The Brunette's Guide to Maintaining Beautiful Color

After dyeing your hair the perfect shade of chocolate brown, you might find yourself wondering how exactly you can keep your beautiful new hair color from fading. Nope, it turns out that blondes aren’t the only ones who have to change up their hair care routine to keep their color in check. The good news is, there are plenty of things you can do to help maintain your luscious brown hue and keep your hair looking and feeling its best after you’ve dyed it. Not sure where to start? We’ve got you covered! Add these six tips to your hair care arsenal and show your brown hair the love it deserves.

TIP #1: SWITCH TO A COLOR-SAFE SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER

When you hop in the shower, reach for a shampoo and conditioner that are specifically formulated for color-treated hair. Try the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Color Vibrancy Intensive Protecting Shampoo and L’Oréal Paris Elvive Color Vibrancy Intensive Protecting Conditioner, which are formulated with an antioxidant + UV filter and ceramide to help preserve color and care for damaged, processed hair fibers. Apply the shampoo to wet hair, massage it into a lather, then rinse. Follow up by applying the conditioner and leave it on for one to three minutes, then rinse.

TIP #2: USE A HAIR MASK ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK

If your brunette hair is feeling a little on the dry side, it could be worth adding a hair mask to your routine once or twice a week. Try the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Color Vibrancy Repair and Protect Balm. After shampooing, apply the mask and leave it on for three to five minutes, then rinse thoroughly.

TIP #3: STOCK UP ON DRY SHAMPOO

Nervous about your hair looking greasy? Keep a dry shampoo, like the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Clay Dry Shampoo on hand to use on the days you don’t shampoo. This dry shampoo is formulated with three refined clays to help absorb excess oil at the roots and refresh hair—without any residue (a must if you have dark brown locks!).

TIP #4: RINSE YOUR HAIR WITH LUKEWARM WATER

Taking a hot bath or shower might feel super-relaxing, but the high temp can do a number to both your skin and hair. Instead, rinse your hair with lukewarm water the next time you wash your hair.

TIP #5: TEMPORARILY COVER GRAY ROOTS

If the reason you color your hair is to conceal gray roots, you can temporarily mask them with a root cover-up like the L'Oréal Paris Magic Root Cover Up, which is lightweight and lasts one shampoo. To use the root cover-up, shake the can well and then hold it four to six inches away from your hair. Spray the color onto new growth and partly through the length of your hair to blend in the color.

Looking for an on-the-go option? Try the L’Oréal Paris Magic Root Precision Pen, which covers gray hair in a flash. Rotate the bottom of the concealer counter-clockwise three to five times to dispense a small amount of color onto the brush, then lightly dab it onto dry hair using gentle, swift strokes to build and blend in color. Let the color dry for one minute and you’re good to go!

TIP #6: GIVE YOUR HAIR A BREAK FROM HEAT STYLING

If you’ve recently dyed your hair a pretty shade of chestnut brown, why not show the color off while embracing your natural texture? Using excessive heat can damage your hair, so put your blow-dryer, curling wand, and flat iron away for a while and air dry your hair instead. (Bonus: You’ll save some serious time and effort!) For an easy (and chic) heat-free hairstyle, reach for the L’Oréal Paris Advanced AIR DRY IT Wave Swept Spray. Spritz this wave spray through towel-dried hair, put your strands into braids, and allow your hair to air dry. Once your hair is dry, take out your braids to reveal loose, effortless waves—perfect for summer!

Ready to become a beautiful brunette but aren’t quite sure which hue is best for you? Here are 21 Pretty Cool, Warm, and Neutral Shades of Brown Hair.