Have you recently colored your hair and within a week your hair color starts fading? Don’t worry I got you covered.
Here is a list of 11 exclusive hair color tips that I learnt over the years to keep hair color from fading in a week. These include some very small things to keep in mind before and after dyeing your hair professionally at home.
Let’s dive in.
Hair Color Tips To Keep Hair Color From Fading
Hair color tips that play crucial role when it comes to dyeing your hair at home professionally and making your color last longer:
Wash your hair 24 – 48 hours before dyeing
As you wash your hair, the natural oils in your scalp gets washed out. But washing your hair at least 24-48 hours before coloring helps to develop natural oils.
These natural oils aka sebum allows the dye to better bind with your hair shafts. This hair color tip plays a crucial role to keep your hair color from fading.
Now we don’t want greasy hair and overload of natural sebum. If you have oily hair that gets greasy fast then wash it 24 hours before you choose to color your hair but if you have dry scalp that doesn’t release natural oils fast then wash your hair 48 hours before you color your hair.
Do not use conditioner before coloring
As I mentioned in the hair color tip above, you need to wash your hair at least 1 or 2 days depending upon your hair type before you decide to color your hair. But also keep in mind that you do not use hair conditioner while you proceed with the hair wash right before you need to color.
This is because, if your conditioner might contain silicones in it, that leaves a layer on your hair shafts. This minimizes the ability of your hair color to reach deep in to the shafts. Thus, your hair color fades in a week.
And while you are at it, skip your leave-in conditioner as well as hair serum.
Do cold water rinse
Using warm water to rinse your hair will result in fading of your hair color more quickly. Cold water helps protect your hair color for longer duration. Even if you decide to wash your hair with just water, opt for cold water instead of warm.
Wait for 30 mins to shampoo
After you rinse off your hair color, take a break of at least 30 minutes before you proceed with your shampoo for colored hair. This helps in developing the color really well on your hair strands.
After shampoo apply a good hair conditioner preferably one with natural oils like argan oil and leave it on for at least 5 mins. This is a necessary step to help minimize and repair the hair damage caused due to hair color.
Don’t overdo it
The time mentioned on the pack is how long you need to keep the dye on. Don’t over do it.
Never ever keep your hair dye overnight. This can cause serious infection also may result in extremely dry hair and hair breakage. If you need to achieve a darker color which you don’t achieve in the first try, wait for at least a week before you color your hair again.
Detangle your hair beforehand
Always remove tangles from your hair to ensure even application of hair dye. If you apply hair color on tangled hair, not only will you have poor results but your hair will also get more damaged during the process.
Also read: How to stop hair from falling out after coloring?
Apply on your damp hair
If your hair are damp it helps in even application of your hair color. Damp hair helps in better nourished and less dry hair after you rinse off your hair color.
Now I am not talking about wet hair, I am talking about slightly damp hair here. This basic hair color tip will definitely enhance your hair color.
Another hair color tip is to condition you hair well before
I know this hair color tip is very basic but it will go a long way to protect your hair’s health. If you have really dry and frizzy hair, condition them twice a week before you are planning to color your hair.
This will ensure that you won’t experience really dry and frizzy hair after coloring.
Just skip your hair conditioner before you are about to color your hair.
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Deep conditioning treatments are must
This is one of the crucial hair color tip that you should not ignore. Once you choose to color your hair, make deep conditioning hair masks an integral part of your hair care routine.
To repair the damage caused during the hair coloring process, you need to deep condition your hair at least once a week after you color your hair. These deep conditioning hair masks will hydrate your hair and keep your hair color from fading.
My personal favorite deep conditioning masks are:
Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Moist Deep Conditioner
- Comes in a pack of 3 bottles with 16 fluid ounces each for a total of 48...
- Infused with avocado oil and jojoba oil to deeply hydrate dry hair
- Paraben free formula moisturizes hair in just 3 minutes
Last update on 2025-07-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Olaplex No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner
- A concentrated and color-safe conditioner proven to reduce breakage and...
- KEY BENEFITS ✓ Reduces breakage and strengthens hair ✓ Conditions,...
- Clinically Proven 90% smoother, better detangling, more conditioned* 68%...
Last update on 2025-07-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
l'oreal damage-erasing balm
- Elvive Total Repair 5- L'Oreal Paris Elvive system helps to revive all...
- Repair Damaged Hair- Elvive Total Repair 5 Damage-Erasing Balm System...
- Smoothening Hair Mask- This hair treatment infused with almond, protein and...
Last update on 2025-07-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Don’t color hair too frequently
Although I covered this hair color tip before but its worth mentioning again. Dyeing your hair too often will result in rough hair. Have little breaks in between dyeing sessions and let your hair breath.
Check out this study on effects of different hair products on hair health.
Always use color protect shampoo
Colored hair needs some extra love and care after you put them through rough chemicals. Hence use good color protect shampoo and conditioner on your color treated hair.
You can check out my reviews on some of the color protect shampoos that I tried in the past like Jovees color protect shampoo, Revlon outrageous shampoo, Loreal color protection shampoo. But after experimenting with a lot of different shampoos, these are the ones that I recommend the most:
No products found.
No products found.
- Helps extend the life of hair color
- Sunflower extract helps shield strands from UV damage
- Adds shine for vibrant, healthy-looking hair
Last update on 2025-07-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
These are some hair color tips that I learnt over the years that are really simple to follow but trust me it really helps to keep your hair color from fading. Do you guys have any more hair color tips that I might have missed? Please share via comments 🙂
Before you leave and start implementing these hair color tips, don’t forget to check out:
- Blue Shampoo vs Purple Shampoo: Best For Blondes & Brunettes?
- How To Get Jet Black Hair At Home Easily?
- Best Burgundy Hair Dyes 2022
- Dyeing Hair Red? 9 Reasons That Will Make You Think Again
- How To Bleach Bath Hair To Remove Color? Guide For Beginners
- 7 Best Clarifying Shampoo To Remove Color: Tips Included
Have a lovely day!
Kate Hansen
Friday 1st of October 2021
It was helpful when you said to use color protector shampoo. I am wanting to look into getting my hair dyed. I'll make sure to keep these tips in mind once I get my hair dyed.
Skyler Williams
Monday 29th of July 2019
I had no idea that I needed to wash my hair 24 to 48 hours before dyeing it because it brings back the natural oils in my hair. I have been thinking about dyeing my hair a dark shade of purple. I will keep this tip in mind as I look for the right place to dye my hair.
Dave Anderson
Wednesday 28th of November 2018
Something that I really like what you said is the time mentioned on the pack is how long the dye needs to be on. Maybe it would just be safer for me to go to a salon and have them color my hair for me. That way it isn't overdone at all, but perfect!
Nimisha Popat
Thursday 29th of November 2018
Sure. But the joy of diys is incredible :)
czmkmzk
Wednesday 31st of October 2018
great and nice post
Nimisha Popat
Thursday 29th of November 2018
:)
Mundell
Thursday 13th of September 2018
I never knew you need to wait to color your hair after henna. I usually did both on same days
Nimisha Popat
Tuesday 18th of September 2018
That's very wrong. Please don't do that