It’s been six weeks since i took the plunge and dyed my hair purple. The picture above was taken during the first week and the pictures below are from this past week. Quite a difference! Now that I’m looking at it more, it’s a little Radiant Orchid, Pantone’s color of 2014! I was warned that it would only last a few months and I’m not hating it, but I may be back at the salon soon for a quick glaze.

If you’re thinking about exploring with bright hues or pastels, you must be willing to keep up with the post-color maintenance! It’s really the key to longer lasting hair color. Here are a few things I’ve learned along the way:

Tips for Color-Treated Hair

Don’t wash your hair for at least 48 hours after you dye your hair.
Make sure to use a shampoo and conditioner specifically made for color-treated hair. I shampoo the roots and condition the tips. I love Wella’s Brilliance Shampoo and Conditioner for Color-Treated Hair.
Wash your hair less frequently - I’m talking twice a week if you really want the color to last!
Avoid excessive rinsing in the shower.
Invest in a good shower cap like this one from Drybar to wear when you wash your body, which you should clean more than two times a week!
Deep condition once a week. I’m currently obsessed with this mask from Fekkai!
When washing, use the coldest water you can stand. It’s awful, but it’s worth it. Heat is your worst enemy when you have colored hair!
Let your hair air dry if possible, but if you do want to use a blow dryer or heat styling tool, make sure to use a heat protectant! Try Oribe’s Foundation Mist - it also offers UV protection, which is a plus for color-treated hair!
Dry shampoo is your best friend! I’ve been testing a lot of different brands, but lately I’ve been hooked on this one from Kevin Murphy