After investing in an expensive hair colour, you want to keep it looking vibrant and shiny, right? Here are the expert tips according to top stylist Josh Scott, by editor Trudi Brewer.
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Your hair colour always looks best when you step out of the salon. That’s because the colour pigments are at their freshest. According to stylist Josh Scott from Vivo Hair Salon in Milford, Auckland, here's how to keep it shiny and vibrant between hair appointments.
Stylist Josh Scott
HOW LONG WOULD YOU WAIT BEFORE YOU WASH YOUR HAIR, AND WHY?
Ideally, wait at least two to three days; this allows the cuticle (the outside layer of the hair) to close so the colour locks into each strand of the hair. Also, enjoy that salon blow wave for as long as possible,
WHAT ABOUT THE WATER TEMPERATURE WHEN YOU WASH COLOURED HAIR?
Not hot, lukewarm or cool water is ideal, especially after having your hair freshly coloured. It closes (or smoothes) the hair's outside layer, meaning you will have less fading, frizz, and dullness. Also, the longer you avoid shampooing your hair, the richer your colour looks and the more lush your hair will be - I advise my clients to wash and conditioner their hair only every two to three days; this is the best routine for coloured hair.
Tangle Teezer Wet Detangler, $30.
Scott recommends, “Always be gentle to your hair when wet. This is the best tool for combing conditioner through to the ends of the hair in the shower.”
WHAT ABOUT SHAMPOO? SHOULD YOU USE A SPECIFIC COLOUR-PROTECTING PRODUCT?
Always. Colour-protecting shampoos and conditioners are designed to nourish coloured hair, promoting shine and vibrancy while locking in the colour at the same time.
Goldwell Dualsenses Color Extra Rich Shampoo, $30.
Scott says, “Not only does this shampoo offer colour protection, but it also moisturises the hair and gives super shine.”
There is also a Goldwell Dualsenses Colour Conditioner, $30.
WHAT ABOUT SULPHATES IN SHAMPOO? HOW DO THEY AFFECT HAIR COLOUR?
Sulphates make shampoo lather suitable for people with very oily or greasy hair or who often work out and sweat. But for people with coloured hair, excessive use of sulphates can remove the natural oils leading to dry, brittle hair, making your colour less vibrant, and fade faster, so opt for sulphate-free if you can.
Pureology Hydrate Shampoo, $48.
Scott says, “This is the perfect sulphate-free shampoo, as well as being 100 per cent vegan, and it has a beautiful aromatherapy blend of sents.”
WHY SHOULD WE USE HEAT-PROTECTING SPRAYS?
Always, Always, Always use heat protection when you style your hair with hot tools. It adds a protective barrier or layer on the hair between hot tools like irons, hair dryers, curl wands, and your hair. In addition, heat-protecting sprays help stop colour pigment from being stripped out of the hair and causing long-term dryness and breakage.
ghd Bodyguard heat protector, $42.
“Lightweight and invisible on the hair, it provides the ultimate protection for blow drying, curling, and straightening. Genius engineering heat experts designed it.” This is Scott’s go-to heat protector.
HOW ABOUT HAIR MASKS? DO THEY HELP?
The hair mask category is growing so fast, and I love hair masks because they leave hair with that beautiful cosmetic feeling and add a gorgeous shine. I rate the Olaplex range of products created to repair the hair bonds inside the cuticle of each strand, which can be broken after the colour process, especially on lightened or bleached hair.
Olaplex No.8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask, $60.
“A new cult favourite is this Leave-in Mask; it was designed to strengthen the hair from the inside out; it also adds shine, smoothness and body; it's fantastic for anyone with coloured hair,” says Scott.
IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO KEEP YOUR COLOUR VIBRANT BETWEEN SALON VISITS?
Depending on the colour, I recommend toners and treatments to my clients between colour appointments to keep your colour looking vibrant and shiny. Also, investing in good home care keep the colour vibrant. Some of the big professional salon brands are releasing colour mask treatments, which have a small amount of colour pigment to refresh that colour that may have faded or lost its shine. These come in several shades and are a quick way to boost your colour.
Goldwell Dualsenses Color Conditioner, $32.
“This true-to-colour mask is perfect for enhancing hair colour between salon visits. The clever microPROtec technology with direct dyes gives your hair a quick and even toning or colour refresh; it’s also uber-nourishing and very easy to use with a beautiful scent,” says Scott.
Designed to use weekly, leave it on for two to five minutes and rinse. There are eight shades.
Safe, volume-boosting, brow dry extending, here the clean beauty buys.