From spending hours at the salon to dealing with dull, faded color, there are challenges that come with keeping up color-treated hair. With these tips you can not only extend the life of your hair color, but achieve healthier, more radiant locks.

1. Opt for highlights. For a low-maintenance look, opt for highlights instead of all-over color. Highlights work with your natural hair color, rather than masking it completely, for more natural-looking results and less noticeable roots later on.

Also, Anne Fritz of About points out that even though highlights may take longer to apply, regularly scheduled follow-ups only require a “partial highlight” – a quicker, less expensive treatment that colors just the re-growth near the scalp. Be sure to ask about this when scheduling your next appointment.

• Product pick: Care for your blonde highlights with  Klorane Golden Highlights Conditioner Cream with Chamomile Extract. This sulfate-free cream conditioner boasts yellow chamomile pigments to enhance blonde highlights as it nourishes and conditions to improve the appearance of chemically treated hair.

2. Shampoo smart. To maximize your color treatment, it’s essential to be smart when it comes to shampooing. First, after your treatment, wait at least 24 hours before washing your hair to allow the dye to fully set within each strand.

Then, remember that less can be more when cleansing color-treated hair. Stylists agree that shampooing too often can reduce the life of your color by stripping away the natural oils that protect the dye. Shampoo every other day at most. If you have oily hair or want to freshen up your locks, apply a dry shampoo.

• Product pick: Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo Spray is the perfect hair pick-me-up. Simply spritz this lemon-scented shampoo spray on dry hair to eliminate excess oil, strengthen hair and nourish the scalp.

3. Sidestep sulfates and sodium chloride. Some hair experts believe that sulfates may strip hair, allowing dye to leach from locks. To maintain a pure color from root to tip, reach for products that are free of sulfates and sodium chloride, and always opt for formulas intended for color-treated hair.

• Product pick: Protect your color-treated hair with Alterna BAMBOO Smooth Anti-Frizz Shampoo and Alterna BAMBOO Smooth Anti-Frizz Conditioner. This hydrating duo blends organic bamboo extract with kendi oil to smooth your strands and eliminate split ends while Color Hold® technology preserves the shade of every strand.

4. Shield from the sun. Don’t limit sun protection to the skin; UV rays can also fade the color of chemically-treated hair. Cover your locks with a stylish fedora or bandana when spending lots of time outdoors, or protect hair with a specially formulated UV shielding spray.

• Product pick: Defend hair against daily sun damage and environmental stress with Frederic Fekkai ADVANCED Salon Technician Anti-Fade Top Coat. Boasting an innovative Intensive Anti-Fade Color Complex, this weightless formula coats every lock with galanga root – a natural defender against UV damage.

5. Avoid heat styling. Color specialist Boy Sharp explains to the Washingtonian that heat styling “can fade delicate hair color, especially auburn shades.” He recommends towel-drying hair when possible, and if you insist on styling with a blow dryer or hot iron, opt for a cooler setting.

• Product pick: Whether you color your hair or rock your natural hues, always protect against heat damage when styling with a flat iron or curling rod. Use a thermal protectant like Frederic Fekkai Coiff Defense Pre-Style Thermal/UV Protectant, which also conditions hair for effortless styling.

6. Condition correctly. Sharp also points out that it’s important to condition correctly when caring for color-treated hair. Ingredients can’t penetrate the strand when hair is sopping wet, so it’s best to wring out your hair before applying conditioner. Then use fingers or a wide-tooth comb to evenly coat each strand.

• Product pick: It’s a good idea to infuse hair with some extra conditioning to help preserve color. Incorporate a weekly conditioning treatment like Klorane Conditioning Cream with Pomegranate, which is teeming with antioxidants to repair damage and reduce fading for more radiant locks.

7. Avoid expired products. Over time, the active ingredients in hair products can break down, causing the formula to become less effective. Make sure that your color-care hair formulas haven’t expired. Typically, shampoos and conditioners last up to three years, while styling products range from three to five years. Organic or natural products typically have fewer preservatives, so these formulas don’t last as long.

Check the consistency, smell and texture of formulas if you’re not sure how long you’ve had them. And always think twice before using those products that have gotten lost in the back of your bathroom cabinet.

One way to sidestep the problem of outdated products is to purchase travel-sized formulas instead. A smaller package is especially ideal for testing new products or formulas you don’t use very often.

• Product pick: When it comes to protecting color, you can’t go wrong with  Frederic Fekkai ADVANCED Salon Technician Color Care Travel Faves Kit. This collection of shampoo, conditioner, hair protectant and hairspray boasts the advanced Intensive Anti-Fade Color Complex and galanga root to maintain gorgeous, bright hair between professional color treatments.

8. Go for a gloss. Shinier hair masks dull color. According to About’s Anne Fritz, some salons offer free glossing treatments – a quick, 10-minute service that extends the life of your hair color. If your salon doesn’t offer this service, you can always add an at-home glossing formula to your color-care arsenal.
• Product pick: Add a vibrant shine to color-treated hair with Ojon Shine and Protect Glossing Mist. This lightweight blend of Ojon oil, broccoli seed, wheat germ and sweet almond oils enhances dull hair with a healthy shine.
9. Touch up. If you look in the mirror and see roots staring back, reach for a touch-up pen. These easy-to-use color correctors are available in a variety of shades and allow you to buy extra time between treatments.

• Product pick: For a quick color touch-up, try Oscar Blandi Pronto Colore Pen Neutral Brown. Available in a variety of shades, this color corrector is ideal for all hair types.

10. Maintain moisture. Healthy hydration is an essential step in extending the life of your color. While extra conditioning treatments, fewer shampoos and minimal heat styling help prevent moisture loss, it’s a good idea to incorporate moisturizing products into your hair care regimen.

• Product pick: Color treatments can strip hair of essential moisture. Restore hydration with Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Moisture Shampoo and Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Moisture Conditioner. Ideal for chemically-treated hair, this cleansing duo boasts an advanced blend of lipids and photozymes to lock in color for vibrant, ageless locks.

Healthier, more radiant color-treated hair

From maintaining moisture to defending locks from UV rays, there are plenty of ways to protect your color-treated hair. Following these steps will not only help you achieve longer lasting color, but healthier hair overall.

See also:

Protecting Your Hair at the Beach and Pool

Help For The Most Common Summer Hair Concerns

Essential Guide to Younger-Looking Hair

Frédéric Fekkai Review: Say Hello to Healthy Hair