If you have color-treated hair, you know how much time, effort, and money it takes to achieve and maintain your desired hue. Whether you have blonde highlights, brunette balayage, or rainbow streaks, you want your color to look vibrant, shiny, and healthy for as long as possible. However, color-treated hair also comes with some challenges, such as fading, dryness, damage, and brassiness. That’s why it’s important to have a proper haircare routine that protects and enhances your color-treated tresses.
In this article, we will share some tips and tricks on how to care for your color-treated hair, as well as some of the best products that are specially formulated for dyed locks. By following these guidelines, you can enjoy your beautiful color without compromising your hair’s health and integrity.
How to Care for Color-Treated Hair
Coloring your hair involves a chemical process that alters the structure of your hair strands, making them more porous and prone to damage. To prevent your color from fading and your hair from becoming dry and brittle, you need to take some extra steps in your haircare routine. Here are some of the best practices for caring for color-treated hair:
- Wash your hair less often. Shampooing your hair too frequently can strip away the natural oils that keep your hair moisturized and healthy. It can also cause your color to fade faster, especially if you use harsh shampoos that contain sulfates or other detergents. To preserve your color and your hair’s natural balance, try to wash your hair no more than two or three times a week. On the days when you don’t wash your hair, you can use a dry shampoo to absorb excess oil and refresh your roots.
- Use sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner. Sulfates are a common ingredient in many shampoos that create a rich lather and remove dirt and oil from your hair. However, they can also strip away the color molecules from your hair shafts, causing your color to fade and lose its vibrancy. To avoid this, look for shampoos and conditioners that are sulfate-free and specifically designed for color-treated hair. These products will gently cleanse and condition your hair without compromising your color. They will also help to seal the cuticle layer of your hair, which protects the color from fading and adds shine.
- Use color-depositing products. Another way to maintain and enhance your color is to use products that deposit pigments onto your hair strands. These products can either match or complement your existing color, depending on the effect you want to achieve. For example, if you have blonde hair that tends to get brassy over time, you can use a purple shampoo or conditioner that will neutralize the yellow tones and make your blonde look cooler and brighter. If you have red or copper hair that fades quickly, you can use a red shampoo or conditioner that will replenish the red pigments and make your color look more vibrant. Color-depositing products can also help to cover up any roots or grays that may show up between salon visits.
- Use heat protectant spray before using hot tools. Heat styling is one of the main causes of damage and fading for color-treated hair. The high temperatures can break down the bonds that hold the color molecules in place, as well as dry out and weaken your hair strands. To minimize the damage from heat styling, always use a heat protectant spray before using any hot tools such as blow dryers, curling irons, or flat irons. A heat protectant spray will create a barrier between your hair and the heat source, reducing the amount of heat transfer and preventing moisture loss. It will also help to smooth out any frizz and add shine to your hair.
- Use leave-in treatments to protect and nourish your hair. Color-treated hair needs extra hydration and nourishment to stay healthy and strong. Leave-in treatments are a great way to provide your hair with the moisture and nutrients it needs throughout the day. You can choose from different types of leave-in treatments such as sprays, creams, oils, or masks, depending on your hair type and preference. Look for products that contain ingredients such as antioxidants, vitamins, proteins, keratin, or natural oils that can help to repair any damage caused by coloring or styling. Leave-in treatments can also help to protect your hair from environmental factors such as sun exposure, pollution, or chlorine that can cause fading or discoloration.
The Best Products for Color-Treated Hair
Now that you know how to care for your color-treated hair, let’s take a look at some of the best products that are specially formulated for dyed locks. These products have been tested and recommended by professional hairstylists and beauty experts who know what works best for different types of colors and textures.
Here are some of the best products for color-treated hair:
- Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo (8.5 fl. oz.) $30. This shampoo is a cult favorite among colorists and celebrities who swear by its ability to repair and strengthen color-treated hair. It contains a patented ingredient called bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate, which works to rebuild the broken bonds in your hair that are caused by chemical or thermal damage. It also helps to prevent color fading and adds shine and softness to your hair. This shampoo is sulfate-free, paraben-free, vegan, and cruelty-free.
- Pureology Hydrate Conditioner (8.5 fl. oz.) $32. This conditioner is designed to hydrate and nourish dry and damaged color-treated hair. It contains a blend of natural ingredients such as jojoba, green tea, and sage that moisturize and condition your hair without weighing it down. It also has an exclusive AntiFade Complex that protects your color from fading and enhances its vibrancy. This conditioner is sulfate-free, vegan, and cruelty-free.
- dpHUE Gloss+ Semi-Permanent Hair Color and Deep Conditioner (6.5 fl. oz.) $35. This product is a two-in-one solution that deposits color and conditions your hair at the same time. It comes in various shades that can either match or enhance your existing color, depending on how long you leave it on your hair. It also contains ingredients such as shea butter, keratin, and amino acids that nourish and smooth your hair while adding shine and dimension. This product is ammonia-free, peroxide-free, paraben-free, and cruelty-free.
- Briogeo Farewell Frizz Rosarco Milk Leave-In Conditioning Spray (5 fl. oz.) $20. This spray is a lightweight leave-in treatment that detangles, hydrates, and protects your color-treated hair from frizz and breakage. It contains a blend of rosehip, argan, and coconut oils that nourish and repair your hair while adding shine and softness. It also has a UV filter that shields your hair from sun damage and color fading. This spray is sulfate-free, silicone-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, DEA-free, and cruelty-free.
- Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil (3.4 fl. oz.) $56. This oil is a luxurious treatment that restores and rejuvenates your color-treated hair from the inside out. It contains a blend of rare and exotic oils such as argan, maracuja, jasmine, and bergamot that penetrate deep into your hair shafts to repair any damage and seal the cuticles. It also has a UV filter that protects your hair from sun exposure and color fading. This oil is sulfate-free, paraben-free, sodium chloride-free, gluten-free, vegan, and cruelty-free.
Conclusion
Color-treated hair can look amazing if you take good care of it with the right products and practices. By following the tips and tricks we shared in this article, you can protect and enhance your color-treated tresses without compromising their health and integrity.
Remember to wash your hair less often with sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner, use color-depositing products to refresh your hue, use heat protectant spray before using hot tools, use leave-in treatments to hydrate and nourish your hair, and use products that contain UV filters to prevent fading.
We hope you found this article helpful and informative. If you have any questions or comments about caring for color-treated hair or any of the products we mentioned, feel free to leave them below. We would love to hear from you!