I’ve been colouring my hair for decades now, both by myself and with the help of professionals. Over that time and while sporting a veritable rainbow of hair colours, I’ve learned a thing or two about how to keep my hair as healthy as possible through the process. And since I’ve embraced vivid colours, I’ve had to learn even more in order to get the most out of my hair between trips to the salon.
Use the right Shampoo and Conditioner at the right time
It’s important to use the right products to care for coloured hair, and shampoo and conditioner have a huge impact on longevity. Take a look at the ingredients in the products you use, especially your shampoo. Avoid things like sulfates which can strip your colour. Also try to minimize how often you wash your hair, to preserve both colour and health.
I have been blown away by the Oribe Product line for Beautiful Colour. I use both the Shampoo or the Conditioner every time I wash and my pink has been lasting longer than ever and I love it. Along with making my hair so soft and shiny, it has truly helped me hold onto my pink hue for weeks longer than other shampoos and conditioners I have used. The Shampoo for Beautiful colour is an ultra-gentle cleanser that also provides intense moisture and protection, all the things bleached and coloured hair needs to stay fabulous.
Treat yourself and your hair
When you colour your hair as much as I do, treatment products are a must. A good mask goes a long way to help keep hair healthy between colour appointments. I’ve been using Oribe Hair Alchemy Strengthening Masque, and have actually fallen in love with the whole line of products for keeping my coloured hair healthy and happy. This line features moisture-magnifying shea butter and yacón root to moisturize and nourish weak hair going deep within the cortex to strengthen to help hair grow longer. The mask can even be used as a daily intensive conditioner for those with highly textured of especially parches locks, which is something we all suffer from the sun and damage from the summer months.
My routine in the first few weeks after my colour is first refreshed is to shampoo once using the Hair Alchemy Shampoo, use the Hair Alchemy mask from root to tip, letting it sit on my hair for as long as possible, rinse an then seal all that goodness in with the regular Hair Alchemy conditioner on the length of my hair, avoiding the scalp, and rinse with cold water. I’ve been thrilled not only with the results on and right after wash day, but by how long my colour lasts while using this line of products in conjunction with the For Beautiful Colour line mentioned above.
Lock in hydration with a Hair Oil
A touch of nourishing hair oil is generally all you need to wrap up your wash day routine, and I’ve been enjoying this Luxury Hair Oil from Voir Haircare. This award-winning luxury hair oil is lightweight, and locks in moisture (without contributing to grease), helps with texture, and improves shine. It can be used as an overnight pre-shampoo treatment for deep conditioning, as a daily dry ends therapy to lock in moisture and increase elasticity, or as a quick fix to calm unruly frizz and flyaways. As someone with fine hair it’s hard to find a hair oil that doesn’t weigh my hair down while still helping my dry and damaged ends and this one fits the bill!
If you bleach, protect against heat
I have to bleach my hair to achieve my now signature pink locks, and that requires another level of consideration when it comes to hair care. My hair is already a little beat up from the colour process, so I don’t touch that blow dryer or that curling iron without reaching for some heat protection. Gold Lust Dry Heat Protection Spray from Oribe is made for use with hot hair tools and I’ve noticed a huge difference in my hair health since using it. The spray is light and dry while delivering unmatched heat protection for my hair.
Don’t forget for sun protection for hair
Hair can be damaged by the heat of the sun as intensely as by using a hot tool. When I’m putting sunscreen on my face on a bright sunny day, I make sure to bust out that hair sun protection too. I love this Moisturizing Heat & UV Protecting Mist from Voir Haircare. This leave-on hair mist protects hair cuticles from temperatures up to 220°C/428°F and UV damage without weighing hair down in the least. A product like this is a must in the summertime and when travelling to hot destinations with stronger sunshine than my hair may be used to.
Dry Shampoo to extend time between washes
Anyone who dyes their hair is probably pretty familiar with dry shampoo. For folks like me who dye their locks those lovely fashion colours, taking as much time as possible between washes helps keep the colour in the hair and not down the drain. A good dry shampoo will refresh the hair and scalp, add a little volume and leave the hair flexible and soft to the touch. Kevin Murphy makes a fantastic dry shampoo called Fresh hair, and I also love an OG Batiste or a budget friendly Dove.
Photo by Churckyno Bryant