Make Your Hair Color Last

If your color is fading: The protective outer layer (cuticle) of each strand of hair needs to remain intact to prevent color molecules from escaping; the more porous the hair, the more likely the hair color is to migrate out. Any color treatment should be followed by deep conditioning, don't shampoo for 24 hours afterward. Then, two to three times a month, apply a deep-conditioning hair mask. In these masks, chemicals known as cationic polymers help keep the layers of hair closed like the shingles on a roof. And don't use clarifying shampoos, which can strip color.