Colour Aftercare Tips

Why Hair Colour Fades Faster Than You Expect

Day-to-day habits like frequent washing, hot water, heat styling, sun exposure, chlorine, and using the wrong shampoos can all speed up the fading of your hair colour. How long your colour lasts depends most on factors like how often you wash your hair, the temperature and quality of the water, how often and how hot you style with heat tools, sun exposure and swimming on holiday, and the condition of your hair before colouring.

The first 48 hours after your colour appointment are especially important, as this is when the hair cuticle is settling. During this time, it’s best to keep the cuticle smooth and avoid anything that swells the hair fibre. Waiting a short period before washing can help the hair stabilise and give your colour the longest wear, particularly if your stylist has advised a specific timeframe. Styling should also be gentle during these early days. When you do use heat tools, keep the temperature moderate, limit styling sessions, and always use a heat protectant. High heat can dull shine and make ends feel dry, which reduces the reflective quality of your colour. By following these steps, you can keep your hair looking vibrant, shiny, and fresh for longer.

Washing Routine That Preserves Colour

If you are unsure what suits you, ask for a recommendation based on your scalp, your hair density, and whether you tend to get oily at the roots or dry through the ends.

Washing less often usually helps colour last longer. If you currently wash daily, try stretching to every other day, then every two to three days if your scalp tolerates it. Dry shampoo can be useful between washes, but aim to cleanse properly when needed so build up does not make your colour look flat. Cool to lukewarm water is kinder to coloured hair. Very hot water can cause more swelling of the cuticle, which can increase colour loss and reduce shine.

What to look for in your cleansing products:

• A gentle, colour safe shampoo
• A nourishing conditioner matched to your hair texture
• A weekly mask if your hair feels dry
• Lightweight options if you have fine hair

Protecting Your Colour from Heat, Sun, & The Elements

Heat styling, blow drying, straighteners, and curling tools can speed up fading if used without protection.

• Apply a heat protectant before styling
• Keep temperatures moderate
• Avoid repeated passes on the same section
• Let hair air dry partway before blow drying
• Sun exposure – UV rays can lighten colour and create unwanted warmth.Sun exposure – UV rays can lighten colour and create unwanted warmth

Sun exposure – UV rays can lighten colour and create unwanted warmth.

• Use a leave-in product with UV protection
• Wear a hat on bright days, especially in spring and summer

Swimming and water – Chlorine and hard water can dry hair and alter tone. 

• Wear a swim cap or wet hair with clean water first
• Apply a conditioner or leave-in cream
• Tie hair up to reduce soaking
• Rinse as soon as possible after swimming
• Use a gentle shampoo and consider a clarifying cleanse if swimming regularly

Keeping tone fresh between appointments – Some colours lose their crispness before depth.

• Use purple or blue toning shampoos occasionally, not every wash
• Toning conditioners or salon glosses can be gentler for ends that grab colour quickly
• Quick salon refreshes like glosses, conditioning treatments, or trims help maintain shine, softness, and balanced tone