What You're Doing That's Ruining Your Hair Dye Job

What are you doing that's ruining your hair dye job? Right after a hair appointment, your newly dyed locks are like precious jewels, so you baby them and treat them like gold. But after a few days, that fresh hair feeling fades and you slink back into some...er...not so healthy habits, like shampooing your hair too often or harshly towel drying your strands.

While you might assume that this probably isn't great for your locks, you might not realize how bad some things can be for your dye job, specifically. Certain things can fade your hair faster, and contribute to discoloration and damage. For starters, if you find yourself shampooing every day, that should be one of the first habits to break. Showering can strip your hair of color, so the longer you can go between washes, the longer your shade will stay vibrant (via Allure). You also should be using a shampoo catered specifically to colored hair — or even better — a shampoo formulated for the actual color of your hair, whether that's blonde, red, black, or brown. 

Heat tools and even hot water can be problematic, too. You already know they cause damage, but they can ruin hair color by fading or even changing its hue. Because heat opens the outer cuticle of your hair, you can lose color much faster (via Good Housekeeping). But if you can't fully let go of your flatiron, be sure to use a heat protectant and follow up with nourishing products.

Prevention is key in many cases, but when it comes to protecting your precious hair dye job, a consistent, reliable routine full of nourishing products will be a life (and color) saver. Invest in moisturizing formulas that will help you go longer between washes, like dry shampoos and leave-in conditioners (via Stylecraze). Bond-building and protein-packed masks, perfectors, and serums will also provide extra help in maintaining your colored locks, keeping them from feeling frail and breakable. 

It's also a smart move to be aware of the costs and time commitments that come along with being an avid hair dyer (via Byrdie). It can be expensive habit that takes hours, so if this, plus all the maintenance, doesn't feel worth it, speak with your colorist about more low-key styles. You can always gloss your hair instead of dying it. However, learning how to properly care for your dye job will eventually become second nature, as well as help you extend the length of time between salon visits — which can save you money and time, too!