So, you’ve decided to take the plunge and color your hair. Yay, for you not being afraid of change! Hair color is an awesome way to update or refresh your look whether it’s to cover unwanted gray or create a complete style transformation. Consult with your stylist to create the best course of action to obtain your desired result. Whether you want all over color, ombre, balayage or highlights, remember that there is a safe way to achieve any look, and a licensed hairstylist can help you determine the proper course of action for your hair type.

After you get your hair done, here are some tips for things you can do at home to maintain your new do!

1. Shampoo your hair less frequently: Shampooing too frequently can leach the color from your hair making it appear dull and dry. Most stylists agree it is not necessary to shampoo your hair everyday, and once you’re used to skipping a shampoo most people realize that 2nd day hair can be great to work with. If you have straight or very loosely waved hair shampoo 2-3 times a week and if necessary refresh on your off days by flipping hair over and spraying a dry shampoo at the roots to soak up oil.  Most ethnic or highly textured hair, naturally, tends toward the drier end of the spectrum due to the inability of the scalp’s sebum to travel the length of the curls and coils from root to tip. This dryness can be exacerbated by any chemical treatment so when extremely curly hair is colored it should be shampooed no more than once a week, unless you are swimming or engaging in high impact activities that require more frequent shampooing. If you can’t go a full week in between shampoos, you can opt to switch between co-washing (cleansing hair with conditioner, or a conditioning cleanser like Wen) and shampooing followed by a deep conditioning treatment.

2. Use a sulfate free or color-protecting shampoo: These shampoos are specifically formulated to be both gentle and protective of your color. Steer clear of clarifying shampoos, which can be harsh and stripping, except on the day before your color appointment when they can be used to remove heavy oils and product buildup, silicones, waxes, and hairspray resins. If your hair is excessively coated in product when the color is applied, instead of penetrating the hair shaft, some of the dye may attach itself to those coatings and then wash out, making your color fade faster.”

3. Stick to lukewarm or cooler water and avoid excessive rinsing in the shower: Heat makes haircolor leach faster, so the hotter the water, the quicker the color loss. I recommend room temperature water and a cold water rinse to close the cuticle and add shine. Also, once you’ve shampooed and conditioned, don’t tilt your head back and let the water just run over it for several minutes as this will also rinse away and dull your color over time.

4. Protect blonde hues and highlights with a purple toning shampoo: Strange as it may sound, purple shampoo keeps your hair color from turning brassy, which can happen with other shampoos that aren’t specifically formulated for blonde hair.

5. Think twice about becoming a redhead: Although, red shades are frequently chosen for their beautiful vibrancy, red dye’s large-size molecules leach out more quickly than those of any other hue. I don’t want to dissuade you from choosing that beautiful auburn, deep scarlet or coppery highlight, but keep in mind that reds require more frequent touch ups in order to maintain their vibrancy.