Vivid Hair Colour Aftercare: How to Keep Bright & Pastel Hair Vibrant
Updated: Sep 24
Vivid, bright and pastel hair colours can look incredible, but they do require the right aftercare to keep them looking fresh and vibrant. At The Little Hair & Beauty Studio in Newark-on-Trent, we recommend following a few simple steps at home to help protect your colour, maintain your hair condition and reduce premature fading.
1. Healthy Hair Helps Colour Last Longer
Vivid and pastel colours are designed to gradually fade. How quickly they fade varies depending on the shade, your hair condition, previous colour history and your home-care routine. Keeping your hair in good condition can help your colour look vibrant for longer.
2. Wash Your Hair Less Often
Every wash will gradually fade vivid colour, so avoid washing your hair more often than necessary. When you do wash it, use cool or lukewarm water rather than very hot water, which can encourage colour to fade faster.
3. Use Colour-Safe Hair Products
Use professional shampoo and conditioner suitable for coloured hair. We recommend ASP Vitaplex and Re-Energise products to help care for the condition of your hair between salon appointments. Avoid harsh cleansing or clarifying shampoos unless your stylist has recommended them.
4. Protect Your Hair From Heat
Always use heat protection before blow-drying, straightening or curling your hair. Excessive heat can affect both the condition of your hair and the appearance of your colour, so use the lowest effective temperature on your styling tools.
5. Be Careful With Swimming
Chlorine and salt water can affect vivid and pastel colours and may cause faster fading. If you’re swimming, protect your hair where possible and rinse it thoroughly with fresh water afterwards. Avoid leaving chlorine or salt water sitting in your hair.
6. Protect Your Colour in the Sun
UV exposure can contribute to colour fading. On sunny days and holidays, protect your hair from prolonged direct sunlight with a hat or suitable UV-protection hair product.
7. Keep Your Hair Conditioned
Vivid colours often require the hair to be pre-lightened, so keeping it moisturised and conditioned is especially important. Use a regular conditioning treatment or mask and ask your stylist about Vitaplex treatments if your hair needs extra care.
8. Keep Up With Your Salon Appointments
Regular salon appointments allow us to check the condition of your hair and refresh your colour when needed. Your maintenance schedule will depend on your chosen shade, how quickly it fades and how you like your colour to look.
9. Refreshing Your Vivid Colour at Home
Some vivid colours may benefit from a colour-refresh product between salon appointments. Only use a product or colour mixture recommended by your stylist, as using the wrong shade can affect your next colour service. We can advise you on the best way to maintain your individual colour at home.
10. Want to Change or Fade Your Vivid Colour?
If you’re ready for a colour change, speak to your stylist before trying to deliberately fade or remove vivid colour at home. Some colours can be unpredictable when removed, and harsh shampoos or home remedies may leave the hair dry or affect your next colour service. We can advise you on the safest approach for your hair and your next colour goal.
Book Your Vivid Hair Colour Appointment in Newark-on-Trent
Thinking about a vivid, bright or pastel hair colour? Our experienced colourists at The Little Hair & Beauty Studio can help create a personalised colour and advise you on the best aftercare to keep it looking vibrant.
