An Expert’s Guide to Keeping Your Colored Hair Healthy and Vibrant

While hair care should go beyond the salon, color specialist Nicole Santos says your routine should never feel like a chore.

Dyeing your hair is one of the most common forms of self-expression, yet it is also one of the most high-maintenance. After all, achieving your desired look means putting in extra effort to maintain it over time. But how do you properly care for colored and treated hair?

Amid contrasting advice circulating on social media, Nicole Santos, a corrective color specialist and licensed cosmetologist, sits down with Vogue Philippines to share her thoughts on how to maintain healthy, colored hair.

Misconceptions about colored hair care

Almost everyone who has had their hair colored has heard about purple shampoo at some point. But according to Santos, not everyone needs to use it. “The truth is, unless you’re blonde, you really don’t need purple shampoo, even for highlights.”

Meanwhile, she also wants to clarify that coloring your hair won’t cause hair fall and that bleach isn’t the only service that can damage your hair, since even a basic color change can affect your natural hair. “Almost all hair color will go brassy over time. Expecting your hair color to stay exactly the same through washes, living your life, and without proper care at home is an unrealistic thought to have.”

Common mistakes after having your hair colored

One of the “biggest mistakes” people make after having their hair colored, according to Santos, is not asking their stylist how to properly care for their hair and which products to use to maintain the color. “As a stylist, I’m doing 70 percent of the work, but that other 30 percent is the work you do at home.”

However, she believes that both sides contribute to this mistake. Stylists should tell clients how to care for their hair without sounding like they’re just selling products, and clients should be concerned enough about their hair to follow that advice.

“Most of the dryness or damage you notice will come from a lack of care at home, unless the hair was already severely damaged in the chair,” she explains. “Damage caused by a stylist would typically be noticeable that same day or after the first wash.”

Apart from following their stylist’s advice, everyone, including those who haven’t had their hair colored, should avoid sleeping with wet hair, as this can contribute to frizz and breakage.

What to look for in hair products

As some people worry about how often they should wash their hair, Santos says you can wash it every day, but it ultimately comes down to the products you use. She advises using both a clarifying shampoo and one that keeps your hair hydrated. 

“Alternate between the two,” she says. “Focus your shampoo on your scalp to avoid drying out your hair. And save the conditioner for the lengths and ends, avoiding the scalp to prevent flat hair.”

After showering, you can also apply a serum while your hair is still damp, followed by an oil once it dries. She adds that a toning mask for brunettes can help maintain their hair color, recommending its use once a month. Each wash fades the tone and gloss, but these habits help preserve them.

How to protect your hair from external factors

While Santos believes that dyed hair shouldn’t stop you from living the life you want, activities that involve spending time outdoors, especially under the sun, can make your hair color turn brassy and lighten without you even realizing it.

“Wear a hat or use a heat protectant,” she suggests. “As for swimming, I’d recommend wetting your hair in the shower and applying a light coat of conditioner before jumping in the pool.”

Meanwhile, if you use heat tools such as hair dryers and straighteners, applying a heat protectant can also help protect both color and hair from damage.

How often colored hair should be treated or touched up

While others might think touching up and maintaining colored hair is a hassle, Santos says it shouldn’t feel like a chore. Instead, the maintenance routine should fit your lifestyle and be customized to your needs.

“For most of my clients who aren’t graying and just get their hair colored, they usually see me every 6-8 months, or, for some, once a year. I usually recommend a toning mask to keep the color fresh and prolong the time between salon visits.”