Vivid hair colours are perfect for those that want to dive into the rebel side as well as those who want to dip their toe into the world of brighter colours. However, the nature of these colours often mean that they are here for a good time, not a long time. Depending on factors like hair condition, how bright you start and your home care routine, to name a few, these colours can last up to 6-8 weeks and I’m going to share with you my 5 tips to make the most of these bold shades and keep them looking badass all the way through to your next appointment.
Cleansing is Key
Let’s start with the basics. When it comes to vivids, what you wash with matters. The pigment within these colours doesn’t fully penetrate the hair so is very easily exposed to anything we put on the hair. Try and avoid anything high in ingredients such as Citrus, Tea Tree or anything that is marketed as a cleansing shampoo. These affect the pH of the hair in a way that can allow the pigment to essentially fall out the hair. Investing in professional homecare will really benefit you when looking after any coloured hair, as a lot of brands we have access to in the supermarket are high in cheap ingredients and detergents which, like a cleansing shampoo, open the outer layers of the hair and strip the pigment. My go-to recommendations in salon are the Joico K-Pak Colour Therapy family. They are designed to be pH balanced so it’ll keep the hair behaving as naturally as possible. As well as being high in ingredients like Keratin proteins and Amino Acids, strengthening the hair from the inside out at the same time as giving a bloody good wash.
Chill Out!
When it comes to rinsing your hair, take a chill pill. Cool – lukewarm water is much better for your bright colours, especially if you prefer a pastel shade. Semi-Permanent colours, which is what every fashion shade is, don’t penetrate the hair in the same way as a toner or a root tint would. They actually live just under the outside layer of the hair, the cuticle, and this part of a hair strand can be affected by a lot of things. Rinsing in cooler water, the cooler the better, keeps the cuticle as flat as possible and meaning it is less likely to get excessive fading from your colour and may even give a boost of shine to the hair!
DIY At Home
The fact of the matter is, these colours fade, some a lot more than others. That is why I offer my clients the option to take home the exact same colour I use in-house so they can maintain their hair themselves at home. Pastel shades benefit from this in particular, as these shades often have a much shorter lifespan than colours such as neon pink or an emerald green. Topping it up at home keeps the colour looking top notch without needing to have it done every two weeks. I recommend that you only get your top up colour from your stylist or salon. This ensures that your stylist is familiar with that colour line and is in the loop with your hair history should you ever want to change or if your placement isn’t quite perfect.
Wash it Tomorrow
It’s not just what you use to wash your hair, but how often as well. Each time you shampoo your hair a small amount of pigment is washed away. Fact of life is that this is unavoidable. So, by washing it daily, over time, can really take the vibrancy and depth away from your vivid shades. Every 2-3 days is a fair routine for cleansing your hair. This also gives your hair natural oils to do their job and benefit the hair. In the meantime, dry shampoo can really work wonders. Remember to apply it to the roots, not the hair, that where the oil build up is. My favourite Dry Shampoo is Joico Weekend Hair, made with Rice Starch rather than essentially talc, it is 8x times better at absorbing oil and available in the standard size but also in a mini, perfect for the handbag!
Masks Matter
Keeping your hair in good condition is the foundation for maintaining a vibrant colour. Keep an eye out on treatments that are high in Amino acids and Proteins as they are building blocks of your hair. Using a treatment once a week or every 3-4 washes is the ideal amount as it means you are giving your hair the boost you need without overdoing. The two that fly off my shelves are the Joico Deep-Penetrating Reconstructor and The Colour Therapy Lustre Lock Mask.
Stepping into the world of vivids can be little daunting especially when you’re looking after them. But with these hints and tricks you will be able to make an impact even weeks down the line.
