Fantasy color is all the rage, with hair color going bright pink, green and blue hues. But how can you make those crazy colors last? Here are some tips.
1. Use cold water
Washing your hair with cold water is a must — as cold as you can stand it. Why? Cold water closes the cuticle of the hair, which traps the color in. Plus, as an added bonus, it adds shine.
2. Don’t wash every day
Washing your hair every day will wash the color molecules out of your hair. Washing hair too frequently also strips your scalp of natural oils. That’s a bad thing because these oils help protect your color. Finally, washing your hair every day also leads to overproduction of oil… which leads to…
3. Use a cleansing conditioner
Harsh surfactants, aka the sudsing agents found in shampoos, can strip color and natural oils from your hair. Instead, opt for a cleansing conditions, which washes your hair with essential oils rather than chemicals.
4. Use color shampoos and conditioners
Color shampoos and conditioners are also a color-saving option. They will help deposit the pigment back into your hair with each wash, and there are a few different brands available. Ask your stylist which one is right for your hair.
5. Protect your hair from heat
Bad news: blowouts and heat damage will lead to color loss. Most professional products protect from blow-drying, but they don’t protect against flat or curling irons. For these, ask your stylist about thermal protectant creams and sprays to keep your color lasting as long as possible.