Nothing makes you feel more beautiful and more confident than a natural hair colour. But sometimes your hair colour doesn't last as long as you'd like. So what should one do if they are unable to visit the salon for a refresh? If you leave it to chance, your freshly coloured mane may start to lose its vibrancy, forcing you to call your colorist in a panic. You must give your mane some TLC if you want your hair colour to last. A specific routine for colour-treated hair is necessary whether you have blonde, brown, or boldly coloured hair. Here, we provide eight suggestions to keep your colour looking vibrant.

The best friends or the worst enemies of your hair colour can be shampoo and conditioner. Wash your hair with hair care products designed specifically for colour-treated hair to help keep your hue intact. 

In a perfect world, we'd be able to make an appointment for hair service with our go-to hairdresser as soon as our colour starts to fade. That's not always doable, as we all know. Although stylists advise against DIY-ing your own colour at home, this doesn't mean you have to settle for brassy, lifeless hair until your next salon appointment. In truth, there are many time-tested methods for avoiding the negative impacts of postponing a salon appointment. Implementing healthy hair practices and performing some basic at-home maintenance are the first steps.

Not sure where to start? Here are  tips for maintaining colour at home that have been recommended by stylists.

less washing and more dry shampoo

After a fresh colour, your hair is at a delicate stage, which is why the majority of colorists advise waiting 48 hours before washing your hair. 

Swim Wisely

Avoid chlorine and the sun with your hair. When spending time in the sun, pool, or ocean, Pasquale Caselle, international creative director/master hair colorist for IT&LY Hairfashion, N.A. advises using a hair protector with SPF to prevent colour fading. A sunflower oil-based product is excellent because it also has antioxidants to protect hair.

Don't Use Hot Tools Too Much

According to celebrity hair colorist Michael Boychuck, refraining from using hot tools for the first week after dying your hair will also help prevent the colour from fading. 

According to renowned hairstylist Mitch Stone of Los Angeles, "I always have my customers not wash their hair after colour for as long as they can go—at least 24 to 48 hours." If you must wash, choose a mild, sulfate-free shampoo.

Consider a shower filter

According to Caselle, this will eliminate pollutants, chlorine, and minerals from your shower water. These filters reduce colour draining down the drain since hard water removes the colour and natural oils from your hair.

Get ready before colouring your hair

Use a chelating shampoo to get rid of styling product buildup a day or two before a colour service, advises Caselle. 

Put a thermal protectant to use.

According to Caselle, thermal protectants will lessen colour fading by maintaining the hair's integrity.

Less Deep Condition

While deep conditioning or at-home masks are an excellent idea before colouring, Kari Hill, a colorist at Meche Salon, warns that they can dull a rich brunette or brilliant red.