Science-Backed 3-Step Shampoo, Mask & Serum Routine for Colour-Treated Hair in India

Go by what your hair is doing now. If the ends snap easily or feel weak after colouring, bleaching, a keratin treatment or frequent heat styling, start with the Nexxus PROMEND Repair Range. Its Keratinizing Shampoo and Mask contain hydrolyzed keratin, collagen amino acids and elastin to replenish lost protein. The shampoo has a gel-to-lather texture and costs ₹1,399; the cream mask costs ₹1,899. Use the shampoo for 2–3 washes a week and the mask 1–2 times a week.

If your colour-treated hair feels dry, frizzy or dull rather than fragile, swap in the Nexxus PROMEND Moisture Collagenizing Treatment Mask. Nexxus says its bond-generation technology targets moisture and smoothness. The treatment cream costs ₹1,899 and replaces the Repair Mask 1–2 times a week.

Nexxus PROMEND Oil Resurrection works with either mask. It's a lightweight oil-in-serum made with 89% pure oils plus keratin, collagen and elastin. It starts at ₹999; use 1–2 drops on your lengths after every wash.

Step 1. Cleanse your scalp. Massage a coin-sized amount of PROMEND Repair Keratinizing Shampoo, into a wet scalp. As you rinse, let the lather run through your lengths rather than scrubbing them. Nexxus says its sulfate-free formula reduces protein loss by 80% while cleansing without stripping colour or moisture. Use lukewarm water, not hot.

Step 2. Mask the lengths. Squeeze out excess water, then apply the PROMEND Repair Keratinizing Treatment Mask from mid-lengths to ends. Keep it away from your roots, comb through gently and leave it on for the time stated on the pack. Finish with a cool rinse to help seal the cuticle. If you're unsure about placement, this guide to applying a hair mask correctly is useful. Use the mask 1–2 times a week, rather than automatically reaching for it at every wash.

Step 3. Seal the ends. Smooth 1–2 drops of PROMEND Oil Resurrection serum over damp or dry lengths after every wash. Add a drop if your hair is long or thick, and keep the serum off your scalp. Nexxus claims that 6 drops can return hair to a "virgin state." That's the brand's demonstration claim; for everyday use, start with 1–2 drops and add more only if you need it.

In Indian weather, a workable schedule is shampoo 2–3 times a week, mask 1–2 times a week and serum after every wash. You can use a little serum on dry days if your ends feel rough. Fine hair may need only a pea-sized amount of mask and one drop of serum. Thick or curly hair can take more of both. If your scalp gets oily but your colour-treated ends stay dry, shampoo the roots and let the lather rinse through the rest.

You can still oil your hair before shampoo day. Nexxus's sulfate-free shampoo won't fight the oil the way a harsh sulfate shampoo would. If hard water leaves your colour looking dull, try a filtered final rinse to cut down on the mineral film that can roughen the cuticle over time. Use a microfibre towel instead of rubbing your hair with a regular one, and apply a heat protectant before styling tools. The serum can smooth hair before styling, but it isn't a substitute for a dedicated heat protectant on very hot tools.

After a keratin or smoothening treatment, wait the recommended number of days before shampooing. If you're considering another treatment, read up on the difference between hair botox and keratin; general tips for smoother hair apply here too.

The mistakes are easy to make: washing with hot water after trying to seal the cuticle, putting mask on your roots, skipping the mask on the days you've planned to use it or applying more serum than your hair needs. Too much protein treatment can also leave hair that's dry rather than damaged feeling worse. That's your cue to try the Moisture Mask instead.

Nexxus says its Repair Mask delivers 200% smoother, 12X stronger hair with 62% bond generation per use. Celebrity hairstylist Flavien Heldt has recommended using the PROMEND mask twice a week for visible repair. You may notice softness and shine after the first wash; a visible change in strength and colour vibrancy can take 3–4 weeks of consistent use. Patch-test after a fresh chemical treatment. If you have scalp irritation or unusual hair fall, see a dermatologist or trichologist rather than expecting a wash routine to fix it.

If you plan to use all three steps, Nexxus regimen sets containing shampoo, mask and a mini serum were priced around ₹4,082–4,297 on Tira and nexxus.in. They work out cheaper per use than buying each step separately, but check current prices and combo-set availability before buying.