Colour Fade Out. All the info you need

So you've just spent god knows how much on a beautiful new hair colour. 5 washes on it's fading....WHY?

As a hairstylist, I ensure I use only the best colours available for my clients. I spend the time to analise the hair condition and compatibility to make sure that the colour will take best and stay put. Sometimes, however, colour can still fade. 
In this blog I'm going to tell you why this can happen and what you and I can do about it. It is in my best interest that my clients are walking around with top notch hair all the time, so I don't see this as a secret.

Colour fading can happen for a number of reasons.
1) Poor quality shampoo and conditioner has been used prior to colouring and after colouring. Most supermarket shampoos have a very high Ph level which will strip the colour from the hair - baby shampoo being one of the worst! They also contain non water soluble silicons which will literally coat and effectively laminate the hair, making it difficult for the colour to penetrate the hair shaft effectively. After colouring these will cause dehydration of the hair, which will again cause fading.

Rhianna keeps her red vibrant with regular in salon top ups

2) If you have gone from being very light, to dark or strong red or violet tones. Lightened hair has had alot of the protein stripped from the hair. It will "grab" the tone initially but it will "fall out" again quite quickly. Think of porous hair (lightened hair) as being like a sponge. It will suck it up pretty quick, but one squeeze and its gone.
3) Hormones, ill health, medication. These can all effect, not only how a colour will take, but how the hair will hold on to the colour. Hair is the last point of call for any sort of nutrients going into the body, so when we are under the influence of internal goings on, it can effect how the colour will take and hold.
4) Environmental influences. This horrid weather is no helper! Going from damp, cold and blustery outdoors to central heated indoors will dry the hair out. Dehydration of the hair causes fading too.

What can I do?
1) Use a good quality shampoo and conditioner. Its best to get one advised by your stylist. I find Pureology amazing for colour retention, and its organic, vegan and environmentally friendly. Beware of buying them cheaper over the Internet. They wont be guaranteed by the brand and there are an awful lot of fakes out there.

Glossy Darks need good condition

2) Porous hair needs to have protein put back in it. Most salons will offer a service where you can have weekly protein treatments to ensure that your hair is strong enough to hold the colour. 
3) Ensure you drink at least 2 litres of water a day ( no it doesn't count if its in your whiskey!!) and try taking a multi vitamin. I like to take Berrocca because I drink it with a large glass of water (2 birds - one stone ) and it tastes like Fanta!
4) Get your colour done professionally. More often than not, when you do a home colour, you whack colour over colour over colour. This will dry those ends out and cause a colour build up on the ends too, making them dull and brittle. If your budget is tight, most salons have a junior stylist using the same high quality colours, in a professional manner, at a fraction of the cost. Just ask your salon when you book your appointment if they have any juniors available.
5) Wear a hat if its blowing a gale out there. Serums can also help to rehydrate thirsty hair too.

6) When you have fading ends, you can have "toners" either in salon or you can buy them from your salon to top up at home. My personal favourites are Joico Colour intensity and Revlon Nutri colour. If you have fading reds, the Colour Intensity is fantastic for bringing back the vibrancy in between salon visits.

Ice White! Keep it in check at home with salon toners

Blondies may find that their beloved platinum blonde goes brassy over time ( I find this myself ) Personally I use the Revlon Nutri Colour Platinum toner for 5 minutes on washes, towel dried hair then condition. It keeps it looking really fresh. If you want SUPER cool blonde, use the Joico Colour Intensity Violet - but only use a pea sized amount mixed in with a 50p size of conditioner for up to 5 mins. It really is super strong!
You can have so much fun with toners. Brunettes will keep the glossy rich colour, Reds will keep the eye popping intensity, Coppers will keep their richness and Blondes will stay bright and clean. They range from £10 - £20 and contain between 5 and 15 applications (depending on the brand)

Joico Colour Intensity

Revlon Nutri colour

Have fun! mix up those toners!

 Blonde hair is especially fun. If you're feeling adventurous, have   a play with mixing more violet toner in to create a lilac look, or perhaps a dash of red in the conditioner for a baby pink?

 Toners wash out over time so go on, have a play!





Look after those locks - Its the frame to the beautiful picture that is you!