How to Use Hair Products for Colored Hair

Any sort of chemically treated hair should be cared for with a bit of extra TLC. With colored hair, you risk the hair fading, drying out and generally losing the shine. To keep your hair at its best, use hair products specifically created for colored hair.

Things You'll Need

• UV protection for your hair
• Color-enhancing styling products
• Shampoo and conditioner for colored hair
• Leave-in conditioner
• Seaweed shampoo

Instructions

1. Pay attention to whether the products you are using are for permanent or semi-permanent color. Semi-permanent colors fade by nature, so you should use the lightest products available. If a professional colored your hair, she should recommend products for you to keep up the color.

2. Use shampoo specially formulated for color-treated hair. Almost every company producing hair supplies makes at least one type of shampoo for colored hair. Some brands carry shampoos for certain colors, so you should choose the color of your lightest highlights.

3. Keep your hair healthy by using a conditioner that contains keratin, wheat germ protein or other natural ingredients. You want to build moisture and shine without weighing your hair down with harsh chemicals. Spend a few extra minutes reading ingredients and a few extra dollars to care for your hair.

4. Wear hair products, whether styling or leave-in conditioner, that contain sunscreen to keep your colored hair from fading and drying out in the sun.

5. Try styling products specifically formulated for colored hair. While regular styling products may not harm you hair, the ones made for color-treated hair may help your highlights to shine and color to look richer.

6. Consider using color-enhancing products, which actually deposit a small amount of color with each use. These products add extra lift to already fading color.

7. Mix seaweed shampoo with your color treatment shampoo to help avoid buildup of color, which can make your hair look brassy. The formula should be diluted to add shine without fading the color.

8. Experiment with products to find the one that prevents your hair from fading while making your hair look great. Great color won't matter if your hair is limp and lifeless.

Tips & Warnings

• Condition regularly, but avoid over-shampooing. You may wish to shampoo every other day to avoid drying out your hair and fading color.

• Stay out of chlorinated pools. If you must go in the water, wet your hair with bottled water before and after the dip. After swimming, brush a small amount of leave-in conditioner through your hair.