Last Updated on November 2, 2022 by Ellen Christian
Yes, you’ve discovered my secret. I highlight my hair. I got my first grey hair after my daughter was born in my middle twenties. It wasn’t that obvious at the time because my hair was fairly light. I just yanked it out and chalked it up to another part of aging that I wasn’t that thrilled with.
Posts may be sponsored. This post contains affiliate links, which means I will make a commission at no extra cost to you should you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
How to Make your Hair Color Last Longer
Unfortunately, as I got older, my hair got darker (thanks, Mom) and the grey got more noticeable. I had no intention of going grey in my thirties so I began my monthly trips to the salon to have my hair highlighted. While I enjoy my time at the salon, I’ve learned how to make your hair color last longer. Why spend money when you don’t have to?
- Always use a shampoo and conditioner that are made for color treated hair. Other hair products may strip the color, causing it to fade or disappear much faster than it should. The bottles should say that they are safe for color treated hair.
- Avoid styling products that have alcohol listed in the first five ingredients. Styling products with alcohol in them will dry out your hair and leave it looking dull.
- Wash your hair every other day if possible. The fewer times you shampoo your hair, the longer the color will last for you. Try a dry shampoo in between washes if you really need to.
- Try an at home glazing or glossing product to extend your color just a bit.
- Use filtered water to wash your hair. The chemicals in water like iron and lime can be hard on hair dyes. Some shower heads come with filters.
- Use hair products with SPF in them if you’ll be heading to the beach. Depending on the color you dye your hair, the sun may lighten it.
- Avoid chlorine. If you’ll be heading to the pool, make sure to wear a beach cap to protect your hair. Chlorine may react to the chemicals in your hair dye.
If you’re going to splurge on a good salon hair color, it only makes sense to make it last as long as possible. I find that my highlights will last longer than an all over dye since the grow out isn’t as obvious. It’s also less noticeable for me in the summer since the sun lightens my hair anyway to some extent.
If you dye your hair, how do you make your hair color last longer?
Ellen believes you can feel beautiful at any age and size. She shares healthy beauty and fashion information geared toward women over 40. She is a direct sales rep for several fashion and beauty businesses.
Filtered water? Interesting. I’ve actually never dyed my hair but my mom dyes her a dark red color – we are both brunettes but I was blonde as a little girl.
It definitely can help depending on what’s in your water.
These are great tips! I am starting to see more and more gray in my hair – but I have a color I LOVE so I keep buying it!
That’s the way to do it, Sara!
I like the idea of home glazing and glossing. It looks so pretty when they do it at the salon!
It definitely does, Shelley!
OMG – filtered water does make a whole lot of difference. I used to have a filter and now I realize how big of a difference it made
It really does, Lena, and not something a lot of people know.
I’ve also used the temp coloring rinse like Roux Fanci-Full between colorings and No Rinse Shampoo, that is liquid and you towel dry (used in hospitals but you can find it at places like Sally’s Beauty). I’ve let my hair color grow out and it’s now my own natural hair color well below my chin. So surprised I have very little grey, but my mom had little grey too. Thinking I might color it again since it’s dark blonde and could use a lighter color like the lower half of my long hair, but haven’t decided yet. I have some nice stuff with argan oil to use when I decide. It’s just a pain to keep up so I’ve enjoyed the very long break of not coloring!
Argan oil really does an amazing job!
I remember when I had my hair dyed red it was very hard to maintain. I could have used these tips then. I’m sure that a lot of women will be very happy to have them
Thanks, Patty. Red would be a challenge!
I just started using Nice N easy — that product sure has come a long way since I used it many many years ago. It has agloss/conditioner in each box and my color lasts until then ew growth requres that I color again. Plus, it staqys shiny.
That’s great to know. I love it when my hair looks shiny!