Expert Tips for Maintaining Coloured Hair at Home

Achieving salon-style colour vibrancy at home is possible with the right approach. You can learn how to maintain coloured hair at home without excessive fading, helping reduce the need for frequent salon visits. By adjusting your washing, conditioning, and styling routine, you can significantly reduce hair colour fading. Whether you love copper, brunette, platinum, or pastel shades, we share expert advice to help maintain your hair’s shine and colour. With professional products from Sally Beauty and expert guidance, you can confidently keep your hair colour looking vibrant at home.

Understanding Hair Colour Fade 

Hair colour fades as colour pigments are gradually washed out. Several factors contribute to this, including frequent washing, hot water, sulphate-heavy shampoos, sun exposure, chlorine, saltwater, and high heat styling. Rough towel-drying and heavy brushing can also lift the outer layer of the hair, allowing colour to fade faster. 

Your hair type also affects how long colour lasts. Fine or porous hair, often caused by bleaching or heat damage, absorbs colour quickly but can lose it faster too. Healthier, thicker hair tends to hold colour for longer. Strengthening and bond-repair treatments can help reduce porosity and support coloured hair at home, limiting everyday fading. 

Permanent hair colour penetrates deeper and lasts longer, but it can still shift in tone without proper care. Semi- and demi-permanent colours sit closer to the surface and fade more easily. These shades benefit from gentle cleansing, cooler water, and occasional colour-refreshing treatments. 

How to Keep Coloured Hair from Fading 

• Wait 72 hours before your first shampoo after colouring to allow colour to settle. If needed, use a cool-water rinse and conditioner only. 

• Choose sulphate-free, colour-safe shampoos and conditioners to help reduce colour loss. 

• Wash with cool or lukewarm water. Cooler temperatures help keep the hair surface smooth, locking in colour and shine. 

• Wash less often. A lightweight dry shampoo can absorb oil at the roots while protecting lengths from over-washing. 

• Dry hair gently. Pat hair with a microfibre towel or soft T-shirt to reduce friction and colour fade. 

Essential Hair Care for Coloured Hair 

Choose a nourishing, colour-safe conditioner with moisturising ingredients and lightweight proteins to smooth hair and improve strength without weighing it down. A leave-in conditioner or detangling spray adds extra protection against daily wear that can cause colour to fade. 

Add a weekly deep conditioning mask to restore moisture, strengthen hair, reduce porosity, and help lock in colour. Apply to mid-lengths and ends, leaving it on for the full recommended time for best results. 

Protect hair from sun exposure, one of the main causes of colour fading. Use a UV-protectant spray before heading outdoors and reapply after swimming. Hats and scarves provide added protection on sunny days. 

Limit heat styling by always using a heat protectant and choosing the lowest effective temperature-around 150–170°C for fine hair and up to 185°C for thicker hair. Let hair air-dry most of the way before blow-drying and avoid repeated straightener passes. 

Refreshing Colour Between Appointments 

Temporary colour gels and glosses provide a quick vibrancy boost without long-term commitment. Apply towel-dried hair, comb through, and rinse as instructed for an immediate refresh-ideal when early signs of fading appear. 

• Use shade-specific masks to maintain true tones 

• Purple for blondes to reduce yellow tones 

• Green for brunettes to soften orange warmth 

• Copper-enhancing masks for reds to boost richness.  

Apply weekly or as needed. If you swim often, apply a leave-in conditioner or light oil before entering chlorinated pools, rinse with fresh water afterwards, and use clarifying shampoo occasionally to remove build-up without causing extra fading. 

Professional Solutions at Sally Beauty

Shop online or in-store with confidence. Our professional expertise ensures that every product is purposefully selected for salon-quality results at home. Our knowledgeable team is always on hand to help you build the right routine-whether you’re repairing damage, reducing brassiness, or simply keeping your colour looking fresh.

Expert Tips 

• "Make sure you use an oxidising shampoo to remove your colour and then wait 72 hours before your first wash. This step helps lock in your colour, keeping it vibrant longer" - Jane Wanniaratchy - Head of Product and Technical Education – 30+ years Hairdressing experience & Nail Experience 20+ years 

• "Wash your hair with lukewarm water and lower the heat on your styling tools to prevent fading and tone changes" - Rena Parrock - Education Design Team Lead – 30+ Years Hairdressing Experience 

• "Handle coloured hair gently. Use soft towel-drying, careful detangling, and wash less often to keep it vibrant" - Jane Wanniaratchy - Head of Product and Technical Education – 30+ years Hairdressing experience & Nail Experience 20+ years 

• "Balance moisture and strength. Colour-treated hair needs hydration and support to reduce porosity and maintain colour" - Elke VanDaal - Education Designer – 20 + Hairdressing Experience – 20+ Nail Experience 

• "Use glosses or shade-specific masks between appointments to refresh your tone and prevent brassiness" - Rena Parrock - Education Design Team Lead – 30+ Years Hairdressing Experience