Redheads, listen up – you may have been washing your hair wrong all along.
More and more people are choosing to dye their locks in vibrant shades of orange, auburn, and red. There's even a day to celebrate the redhead, which falls today (November 5th), so if you're lucky enough to have fiery tresses, congratulations!
However, even natural redheads might not know red hair requires different care compared to other colours. If you don't follow proper techniques, it can even result in a duller colour – including if your colour is natural. Luckily, there's a simple trick to keep your hair colour looking vibrant, but it might not be good news for those who prefer hot showers.
A TikTok video from Color Me Amber suggests one of the best ways to preserve your red hair colour, regardless of its shade, is to use "lukewarm water when washing". This means if you enjoy steaming hot showers, you'll need to adjust your routine for your hair.
How to Be a Redhead also advises using lukewarm or even cold water if you can bear it. Hot water opens up the hair cuticles, allowing more colour to escape, much like how washing a red T-shirt in extremely hot water can cause the colour to bleed.
The woman's TikTok video didn't just stop at providing temperature tips. She also suggested that using colour-depositing shampoos and conditioners can help brighten your red tresses and keep them looking glossy.
These shampoos can inject more red into your hair without the need for another dye job, helping to maintain the vibrancy for longer. According to Matrix, you should choose a shampoo free from sulfates, which are common in many shampoos and are known to strip away hair colour prematurely.
The experts advised: "While you're at it, avoid formulas that contain parabens or artificial colourants. The purer the shampoo, the less it will fade your hair colour."
You should also steer clear of heat when styling your hair, as this can cause your colour to fade. If you're keen on using straighteners or curlers, ensure you're using plenty of heat protection spray. Wella even suggests that sunlight can dull red hair - but this can be combated by using a sun UV protection spray for your hair.
English (US) ·