Being a "faux"redhead, I get asked (a lot) how I keep my color so bright. I have a mid-level true red hue with red-copper highlights (right now anyway... I always stay some shade of red). I get it retouched every 5 weeks (sometimes 6 weeks). The secret to keeping it vibrant during those 5-6 weeks is a good shampoo, not a lot of hairspray, and skipping the super hot shower.
TIPS:
---> You don't want to use a $3 shampoo on your freshly professionally colored hair that you spent $150 on.... doesn't that just make sense?? If your stylist recommends a Color Conserve (color save/safe) shampoo, GET IT. It's worth it, and you might as well get the conditioner too. It really does make a huge difference. There's science behind it, but I won't bore you.
---> If your hair is damaged from over-coloring, going blonde, or a color correction, then a strengthening treatment would benefit you a lot, and help lock in that color. Weak hair leaves the cuticle open, allowing color to escape, so by giving it protein (for example quinoa or keratin) it allows the hair to build strength and keep the color locked in.
---> Lay of the spray! Ok? :P A lot of hairsprays, especially inexpensive ones, contain alcohol which can strip the color from your hair. Make sure you're using a good quality spray, and don't over due it.
---> Hot water also allows the hair to lose color. I usually just shower with warm water (like hottish, but not crazy hot), and then do a cool rinse after I rinse out the conditioner. The cool water will seal the hair's cuticle which will also protect the color from heat styling (blow dryer, flat iron etc).
There's also some great color specific shampoos/conditioners out there. At our salon, we have Aveda's colored ones that are plant-based to get the tone. It's a good idea to use these "toner" shampoos once or twice a week, and the color conserve every other time.
Camomile for Warm/Golden Blondes
Blue Malva for Platinum Blondes
Clove for Brunettes
Madder Root for the Redheads (love love love)
These all smell super good too! :)
Happy hair coloring! XO
I have to agree, if you spend any money on any hair products, a gooood shampoo and conditioner, to suit your color or hair, is the best thing to do.
ReplyDeleteYou make me want red hair again, oh the lust for itt <3
Thanks for the hair tips holly, regular feature pretty please?! :) hehe!!
Man, I have been back and forth with so many hair products from the salon that I didn't know how to use correctly and always go back to the cheap stuff. I feel like my hair has more potential but I don't know how to make it work without it taking all morning. I think I'm a frustrated curly-head.
ReplyDeleteSo...I'm open to your curly shampoo and conditioner suggestions! :)
I'm totally into more natural products and I find that the nicer products are full of chemical crapola! Any ideas about a "good" natural line?
ReplyDelete:D
You're so cute!!
Loved this post, and your hair color is so pretty. I have a deep black on mine right now, but I would like to go back red...would my hair have to be stripped?
ReplyDeletei'm a fakey red too and have used madder root before, but i find if i'm on the orange-red side it leaves my hair looking a little kool-aid colored.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips.
ReplyDeleteRachel: Have you been finding that your hair needs more moisture? Or smoothing? Is it frizz that concerns you, or the curl itself? I would have a few suggestions.
ReplyDeleteViolet! I know what you mean, and that's why I switched to Aveda in March. :) They are 98% plant based, and certified organic!! Even the factory where it's all manufactured is powered by wind energy, and the packaging is all soy inks on post-consumer recycled materials! They're as close to "tree hugger" crazy as you can get with a professional line! They use flowers, herbs, and plants for the aromas, so there's no perfumes etc. It's become a lifestyle for me now, and much more than just hair products. Read more about the company here:
http://www.aveda.com/aboutaveda/index.tmpl
You can read the ingredients lists, the company's mission, and more. :) XO
Trina: The only way to go a lighter color is to use bleach on the black hair. Maybe do it in baby steps by prelightening highlights all over and putting a red color over them. I recommend not bleaching your hair yourself. Your colorist will be able to mix gentler formulas to lift your hair color one level at a time until you're at the red you desire. Anything is possible. :) Good luck!
Oooh...thanks for the tips! I am a new redhead and was so surprised how fast the color faded! I will have to change my shampoo!
ReplyDeleteThis post comes at the perfect time for me - I am going to go bright red tomorrow! Thanks for all the suggestions!
ReplyDeleteHi this is a reader of your blog. I was wondering if I could use one of your images.
ReplyDeleteOh, lovely color!! :) And great tips, too! I'm totally clueless when it comes to hair stuff - so this is super-helpful! :)
ReplyDeleteI wish I could just fly to you and have you cut and style my hair.... and thus giving me all the style tips I need!!!
ReplyDeleteLOVE your hair in the first picture! Makes me want to go red again, but alas, my go-to (boxed) colour no longer seems as perfect as it once was :(
ReplyDeletei love your hair! ...nothing more to say!! :) you hair is just amazing!
ReplyDeleteaw thanks for the tips, I sure need them :)
ReplyDelete...love your hair by the way !
thanks for the advice holly!
ReplyDeletelove your hair! especially the cut!
ReplyDeletei have a question though, i don't use a lot of hairspray, but because my hair is naturally (frizz-tastic) curly i *do* use gel, along with conditioner. (none of the leave-ins were enough to keep my hair from turning into a giant mess of frizz) since i typically go blonde, not brown anymore, will the gel still strip my hair as much as hairspray?
i did red once and loved it, but i don't have the money to keep up with it anymore. again, LOVE your hair.
I get so frustrated when I do a beautiful color on someone and they refuse to buy good shampoo.. makes me sad because I know that there beautiful color is gonna look poopy in about a week :(
ReplyDeleteI love the red in your hair, what color line do you use?
Beautiful hair color...you make me want to dye mine again. :)
ReplyDeleteyou do have the best bright hair ever. and red is a toughie.
ReplyDeleteyou're so pretty. :)
curious, what's the original colour of your hair? mine's black and if I go to the salon, will it look as red as yours?
ReplyDeletekallaydoscope: if the gel doesn't have alcohol in it (I don't think gel does, not as much as hairspray) then it should be fine. I would recommend Aveda's Curl Control gel. :) A little goes a long way, sometimes I cocktail it with an anti-frizz serum. Feels way more natural than gel which can feel crispy.
ReplyDeleteBrush Fire Fairytails: The color in hair in the top photo is Schwartzkopf Igora 6-888 from the intense series. It was sooo bright, I loved it!! Right now my red is much more natural, and copper rather than raspberry. We use the Aveda Full Spectrum color line.
Anonymous: The natural color of my hair is dark neutral brown. If your natural hair is black, (and un-colored/virgin) then you will most likely need pre-lightening in order to get the vibrancy. I don't recommend doing this yourself, because bleach from a box will give you hot roots, and damage your hair. At a salon this might be considered a "color correction" (depending how much lighter/brighter you want to be, and will be a double process color. Pre-lightening/shampoo bleach, then coloring with the red. Anything is possible! Maybe start with red highlights?
This is fantastic. I'm about to take the jump into red!
ReplyDeleteI've got the faux red down (current: Schwartzkopf 5-88 & 6-88 base on my naturally dirty blonde with some coppery peekies for good measure-my pal's handywork-- :) )... but where OH WHERE did that bunny n crossbones shirt come from? i love. i want. i need!! :)
ReplyDeleteunreal levels or cutietude. ferserious.