Hey friends! Last week my hair appointment was canceled due to the Corona Virus situation. Under normal circumstances that would be no big deal. However, at this point, we have no idea when we will be able to return to the salon!
So, I contacted my stylist Kim Rhodes, of Kim’s Kreations, for some helpful ideas on how to help extend our hair color! She had a few basic and easy tips and tricks that will give our hair a little more life and actually make it healthier in the process!
Use a shampoo specifically for color-treated hair
First of all, one of the best ways to hold on to that “just right” color is to only use shampoo designed for hair that has been chemically treated. We don’t want to be using shampoos that actually work against us by stripping away the color we just added to our hair! We want to stay away from parabens and sulfates which are the ones sabotaging our gorgeous color and can cause health problems as well. (I’m linking a couple of articles you can take a look at that go into greater detail about these two ingredients) In general, they are common preservatives that are included in a lot of hair care products. While both products have been certified OK by the US Food and Drug Administration, there still seems to be a concern based on the long-term effects of these products in clinical tests.
Sulfate-free options
So my go-to shampoo for color-treated hair has been Biolage by Matrix. They have many options and even a “Sulfate-free” line! I have been using their products for the past 5 years and have fallen in love with them! I have linked several of their products that I would recommend. Some of their products DO include sulfates, so if you are trying to clean up your beauty regime, go with the sulfate-free line! I have linked several good options below!
Tip: When washing your hair at home, try not to use super hot water as this too will cause your hair color to fade prematurely. Instead, use cool water!
Skip washing your hair every day
Ok. Personally, this was a difficult one for me. My hair is naturally oily around my face and neck, so I want to wash my hair daily. On top of that, I don’t like the way my hair feels gritty when I haven’t washed it. However, in an attempt to have healthier hair I took the plunge and slowly began to skip days between washings. To get to this point, I started a month or so before the summer break. I would wash my hair every other day. Then during the summer when I didn’t have to go to work, I would try waiting a couple of days before washing it. That’s all it took. I haven’t looked back since! The daily washings were causing my hair to be super dry by stripping it and my scalp of the natural oils it needed.
Dry shampoo options
One thing I added to my beauty regime to help with the oil issue was a good dry shampoo! There are a ton of options out there! Some of them cleaner than others. For a great “clean” option try Primally Pure’s Light Lock which is my personal favorite right now! (Use the code: lululoves7 at checkout for a discount of 10%) Or Biolage has a super option available for color-treated hair! There are some very affordable options I am linking below as well! Even a splash of powder can do the trick when you’re in a pinch!
Tip: Use the dry shampoo sparingly around the face and neckline. Let it sit for 30 seconds before working it into your hair. You can even use your hairdryer and a roll brush to add volume to your hairstyle after applying the dry shampoo.
Use thermal protection hair care products
You’ll also want to try using a thermal protection hair care product before you blow-dry or style your hair! (Or anytime you add heat directly to your hair) You want to prevent UV damage as well as other heat damage from styling your hair. I’m linking a few options below. The best overall product that is also a cleaner option is Living Proof Restore Instant Protection or Aveda Smooth Fusion Style-prep Smoother. Personally I like these products because they also add shine to your hair. Furthermore, Not Your Mother’s All Eyes on me has high ratings and is a more affordable option.
What about all the grey?
These are all great ideas to preserve the color we do have, but what do we do if we are currently due for a touch-up or all-over color??? Kim said she had heard good reviews on a temporary product that will help cover up root growth and grey hairs! L’Oreal Magic Root Cover Up comes in blonde, brown, red and black shades. It is a spray-in product that seems to have good reviews for a short-term problem! I have linked it below and a few other products that might be helpful during this time.
Finally, changing up our hair care routines right now can actually help our hair become healthier in the future! Our current circumstances can be the perfect opportunity to train our hair to be washed less frequently and give extended life to the color we do have once we are able to return to the salons! I value all the feedback you have and so will our community of readers!
If you live in the area and would like to contact Kim Rhodes, of Kim’s Kreations, the salon number is 281-391-9113. It is located at 5613 Third Street, Katy, Texas 77494.
Stay safe and healthy! I would love to hear your thoughts, questions or comments!
Cindyh
