9 Tips to Prevent Red Hair Color from Fading

Shiny, vibrant and glossy red hair is always a gorgeous sight and it’s definitely a compliment catalyst. This rare hair color is a vivid tone that can range from lighter golden shades like strawberry blonde to rich, deep hues like warm auburn and red velvet. 

Whether you’re a redhead by nature or if you get a little help from outside sources (aka your dye your hair), you know that fading color can happen at one point or another. That’s why it’s absolutely essential to be well-versed in the maintenance and upkeep that your fiery strands require. Something as simple as a weekly hair gloss treatment or a shampoo for color-treated hair can make a big difference in helping your color last. 

Read on as we share our top tips to help prevent fading color and keep your red hair looking vibrant. Consider this the ultimate guide to preserving your gorgeous red hair color. 

9 Hair Care Tips for Avoiding Faded Red Hair

There are many different aspects of your hair care routine that can lead to fading color like the products you use and how often you heat style your hair. Along with that, natural factors like age and sun exposure can also lead to fading color. Check out our tips to prevent your red hair color from looking dull.

1. Go a Shade Darker Than Your Desired Hue

Since fading is bound to happen, consider coloring your hair a shade or two darker than your desired color. It’s an easy switch and your color will be able to go a little longer before you start to notice fading. To go darker at home, we love the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color, which comes in a variety of red shades like Intense Dark Red and Lightest Auburn. Alternatively, you can also head to the salon to go a couple of shades darker.

2. Touch Up Your Roots

Roots are an inevitable fact of life when you color your hair. When you start to notice them growing in, reach for a temporary root touch-up spray to conceal any trace of them. The L’Oréal Paris Magic Root Cover Up in Red can be used to mask roots and grays in seconds. Shake the can well then hold it four to six inches from your hair and spray onto the roots and partly through the length of your hair for perfectly blended color. It will last until your next wash without any sticky residues.

3. Use Products That Are Safe for Color-Treated Hair

This is an essential tip for preventing fading color. When you wash your strands, always reach for a shampoo and conditioner that is formulated for color-treated strands like the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Glossing Shampoo, pH Balanced and L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Glossing Conditioner, pH Balanced. This glossing system is infused with argan oil to cleanse hair without stripping color, leaving strands silky, shiny and smooth. 

It also includes an in-shower glossing treatment — the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Glossing In Shower Acidic Glaze — which helps to keep colored hair looking shiny and vibrant. To use this trio, first shampoo hair and rinse, then, spray the in shower glaze on wet hair and leave it on for one to three minutes, (don’t rinse) and finish with the conditioner. 

4. Invest in a Glossing Treatment

Another way to steer clear of faded red hair color is to add a traditional glossing treatment, like the L’Oréal Paris Le Color Gloss One Step In-Shower Toning Gloss in Auburn, to your routine. This in-shower gloss enhances hair color, tones, increases shine and deeply conditions the hair with each use. It’s the best-kept secret for achieving fresh-out-of-the’-salon strands at home and provides a quick fix to eliminate signs of fading color.

5. Avoid Washing Your Hair With Hot Water

There’s no denying how relaxing a hot shower can be but it’s really detrimental for your hair color. The hot temps strip your hair of essential moisture and cause your color to fade much quicker. So, in an effort to preserve your color, wash and rinse your hair with lukewarm water. 

Editor’s tip: Along with hot water, sun exposure can also lead to fading red hair color for natural redheads and those with dyed red hair. Fix this by rocking a chic scarf or sun hat to keep your tresses protected when you're spending time outside.

6. Ditch the Heat Tools

Since we’ve established that hot water is a silent killer for your hair color, it should come as no surprise that the same applies to hot tools. Not only do they cause your color to fade but they can also lead to damage like split ends and breakage. 

One of the best things you can do for your hair color is keep heat styling at a minimum. Instead, opt for heatless styles like bubble braids or a sleek ponytail. Those with curly or wavy hair can use a curl-enhancing cream like the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Non-Stop Dream Curls Leave-in Conditioner to bring out their natural wave pattern. 

If you have to use hot tools, always remember to prime your strands with a heat protectant like the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Frizz Killer Serum Leave-In or the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Weightless Blow Dry Primer, Heat Protectant. It’s best practice to use your hot tools on the lowest temperature setting and only pass through each section of hair once if possible.

7. Reach for a Tinted Dry Shampoo

Overwashing your hair can cause your color to fade. So, when your roots are in need of a refresh, extend the time between shampoos and reach for a tinted dry shampoo to soak up oils. For deeper red shades, we recommend the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Tinted Dry Shampoo for Dark Tones while those with lighter red hair like strawberry blonde can reach for the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Tinted Dry Shampoo for Blonde Hair. 

8. Use a Deep Conditioning Mask

While the aim is to preserve your hair color, you also want to keep your strands healthy. Once a week, switch out your conditioner for a hydrating hair mask like the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Signature Masque, Color Care Hair Mask. It’s gentle on color and helps to deeply nourish dry, colored strands. 

9. Keep Permanent Dye on Hand

Since you know that your red strands are going to fade into a duller and washed-out version of your current color, keep your favorite at-home hair color kit on hand to easily fix that. For a vibrant red color, we love the L’Oréal Paris Excellence Creme Créme Permanent Triple Protection Hair Color in Light Reddish Brown and the L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Rich Auburn True Red and Power Copper. Alternatively, you can always make an appointment at the salon to touch up your hair color.

Next: How to Get Black Cherry Hair Color at Home

Edited by: Reece Andavolgyi, Photo credit: Chaunte Vaughn