You've just left the salon with gorgeous, freshly coloured hair. Whether you've gone for subtle highlights, a dramatic change, or simply covered some greys, you want that beautiful colour to last as long as possible. Unfortunately, without proper care, colour can start fading within weeks, and the vibrancy you fell in love with becomes a memory.
The good news is that with the right knowledge and products, you can significantly extend the life of your colour and keep your hair looking salon-fresh for longer. As a former colourist, I've seen firsthand how proper maintenance can double or even triple the time between touch-ups. Here's everything you need to know.
Understanding How Colour Fades
To effectively prevent colour fade, you need to understand what causes it. Hair colour molecules sit within the hair's cortex, protected by the cuticle layer. Several factors cause these molecules to escape or break down.
Water and Washing
Every time you wet your hair, the cuticle swells slightly. With colour-treated hair, this creates opportunities for colour molecules to escape. Hot water exacerbates this by opening the cuticle even more. This is why freshly coloured hair should be treated gently when washing, and why the first few washes are critical for colour longevity.
UV Exposure
Sunlight breaks down colour molecules through a process called photodegradation. This is why colour often fades more quickly in summer or in Australia's intense UV environment. Blonde colours can turn brassy, brunettes develop warm or reddish undertones, and vibrant fashion colours lose their intensity.
Heat Styling
High temperatures from blow dryers, straighteners, and curling irons can damage the cuticle and accelerate colour fade. The heat essentially "opens" the hair, making it easier for colour to escape and for environmental damage to occur.
Wait at least 48-72 hours after colouring before your first wash. This allows the cuticle to close and the colour to fully oxidise and set. Washing too soon is one of the most common causes of rapid colour fade.
Washing Techniques for Coloured Hair
How you wash your hair matters as much as what you wash it with when it comes to preserving colour.
Temperature Matters
Always use cool or lukewarm water when washing coloured hair. Hot water opens the cuticle and allows colour molecules to escape. Finish with a cool water rinse to help seal the cuticle and lock in colour. This simple change can dramatically extend colour vibrancy.
Wash Less Frequently
Every wash fades colour slightly. Extend the time between washes as much as your hair type allows. Dry shampoo is your friend here—it absorbs excess oil at the roots, allowing you to skip wash days without looking greasy. Many people find they can stretch to washing every three to four days with the help of dry shampoo.
Focus on the Scalp
Apply shampoo primarily to your scalp, not through your lengths. Your scalp is where oil and dirt accumulate; your ends rarely need direct shampooing. The suds that rinse through will clean your lengths sufficiently without the extra friction and cleansing that strips colour.
- Wait 48-72 hours after colouring before first wash
- Use cool to lukewarm water only
- Apply shampoo to scalp, not lengths
- Use colour-safe, sulfate-free shampoo
- Rinse with cool water to seal cuticle
- Extend time between washes with dry shampoo
Choosing the Right Products
The products you use can make or break your colour's longevity. Investing in quality colour-safe products pays for itself by reducing the frequency of salon visits needed.
Colour-Safe Shampoo
Look for shampoos specifically formulated for colour-treated hair. These are typically sulfate-free, as sulfates are harsh cleansers that strip colour rapidly. Quality colour-safe shampoos often contain UV filters to protect against sun fade and antioxidants that help preserve colour molecules.
Colour-Depositing Products
Colour-depositing shampoos and conditioners add a small amount of pigment with each use, counteracting gradual fade. Purple shampoos neutralise yellow tones in blonde or grey hair. Blue shampoos combat orange tones in brunettes. Red and copper-depositing products refresh warm tones. Use these once or twice a week rather than daily to avoid over-toning.
Leave-In Treatments
Leave-in conditioners and serums with UV protection create a barrier against environmental damage. These products often contain antioxidants like vitamin E that help prevent colour oxidation. Apply daily, especially before going outdoors.
When using purple shampoo on blonde hair, be cautious not to overdo it. Using too frequently or leaving it on too long can result in a greyish or purple cast. Start with once weekly for 2-3 minutes and adjust based on your hair's response.
Protecting Against Environmental Damage
Beyond washing, protecting your colour from environmental factors is crucial, especially in Australia's climate.
Sun Protection
UV rays are one of the biggest threats to colour vibrancy. Wear hats when outdoors for extended periods. Use leave-in products with UV filters. Consider clear sprays designed specifically for hair UV protection. If you swim in salt water or chlorinated pools, wet your hair with fresh water first—hair saturated with clean water absorbs less damaging salt or chlorine.
Swimming Precautions
Chlorine and salt water are particularly harsh on coloured hair. Before swimming, wet your hair thoroughly and apply a leave-in conditioner or oil to create a protective barrier. After swimming, rinse immediately with fresh water and wash as soon as practical with a gentle, clarifying shampoo to remove chemicals. Consider a swim cap for serious protection.
Heat Protection
If you heat style, always use a heat protectant spray. These products coat the hair and reduce the temperature that reaches the strand, protecting both the hair structure and the colour within. Keep styling tools at moderate temperatures—excessive heat isn't necessary for effective styling and significantly accelerates colour fade.
Treatments and Masks
Regular treatments help maintain the health of coloured hair, which in turn helps retain colour.
Weekly Deep Conditioning
Colour processing can leave hair more porous and prone to dryness. Weekly deep conditioning treatments restore moisture and help smooth the cuticle, keeping colour molecules locked in. Look for masks formulated for coloured hair that won't deposit unwanted tones.
Gloss Treatments
Clear or tinted gloss treatments, available in salons or as at-home products, add shine and seal the cuticle without ammonia or peroxide. They can refresh faded colour and add vibrancy between full colour appointments. Clear glosses work on any colour; tinted versions can boost specific tones.
Timing Your Touch-Ups
Even with perfect care, colour eventually fades, and roots grow in. Strategic timing of touch-ups maximises the value of your salon investment.
For all-over colour, most people can extend to 6-8 weeks between appointments with proper care. Highlights and balayage can last even longer—3-4 months is often achievable—because regrowth is less obvious. Root touch-ups for grey coverage typically need attention every 4-6 weeks, though root-blending techniques can extend this.
Consider lower-maintenance colour options if frequent salon visits are challenging. Balayage, face-framing highlights, and colour that's close to your natural shade all grow out more gracefully than all-over dramatic colour changes.
With these strategies, you'll not only extend the time between salon visits but also enjoy more vibrant, healthy-looking colour throughout. Your hair—and your wallet—will thank you.