The Mistake That Might Be Ruining The Longevity Of Your Newly Colored Red Hair

There is no denying that red hair is having a moment. Megan Fox recently sported her new amber locks at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party and made quite the statement with her red tresses. Celebrities like Kendall Jenner, Barbie Ferreira, and Sophie Turner have all been seen sporting red hair at one point, showing that anyone can wear this statement hair color. From auburn and copper to crimson red — there are plenty of gorgeous red hair colors to choose from. 

If you're thinking about making a drastic change to your look, going crimson will instantly boost your confidence. While beautiful, red hair can be tricky to maintain, so it's important to know how to take care of your red hair before booking your appointment at the salon. Arsen Gurgov, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Arsen Gurgov Salon in New York City, tells InStyle, "Dyed red hair is prone to fade and is high-maintenance, requiring a lot of upkeep."

One of the most important things to do once you've dyed your hair red is to avoid washing it immediately. Haven Spa Hair Stylist Masha Cuentas tells Bustle: "Do not wash your hair the day after you get it dyed. This will make the color fade." Even if you feel your hair needs a wash or you want to style it differently, resist the urge to wash it to ensure you get long-lasting results. When you do wash your hair, use cooler water instead of hot. Hot water will wash the color out of your hair more quickly than a cool shower will.

Jenna Perry, celebrity hair colorist and founder of Jenna Perry Hair Studio in New York City, tells Instyle, "I like to use and recommend dry shampoo to keep the hair color looking fresh and clean." Avoid doing your color at home; go to a professional salon instead. Getting the tones and hues right of a vibrant red isn't easy, so it's best to leave your hair in the hands of a professional. 

A consistent aftercare and maintenance routine is essential to keep your color looking fresh. To maintain your red locks, use a color-depositing shampoo and conditioner duo made for colored hair. This will keep your hair color vibrant for as long as possible and minimize brassiness (via InStyle). We recommend Oribe Shampoo for Beautiful Color and the Oribe Conditioner for Beautiful Color. This shampoo and conditioning duo is formulated to gently cleanse the hair while preserving color. 

According to Byrdie, you can keep your color looking fresh and luminous by using a hair glaze formulated for red hair. By improving the shine of your hair, you'll boost your color and be able to maintain it for longer in between salon visits. When you notice your color has faded and needs a little touch-up, we recommend Moroccanoil's Color Depositing Mask for a gloss of temporary color.