7 Foolproof Ways to Keep Your Temporary Hair Color From Fading Fast

If you treat your strands with temporary hair color, it needs special care to last.

Whether you use temporary hair color to enhance your beauty or to try a new color without a long-term commitment, you need a plan to maintain shine and color power.

1Don't wash your hair too soon.

Wait 24 to 48 hours after a hair coloring treatment to shampoo. Temporary hair color penetrates the hair shaft and stains the cuticle but fades with each shampoo.

Allow the color to seep into the hair before scrubbing your hair clean with shampoos containing sulfates and cleansing compounds.

2Whip out the flat iron.

A hair a few days after you get your hair colored, use a hot flat iron to seal in the color.

A hot iron will smooth the cuticle, which helps lock in the temporary hair color.

3Seal in the color with oil.

Light hair oil extends the life of your temporary hair color while adding shine to your strands.

Steer clear of hot oil treatments. The hot oil may strip the color and cause fading.

4Prevent fading with a color-depositing shampoo

According to Good Housekeeping, “Color depositors add a small portion of dye to your hair each time you shampoo.” Wash your hair once or twice a week with a color-extending shampoo. If you wash daily, though, you can dull your hair with product buildup.

5Slather on a conditioning treatment

To deposit additional moisture into your strands, try to condition hair once or twice a week. Because hair coloring of any type tends to dry out your hair, an at-home treatment keeps your hair looking healthy in between salon visits.

6Protect your hair color from fading during swimming and water sports

Water penetrates the hair shaft and dissolves the dye found in temporary hair color. Apply a color-protecting conditioner to your hair. Cover the hair with a swimming cap to extend your temporary hair color and block color-fading chlorine and salt. Ensure that the conditioner contains silicone to seal the hair shaft and stop fading.

7Avoid chemical treatments after temporary hair coloring

Perms, relaxers and hair straightening products change the composition of hair. Do not mix these chemical processes with a temporary color. These chemical treatments can strip the hair color quickly or cause your hair to break and become brittle.

Use the following tips and tricks to keep your temporary hair color from washing out

• Always wash your hair in cool water to slow down color fading.
• Temporary hair color contains no ammonia, peroxide or harsh chemicals. The color will wash away usually after six to eight shampoos.
• Avoid shampoos with glycerin and Castile oils to extend your temporary hair color.
• Products containing mineral oil and silicone can strip temporary hair color.