Fading Fast? How To Make Your Hair Color Last

Most shades of color, even "permanent" formulas, fade over time.  Red shades fade fast, and blondes loose their luster.  Brunettes can get brassy.  So what can you do to reduce or delay the inevitable?  Here are a few tips.

1. Use a shampoo for color-treated hair, like Aveda Color Conserve.  The gentle formula cleans the hair without drying it out too much.  Avoid shampoos that are "volumizing" or "clarifying" because they will strip the color.
2. Don't skip the conditioner.  After shampoo, the cuticle of the hair can remain slightly raised, like an open door for color molecules to slip out.  The conditioner is designed to smooth down the cuticle, locking in the color, and leaving the hair more manageable and shiny.  Some fear conditioner because they used one that left their hair limp or greasy.  There are many great conditioners out there for all the different hair types, so talk to your stylist about which one is right for you.
3. Wash only as often as necessary.  Even with the right shampoo and conditioner, the color will fade a little bit with each shampoo, so the more time between shampoos, the longer the color will last.  The average woman should only need to wash every other day.  If you need to get your hair wet, just use a light conditioner and rinse thoroughly.
4. Protect your hair from the sun.  We all are used to the idea of sunscreen for our skin, so why not use sunscreen for our hair?  Aveda has a product that you can apply every day called Sun Care Protective Hair Veil.  You spray it on like a leave-in conditioner, and comb through for even distribution.  
5. Keep your hair healthy.  The healthier the hair, the better the color.  A good colorist will address any hair health issues and offer the appropriate conditioning treatments to get your hair back on track.