Post # 1
Member
4605 posts
Honey bee
I’ve been dying my hair red for a while now and really love being a red head, but the color fades SO fast and I have no idea how to help it stick. I know there used to be some products on the market for bottle red heads, I think it was a color glaze or something?, but I haven’t seen it, or anything else, at any stores I’ve been to.
Does anyone have any tips or products they use to help maintain their color?
Post # 3
Member
2695 posts
Sugar bee
I dyed my hair red for a couple years, but I was terrible on the upkeep of my roots! At my aveda salon, they sell madder root shampoo and conditioner–supossed to keep the color longer.
Post # 4
Member
6884 posts
Busy Beekeeper
Yep the Aveda Madder root stuff works. I used to go red for a while. Then again red loved my hair and would take like no tomorrow.
Post # 5
Member
302 posts
Helper bee
- Wedding: July 2014 - Barn
I’m a hairstylist and I’ve been doing my hair red for the last 2/3 years. First off, you have to realize that red is going to fade, period.
Yes, there are colour gazes that you can use to deposit some red glaze on your hair…personally I don’t fall for this as you don’t even wash your hair long enough for it to hold on to.
Few tips: Getting your hair dyed Red Red will make it fade to an orangey red. I always do Violet Red, and it’ll fade to a nice red.
When you are showering, Use cold water to wash your hair if you can. Hot water will cause the colour to come out much faster.
Also, I only wash my hair maybe 2 or 3 times a week. You shouldn’t even be washing it everyday – altho some people seem to think thats what’s mandatory.
Stay out of the sun! Wear a hat or something.
Blowdry/flatiron to a minimum. Usually I will just let my hair dry naturally and then straighten it.
Hope that helps!
Post # 6
Member
4605 posts
Honey bee
@Sassygrn: I’ll look into that.
@TattooedChick23: I rarely dry my hair now and I’m not a big fan on the sun, so those things shouldn’t be a problem. Any shampoos that you recommend for colored hair?
Post # 7
Member
1038 posts
Bumble bee
I went from blonde to red ….and back to blonde shortly after(course THAT was a long process). I loved the red color, but hated how OCD I would get about it fading. Seemed like I never truly loved the color except the day I would get it done and then by the next time I washed it I was already seeing it fade. I tried the Aveda stuff as well. I didn’t like it because it made my hair look more primary color red than anything. Actually washed my hair several times to get the Aveda stuff out which of course faded the overall color.
Post # 8
Member
302 posts
Helper bee
- Wedding: July 2014 - Barn
Honestly, I use whatever shampoo/conditioners I have around. I change it up all the time. But then again I rarely wash my hair and that is the major thing.
If you are interested in special colour shampoo, Check into Redken – they will have special shampoo and conditioner for red hair. Here in Canada, we have a beauty supplier for the public called Chatters – not sure about the states?
If you really want it to last longer, lessen how often you wash your hair – that is how that colour all comes out.
I usually dye my hair about every 2 months (my roots are the same level as the red so it doesn’t come out looking awful). I just put colour on my hair tonight, however last week I must of gotten 5 compliments on my colour even though it was totally faded from what I orignally put on.
Post # 9
Member
52 posts
Worker bee
I’ve been coloring my hair red for years and yes, it’s a pain. It looks great for a week then is strawberry blonde for the rest of the time… oh well!
I recently discovered De Lorenzo Nova Fusion color depositing glaze and it has helped a lot! It does prolong the red a bit and it looks redder right after using, but it still fades fast… still, it’s better than nothing! You can use it a few times a week… leave it in for 3-5 min. before rinsing. I used it 1 week after coloring and it looked like I just got it done!
Other than that, the usual tips… wash less often, wash with cold if you can (I am terrible about that one!), keep it out of the sun, etc. Color it often enough (like every 6 weeks) and you won’t have to worry too much about roots, you can just do the whole thing.
Post # 10
Member
4605 posts
Honey bee
@TattooedChick23: Thanks for the tips! I’ll have to look for Redken products. I’d heard before that washing your hair everyday was bad for it anyway, just because it stripped your hair of natural oils. Not sure if that’s the truth, but I stopped washing my hair everyday after that.
Post # 11
Member
302 posts
Helper bee
- Wedding: July 2014 - Barn
Yupp very true. I usually wash my hair one night, next day it’s all silky – perfect for straightening, and the second day is starts to get some of it’s natural oils back which is great for putting your hair up.
I just check to see about beauty suppliers in the states and I can’t seem to find the Redken products. I would suggest asking your stylist and see what she suggests as she would be more familiar with the products in your area. I was going to suggest another brand name that I use often but can’t even find it in any states store.
Post # 12
Hostess
7547 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
I would only use the semi-permanent kind. It’s very gentle on your hair. That way, you can dye your hair every month without hurting it. Even the “permanent” reds will only last a month anyhow, might as well do less damaging retouches more often!
Post # 13
Member
302 posts
Helper bee
- Wedding: July 2014 - Barn
Actually permanent colours are more healthy for your hair. Sure demi and semis will fade away, but I’d only suggest that if you’re unsure of doing a new colour. Permanent colours now days hydrate and moisturze your hair while it’s processing (like a deep conditioner), and coats your hair in a gloss which also prevents it from fade as suddenly (again reds naturally fades).
Post # 14
Member
1092 posts
Bumble bee
I’ve been a redhead for 12 years and keep my color by washing my hair once a week..Yes, once a week!!! If my scalp gets dirty or sweaty I use a dry shampoo. I need the natural oils my scalp produces to keep my hair from drying out. I also wear a hat when I know I’m going to be in the sun for more than a few hours.
Post # 15
Member
393 posts
Helper bee
I’ve been dying my hair auburn for years. I have noticed that the Pureology shampoos/conditioners for color treated hair really help. They are expensive, but they last a LONG time…a little goes a long way with them (you can try the sample/travel sizes at Ulta, which will also last a long time). Also, Fekkai Salon Glaze really seems to help, as well. It might just be me, but it seems to extend my color at least a little bit. I use it as often as I wash my hair, or at least every other time, so more than the “recommended” use.
Post # 16
Member
772 posts
Busy bee
Henna. It does not fade, even in the sun. It can be tricky to figure out, and requires a bunch of pre dye testing on old hairbrush hair, but I get fabulous results. I order body art quality pure, tested henna from Mehandi.
When I first started my previously dyed hair grabbed the color really bright. PM me if you want details. Lots of pre planing = great result. I could getaway with touching up my roots every 6-8 weeks. Only had to retouch the ends every two or so years, and that was more for fun.