From Jessica Chastain to Jessica Rabbit, there’s just something special about having red hair. Thankfully for those of us who aren’t natural redheads, it’s also easy to attain once you decide on the perfect ginger shade and make an appointment with your colorist. After all, there’s no shame in reaching for the dye—even Emma Stone isn’t a natural redhead! So once you’ve landed on the red hair of your dreams, it’s all about maintaining the color, which means having the right products on hand. “Taking care of red hair color properly is the key to making it last,” says celebrity hairstylist and king of color Guy Tang. “Always use a color-safe shampoo and conditioner, and wash a max amount of three times per week and with cool water if you can.”
There are certain hair colors that tend to fade faster, like pink, and there are ones at the opposite end of the spectrum, like blue, which can be stubborn and hard to get rid of. So how long can you expect your red hair to stay looking fresh? According to celebrity hairstylist Danielle Priano, whose clients include Cara Delevingne, Vanessa Hudgens, and Priyanka Chopra, it can depend on a few factors, like your hair type and the process your stylist took to make you red. “If you have lighter hair and just apply a dark-red color to the hair, it will fade quickly,” she says. “Your professional stylist will know what to do with your hair type and put pigments into the hair prior to red application that will help the color last.” Tang adds, “The longevity of red hair color can vary greatly but generally lasts about four to six weeks if well cared for. I would say that red lasts longer than pink most of the time.”
Tang also says that red hair tends to turn brassy from too much heat, so it’s good to use heat-protectant spray before blow-drying or using hot tools in order to protect the vibrancy of the red color. Of course, washing your hair is when fading is most at risk, so like Tang suggests, always be sure to use a color-safe shampoo and conditioner (put that clarifying shampoo away!), and wash it less (dry shampoo is your friend!). Ahead, nine shampoos and conditioners that will help keep your red hair from fading fast. Keep scrolling!
