This is the second blog in my coloured curls series. To read the first one, click here: Maintaining Colour with the Curly Girl / Hair Method.
Now that you know how to maintain your hair colour, these are my top tips to reduce fading to keep your hair vibrant and bright, whatever the shade.
1. Avoid sulfates in your products. There are many different types of sulfates but most commonly you will see:
- Ammonium Laureth or Lauryl Sulfate.
- Sodium Laureth, Myreth, or Lauryl Sulfate
A full list of sulfates can be found here.
I know technically these are not approved for the Curly Girl / Hair Method but many like to modify the Method or do a “final” or “reset” wash that includes sulfates. Sulfates will fade colour faster so you should avoid them entirely if you have coloured hair.
You can get lather from many low poos - especially if you have soft water - and they do remove product build up, silicones, etc. but not hard water deposits. Two examples of low poos that we carry at Curl Warehouse are the As I Am Curl Clarity Shampoo and Jessicurl Gentle Lather Shampoo.
2. Avoid drying alcohols. Common ones you might see are:
- Ethanol alcohol
- Ethyl alcohol
- Propanol alcohol
- Alcohol denat.
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Isopropanol alcohol
- Benzyl alcohol
Hairsprays and some styling products have minor amounts of drying alcohols. If it is near the bottom of the ingredients list, it is probably fine to use. If you see it in the first five ingredients, though, it will be drying on your hair. Well-moisturized hair holds onto colour better and longer.
If you're looking for a hair spray without drying alcohols, try Jessicurl's Aquavescent Hair Spray.
3. Avoid using Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) or any kind of vinegar rinse. This is often used to clarify although it isn't great at removing product build up. Vinegars are better at removing hard water build up as they break down the minerals. An acidic rinse alters the pH level of your hair and can cause your hair colour to fade.
4. Protect your hair from the sun. Sunlight's UV rays are going to fade your colour faster. Cover up or use a product that has some UV protection to help maintain your colour. See my blog on Summer Curl Care Tips for product ideas during summer months when you're likely to be outside more often.
Need some recommendations on products that are colour-safe? You can reach out to us at products@curlwarehouse.com any time for personalized suggestions to suit your hair type.
