Hair color is one of the few things you can change about your appearance without, you know, surgery. But that doesn't mean it's not kind of a big commitment. As fun as magical unicorn hair colors are, between the root-touchups, the bleach, and the inevitable fading, hair dye has a well-deserved reputation for being high-maintenance.
As true devotees of artificial hair color, we've made it our mission to figure out how to make it last as long as possible. It's not a perfect science, but with the right products, you don't have to worry about throwing down major cash just to have your lilac fade to gray within a week. Click through for what we're using.
No one should have to choose between washing their hair and maintaining their color. This new shampoo and conditioner from Reverie has only the things you need to get your hair clean and soft—meaning it's not going to strip your color.
Reverie, Nude shampoo, $38, available at gmreverie.com; Reverie, Nude conditioner, $40, available at gmreverie.com.
One majorly sneaky way your color will fade is in the sunshine. Make sure that your blonde doesn't turn to brass to with UV protective spray.
Bumble and bumble, Color Minded UV Protective Polish, $28, available at Bumbleandbumble.com.
Another great option for those who don't want to choose between cleanliness and fading, this shampoo was designed with you in mind. Your color will look even better than before you washed it—shiny, lustrous, and vibrant. Science is amazing, you guys.
Color Wow, Color Security shampoo, $22, available at Ulta.com.
This is a must-have for anyone with a hair color taken from the rainbow. That kind of dye isn't really made to last (sadly, the technology just isn't there yet), but thanks to Overtone, that's not an issue. Use the daily conditioner every time you wash your hair and the mask once a week to really amp your color back up.
Overtone, Vibrant Purple Complete System, $45, available at Overtone.co.
To keep your red, blonde, or brown hair looking fresh, use this color enhancer—it'll look like you just left the salon every time you use it.
Pravana, Nevo Color Enhancer, available at Pravana for salons.
