this leave-in treatment, which helps smooth your hair surface and create a silky finish.
  4. Adds shine: The formula enhances your hair’s natural shine, giving it a radiant glow from root to tip.
  5. Detangles: The spray makes it easier to detangle your hair, reducing breakage and preventing split ends.

To use Pureology Color Fanatic Multi-Tasking Leave-In Spray, simply mist it onto damp hair after shampooing and conditioning. Comb through your hair evenly, and style as usual. For best color protection, apply the spray before using any Pureology styling products.

This leave-in treatment is infused with natural oils like Camelina Oil, Coconut Oil, and Olive Oil, which nourish and moisturize your hair. It also features a signature aromatherapy blend of Rose, Floral Ginger, and Cedarwood, giving it a fresh and indulgent scent.

Stylers:

Stylers:
When caring for color-treated hair, selecting the appropriate stylers is paramount to preserving its vibrancy and well-being. Products such as Olaplex No. 6 Bond Smoother and Color Wow Style on Steroids Color-Safe Texture Spray provide specific advantages to maintain the optimal appearance of your hair.

Olaplex No. 6 Bond Smoother

Olaplex No. 6 Bond Smoother is a reparative styling creme that offers up to 72 hours of frizz control and faster blow-dries while leaving hair frizz-free when air-dried. It’s a highly concentrated leave-in smoothing creme that strengthens, moisturizes, and eliminates frizz and flyaways for all hair types, including colored and chemically treated hair. The product is formulated with Olaplex’s patented bond building technology, which repairs broken disulfide bonds and provides anti-breakage properties, giving hair superior strength.

  1. Frizz Control: Olaplex No. 6 Bond Smoother provides up to 72 hours of frizz control, ensuring your hair stays smooth and manageable for extended periods.
  2. Faster Blow-Dries: The product speeds up blow-dry times by smoothing each strand, making your hair drying process more efficient.
  3. Air-Dry Smoothness: The creme allows for frizz-free air-drying, giving your hair a silky, smooth finish without the need for heat styling.

To use Olaplex No. 6 Bond Smoother, apply a small amount to damp or dry hair, focusing on the mid-lengths to ends. Comb through and style as desired. For extra smoothness and shine, mix a few drops of Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil with a pea-sized amount of No.6 Bond Smoother and apply to damp hair before styling.

Olaplex No. 6 Bond Smoother is available for purchase on olaplex.com, Sephora, and professional salons.

Color Wow Style on Steroids Color-Safe Texture Spray

Color Wow Style on Steroids Color-Safe Texture Spray is a must-have for color-treated hair. This spray provides long-lasting style memory, volume enhancement, and frizz reduction without leaving a chalky film or clouding color vibrancy. It’s perfect for achieving sexy, undone texture without stiffness or stickiness.

To use Style on Steroids, simply spray it on dried hair to safely add instant volume and texture. For major volume, flip your head upside down and spray under-layers. For sexy, undone separation or to break up curls, spray through midsection layers and rake through with fingers. It’s also heat protectant, so you can use it before styling with heat tools.

If you’re looking for a product that will give your hair guts and long-lasting style memory without drying it out or gluing strands together, then Style on Steroids is the way to go. It’s also cruelty-free, vegan, and free of parabens, sulfates, and gluten.

Incorporate this texturizing spray into your hair care routine to enhance your color vibrancy and achieve the perfect balance of hold and control.

R+Co Bleu Super Style Crème

R+Co Bleu Super Style Crème is a versatile styling product that offers a variety of benefits for color-treated hair. Here’s what you need to know:

  1. Texture and Curl Definition: This lightweight cream helps set your hair effortlessly, enhancing your natural texture and curl definition.
  2. Hydration: It adds softness and shine to your hair, while also providing hydration to keep your locks looking healthy and vibrant.
  3. Frizz Control: The formula helps prevent frizz, keeping your hair smooth and manageable.
  4. Heat Protection: It also seals split ends and strengthens your hair, ensuring that your color-treated strands are protected from heat damage.

To use R+Co Bleu Super Style Crème, simply apply a small amount to your hair after styling. It can be used on both air-dried and blow-dried hair, making it a convenient option for any hair type. Remember, a little goes a long way, so be sure to use it sparingly to avoid weighing down your hair.

R+Co Death Valley Dry Shampoo

R+Co Death Valley Dry Shampoo: Absorb oil, refresh roots, and revive second-day hair without causing damage or buildup.

Mizani 25 Miracle Milk Leave-in Conditioner

Mizani 25 Miracle Milk Leave-in Conditioner is a must-have for anyone with color-treated hair. This lightweight conditioner provides 25 benefits in a single spritz, including heat protection, frizz control, detangling, UV protection, and split end repair. Here are three reasons why you’ll love it:

  1. Heat Protection: The formula contains xylose, which protects your hair from heat and color treatments.
  2. Frizz Control: It helps control frizz, leaving your hair soft and manageable.
  3. Detangling and Hydration: The unique blend of ingredients detangles, repairs damage, and treats dryness, making your hair more manageable and hydrated.

To use Mizani 25 Miracle Milk Leave-in Conditioner, simply apply it to clean, damp hair whenever needed. It’s lightweight and non-greasy, making it perfect for everyday use. Whether you’re blow-drying your hair or just need a little extra hydration, this leave-in conditioner is a game-changer for color-treated hair.

Heat Protectants:

Heat Protectants:
When tending to color-treated hair, choosing the appropriate heat protectant is essential to avert damage from heat styling. Products such as IGK Good Behavior Hair Prep Spray, R+Co Bleu Smooth & Seal Blow-Dry Mist, Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray Anti-Frizz Treatment, and Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Heat Styling Spray provide protection and improve your hair’s health and appearance.

IGK Good Behavior Hair Prep Spray

IGK Good Behavior Hair Prep Spray is a must-have for anyone looking to protect their hair from heat damage while also controlling frizz and enhancing shine. This multi-tasking hair prep spray is the first step in any hair routine, as it gently detangles, protects against heat, controls frizz, and adds shine. Its weightless formula primes the hair for any styler, leaving it smooth, shiny, and frizz-free.

To use IGK Good Behavior Hair Prep Spray, apply it evenly to damp, clean hair before your styler. Comb through and then blow dry or style as desired. For the perfect frizz-free blowout that lasts, you can also use Good Behavior Spirulina Protein Smoothing Spray (sold separately).

This heat-protective blowout spray is perfect for all hair types, including color-treated and chemically treated hair. It features spirulina protein, which strengthens and nourishes the hair, and an innovative formaldehyde-free bonding polymer that mimics the coating and smoothing properties of a keratin treatment when activated by heat.

Key benefits of IGK Good Behavior Hair Prep Spray include 24-hour frizz control, 450°F heat protection, and color-safe formulation. It’s vegan and cruelty-free, free of gluten, artificial colors, triethanolamine, mineral oils, harsh detergents, methylisothiazolinone/methylchloroisothiazolinone, and petrochemicals.

R+Co Bleu Smooth & Seal Blow-Dry Mist

R+Co Bleu Smooth & Seal Blow-Dry Mist is a heat protectant that offers smoothing, shine, and fast drying capabilities. It controls frizz, making blow drying a breeze. Use it to protect your color-treated hair from heat damage.

Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray Anti-Frizz Treatment

Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray Anti-Frizz Treatment is a heat protectant and humidity resistance product that provides a smooth and shiny finish to your hair. This lightweight spray is designed to be a one-and-done formula, replacing the need for multiple gels, creams, and serums that can weigh down your hair and make it dull. It uses a ground-breaking, heat-activated polymer technology that creates an invisible, hydrophobic matrix, compressing each strand into a sleek, silky shape and sheathing every strand in a light, imperceptible raincoat that repels moisture.

To use Dream Coat, apply it to damp, towel-dried hair after shampooing and conditioning. Divide your hair into sections and spray each section thoroughly, both on the surface and underneath, to completely saturate the hair. Comb through to distribute the product evenly, then blow dry, section by section, using a brush to hold each section taut while directing the dryer heat down the hair lengths until the section is completely dry. The effects of Dream Coat last through 3 to 4 shampoos.

This product is suitable for all hair types, including wavy, curly, or straight hair, and is particularly effective for those with frizzy or unruly texture. It’s alcohol-free and non-drying, making it ideal for those with dry hair. Dream Coat is also safe for color-treated hair and can be used with other Color Wow products for best results.

Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Heat Styling Spray

Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Heat Styling Spray is a versatile product designed to protect and enhance your hair. Here are three key points about this heat protectant spray:

  1. Effectiveness: The spray provides heat protection up to 450°F/230°C, ensuring your hair is shielded from damage caused by styling tools. It also creates lasting smoothness for up to 48 hours, making it an excellent choice for those who want to minimize heat styling.
  2. Ingredients: The lightweight, silicone-free formula contains a healthy hair molecule that smooths, protects, and repels dirt, helping to keep your hair cleaner, longer. It also includes a cationic blend that conditions and reduces static, improving manageability and shine.
  3. Price and Application: The spray is priced at $32.00, but you can get it for $30.40 with a 5% off auto-replenish discount. To apply, hold the canister about 6-10 inches away from your hair and section it before spraying in a sweeping motion. Style as desired after waiting 30 seconds.

Hair Oils:

Hair Oils:
For those with color-treated hair, incorporating hair oils like Bread Beauty Supply Hair Oil Everyday Gloss, Virtue Healing Oil, and R+Co Bleu Primary Color Hair Mask into your routine can be a game-changer. These products are designed to nourish, protect, and enhance the vibrancy of your dyed strands, ensuring your hair remains healthy and radiant.

Bread Beauty Supply Hair Oil Everyday Gloss

Bread Beauty Supply Hair Oil Everyday Gloss offers hydration, shine, and damage repair for color-treated hair. It also enhances curl definition and prevents split ends. Incorporate it into your routine for a glossy, healthy look.

Virtue Healing Oil

Virtue Healing Oil is a must-have for those seeking to repair damaged hair and protect color-treated locks. This lightweight formula, infused with Virtue’s proprietary hair-healing Alpha Keratin 60ku®, offers a range of benefits:

  1. Damage Repair: Alpha Keratin 60ku® binds directly to damaged areas, repairing like nothing else.
  2. Hydration: Clarity oils impart a glossy finish without weighing down your hair.
  3. Color Protection: The oil is color-safe, meaning it won’t alter your color.

To use Virtue Healing Oil, simply shake the bottle before each use to activate the formula, then apply a few drops to your hands and work it through damp or dry hair. For best results, use it daily or as needed.

R+Co Bleu Primary Color Hair Mask

R+Co Bleu Primary Color Hair Mask is a game-changer for color-treated hair. This luxurious masque deeply conditions to seal the cuticle and strengthen hair, providing an extra dose of hydration, shine, and reparative care. It’s designed to protect and enhance your color, leaving your hair looking vibrant and healthy.

This masque isn’t just about repairing damage; it’s about maintaining the integrity of your color-treated hair. It nourishes as it cleanses, sealing the cuticle and adding strength to protect against breakage. Whether you’ve just colored your hair or want to maintain its vibrancy, this mask is a must-have in your hair care routine.

Preparation:

Preparation:
Before you commence the process of dyeing your hair, it’s imperative to establish the foundation for vibrant and enduring color. Adequate preparation encompasses conditioning with coconut oil, omitting the pre-color wash, and handling porous strands with care to preserve your hair’s well-being and achieve the most desirable result.

Nourish Hair With Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is a natural hair care ingredient that provides numerous benefits for color-treated hair. Here are three ways to incorporate coconut oil into your hair care routine:

  1. Moisturize Dry Hair: Coconut oil helps to hydrate and soften dry, brittle hair, reducing the appearance of split ends and promoting a smooth, shiny finish.
  2. Prevent Frizz: The cuticle-smoothing properties of coconut oil make it an effective anti-frizz remedy, taming unruly strands and enhancing overall hair health.
  3. Fight Dandruff: Coconut oil has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties that can help combat dandruff and improve scalp health.

To use coconut oil, you can apply a small amount to your hair after shampooing, focusing on the ends. Leave it in for a few minutes before rinsing out. Alternatively, you can use a coconut oil hair mask by applying a generous amount to your hair, covering it with a shower cap, and leaving it on for 15 to 25 minutes before rinsing.

Avoid Washing Hair Before Coloring

To maintain the vibrancy of your color-treated hair, it’s crucial to avoid washing it before coloring. This allows the natural oils in your hair to act as a protective barrier, which can help your color last longer. The general recommendation is to wait at least 24 hours before washing your hair after coloring. If you have oily hair, you might be able to postpone a wash or two before your appointment, as this can give your color more time to absorb and oxidize.

When you do wash your hair, make sure to use a color-protecting shampoo and conditioner system like Matrix Total Results Color Obsessed Shampoo and Conditioner. These products are designed to guard against fading and extend color vibrancy. For blonde shades, consider using a color-toning shampoo and conditioner system like Redken Color Extend Blondage Shampoo and Conditioner, which contains ultra violet pigment and the brand’s Triple Acid Protein complex to tone, strengthen, and brighten all in one for a brighter, stronger blonde.

Treat Porous Hair Conservatively With Bleach

Treating porous hair with caution using bleach is critical to prevent bleach damage. Bleach application can make your hair porous, enabling the oxidative agent to penetrate your hair shaft. This process dissolves the pigment melanin and lightens your natural color. However, all-over bleach is highly damaging for your hair, so it’s imperative to apply it only on healthy, strong hair that can withstand the effects of the bleach.

To minimize bleach damage, consider using alternative bleaching techniques such as Balayage, which is less damaging than a complete bleach. This method involves hand-painting bleach on your strands, causing relatively less damage to your hair. Highlights are another option, with the intensity of bleach or the desired level of lightness influencing the hair damage.

If you’re concerned about bleach damage, you can also opt for super-lightening dyes or high lift dyes, which utilize a strong lifting agent to lighten your hair color and replace it with your preferred shade. These alternatives are considered less harsh than conventional bleaches.

Trim Damaged Hair After Processing

Trimming damaged hair after processing is indispensable for preserving hair well-being. Employ hair care products that safeguard and mend damaged ends, like leave-in treatments and hair oils. Routine trims maintain your hair at its peak appearance.

Use Great Hair Care Products After Coloring

To guarantee the durability of your colored hair, it’s crucial to utilize optimal hair care products tailored for color-treated hair. Here are four primary product categories to contemplate:

  1. Color-Preserving Shampoos and Conditioners: Seek sulfate-free formulas that are mild on colored hair. These products are usually labeled as color protect shampoo or shampoo for color-treated hair and are designed to cleanse without removing your hair’s color.
  2. Protein Treatments and Intense Conditioners: Employ protein treatments or intense conditioners once or twice a month to assist in restoring the structural components of your hair and enhancing nutrients. These treatments can aid in strengthening your hair, particularly if it’s undergoing coloring, lightening, or texturizing with chemicals.
  3. Leave-in Conditioners: Apply leave-in conditioners to provide enduring hydration and shield your hair from heat damage, humidity, and frizz. These products are especially valuable for color-treated hair, as they assist in maintaining the vibrancy of your color.
  4. Heat Protectant Sprays or Serums: Utilize heat protectant sprays or serums prior to using hot tools to safeguard your hair from heat damage and prevent color fading. These products create a barrier that shields your hair from the damaging effects of heat styling.

Immediate Aftercare:

Immediate Aftercare:
After coloring your hair, it’s imperative to wait 72 hours before the first wash to guarantee the color bonds effectively. Utilize cool water, avoid harsh shampoos, allow your hair to dry naturally, and don’t be concerned by tinted rinse water—it’s typical.

Wait 72 Hours Before Washing Hair

Waiting 72 hours before washing your color-treated hair is essential for preserving its brilliance and durability. Throughout this period, the cuticle layer of your hair remains unsealed, granting the color the ability to permeate more profoundly into the hair shaft. This interval guarantees that the color is fully absorbed, culminating in a more radiant and enduring shade.

Use Cool Water for Washing

Use cool water for washing your color-treated hair to maintain color vibrancy and protect your scalp’s sensitivity. Here’s why:

  1. Color Retention: Cool water helps preserve the color of your hair by reducing the rate of color loss.
  2. Scalp Sensitivity: Cool water is gentler on your scalp, reducing irritation and discomfort.
  3. Temperature Control: Hair is more porous when wet, so cool water helps control temperature and prevent damage.
  4. Impact on Hair: Using cool water instead of hot water can extend the life of your color and reduce the need for frequent touch-ups.

Avoid Clarifying Shampoos

Avoid clarifying shampoos for 72 hours post-coloring to prevent color fading and scalp irritation. Opt for color-protective shampoos instead.

Let Hair Dry Naturally After First Wash

After your first wash, let your hair dry naturally to prevent damage. Use nourishing ingredients in your hair care routine, like those found in the Bread Beauty Supply Hair Oil Everyday Gloss. Opt for natural drying methods whenever possible to maintain color and shine.

Tinted Rinse Water is Normal

Tinted rinse water is a temporary color treatment that’s applied after shampooing and before conditioning. It’s designed to boost, tone, and add vibrancy to your hair color. In the first few weeks after coloring your hair, you can use a tinted rinse every other wash to help maintain the color.

This treatment is suitable for both dark brunette to black shades and all blonde shades, as well as blonde or brunette shades with highlights.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How often should I wash color-treated hair?

For color-treated hair, it’s recommended to wash it every two to three days to preserve the color and natural oils.

What are the best shampoo and conditioner options for color-treated hair?

To maintain the health of color-treated hair, selecting the appropriate shampoo and conditioner is essential. Opt for color-safe shampoos that don’t contain sulfates, such as the Kérastase Chroma Absolu Bain Respect Shampoo. This shampoo has been formulated to cleanse gently, hydrate, preserve color, and prevent its fading.

Other choices include the Shu Uemura Color Lustre Shampoo, highly recommended by Forbes, and the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Shampoo, which is regarded as the most economical option.

As for conditioner, consider the Briogeo Superfoods Mango + Cherry Oil Control & Balancing Conditioner, a popular choice for color-treated hair. It’s important to note that the most effective products for your hair will vary based on your hair type and color, so finding a product that caters to your specific requirements is imperative.

How can I protect my hair from the sun while swimming?

To protect your color-treated hair from the sun while swimming, consider these tips:

  1. Pre-swim preparation: Apply a light coating of coconut oil, argan oil, or olive oil to your hair before diving in.
  2. Pre-soak: Wet your hair with clean water before swimming to minimize chlorine absorption.
  3. Use sunscreen for your hair: Look for hair products containing UVA and UVB filters to protect from chlorine and the sun.
  4. Wear a swim cap: This will shield your hair from the sun and chlorine.
  5. Rinse after swimming: Immediately rinse your hair with cold water to remove any lingering chlorine.
  6. Deep condition: Apply a nourishing hair mask or deep conditioning treatment to restore moisture and enhance shine.

What are the benefits of using a heat protectant spray?

Using a heat protectant spray is essential for your hair care routine. It creates a barrier between your hair and heat styling tools, preventing heat damage. This damage can lead to dry, frizzy hair, and even cause the color in your hair to fade. By using a heat protectant, you can maintain the health and appearance of your hair, while still enjoying the benefits of styling tools.

How can I prevent my hair from getting frizzy after washing?

To prevent your hair from getting frizzy after washing, follow these tips:

  1. Use a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner that’s suitable for your hair type to avoid stripping your hair of its natural oils, which can cause frizz.
  2. Apply a heat protectant spray before blow-drying your hair to shield it from the damaging effects of heat styling.
  3. Use a microfibre towel or an old T-shirt to gently dry your hair after washing, as rough towel-drying can cause frizz.
  4. Apply a leave-in conditioner or hair oil to damp hair to lock in moisture and protect your hair from humidity.
  5. Avoid using a regular towel to dry your hair, as this can cause friction and create frizz.
  6. Use a diffuser when blow-drying your hair to distribute heat evenly and prevent frizz.
  7. Use a silk or satin pillowcase to reduce friction and prevent frizz while you sleep.
  8. Keep your hands off your hair as much as possible to avoid causing static and frizz.
  9. Use a humidity-resistant hairspray to hold your style in place and protect your hair from frizz.

Conclusion

To guarantee your colored hair stays vivid and healthy, it’s imperative to utilize the appropriate products and care techniques. By incorporating conditioners, leave-in treatments, stylers, heat protectants, oils, and following preparation and aftercare guidelines, you’ll maintain your salon-fresh appearance. Note, caring for colored hair is an ongoing process, so be consistent with your routine for optimal results.

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Mutasim Sweileh

Mutasim is a published author and software engineer and beard care expert from the US. To date, he has helped thousands of men make their beards look better and get fatter. His work has been mentioned in countless notable publications on men's care and style and has been cited in Seeker, Wikihow, GQ, TED, and Buzzfeed.