Hair salon visits aren’t cheap, and sometimes we just don’t have time to go in for a full hair session. Unfortunately, overgrown hair and the faded color is never a flattering look. Here’s what you can do between appointments to make your haircut and hair colour last longer.
Prep Your Hair Before Coloring
Product build-up can prevent hair dyes from penetrating your hair strands. The day before your salon appointment, use a clarifying shampoo to get rid of any residue. Stop using heavy conditioner, hair masks or hair oils at least 2 days before.
Give 24 hours for hair dye to settle
New York hairstylist Ryan Pearl says the worst thing you can do after getting your hair colour is to shampoo right away. Even the best dyes need time to permeate and set, and you may end up washing out some of the pigments in the shower.
So after you get your hair dyed, don’t wet or shampoo your hair for at least 24 hours. Anyway, you probably got your hair rinsed at the salon, so there aren’t any chemicals that can irritate your scalp.
Skip the hot showers
Hot showers are a huge no-no for coloured hair. The colour fades faster, and your hair dries out. Since coloured hair is already more fragile, you’ll lose both vibrancy, shine and softness. That’s when your hair colour starts looking really dull, brassy, with the texture of dead grass. Not pretty!
Always shampoo with lukewarm or tepid water, then rinse your hair in cold water to seal the hair cuticles. If you’re dying for a hot bath (or are going to a sauna) protect your hair with a shower cap or a towel.
Your hair needs sun protection, too!
Sun exposure fades hair colour and can also damage the scalp. You can use a hair protector with SPF, or hair styling products that promise UV protection.
This is even more important if you’re swimming since the chlorine in pools and the salty ocean water can fade hair color or make blonde hair or highlights become brassy. Wear a swimming cap, or apply sunflower oil from roots to tips. This natural oil coats and protects your strands and is full of antioxidants too.
Blowdry with caution
Heat is the enemy of hair color. Blowdrying (and even curling or straightening hair) will fade your hair and increase your risk for hair damage and hair fall.
Celebrity colorist Michael Boychuck advises avoiding all heat styling one week after getting your hair colored. Afterward, try minimizing the effects of heat exposure. Use styling products that are specially formulated to protect and nourish your hair. (These are sometimes called thermal protectants or heat protectants.) If you blowdry every day, consider investing in ionic hairdryers or hairdryers with a cool setting.
Also, avoid blowdrying or styling every day. You can get beachy waves by braiding damp hair before you sleep. Use hair curlers to add volume to bangs. Look for styles – like trendy braids, messy buns or sleek side parts – that looks really pretty but doesn’t need heat styling tools to achieve.
Change your hair products
Look for sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners that are specifically formulated (or declared safe) for colored hair. They are more expensive, but at least you save money and time by delaying your next salon appointment.
Don’t overdo your hair masks and leave-in conditioners
These deep-moisturizing hair treatments can make your hair feel really soft and look really shiny. However, since they penetrate the hair follicles, when you rinse them out, you also wash away pigments.
It’s all about balance. If your hair isn’t that dry, consider trading hair masks for gentle conditioners made for colored hair. If you have brittle hair, concentrate deep-conditioning treatments where you need it the most (usually the hair tips or mid-shaft).
Embrace dry shampoo
Most hair experts don’t recommend shampooing every day, especially if you’re not excessively sweating or exposed to dirt or grime. Between shampoos, control greasy scalp and add volume with dry shampoo.
To prevent dry shampoo from flaking, apply the night before and just fluff your hair up in the morning. Also, hold the dry shampoo bottle a few inches away from your hair when you spray. Flaking is caused when you apply too much shampoo and then try to style your hair while it’s still hasn’t set.
Don’t abuse dry shampoo either: wash your hair after 2 or 3 days, and use a clarifying shampoo once a week to get rid of product build-up.
Use a water filter
Shower filters can help remove mineral deposits and heavy metals that can make blonde or brunette hair look brassy or dull. They’re not as expensive as you think (you can find some for less than $30) and will help make your hair color last longer.
Use a hair mascara
Are your roots or gray hairs showing? You can hide them with hair mascaras! They’re cheap, come in all sorts of shades (so you can even experiment with fun colors), and wash off at the end of the day.
Try DIY hair dyes
There are many high-quality, affordable home dyes that can help prolong your hair colour. This works best for more natural shades, but many quality brands offer bleaching kits or highlighting kits for bold colours like pink, blue, purple, green and more.
If you’re new to DIY hair dyes, it’s best to start with a safe or neutral shade. At least if something goes wrong, your mistakes aren’t obvious! As you become more comfortable with home dyes, you can try mixing shades or fixing your highlights.
If you’re worried about scalp or hair damage, look for henna treatments or coloring kits made from natural hair dyes.
Always do a skin patch or allergy test, and remember that you may not achieve the shade on the box if you’re putting it on top of existing hair color. If you have dark hair, go for a shade or two lighter than what you want.
Trim split ends and bangs
Split ends can “travel” up the hair shaft. To cut the damage short (literally), try trimming the tips off yourself. You can also maintain your bangs and fringe by snipping off a little at a time. You can get tons of video tutorials, or if you’re scared, just cut very small and short sections instead of chopping them all off in one go. Wet your hair, comb down, and just follow the line of your original cut. Remember that hair will shrink when it’s dry – especially if you have curly or wavy hair – so cut only a few centimeters at a time.
Be sure to use sharp scissors, or if you do this regularly, invest in hairdressing scissors that will last you a lifetime.
Ask your hairstylist for a cut that grows well
Some haircuts will actually look good even if they’re a little overgrown, and certain hair colors (like Ombres) won’t need a lot of touch-ups. Others – like pixie cuts or pastels – will need a lot of upkeep and be more difficult to grow out. There are also some styles that need special skills and hairdressing scissors to achieve, so it’s not like you can get it fixed in any salon.
Be realistic about how much time and money you want to spend on maintaining a haircut or hair color. Talk to your hairstylist, and say “I only go to a salon every XX months. What kind of style will look good on me?” If you already have a shortlist of favorite cuts, ask how much maintenance each style requires.
Work the hair accessories
Clip back overgrown bangs with cute barrettes, bejeweled bobby pins, or oversized headbands. Hair accessories are a huge hair trend and serve the double purpose of keeping your hair under control while adding extra oomph to your outfit.
Slick it back
Sleek hair or wet hair is another big hair trend and needs only mousse or hair gels. Just work your styling product into damp hair, and either pull your hair into a ponytail or leave it down. This look works with suits or 80s-inspired outfits. Since it will call attention to your face, make sure your brows are groomed and play up a feature. Try a bold lipstick or well-defined eyeliner.
Focus on keeping your hair healthy
If your hair looks healthy, nobody’s going to notice if it’s a little overgrown. Invest in hair products that bring out the best in your hair – maximizing shine, volume, softness, and hair growth. Healthy hair also has its own natural luster and vibrancy, which makes any hair color look twice as good.
Plus, there’s a healthy hair hack for every budget. You can get hair vitamins or shop for a good shampoo, or make your own weekly DIY hair masks or squeeze a Vitamin E capsule into your existing hair products. The truth is, people notice damaged hair more than they notice overgrown haircuts – if your hair is healthy, you’re already having a good hair day.
These are just some ways to help your haircut and hair color last longer! Save money on salon appointments, and keep your mane in top shape every day.
