Caring for your colour: giving your new hairstyle a longer life

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There are few other things in the world that make us feel fresher than getting our locks transformed in the salon. Whether you’re one for experimenting with new hair trends and adventurous colours or you love giving your natural colour a bit of a boost, caring for your colour should be a top priority.

However, we often forget that coloured hair needs special care and attention between salon visits to keep it in tip-top condition and to ensure our new look lasts as long as possible. With the consistent rise of rainbow, balayage and other coloured hair trends over the past year, it’s time to talk about the best practices to maintain and help protect your lively locks.

Coloured hair needs TLC and certain products can affect how your hair looks and feels, even causing the colour to fade more quickly. We have put together a helpful guide that will help maintain your gorgeous colour before your next trip to the salon.

Shampoo and conditioner

For vibrant hair with stand-out shades such as pink, reds, blues and purples, harsh products and clarifying shampoos should be avoided as they can strip the colour from your hair. Even those with brunette and blonde hair will be affected. Your focus should be to fight fade by extending the life of your colour. Switching up your current shampoo and conditioner for a friendlier option like the Redken Color Extend Magnetics range. This range has been formulated without the sulphates that are known for contributing to colour loss.

Unfortunately for blonde hair, there is an added problem. Not only can the colour fade but preserving bleached blonde hair with whiter shades can be an extra struggle. Ashy blonde can quickly develop yellow tones. To combat this it’s advised that blondes invest in a purple shampoo that will neutralise the yellow and restore hair to its former icy glory.

Damaged hair

The ultimate key to maintaining hair colour is the condition of your hair. Our Colour Specialist Symon May explains that “permanent hair colour works within the hair so if there is any damage it will not last as well”. This again highlights why investing in the right hair products for your hair is paramount. However, opting solely for a colour shampoo and conditioner - although they are necessary - is not enough for maintaining most hair colours. Colour shampoo and conditioner are there to maintain healthy coloured hair by working to close the cuticle and lock colour in.

If your locks are severely damaged, the little cuticle left for the product to work with. Therefore, shampoos and conditioners will need assistance to help restructure the hair using reconstructing and strengthening products. The Chapel always advises consulting a professional before buying hair products - so please come in to see us if you’re unsure of what product is right for you.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

It isn’t just our bodies that we should keep hydrated, the same goes for our hair too. One of the most important tips for long lasting hair colour is to keep your locks healthy and hydrated. Hair that is dehydrated will struggle to hold on to colour and will lack that killer shine. The ideal way to restore your hair’s moisture is by using a deep conditioning mask once a week. The Color Extend Magnetics range also features a Deep Attraction Mask which should be left on for 3-5 minutes to provide your hair with ultimate vibrancy.

Don’t have time for masks and treatments? You can still add moisture to your hair quickly and easily using a leave-in conditioner. This will protect your colour by moisturising and nourishing your hair from the inside out.

Heat style with care

Excessive heat styling is one of the main causes of fading hair colour. By using straighteners and curling wands over time you can damage the outer layer of your hair which can make it weak and dull. It is so easy to become complacent when it comes to using a heat protectant but it really does make a difference. Just spray the heat protectant from root to tip and then brush through to ensure that it has been evenly distributed. Your hair will then be left looking and feeling its best. Check out our expert advice on heat protection here.

Colour boosters

Another top tip from our Colour Specialist Symon is to invest in a colour booster. Recently hitting the market, these products enhance and protect your hair colour giving it that extra edge. Symon has found that they work wonders in particularly on redheads as red can lose vibrancy and on ash blondes as they can often become dull.

Skip shampooing and go dry

It is well known that over washing your hair can cause it to lose colour over time. If you can’t get away with skipping a wash during the week then dry shampoo is your saviour. Rather than washing your hair, instead opt for dry shampoo to remove any excess oils at the roots. When the time comes to wash your hair avoid blasting it with scalding hot water. Turn the temperature down a few degrees as this will also help prolong your colour.

Avoid chlorine

Chlorine is a chemical found in swimming pools to keep them clean. If you are a regular swimmer it is safe to say that the chlorine will be stripping your colour. If you dye your hair blonde it is susceptible to developing a green tint while darker shades may dry out and lose shine. Before getting in the pool wet your hair with clean water as this means it will then absorb less chlorinated water. Pile your hair up into a bun or top knot so when you do get in the pool as much of your hair as possible will stay out of the water.

If you’re looking to transform your hair colour then come into one of The Chapel salons where our stylists are focused on giving you the desired look of your dreams. In the meantime, you can explore our Expert Advice section for tips and guidance from our fabulous team.

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