So you want a bright red, purple, cowboy copper or rainbow hair? You should know that these colours require maintenance! You may have to come into the salon for colour refreshers every 4-6 weeks (especially since the vivid colours are semi-permanent and meant to wash out of your hair) and you MUST use the proper home care products to ensure you aren’t washing your colour (and $$$) away.

When you have a fresh bright hair colour, you may notice it “runs” at first. We recommend NOT using white towels, sheets, pillow cases, shower curtains or shirts (especially if you get caught in the rain) until you’ve washed it a couple of times. Also, use tepid water to wash at first! Hot water will open the cuticle and the colour will wash out more quickly.

When choosing a shampoo, you definitely want to use a salon professional brand as they contain less water and higher grade/more gentle surfactants than drugstore brands do. Also, a sodium chloride shampoo is best. Avoid washing and rinsing in hot water, salt water, chlorine and using hot tools at high temperatures. If you are an avid swimmer, vivid colours, coppers and reds may not be the right choice of hair colour for you.

A conditioner that hydrates and/or contains colour depositing pigments is also a great choice for home care. And if you are using hot tools to style your hair, PLEASE use a thermal protection spray or cream. The use of hot tools can make your vivid colours and bright reds fade very fast. Thermal Protect Styling Cream by Monat is one of our faves.

Be sure to pre book your toners and root touch ups to ensure a time is reserved for you and your bright reds, coppers and rainbow hair always stay bright, shiny and look fresh (not faded).

Also, keep in mind that while these colours tend to fade they are also really hard to purposely lift from the hair…So if you’re thinking of going blonde any time soon, stay away from reds/coppers and fashion shades!