Unless you’ve been naturally blessed with the hair hue others can only covet and copy, most of us have been at the mercy of hair colouring. From combating unintentional roots, to keeping highlights vibrant, blondes bright, brunettes shiny, reds rich and pastels pigmented, it’s hard to know what to do for each. Because, as goes almost all beauty, not all products are made to liven every shade. Of course, there are the basic rules (use violet haircare to tone blonde, for example), but when you’ve handed over your hard earned cash for your colour, you want to know how to really make the most of it between salon visits. So, we asked Jaye Edwards founder of Edwards and Co. to give us a comprehensive runsheet for keeping your colour fresh.
Image: Instagram @_edwardsandco
Keeping Crimson
From strawberry to copper to cherry red, crimson hair is a tricky hue because the colour contains larger molecules than other colours, so it slips off the hair cuticle quite quickly (you’ll probably notice a rusty tinge to the shower water every time you wash your hair). So, it tends to require a lot of maintenance to keep it rich and shiny, and not a faded unkempt version of the colour you loved when you left the salon. One of the most important steps to maintaining the colour is to understand that it pays to invest in good products. “Always use salon quality hair care, this will ensure it is colour safe,” says Jaye. “Have your stylist make a custom at home treatment. A great one is Evo Fabuloso Pro [Copper or Purple Red], this is great for redheads because your stylist is able give you a coloured conditioner that is specifically made for your ‘red’.” He also suggests using Olaplex treatments to prevent fading and improve shine.
You’ll also need to make sure you’re taking care of the condition of your hair. “Over doing it with heat styling can cause reds to fade more quickly, so always use heat protectors, stick to washing your hair max three times per week,” suggests Jaye. “This is where my favourite product, Lemon Cleansing Mask by Christophe Robin comes in handy. It cleans and treats the hair, so rather than shampooing every time, you use the cleansing mask, this ensures for clean hair with out removing all the natural oils which are key to long lasting colour.” Another little trick is to stock your cabinet with the multi-purpose apple cider vinegar. Take a cup of cold water and add 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, bring this in the shower with you and use it to rinse your hair. The acidity of the apple cider vinegar will cause the hair cuticle to close, locking in colour.
Evo Fabuloso Pro [ Copper
Lemon Cleansing Mask by Christophe Robin
Calling all blonde bombshells…
So you’ve either decided to lighten up your already blonde locks, or completely switch teams and hop on the blonde train to brighten up your look. Either way, there are some specific rules that blondes must follow in order to maintain optimal colour. Blonde is notorious for the upkeep required to keep it from going dull or brassy (and hailed for the head turning effect it has when done right…) – it’s worth the effort. While we know to look for violet products to tone coloured blonde hair, it’s not so easy to know which product does the job best – Shampoo? Conditioner? Mask? “To maintain fresh blond hair and prevent brassiness from occurring, I recommend Kevin Murphy Blonde Angel Wash and Rinse, but if you have not been maintaining the creaminess, the best way to tame brassiness in coloured hair is using the Christophe Robin Camomile Shampoo,” says Jaye. “This lifts the blonde and lightens the hair a little and removes all minerals from the hair that cause brassy tones, then finish with Baby Blonde toning treatment.” He also suggests using an Olaplex treatment once a week, and in-salon upkeep. “I am a big believer in blondes lasting at least 8 weeks, a great way to get a little longer out of your colour is having a Colourshine every 6-8 weeks, this ensures maximum shine and the perfect tone.”
Kevin Murphy Blonde Angel Wash and Rinse
Christophe Robin Camomile Shampoo
Brilliant Brunette
Thought you were exempt from colour safe shampoo because you’re part of the dark side? Think again! Although a shade that reflects light, and so gives off a shine more than other colours, brunettes shouldn’t be dropping the Haircare ball. “Shine and moisture are key for Brunettes, use Hydrate Me Wash and Rinse by Kevin Murphy and the best shine treatment around, shimmer shine, this ensures you always have the dimension and reflection we post on our Insta!,” says Jaye. “You can choose to go brunette no matter what shade of blonde you are, but in my opinion, slow and steady wins the race, so anything gradually building up will always look better, it allows more dimension to be built into the hair, more natural colour starts coming through and this prevents the colour from looking heavy.” If you’re spending a lot of time in the sun, don’t forget your hair needs sunscreen, just like your skin, so definitely invest in a hair protector treatment with UV protection. This is another thing that everyone with coloured hair should consider, but is especially crucial for people with dark hair. And, it still needs some salon TLC. “Custom Evo Fabuloso Pro treatments made by your stylist for you,” Jaye says.
Hydrate Me Wash and Rinse by Kevin Murphy
Custom Evo Fabuloso Pro
Story by Samantha Blanchfield
Related Posts
From rooftop Aperol Spritzes and luxe mid-century suites to a standout hotel buffet and skyline views, here’s why this stylish...
Why TikTok, top derms, and your gym bag are obsessed with Hypochlorous Acid ...
Depending on how your skin feels – and how you feel – we’ve got just the right mask.
Sigourney visits Kerala in India: the birthplace of Ayurveda
Corrine
I just recently made the transition from brunette to blonde and had no idea the extreme amount of effort I would have to put in to upkeep my new colour. Love these tips and can’t wait to try out the products
Jade
I am obsessed with Kevin Murphy products!! I have been a brunette my entire life, but have changed hues every now and then to keep it fresh. His products are my go-to to keep my hair shiny and healthy