We spend a fortune on tints, highlights, and touch-ups. Then in a few weeks that color starts to fade. However, that hair color doesn’t have to fade too quickly. Here are 15 tips to pull off that hair color and keep it looking fabulous.

1. Stay away from hot showers

Time to lower the temperature. Hot showers are not only a recipe for dry, rough skin, they also slaughter your tone. Hot water opens the cuticle to remove the dye. Shampoo and rinse your hair with room temperature water. Towel dry, condition and rinse with cool water to seal cuticle. That keeps your locks looking nice, hydrated and eliminates split ends.

2. Do not wash frequently

Shampoo your hair every day and also remove hair color and natural oils. Opt for a dry shampoo to absorb oil, sweat, and also add volume.

3. Avoid Sulfate-Based Shampoo on Color-Treated Hair

When you wash, opt for gentle, sulfate-free shampoos to keep your highlights looking fabulous for longer. Sulfates contain salts that strip moisture and color from hair. Moisture loss is the main cause of hair color loss.

4. Add a shower filter

Hard water removes dyes and natural oils very quickly. Filters remove mineral deposits from the water, the spoilers that turn brown strands brassy and fade your red hue. Filters remove soap buildup and heavy metals that spoil your hair color.

5. Use deep conditioners for colored hair

For color-treated hair, deep conditioning with a conditioner designed specifically for color-treated hair is essential. The deep conditioner hydrates and nourishes your hair, leaving it soft and shiny. Deep color conditioners prevent color fading. Apply conditioner for color-treated hair to the roots of your hair for maximum benefits.

6. Go slow with deep conditioners

Rinsing a hair conditioner removes the color from the hair. Opt for weekly deep conditioning to prevent your hair from fading. Allow the deep conditioner to rest on your hair for about 10 minutes to receive the full benefits. Putting on a shower cap to build up heat allows the conditioner to penetrate better. Protein deep conditioning can also be done on hair that needs deep conditioning.

7. Use jojoba oil
Jojoba oil resembles the natural oils produced by hair. Add jojoba oil to your shampoo or apply it to dry hair. The oil serves to moisturize dry and damp hair, thus preserving color.

8. Reduce the use of heat tools

Heat is often harsh on hair color. Regular blow drying, hot tool styling, blow dryers, and flat irons do a number on your shade.

9. Use thermal protectors

When heat styling your hair, use a heat protectant to protect your hair from dryness, breakage, and color fading. Thermal protectors coat your hair, protecting it from the drying effect of styling tools.

10. Too much sun ruins your tone.

Too many UV rays are dangerous for your hair color. Choose conditioners that have built-in UV protection. Hair sunscreen softens and protects hair without making it greasy. Wear hats if you spend a lot of time in the sun.

11. Consider adding a top coat

To maintain color and enhance shine, it is recommended to schedule a shine treatment with your stylist. A top coat works to add brilliant color and lock in color for a fabulous long-wear look. Neutralizes any copper in addition to sealing the cuticles.

12. Prepare your hair

Prepare before coloring. Chelating shampoos and deep conditioning masks help you lock in color molecules for longer.

13. Nothing Smarter

Always protect your hair from the bleaching effects of chlorine. Wear hair protectants with SPF when you swim to keep your hair color intact. Spray on a leave-in conditioner before swimming to hydrate. Use cool water to wet your hair before taking a dip. That way, it won’t absorb as much water from the pool or ocean.

14. Opt for quality conditioners

Use hair dyes, highlights, and conditioners that your hair can hold onto for a long time. Hair dyes fortified with natural oils help retain moisture in your color treatment, leaving it looking shiny and healthy. Consider using ammonia-free hair dyes.

15. Eat a balanced diet

Healthy diets fuel hair growth and shine. As such, eat balanced diets to keep your color fresh longer. Iron-rich diets generate healthy keratin Proteins improve texture, stimulate growth and strengthen hair. Vitamins also help keep color-treated hair shiny and healthy.