Getting your hair coloured is the quickest way to give yourself a fun makeover, amirite? But, while your hair colour looks great for the first two weeks, the real struggle begins when the colour starts to fade and your hair starts to look dull and brassy.

While this can be a real bummer, you don’t have to rush to the salon to get a touch-up just yet. All you need to do is make slight changes to your usual hair care habits to make your hair colour last longer…

 

Toss out products with SLS

Toss out products with SLS

One of the worst things you can do to your hair is to use shampoos that contain SLS. This foaming agent not only strips the natural oils from your hair and scalp but also fades your hair colour a lot faster. The solution? Switch to gentler SLS-free formulas to keep your hair colour looking fresh for longer.

 

Allow your hair to air dry

Allow your hair to air dry

Keeping heat styling to a minimum is not only beneficial for the overall health of your hair but also slows down the fading of your hair colour. This is because heat tends to open up the hair cuticles, which leads to loss of colour. Therefore, it is best to let your hair air dry as far as possible.

 

Avoid hot water showers

Avoid hot water showers

Just like the heat from your blow dryer can cause hair colour to fade, the same is the case with hot water showers as well. The heat can make the hair cuticles open up and swell, leading to the fading of colour molecules. Hence, either use cold or lukewarm water to wash your hair next time.

 

Cover your hair when outdoors

Cover your hair when outdoors

Everyone loves flaunting their freshly coloured hair, right? But it would be wise to not do this when you’re outdoors. Why? Well, because sun exposure is one of the most major causes of hair colour fading. Ensure that you wear a hat or cover your hair with a scarf every time you step out of the house during the day, especially in the afternoon.

Main image courtesy: @kritisanon