10 Hair Care Tips for Colored Hair to Keep It Vibrant & Healthy
Introduction: Hair Care Tips for Colored hair
Hair care tips for colored hair are essential if you want to keep your hair looking as fresh, shiny, and vibrant as it did when you first left the salon. Whether you’ve gone bold with fashion hues or subtle with highlights or balayage, maintaining color-treated hair requires a little extra love.
As a professional hairstylist, I always recommend a dedicated color care routine that protects the pigment while keeping hair strong and healthy. These expert-approved tips are designed to help you extend the life of your color and nourish your strands from root to tip.
Table of Contents
1. Use Sulfate-Free Shampoos and Conditioners
One of the most important hair care tips for colored hair is switching to sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners. Sulfates can strip away natural oils and quickly fade color-treated strands. For long-lasting vibrancy, opt for shampoos that are specifically formulated to be gentle and color-safe. Brands like Pureology and Living Proof offer sulfate-free formulas packed with antioxidants and UV protection.
Tip: One of the best hair care tips for colored hair is to use sulfate-free shampoos and wash with cool water to preserve the vibrancy of your color. Avoiding frequent washing also helps maintain moisture.
💬 “Color-treated hair deserves extra love—think of it like a delicate silk blouse. You wouldn’t toss that in hot water or harsh detergent, right? Use sulfate-free shampoos and cooler water to keep your color rich and radiant.”
— Tracey Cunningham, Celebrity Colorist
Product Recommendation: Pureology Hydrate Shampoo
That’s why I love the Pureology Hydrate Shampoo. It’s completely sulfate-free, 100% vegan, and gentle on even the most delicate color. What makes it truly special is its hydrating formula, which helps maintain your color’s richness while giving your hair that soft, salon-fresh feel every time you wash. It’s one of those must-haves in any color care routine.
💬 “If you’ve invested in your hair color, you should absolutely invest in how you care for it. A great shampoo like Pureology can extend the life of your color beautifully.”
— Tracey Cunningham, Celebrity Hair Colorist
💧 Pureology Hydrate Shampoo
Color-safe, sulfate-free hydration for dyed hair
This salon-favorite shampoo is a top pick among hairstylists (myself included!) for maintaining color-treated hair. Its deeply nourishing formula is completely sulfate-free and 100% vegan—everything your vibrant strands need to stay soft, healthy, and brilliantly colored.
Pros:
✔️ Sulfate-free and 100% vegan — ideal for protecting hair color
✔️ Deep hydration for dry, medium to thick hair types
✔️ Pleasant, long-lasting signature fragrance
✔️ Highly concentrated — one bottle lasts a long time
Cons:
⚠️ Can feel a bit heavy on fine or oily hair (Pureology Hydrate Sheer is a better match)
⚠️ Higher price point compared to typical drugstore shampoos
💬 Expert Quote:
“A shampoo that truly protects your color investment while delivering salon-level hydration—this is a non-negotiable in my kit.”
— Tracey Cunningham, Celebrity Colorist
2. Wash Hair Less Frequently
Frequent washing can cause color to fade more quickly. A key part of any hair care routine for colored hair is limiting shampoo sessions to two or three times per week. This helps preserve the pigment and keeps your hair’s natural oils intact.
Tip: Over-washing is one of the fastest ways to dull your hair color. Try to limit washes to 2–3 times a week and always rinse with cool water.
💬 “Your hair color isn’t just about the dye—it’s about how you treat it afterward. Reducing how often you wash your hair helps maintain that fresh-from-the-salon glow. Cool water is your best friend—it seals the cuticle and holds the pigment longer.”
— Tracey Cunningham, Hair Color Specialist
3. Deep Condition Weekly
Moisture is your best friend when it comes to hair care tips for colored hair. Color treatments can dehydrate the hair, making it prone to breakage. A weekly deep-conditioning mask replenishes lost moisture and helps maintain strength and shine.
Tip: Deep conditioning treatments are essential for restoring moisture and strength to color-treated hair. Incorporate a deep conditioning mask into your routine once a week.
💬 “One of the best hair care tips for colored hair is deep conditioning. I always tell my clients, treat your hair to a weekly mask like you’d treat your skin to a facial. It makes all the difference in vibrancy and texture.”
— Tracey Cunningham, Hair Care Specialist
4. Protect Hair from Heat
Heat styling tools can cause your color to fade and lead to long-term damage. A crucial part of hair care for colored hair is using a thermal protectant before blow-drying, straightening, or curling. This shields the cuticle and preserves both health and hue.
Tip: Always apply a heat protectant before styling with hot tools like blow dryers, straighteners, or curling irons. Heat can cause damage to color-treated hair, so using protection is essential.
💬 “Heat styling is one of the biggest culprits in dulling hair color. If you must use heat, make sure you apply a thermal protectant. Think of it like sunscreen—but for your strands.”
— Tracey Cunningham, Hair Color Authority
5. Shield Hair from the Sun
UV rays don’t just damage your skin—they can also break down hair dye and bleach out your color. One of the often-overlooked hair care tips for colored hair is protecting your hair from the sun. Wear hats or use products with built-in UV filters when you’re outdoors.
Tip: UV rays can cause your color to fade. Make sure to protect your hair from sun damage with UV-protectant sprays or by wearing a hat when outdoors.
💬 “People often forget how damaging the sun can be to colored hair. I recommend using UV-protectant sprays or just throwing on a cute hat. It’s simple, stylish, and protects your color from fading.”
— Tracey Cunningham, Hair Expert
6. Avoid Harsh Chemicals
Many conventional styling products contain alcohols, silicones, parabens, or sodium chloride, which can dull your color and cause buildup. Opting for clean, non-toxic formulas is a crucial part of modern hair care tips for colored hair.
Tip: Harsh ingredients like parabens, silicones, and sodium chloride can damage hair and fade color. Choose clean, color-safe formulations instead.
💬 “Colored hair is more vulnerable, so harsh chemicals can do a lot of silent damage. I always recommend using products free from parabens and heavy silicones—they weigh hair down and cause color to slip out faster.”
— Tracey Cunningham, Hair Care Expert
7. Use Color-Enhancing Products
To maintain brightness between salon visits, use color-depositing shampoos, glosses, or conditioners. These are formulated to revive your specific shade and keep brassiness or fading at bay—an essential part of hair care tips for colored hair.
Tip: Color-depositing shampoos and conditioners are a great way to maintain tone between salon visits. They help refresh vibrancy and reduce brassiness.
💬 “Toning shampoos are such a secret weapon! Whether you’re blonde, brunette, or bold pink—there’s a formula to refresh your hue. I use these with my clients to keep their color salon-fresh between appointments.”
— Tracey Cunningham, Celebrity Colorist
8. Get Regular Trims
Trimming your hair every 6–8 weeks prevents split ends, which can make your hair appear dull and faded. Healthy ends hold pigment better, making regular trims a vital part of your hair care routine for colored hair.
Tip: Regular trims are a must to keep color-treated hair looking fresh and healthy. Aim for a trim every 6–8 weeks to remove split ends and keep your color vibrant.
💬 “Healthy hair holds color better. So don’t skip your trims! I always suggest a fresh cut every 6–8 weeks—it keeps ends neat and prevents fading from split ends and dryness.”
— Tracey Cunningham, Professional Hairstylist
9. Be Gentle When Brushing
Color-treated hair is more fragile than virgin hair. Use a wide-tooth comb or a soft-bristle brush to avoid breakage. Being gentle is one of the most underrated hair care tips for colored hair, especially after showering.
Tip: Colored hair can be more fragile. Use a wide-tooth comb or detangling brush and always start from the ends, working your way up.
💬 “Be gentle—colored hair needs kindness. Tugging or brushing from the roots down can cause breakage. I always tell my clients to start from the ends and glide upward—it protects both the strands and the color.”
— Tracey Cunningham, Hair Health Specialist
10. Nourish from Within
Your hair’s health starts from the inside out. A balanced diet rich in vitamins like Biotin, Vitamin D, and Omega-3 fatty acids supports strong, glossy hair. Hydration also plays a big role in overall hair care for colored hair.
Tip: Strong, shiny, color-treated hair starts with what you put inside your body. Stay hydrated and eat foods rich in vitamins, healthy fats, and protein.
💬 “Beautiful hair starts on your plate. Hydration and nutrients like omega-3s, biotin, and vitamin E can do wonders for hair that’s been colored. Think of it as feeding your follicles!”
— Tracey Cunningham, Hair Wellness Advocate
Frequently Asked Questions
1: What are the best hair care tips for colored hair to prevent fading?
One of the best hair care tips for colored hair is to use sulfate-free shampoos and wash with cool water. These steps help prevent color fading and protect your hair’s natural moisture. Avoiding frequent heat styling also plays a major role in maintaining vibrant color longer.
2: How often should I follow hair care tips for colored hair?
You should consistently follow hair care tips for colored hair as part of your weekly routine. That includes using color-safe products, deep conditioning once a week, and minimizing exposure to heat and UV rays to maintain shine and health.
3: Are natural oils part of effective hair care tips for colored hair?
Yes, natural oils like argan, coconut, and jojoba are highly recommended in hair care tips for colored hair. They deeply nourish chemically treated strands and add shine without stripping the color, making them ideal for daily or weekly use.
4: Why is deep conditioning included in hair care tips for colored hair?
Deep conditioning is one of the most crucial hair care tips for colored hair because it replenishes moisture, repairs damage, and strengthens the cuticle. This keeps your hair soft, reduces breakage, and extends the life of your color.
Q5: Can I follow hair care tips for colored hair at home without salon visits?
Absolutely! Most hair care tips for colored hair can be done at home using the right products and techniques. With a consistent routine that includes UV protection, moisturizing treatments, and gentle cleansing, you can maintain salon-quality color from the comfort of your home.
Final Thoughts on Hair Care for Colored Hair.
There’s nothing like the confidence boost a fresh hair color brings—but maintaining that look requires mindful care. With these 10 expert-backed hair care tips for colored hair, you’ll protect your strands from fading, dryness, and breakage, ensuring your hair looks radiant between appointments. Stick with a consistent, color-safe routine, and your hair will continue to reflect your vibrant style day after day.
