How to Keep Your Colour Looking Fresh and Vibrant
There’s nothing quite like the confidence boost of freshly coloured hair. Whether you’ve opted for a rich brunette, vibrant copper, platinum blonde, pastel hue, or glossy balayage, keeping your colour looking salon-fresh for as long as possible requires the right aftercare.
Without the proper maintenance, colour can fade, hair can become dry and brittle, and those gorgeous salon tones can turn dull. To help you protect your new shade, we’ve put together this ultimate guide to hair colour aftercare, covering washing, styling, products, and expert tips to keep your colour looking its best.
1. The First 72 Hours: The Golden Rule of Fresh Hair Colour
Your hair cuticle remains slightly open for up to 72 hours after your colour appointment. This means your hair is more susceptible to fading and needs extra care during this time.
✔️ Avoid washing your hair for at least 48–72 hours.
Washing too soon can cause colour molecules to escape, leading to premature fading.
If absolutely necessary, use cool water and a sulphate-free shampoo.
✔️ Stay away from heat styling.
Heat can strip moisture and cause colour to fade faster.
If you must use heat, apply a heat protectant spray first.
✔️ Avoid tight ponytails or braids.
Your hair is more delicate post-colouring, opt for loose hairstyles to prevent breakage.
2. Choosing the Right Shampoo & Conditioner
Using the wrong products is one of the fastest ways to make your colour fade prematurely.
✔️ Use a sulphate-free shampoo.
Sulphates strip colour from hair, leaving it dry and dull.
Opt for a gentle, colour-safe shampoo designed to protect dyed hair.
✔️ Condition every time you wash.
Colour-treated hair needs extra moisture to stay shiny and soft.
A hydrating conditioner locks in moisture and prevents breakage.
✔️ Try a cleansing conditioner instead of shampoo.
If your hair feels dry, try a co-wash (cleansing conditioner) to refresh hair without stripping colour.
✔️ Go Purple (or Silver)
If you have opted to go for a cool shade of blonde we recommend using a purple (or otherwise known as silver) shampoo or conditioner every 3rd wash in-between a protein based shampoo to ensure your tone is maintained.
3. How Often Should You Wash Coloured Hair?
Washing your hair too frequently can lead to faster colour fading.
✔️ Aim to wash your hair only 2–3 times a week.
This helps preserve natural oils and keeps colour vibrant for longer.
If your scalp gets oily, use a dry shampoo between washes.
✔️ Use lukewarm or cool water.
Hot water opens the hair cuticle, allowing colour to escape.
Cooler water locks in colour and adds shine.
4. Deep Conditioning & Hair Masks
Colouring can make hair more prone to dryness, so deep conditioning is essential.
✔️ Use a deep conditioning mask once a week.
This restores moisture and prevents brittleness.
Look for masks with argan oil, coconut oil, shea butter, or keratin.
✔️ Try a colour-depositing mask.
For blondes, a purple toning mask neutralises brassiness.
For reds or brunettes, a pigmented mask refreshes colour.
✔️ Leave-in conditioners work wonders.
A lightweight leave-in conditioner protects hair from dryness between washes.
5. Heat Styling & UV Protection
Heat and UV exposure can cause hair colour to fade, dry out, and lose vibrancy.
✔️ Always use a heat protectant spray.
Before blow-drying, straightening, or curling, apply a heat protectant to shield your colour.
✔️ Turn down the temperature.
High heat can make hair dull and brittle. Keep tools at 180°C or lower.
✔️ Protect your hair from the sun.
UV rays can fade colour, wear a hat or use a UV-protecting hair spray if spending time outside.
6. How to Prevent Brassiness & Fading
No matter your hair colour, fading and brassiness can be a challenge.
✔️ For blonde hair:
Use a purple (or silver) shampoo every third wash to neutralise yellow tones.
Avoid chlorine, always rinse hair with clean water before and after swimming.
✔️ For brunette hair:
A blue shampoo can counteract red or orange undertones.
Deep condition weekly to keep brunettes rich and glossy.
✔️ For red hair:
Red tones fade the fastest, use a red colour-depositing shampoo to refresh vibrancy.
Cold water rinses help prevent fading.
✔️ For black or deep brown hair:
Use shine-enhancing serums to maintain depth and gloss.
Sulphate-free shampoos extend the life of dark colours.
7. How to Maintain Balayage, Highlights, and Ombre
If you’ve opted for balayage, highlights, or ombré, your routine should focus on moisture and toning.
✔️ Use a colour-enhancing shampoo.
Blonde balayage? Try purple shampoo to maintain brightness.
Caramel or copper tones? Use a colour-refreshing mask to prevent dullness.
✔️ Avoid harsh brushing.
Lightened strands are more fragile, use a wide-tooth comb or a detangling brush.
✔️ Glossing treatments help maintain shine.
Visit the salon every 4–6 weeks for a glossing treatment to boost vibrancy, shine and maintain your desired tone.
8. Professional Touch-Ups & Colour Maintenance
Even with the best aftercare, colour maintenance appointments keep your hair looking flawless.
✔️ Schedule a toner refresh every 4–8 weeks.
A toner revives faded tones and counteracts unwanted brassiness.
✔️ Root touch-ups for seamless colour.
If you have grey regrowth or dyed roots, touch-ups every 4–6 weeks help maintain an even colour.
✔️ Book a glossing treatment for extra shine.
A salon gloss adds depth, vibrancy, and long-lasting shine.
Keep Your Colour Vibrant for Longer
A fresh hair colour deserves proper care to maintain its shine, vibrancy, and health. By following these simple aftercare tips, you can extend the life of your colour and keep your hair looking salon-fresh for weeks.
Book Your Next Appointment
You can book your next hair appointment by:
Calling 01273 323597
Emailing hello@samuelchapmansalon.com
Online www.samuelchapmansalon.com
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