How to care for coloured hair

How to Care for Coloured Hair: 10 Tips to Make Colour Last

Fresh colour looks its best the day you leave the salon. Keeping it that way — rich, shiny and true to tone — depends mostly on what you do at home. Colouring also changes the hair's structure, so coloured hair needs a little more moisture and protection than untreated hair.

Quick answer: To care for coloured hair, wait a couple of days before the first wash, use colour-safe shampoo and conditioner with lukewarm water, wash less often, treat with a mask weekly, protect from heat and sun, and use a toning product if your colour is blonde, grey or silver.

What Colouring Does to Your Hair

Permanent colour and lightening work by opening the cuticle so pigment can enter, or so natural pigment can be removed. That process leaves the cuticle rougher and more porous, which means coloured hair:

  • loses moisture more easily and can feel drier
  • lets colour molecules escape with every wash, causing fading
  • is more prone to frizz and breakage, especially after bleaching

If you're seeing a lot of short broken hairs after colouring, read Hair Fall After Hair Coloring: Causes & Care Tips.

How to Care for Coloured Hair: 10 Tips

1. Wait before your first wash

Give colour time to settle — many stylists suggest waiting 48–72 hours after a colour service before shampooing. Follow your stylist's advice.

2. Use colour-safe products

Choose gentle shampoos and conditioners labelled colour-safe and suited to your hair's condition: 911 Quinoa Shampoo is ideal for dry, dull or lightly stressed hair, and 700 Keratin & Kale Shampoo for thick, damaged or treated hair.

3. Wash less often

Every wash releases a little colour. If your scalp allows, stretching the time between washes helps colour last. See How Often Should You Wash Your Hair?

4. Turn the temperature down

Hot water opens the cuticle and speeds up fading. Wash and rinse with lukewarm water.

5. Condition every time

Conditioner smooths the cuticle and helps seal colour in. Try 911 Quinoa Conditioner or 700 Keratin & Kale Conditioner.

6. Mask weekly

A weekly mask restores moisture and shine. The 911 Quinoa Hair Mask suits dry, dull colour; the 700 Keratin & Kale Hair Mask is designed for thick, highly damaged, coloured or chemically treated hair.

7. Protect from heat

Heat fades colour and adds to damage. Apply a leave-in serum before styling — 700 Keratin & Kale Hair Serum offers heat and UV protection — and keep tools at a moderate temperature.

8. Protect from sun

UV exposure fades and dulls colour, especially reds and browns. Cover your hair with a scarf or hat in strong sun.

9. Tone blonde, grey and silver shades

Lighter shades turn yellow or brassy over time. Use a toning product once or twice a week — 19 Pro Silver Shampoo and the 19 Pro Silver Hair Mask neutralise unwanted yellow tones while moisturising. Read How to Maintain Blonde and Silver Hair.

10. Book regular trims and gloss services

Trimming removes the most damaged, faded ends, and a salon gloss between colour appointments refreshes shine.

Routine for Coloured Hair

  • Each wash: colour-safe shampoo → conditioner → leave-in serum.
  • Once a week: nourishing mask in place of conditioner.
  • Blonde, grey or silver: replace one wash a week with 19 Pro Silver Shampoo or Mask.
  • Before heat styling: always apply serum.

Caring for Bleached Hair

Bleached hair is the most fragile coloured hair. Be extra gentle: detangle only when conditioned, avoid high heat, mask weekly or more, and space out lightening appointments. See How to Repair Dry and Damaged Hair.

Common Mistakes That Fade Colour

  • Washing the same day as colouring
  • Very hot showers
  • Using clarifying shampoo too often
  • Skipping heat protection
  • Leaving hair in strong sun without cover
  • Overusing toning products, which can leave a lilac or dull cast

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I wait to wash hair after colouring?

Many stylists recommend 48–72 hours. Ask your colourist for advice specific to the colour used.

Can I use a hair mask on coloured hair?

Yes — weekly masks are one of the best things you can do for coloured hair, helping restore moisture and shine.

How often should I use a toning shampoo?

Once or twice a week is usually enough. Use it more often if brassiness returns quickly, less if hair starts to look dull or tinted.

Why does my colour fade so quickly?

Frequent washing, hot water, heat styling, sun exposure and porous, damaged hair are the most common reasons.

Find the Right Biotop Professional Routine

For dry or dull colour, choose 911 Quinoa. For damaged or chemically treated colour, choose 700 Keratin & Kale. For blonde, grey and silver shades, add 19 Pro Silver.

Related Guides

Shop: 911 Quinoa range · 700 Keratin & Kale range · 19 Pro Silver range

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