Earlier this summer, I posted tips for making blonde hair stay blonder, longer (without the creepy brass effect).  But as I said, I’ve been every  natural and nearly-natural color in the spectrum (Roy G Biv, eat your heart out), and I’ve learned a few things about keeping color.

The hardest hue to make last is red (insert collective groan of, “I knoooooow,” from all you faux reds out there).  Red is my own personal favorite, which means when I get done with the blonde (and the clock’s already tickin’), it’ll be time to head back to red – and revive all my old tricks.

First Rule: Check Your Labels

Don’t wash with any shampoo with these words: Clarifying, For Oily Hair, Citrus Acid-anything.  All these shampoos are great at removing styling products and buildup…right along with the color pigments in your hair.

Second Rule: Go Manic

Manic Panic, that is.  I add a few tablespoons of  Manic Panic Vampire Red (or Pillarbox, depending on whether I’ve gone auburn or bright red) to a color-safe shampoo.  This way, every time you wash, you add back a little of the pigment you strip out.

Third Rule: Get Screened

Sunscreen is a must.  The sun saps out all the vibrant tones in red faster than you can say, “Crap, somebody hand me a hat.”  Invest in products with sunscreen and use them daily, even if you can’t see rays.
 

Fourth Rule: Can It Wait?

You don’t need to wash your hair everyday, it’s true.  So don’t.  The less you wash, the shinier it stays.  So give your locks every other day off.