Seven Ways to Help Make Your Hair Color Last Longer
Color extender tips your tresses can’t live without.
Color treated hair doesn’t have to be high-maintenance. Whether you’re a hair dye do-it-yourselfer or have a regular salon ritual with your colorist, we know it’s super important (and practical, tbh) to make that color go the extra mile. But first… Before we dive into those seven tips, let’s explore the different types of hair dye and the oft-asked “how long does hair dye last” question that constantly plagues hair color aficionados.
Types of Hair Color
Permanent Hair Color
Like the name suggests, permanent hair color is formulated to last the longest. It contains a full-strength developer to add to your natural hair pigment by penetrating the hair cuticle. Pretty cool, right? It should last until your hair grows out or until it’s time to recolor (a good 4-6 weeks). It’s true that permanent hair dye does start to fade, but the color never really leaves.
Demi-Permanent Hair Color
This one’s ammonia-free. Demi-permanent hair color works by getting under the outer cuticle of the hair and coats the hair’s outer cuticle. Over time, the color gets washed away, but it’s good for about 24-28 shampoos.
Temporary Hair Color
Last, but definitely not least, temporary hair color is great if you want to change up your look on the reg because it just coats the cuticle. It’s also our go-to for root cover-ups in between dye jobs. This one comes in all different forms from hair chalk and sprays to gels and masks and will last a few good washes.
Now that we covered the basics and delved into how long does hair color last, we’ll move right along to share more about how to take care of dyed hair and which hair color products you should add to your routine STAT.
Color Extender Tip #1
Use a shampoo for color treated hair. OK, this sounds like a no-brainer. But you’d be surprised at the harsh shampoos some people use on their newly dyed mane. (SMH!) The good news is, all (yep, all) of our OGX shampoos are gentle and safe enough for color treated hair.
Color Extender Tip #2
Follow up with a conditioner for color treated hair. A dynamic duo made specifically for dyed hair is going to keep that color looking fresher longer. With 12 different OGX conditioners for color treated hair, you can’t go wrong.
Color Extender Tip #3
Try a hair color treatment to keep dyed hair looking healthy and feeling soft. We’re particularly fond of OGX hair oils because they go from lightweight to heavy and can be easily added to your existing hair care routine according to your hair type.
Color Extender Tip #4
Wear a hat. Wool fedora, straw sunhat, baseball cap, cotton beanie… Doesn’t matter! The sun’s rays have no mercy and can make your hair color fade faster. Do double duty and try our limited edition OGX Orchid Oil Shampoo, infused with UVA/UVB sun filters for a boost of protection to help make hair dye last longer.
Color Extender Tip #5
Try a hair mask for colored hair. Not that kind of mask. The kind that washes out. Color treated hair has a tendency to get dry, so a deep-conditioning treatment like OGX Argan Oil of Morocco Intense Moisturizing Treatment is a hair-saver, just let it sit for 3-5 minutes after washing, rinse and style.
Color Extender Tip #6
If you’re wondering, “Can I wash my hair after dying it,” here’s a rule of thumb: Go easy on the washing. Wait 72 hours before washing your hair after it’s colored. It takes up to three days for the hair cuticle to close up and trap the color molecule. In between washes, use an OGX dry shampoo and use warm (not hot) water.
Color Extender Tip #7
Ditch the products with sulfates and harsh chemicals that can strip hair, dry it out and make your color look dull. Good news is, that’s easy to do if you stick with OGX products because our formulas don’t contain parabens but instead are filled with moisturizing/nourishing goodies They also smell really, really good.
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