How to Make Hair Color Last Longer
Keep It Vibrant, Fight the Brass
To make hair color last longer, wash less often with a color-protecting shampoo, master second-day styling, and use a heat protectant every time you style. Lasting color means color that doesn't fade or turn brassy, and most of that work happens at home.
Your color care doesn't stop when you leave the salon. It starts in your shower.
We asked Zoey, colorist at Van Michael Buckhead in Atlanta, how she keeps her clients' color looking fresh between appointments. Zoey is a nine-year Van Michael colorist, Aveda Purefessional, color educator, and member of the Aveda Styling Team at New York Fashion Week.
How Often Should I Wash Color-Treated Hair?
Less often than you probably do now. Zoey's first tip is to wash less and wash smart: stretch the time between wash days, and use a shampoo made to protect your color.
What Is the Best Shampoo for Color-Treated Hair?
Zoey recommends Aveda Color Conserve Shampoo and Conditioner, and it's back by popular demand.
- Color Conserve Shampoo is a plant-powered cleanser that lifts away dulling buildup.
- Color Conserve Conditioner is low-pH, so it locks in shine and pigment.
Both carry Aveda's classic lavender and grapefruit scent. Color Conserve is a salon exclusive, so pick yours up at your next Van Michael appointment.
What Is Second-Day Styling?
Second-day styling means refreshing your style instead of washing and starting over. Fewer washes mean less fading.
Zoey's method:
- Mist in Aveda Nutriplenish Leave-In.
- Blow-dry on low.
- Finish with Aveda Tousle Texture at the roots.
"Dry shampoo and hairspray had a baby, and it's Aveda Tousle Texture." — Zoey
Does Heat Styling Fade Hair Color?
It can. Heat tools turned up too high or used too often can strip your gloss and shift your color. Zoey's third tip is simple: don't skip your heat protectant. Nutriplenish Leave-In and Tousle Texture both offer heat protection.
How Do I Keep Red Hair From Fading?
Red is the hardest color to keep vibrant. It takes layers over time to really hold, so the right care plan matters even more for reds.
Van Michael colorists will build a plan unique to your hair so your red gets deeper with each appointment while your hair stays healthy. At home, the same three tips apply: wash less with Color Conserve, use second-day styling, and protect from heat.
[Read our fall hair color guide for this season's red shades.]
Can a Gloss Help My Color Last?
Yes. A gloss adds shine and can refresh fading color between appointments. Zoey recommends one monthly, or at least between color appointments. A gloss lasts about a month, and longer with second-day styling and heat protectant.
[Read our guide to hair gloss.]
Zoey's Color-Care Shelf
- Aveda Color Conserve Shampoo + Conditioner: seals in color and shine (in-salon exclusive)
- Aveda Nutriplenish Leave-In: hydration plus heat protection
- Aveda Tousle Texture: volume, heat protection, and second-day refresh
All three are available at Van Michael Salon locations in Buckhead, Midtown, Virginia Highlands, Sandy Springs, East Cobb, Alpharetta, and Norcross. Ask your stylist which ones fit your hair and routine.
Hair Color Care FAQs
How can I make my hair color last longer? Wash less often with a color-protecting shampoo like Aveda Color Conserve, use second-day styling to stretch your wash days, and always use a heat protectant. A monthly gloss also keeps color fresh between appointments.
How do I keep my hair color from turning brassy? Protect your color at every step: a color-safe shampoo and low-pH conditioner, fewer wash days, heat protection, and a gloss between color appointments to refresh your tone.
How often should I wash color-treated hair? Less often. Van Michael colorist Zoey recommends stretching your wash days and using second-day styling to refresh your hair in between.
Does heat styling fade hair color? Yes. Heat tools set too high or used too often can strip your gloss and shift your color. Always use a heat protectant.
Why does red hair fade so fast? Red is the hardest color to keep vibrant and builds best in layers over several appointments. A colorist-built plan plus color-safe care at home keeps it rich.
Where can I buy Aveda Color Conserve? Color Conserve is a salon exclusive. You can pick it up at your next appointment at any Van Michael Salon location.
