5 Ways to Make Your Color Last Longer

5 Ways to Make Your Color Last Longer

You invested in a gorgeous new color — here is how to protect it. Our colorists share their top tips for keeping your shade vibrant between visits.

1. Wait 72 hours before your first wash

Freshly colored hair needs time for the cuticle to seal. Give it three days and your color will hold dramatically longer.

2. Switch to sulfate-free shampoo

Sulfates strip color fast. A gentle, color-safe cleanser is the single best upgrade you can make.

3. Turn down the heat

Hot water opens the cuticle and lets color escape. Rinse cool, and your tone stays truer.

4. Book a gloss between full-color visits

A 45-minute gloss refreshes tone and adds shine — the perfect mid-cycle pick-me-up.

5. Protect against the sun

UV fades color just like it fades fabric. A leave-in with UV protection keeps highlights from going brassy.