Experimenting with hair coloring can be a fun and exciting form of varying our look but this technique also comes with considerable maintenance costs. Considering your lifestyle as well as your beauty budget before coloring your hair is a wise idea as it will help you make a more rational decision. Although this tip might sound like common sense, this is one of the most effective ways to cut down on salon visit and maintain a fabulous hair color at the same time.
If you are looking for a change in color that will require a minimum maintenance one of the smartest ideas is to opt for a shade that is not more than 2 or 3 shades different from your natural hair color. That way you will be able to get the change you are after while at the same time needing fewer touch ups to hide root regrowth because it will be less noticeable compared to more contrasting shades. 
Aside from choosing an appropriate color the actions you take prior to the dyeing process are crucial. Washing your hair with a clarifying shampoo is essential in order to remove product buildups as it will help the dye penetrate the hair shaft deeper and thus making the hair color last longer. Staying away from reddish tones is advisable if you are not a fan of frequent touch ups as these tones tend to fade the fastest. Also after dyeing process is a good idea to wait about two days before washing the hair to ensure is well set in your tresses.
Choosing a shampoo and conditioner that is specifically designed for dyed hair is another important step to protect your hair color. These shampoos typically contain fewer detergents that are less aggressive when combined with hair dye. Also installing a water filter can be a good idea to be able to avoid iron and calcium deposits that can lead to brassiness as well as to limit the amount of chlorine your tresses are exposed to. Chlorine can make any color fade a lot faster than it should so a water filter can be a good investment both in terms of beauty and health.
Heat can be one of the worst enemies of dyed hair so exercising caution when using heat based styling tools is important. Using a ionic blow dryer can be useful as it can cut the drying time in half making styling a lot easier by reducing frizz. Although limiting the use of heat based styling tools is the best policy if you are trying to keep your hair color from fading, using thermal protection sprays for every styling session where heat is used is the second best thing you can do to enjoy a radiant color for longer.
The frequency with which you wash your hair can also influence the time need to wait between retouches. Washing your hair about two times a week can help you preserve the color for longer. In addition, deep conditioning your tresses once a week is useful both for maintaining the hair color as well as for the health of your strands.
Using a glaze or a gloss once a month can also be a wonderful way to maintain color at a lower cost while offering a healthy looking shine. Home glazes can be a good choice but some salon even offer to do this procedure for free and the process only lasts about 10 minutes. Temporary hair colors or layered colors can also help you stretch the time you spend between hair coloring sessions and get a fresher, multidimensional look. Apply some of these tips to be able to enjoy a vibrant color for as much as possible.
Photos courtesy of Angelo Seminara/ British Hairdresser Of The Year 2020 www.angeloseminara.co.uk
