8 Ways to Keep Your Hair Color Looking Fresh

There’s nothing like a fresh hair color to boost your confidence and leave you feeling gorgeous. But your hair color doesn’t always last for as long as you’d like it to. So, what’s one to do when you can’t make it to the salon for a refresh? If you leave things up to fate, your newly colored mane can lose its vibrancy and have you calling up your colorist in desperation. For your hair color to go the distance, you need to show your mane some TLC. And whether you’re working with blonde hair, brown hair, or a bold hair color, a special routine for color-treated hair is a must. Here, we’re sharing eight tips in the name of keeping your color looking fresh and extending how long you can go between salon visits.

TIP #1: INVEST IN THE PROPER PRODUCTS

Shampoo and conditioner can be your hair color’s best friends—or fade-inducing foes. To help ensure that your shade stays intact, wash with hair care products that have been specially formulated for color-treated hair. Have your pick of our best pairs below.

Have dry hair? Try using the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Moisture Shampoo and L’Oréal Paris EverPure Moisture Conditioner to help smooth and detangle hair while pumping up the hydration.

Looking to boost volume? Try using the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Volume Shampoo and L’Oréal Paris EverPure Volume Conditioner to help lift roots and create an overall more voluminous-looking mane.

Loving your new blonde hair color? Try using the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Color Vibrancy Purple Shampoo for Color Treated Hair and L’Oréal Paris Elvive Color Vibrancy Purple Conditioner for Color Treated Hair to neutralize brass and nourish your blonde locks for a beautiful mane.

Do you have damaged hair? Try using the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Repair & Defend Shampoo, L’Oréal Paris EverPure Repair & Defend Conditioner, and L’Oréal Paris EverPure Repair Remedy Balm to help protect color-treated hair. Show your mane a little extra love by swapping out the conditioner for the hair mask once or twice a week.

TIP #2: BE CAREFUL WITH WET HAIR

Hair is delicate when wet, so shampoo and condition gently to avoid breakage and maintain hair color’s vibrancy. For added color-saving benefits, pass on super-hot H2O and turn down the dial. Hot water strips hair of its natural oils, leaving your newly colored mane dry and dull. So, play it safe and always wash your strands in lukewarm water. Trust us, your hair will thank you!

TIP #3: TREAT YOUR TRESSES TO A HAIR MASK

No matter how much time and effort you put into your hair, every once in a while, it could benefit from a hair mask. Treat yourself and your tresses to a little self-care by using a hair mask once or twice a week in place of conditioner. Depending on the mask you choose, they can offer all sorts of benefits, so find one that works for you.

TIP #4: OPT FOR HEAT-FREE STYLING

The truth is, too much heat-styling can wreak havoc on colored strands. And of course, that’s the last thing you want. Whenever you can, give your heat tools a break and switch things up with a heat-free styling option like the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle CURVE IT Elastic Curl Mousse. Simply apply an egg-sized amount to your strands, scrunch, and let air dry. As a result, you’ll be sporting soft and bouncy curls.

On days you can’t skip using your straightener, use a heat protectant, like the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle SLEEK IT Iron Straight Heat Spray, which works to calm frizz, seal in moisture, and protect your hair from heat damage.

TIP #5: SHIELD YOUR SHADE & YOUR STRANDS

UV rays pose a threat to more than your skin—too much exposure can dull shade intensity and zap shine. To help maintain your best color and protect your hair from the sun, choose products with UV filters. To keep your style—and your hair color—in check, use the L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray in Extra Strong Hold with UV filter for Color-Treated Hair to finish hairstyles.

Besides avoiding extensive exposure to sunlight, it’s also wise to stay away from pool water—the chlorine can affect your color and may even turn it green. Not cool! If you have to swim, wear a cap to protect your hair and keep it looking beautiful.

TIP #6: USE TEMPORARY HAIR DYES

If you love to play with color, temporary hair dyes could be right up your alley. The L’Oréal Paris Colorista Hair Makeup 1-Day Temporary Hair Color and the L’Oréal Paris Colorista Hair Makeup Temporary 1-Day Hair Color Spray wash out with only one shampoo. That means if you need to instantly boost the vibrancy of your mane, you can spritz or paint your strands with temporary color to amp things up.

TIP #7: TOUCH-UP JUST YOUR ROOTS

No matter how diligent you are with taking care of your hair color, eventually, your roots will start to grow in. And when that happens, you want to make sure you’re armed with the right products to keep your roots in proper shape. This is where the L’Oréal Paris Magic Root line comes in. Formulated to pick up the slack between your coloring sessions, this collection offers temporary to permanent solutions that will be your saving grace. Pick your potion below.

Looking for a temporary fix? Try the L’Oréal Paris Magic Root Cover Up to conceal grays until you’re back in the salon chair. This lightweight formula dries in little to no time without any smudging or sticky residue left behind. To cover grays, spray the color onto new growth and partly through the length of hair to blend in color.

Have blonde hair? Blondes may have more of a challenge keeping their roots out of sight, but it’s far from impossible. The L’Oréal Paris Magic Root Concealer Spray, Blondes with Dark Roots allows those with colored blonde hair (and a dark natural color) to touch-up their roots with seamless coverage. Available in Light to Medium Blonde and Dark Blonde shades, this root spray allows you to score fresh-looking hair color in minutes. To use, shake well and hold the can about four to six inches away from your hair. Spray the color on your roots and partly through the length of hair to blend. Voila!

Spotted just a few grays? Target scattered gray strands in an instant with the L’Oréal Paris Magic Root Precision Pen. Rotate the pen to dispense the product, then lightly dab the brush onto dry hair using gentle, swift strokes to blend in the color. Wait a minute for the product to dry, and you’re all set.

Do you need a lasting solution? Temporary root cover-up is amazing, but sometime you may want to keep your roots undercover for longer than a day. In that case, reach for the L’Oréal Paris Magic Root Rescue 10 Minute Root Hair Coloring Kit to score a lasting touch-up in just 10 minutes. This root kit features permanent hair color to allow you to disguise your roots for longer. Be sure to follow the instructions listed on the packaging for desired results.

TIP #8: RE-UP YOUR COLOR AT HOME

When your color really needs to be redone, you don’t necessarily need to make the trek to see your colorist. Stock your bathroom with an at-home hair color that matches your current shade and you can touch-up your hair all on your own. Try the L’Oréal Paris Féria, L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color, or L’Oréal Paris Excellence Creme Permanent Triple Protection Hair Color.

Next: How to Bleach Your Hair at Home