Anyone who has experienced the feeling of fresh, vibrant hair right after having it colored at the salon has probably also felt the disappointment of having your gorgeous color start to fade. And while it is totally expected that color will begin to fade after a while, there are still steps that you can take to prevent it from losing its luster too quickly.

First, it is incredibly important that you are using the right kind of shampoo and conditioner system for your hair color. Your stylist doesn’t just recommend a product for you at the salon to boost her sales numbers, she wants to be sure that you have the right products and tools to care for your color at home.

Typically, a color line will work best with its own shampoo brand. For example, at Bella Vita Salon, we use Aveda’s hair color and product lines. Because the Aveda color line is formulated with naturally derived ingredients, they designed their plant-based Color Conserve products to work best with color treated hair to prevent fading while gently cleansing and moisturizing hair. Drugstore versions of name brand products can actually contain more aggressive cleansing agents that will promote fading and dry out your hair. If you’re going to spend money on professional color, then you should also be prepared to spend money on professional products that will enhance and protect your investment.

There are so many great products out there for color-treated hair, and your stylist can recommend a perfect routine tailored to your specific needs. When using the correct products for your color, you should expect permanent color to last anywhere from four to six weeks (which is perfect timing for your touch-up appointment!).

It is important to get the most value out of your hair service, and using the right products is the easiest way to ensure that your beautiful style will last.