5 ways to look after your fresh hair colour
So, you’ve taken the leap and jumped on board with a trendy new hair colour (look at you, you fancy thing!) - now you need to focus on the upkeep. Whether you’re sporting a rich bronze hue, high-maintenance blonde or anything in-between, here are some top tips to keep your hair colour looking shiny, rich and healthy.
1
Use the right shampoo and conditioner
Fun fact: You can extend the life of your colour by just using the right shampoo and conditioner. So, don’t skimp out! “Having your hair coloured can be costly, so you want to maintain the longevity,” says hairstylist and owner of RAW hair salon, Anthony Nader. Look for a formula that’s specifically formulated for colour-treated hair, as it will help prevent colour fade while repairing hair. Whatever you do, stay away from formulas that contain sulphates, as this particular ingredient is damaging to coloured hair. Creative Director of JONNY+JUNE, Simon Bright recommends using Oribe Shampoo For Beautiful Colour and Oribe Power Drops Color Preservation Booster.
2
Don’t forget toning products
Hair toner is like a topcoat for your hair. It basically works to emphasise certain tones and keeps the colour looking healthy and vibrant, while also strengthening the hair by creating a barrier around the stands. You can either get a professional toning treatment (the best option if you have had a major colour change), or take care of toning at home by using toning drops or tinted shampoos and conditioners (such as purple and blue toning products). If you have light hair, opt for something like NAK Blonde Plus 10V Toning Foam, or if you have brunette hair, try John Frieda Colour Refreshing Gloss.
3
Have regular hair treatments
Post-colouring, it is crucial to give your hair a little TLC with weekly hair treatments, whether it be an in-salon treatment or an at-home hair mask. “Look for treatments that contain protein to help form the structure,” suggests Bright, “And then after six to eight weeks, move on to a moisturiser treatment.”
Try: Original & Mineral The Power Base Protein Masque or Eleven Australia 3-Minute Repair Rinse-Out Treatment.
4
Get regular trims
Combine your weekly treatments with regular haircuts, and you'll be on the road to shiny, healthy hair. “Keep six weekly hair appointments with your hairstylist to have your ends snipped clean and crisp. By doing this, you’re keeping your hair colour looking tip top from roots to ends,” says Nader. Colour-treated hair is more susceptible to breakage and split ends, so you want to cut it before it splits. “If it’s damaged, then cutting is the best thing you can do to strengthen and stop more damage,” says Bright. “Keeping it regularly trimmed will promote healthy hair,” he adds.
5
Reduce heat styling
“Stop using excess heat and over-styling,” advises Bright. Your hair is vulnerable after colouring, so heat styling will just make it brittle, dry and damaged. If you absolutely must use hot tools on your colour-treated hair (we feel you), we recommend waiting at least two days after colouring, and always apply a heat protectant product on your hair before using a styling tool. Bright recommends JONNY+JUNE Original Balm or R+CO One Prep Spray.
Want to find out some of the biggest hair trends for this year? These 10 hair colours are about to be HUGE.
What’s your favourite product for colour-treated hair? Share with us in the comment section below.
Main image credit: @katherinelangford
Erin Docherty is a Beauty Writer for BEAUTYcrew, Beauty Editor for Women's Health magazine and a Grooming Writer for Men's Health magazine. She has a keen interest in cosmeceutical skin care and is currently working on minimising her 9-step skin care routine – because ain’t nobody got time for that. When she’s not writing about the latest beauty news, or applying copious amounts of serum, you can find her spending all her money in Sephora.
