How to Make Hair Colour Last Longer: 12 Tips
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You've invested in beautiful colour — so it's frustrating when it starts to fade, dull or turn brassy after just a few weeks. Colour fading is natural, but how fast it happens depends largely on your routine at home.
Quick answer: To make hair colour last longer, wait before your first wash, wash less often with lukewarm water, use colour-safe shampoo and conditioner, mask weekly, protect hair from heat and sun, and use a toning product for blonde, grey or silver shades.
Why Hair Colour Fades
- Washing – every wash releases a little pigment, especially with hot water.
- Porous hair – damaged or bleached hair holds colour less well.
- Heat styling – high temperatures speed up fading.
- Sun – UV exposure dulls and lightens colour.
- Hard water and chlorine – minerals and pool water can change and dull tone.
- Harsh products – strong or clarifying shampoos strip colour faster.
12 Ways to Make Hair Colour Last Longer
1. Wait before the first wash
Many stylists suggest waiting 48–72 hours after colouring before shampooing. Follow your colourist's advice.
2. Wash less often
If your scalp allows, stretch the time between washes. See How Often Should You Wash Your Hair?
3. Use lukewarm or cool water
Hot water opens the cuticle and lets colour escape. Finish with a cooler rinse.
4. Choose colour-safe cleansing
Use a gentle shampoo suited to your hair: 911 Quinoa Shampoo for dry, dull hair or 700 Keratin & Kale Shampoo for thick, damaged or treated hair.
5. Condition every wash
Conditioner smooths the cuticle and helps seal colour in.
6. Mask weekly
Healthy, moisturised hair holds colour better. The 700 Keratin & Kale Hair Mask is designed for coloured and chemically treated hair; the 911 Quinoa Hair Mask suits dry, dull hair.
7. Protect from heat
Always apply a protective serum before hot tools. 700 Keratin & Kale Hair Serum offers heat and UV protection.
8. Cover up in the sun
A scarf or hat protects colour on strong-sun days.
9. Protect from pool water
Wet your hair with clean water and apply conditioner before swimming, and rinse straight after.
10. Tone light shades
Blonde, grey and silver colour can turn yellow. Use 19 Pro Silver Shampoo or the 19 Pro Silver Hair Mask once or twice a week. See How to Maintain Blonde and Silver Hair.
11. Go easy on clarifying shampoo
Clarifying and oil-control shampoos are useful for buildup but can strip colour if used too often.
12. Book gloss or toner refreshes
A salon gloss between colour appointments restores shine and tone.
Tips by Colour
- Reds and coppers fade fastest — be strict with cool water and fewer washes.
- Browns and dark shades can turn warm or brassy — ask your stylist about toning services.
- Blondes, grey and silver — tone weekly and moisturise well. See Purple Shampoo vs Silver Shampoo.
A Colour-Care Week
| Day | What to do |
|---|---|
| Wash days (2–3 a week) | Lukewarm water, a colour-safe shampoo such as 700 Keratin & Kale Shampoo, conditioner every time |
| Once a week | Mask: 700 Keratin & Kale Hair Mask for coloured, treated hair |
| Once a week (blonde, grey) | Toning wash with 19 Pro Silver Shampoo |
| Every styling day | Leave-in with heat and UV protection, such as 700 Keratin & Kale Hair Serum |
| Outdoors | Scarf or hat in strong sun; rinse after swimming |
What Fades Colour Fastest
- Hot water, which opens the cuticle and lets pigment escape
- Frequent washing, especially with strong cleansers
- Sun and UV, which fade and warm colour
- Heat styling at high temperatures
- Chlorine and hard water, which dull and discolour
For lightened hair, see How to Repair Bleached Hair.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should hair colour last?
It depends on the type of colour, your hair's condition and your routine. Good home care can noticeably extend the time between appointments.
Does conditioner help colour last?
Yes. Conditioner smooths the cuticle, which helps keep colour in and adds shine.
Can dry shampoo help?
Using dry shampoo on some days lets you wash less often, which can help colour last — just wash it out properly on wash days.
Why does my colour look dull even though it hasn't faded?
Dryness, product buildup and a rough cuticle make colour look flat. A weekly mask and serum restore shine.
Does washing with cold water keep colour longer?
Lukewarm water for washing and a short cool rinse at the end are gentler on colour than hot water.
How soon can I use a clarifying product after colouring?
Wait at least a week or two, and use it only when needed. Clarifying too soon can fade fresh colour.
Find the Right Biotop Professional Routine
Keep colour vibrant with 911 Quinoa, 700 Keratin & Kale and, for light shades, 19 Pro Silver.
Related Guides
- How to Care for Coloured Hair
- How to Maintain Blonde and Silver Hair
- How to Repair Bleached Hair
- Hair Fall After Hair Coloring: Causes & Care Tips
Shop: 700 Keratin & Kale Hair Mask · 700 Keratin & Kale Hair Serum · 19 Pro Silver range