Conditioner, Hair Color, Leave-In Conditioner, Shampoo
So you’re blonde now and wanting to keep your color looking like new? Many women dye their hair blonde only to find that they are starting to hate the decision a mere few weeks later. Walking out of the salon and loving your hair color and then hating it shortly afterwards could be because of a few common blonde blunders. Here are my pro top tips to keep your blonde hair crush worthy be it home grown or colorist created.
DRY AS THE DESERT
An increase in dryness is to be expected with hair that has been lifted through a color process. Generally speaking, the more levels your hair is lifted, the drier your hair may become. To combat this dryness, cleanse your hair with moisturizing sulfate free shampoos and condition your hair regularly. High lift lovelies (4 levels or more) will need to be sure and include a protein conditioner in their regimen. The protein acts as a patch in the hair strand preventing the swift escape of moisture and temporarily adding strength. Aubrey Organics GPB Conditioner and Aveda ‘damage remedy’ Intensive Restructuring Treatment are some of our tried-and-tested faves. Phytomist Instant Hydrating Conditioner For Color-Treated Hair is also a good leave-in choice for color-treated hair.
COLOR CORROSION
Ok ok. We know hair doesn’t actually corrode but it sure can seem like it when you are trying to figure out how to keep blonde hair from fading. Seeing more yellow in your blonde than you like? Brass making an appearance? Find yourself a blue or violet based shampoo and conditioner duo to counter those unwanted tones and brighten your blonde. We like Lush Daddy-O which is formulated with an infusion of fresh citrus juices and seaweed that gives your hair softness and shine, while the violet leaf, rose and bergamot oils create a scent that stays on your hair throughout the day. John Freida Sheer Blond Color Renew Tone Correcting Shampoo is another color saver we like. This formula from John Frieda contains Optical Brightening Technology, absorbs UV light and emits white-blue light, making color-treated hair appear brighter and salon-fresh.
DULLNESS FOR THE WIN
Wondering how to fix dull blonde hair? Oftentimes when blonde hair is losing its luster hard water is the culprit. Invest in a water filter and try out Malibu Blondes Weekly Brightener. It removes and prevents mineral buildup and restores color and shine. You can also add back some of your golden tone with Aveda ‘Camomile’ Shampoo and Aveda ‘Camomile’ Color Conditioner. an even more natural herb rinse using chamomile tea bags.
GREEN WITH CHLORINE
If a dip in the pool or two or a summer full of dips has turned your hair green, a good chelating shampoo and red based toner will do you well. We like Redken Hair Cleansing Cream Shampoo. Toning is a special situation in this case and we recommend seeing your colorist to ensure that your hair is returned to its previous luster.
We did happen to spy an all natural alternative online that suggests using tomato juice to eliminate green tones. Tomatoes are acid based and red so ph and color theory wise, it’s sound advice. Let us know if you try that one and how it works out for you?
They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Glossing treatments may sound like an unnecessary add on when you are at the salon, but they can actually repel hard water deposits and keep hair color shine on between touch ups. So the next time your colorist offers you one, do your hair a favor and take it. You can also try Rita Hazan Foaming Gloss Shine Enhancer which works to keep your color vibrant and hair glossy between your color treatments. (Rita is Beyonce’s colorist so you know you are getting the star treatment with her products)
Shine bright like a diamond, ladies.
