How I Keep My Red Hair Vibrant
I’m not sure if this is a secret or not, but my red hair is definitely not natural. I often get asked if it is, and I’m always flattered, regardless because I know deep down that it means that this colour really suits me! Funny enough, my natural hair colour is actually blonde — yep, blonde! It doesn’t feel as me, does it? I’ve been a redhead now for about ten years (DANG!), so I don’t really know what my current colour looks like 100%, but I do know based on those darn roots that grow in every six weeks, that it’s darkened quite a bit from the last time I had my natural colour! One commonly asked question that I get is how I keep that colour so vibrant — if you’ve coloured your hair red before, you know how difficult it can be to maintain. Well, today I’m here to share my secrets!
Red Haircare Tip No. 1
Don't Over-Wash It
The first thing may seem a bit obvious, but you shouldn’t over wash your hair, even if it’s not coloured. This is a big part of how I keep my colour so vibrant! I’m definitely more of a every 3-4 days kind of hair washer, because try as I might, I can’t seem to deal with how gross it gets past that point. Another little half secret (because it’s not one I can really “share”), but if you have oily hair, I think that definitely helps. I credit my annoyingly oily skin/roots as a big reason why my hair holds onto the red so well!
Red Haircare Tip No. 2
Use Shampoo & Conditioner Formulated for Colour-Treated Hair
Another one that seems relatively obvious, but I’m sure many people don’t necessarily think of is to use shampoo & conditioner that is meant to help your hair hold colour. A lot of brands and varieties of their shampoos can help and be used on colour treated hair, but aren’t necessarily meant to help preserve the colour. Do yourself a favour & pick up some coloured-hair-specific goods!
Red Haircare Tip No. 3
Buy Only Professional Products
Which leads me into the next tip — when looking for those coloured-hair-specific shampoos & conditioners, do yourself (and your hair) a huge favour & splurge on the professional stuff. I’m talking Amika, Paul Mitchell, OLAPLEX, even my new favourite — JVN Hair! Whatever your little heart desires, but avoid drug store brands. They strip your hair of lots of good things and more than likely your hair dye too.
This tip doesn’t even just apply to buying your haircare items; it applies to the dye & who’s applying it as well. If you want your hair to look good, and last a long time, I highly recommend going to a salon & having it professionally done. These people know what they’re doing & they use the products that reflect that experience. I know this is a bit of a pricey tip overall, but take what you can afford from it!
Red Haircare Tip No. 4
Wait as Long as Possible to Wash Your Hair After Colouring
I always do this — wait as long as you possibly can to wash your hair after you’ve gotten it done! Yes, it’s kind of gross, I can almost promise this helps your hair hold the colour. I try and wait anywhere from 5-7 days to wash my hair after I’ve had my colour done, and it usually results in significantly less colour bleeding from my hair than if I was to wash it a couple of days later. I’m also someone with longer hair so I can throw it up in a bun on gross days, so if this isn’t an option for you, drag it out as long as possible.
Red Haircare Tip No. 5
Hope You Have Pure, Dumb Luck
And lastly, though it isn’t exactly a “tip”, sometimes it just comes down to pure, dumb luck. I’ve been told repeatedly by my hair stylist that I’m very lucky to have hair that holds onto the colour of red that I dye it since a lot of people experience major colour bleeding and fading between appointments — where, when I go in, it’s more because my roots are showing & I need a touch up.
I hope these tips have helped you if you have red hair & can’t figure out why your colour isn’t holding, or if you’re considering dying it red, you know what to do! I’m not sure if these tips would work on other darker colours like browns, or blacks… or even if they’d work on going lighter, but take this info with a grain of salt — I never claimed to be a professional! 😉
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