Love Your Color: The Ultimate Guide To Caring For Dyed Hair

Whether you’ve opted for a subtle balayage, a head-turning red, or a cool platinum blonde, your new hair color deserves some extra love to keep it vibrant and healthy. But let’s be real: maintaining dyed hair sometimes feels overwhelming. 

Between the fading, dryness, and those dreaded split ends, it’s enough to make you want to throw in the towel and rewind to your natural hue. But the good news is that with the right routine, you can keep your color looking as fresh as the day you left the salon. 

Here’s everything you need to know about keeping your colored hair looking and feeling fabulous. 

Start with the Right Shampoo and Conditioner 

Choosing the right shampoo and conditioner makes all the difference when caring for your hair. And when it comes to colored hair, this choice is even more crucial. 

Regular shampoos can strip away your color faster than you can say “touch-up,” leaving your hair dull and lifeless. What you need is a color-safe shampoo and conditioner that’s gentle, sulfate-free, and specifically formulated to lock in your hue. 

These formulas cleanse without stripping, keeping your color alive and your hair hydrated. If you have a cooler shade like ash blonde or a rich brunette, consider adding a purple or blue shampoo into your routine once a week to combat brassiness. The Olaplex Nº. 4P Blonde Enhancer™ Toning Shampoo is ideal for keeping blonde locks nice and bright while tackling unwanted brassiness. 

Deep Condition 

Coloring can take a toll on your hair’s health, often leaving it dry and prone to breakage. That’s why deep conditioning is so essential: it replenishes lost moisture and restores softness and shine. 

Look for a deep conditioning mask or treatment packed with ingredients like keratin, argan oil, or shea butter. Use it once or twice a week, depending on your hair’s needs, and let it sit for at least 10 minutes or according to the product’s instructions. Your hair will thank you with a silky, smooth finish that enhances the brilliance of your color. 

Handle Hair With Careful Heat Styling 

We all love a good blow dry or a sleek flat iron finish, but heat styling can be particularly harsh on colored hair. High temperatures can cause your shade to fade faster and your hair to become brittle. This doesn’t mean you have to give up your favorite styles, though. 

Instead, be strategic about your heat styling. Always apply a heat protectant spray before using any hot tools to create a barrier between your hair and the heat––we love the Living Proof Perfect Hair Day™ Heat Styling Spray. 

Lower the temperature settings on your tools and limit heat styling to a couple of times a week, max. When you do use these tools, end with a cool blast from your blow dryer to seal the hair cuticle and lock in your style. 

Shield Your Hair from Environmental Stress 

We often think of environmental stress as affecting our skin, but our hair is just as susceptible. UV rays, pollution, and even the water you use to wash your hair can all affect the life of your color. 

To protect your hair from these aggressors, look for products that offer UV protection, like a leave-in conditioner with SPF. Consider wearing a hat if you’re going to be in the sun for an extended period. 

If you live in an area with hard water, think about installing a shower filter to reduce the amount of harsh minerals that can strip your color. And don’t forget to rinse your hair with cool water after swimming in chlorinated or salty water to minimize damage. 

Don’t Skip the Salon Visits 

Maintaining your color isn’t just about at-home care; it’s also about keeping up with regular salon visits. Touch-ups are essential for keeping your color fresh and your roots in check. 

But beyond just the color, your stylist can help keep your hair healthy with professional treatments like glosses, glazes, and bond-building products that strengthen and repair. These services can extend the life of your color, add shine, and even improve the overall texture of your hair. 

Treat Your Hair to the Best 

Caring for colored hair is all about treating it with the respect it deserves. This means investing in high-quality products, being mindful of your styling habits, and listening to what your hair needs. 

With the right care, maintaining your colored hair doesn’t have to be a chore. It can be a celebration of your unique style, a ritual that makes you feel pampered and confident every day. So go ahead and flaunt that color. 

Do you want more skincare advice? Here are seven expert tips for saying goodbye to tired eyes.