Coloring often harms our hair, scalp, and even our health in the long run. Do you want to know how to keep your hair color from fading?
There are times when hair coloring becomes inevitable. An example would be premature graying, where the gray hairs begin to pop up well before you hit your twenties and progressively increase. You probably decide to go with hair coloring to look your best.
Other times, hair color can enhance or embellish your looks for an occasion or cover gray hairs when they start popping up with age. Many agree that graying is much accelerated these days, thanks to our hectic and fast-paced lifestyles.
Irrespective of the reason, when you choose to use hair color, you know that they’re designed to hold for a few days before needing a reapplication. Most hair colors are chemical-laden and accelerate graying, so you must keep using them after the first couple of uses.
Nowadays, you get herbal-based hair colors and organic and natural hair colors, so they’re better and not harmful to your hair or health.
So back to our topic – how to keep hair color from fading? There are a few ways to enhance your hair color and keep it from fading fast. Let’s take a look at those, shall we?
DIY ACV Rinse for Longer Lasting Hair Color
Do you know hair color will last longer than it usually does when using Apple Cider Vinegar hair rinse? Yes, apple cider vinegar can do wonders for your hair.
But apple cider vinegar rinse also retains color-treated hair longer. Let’s take a look at the recipe and then understand why.
Ingredients
- Apple Cider Vinegar – 1 Cup
- Water – 2 – 3 Cups
- Tea Tree Oil – 5 Drops
Instructions
It’s simple – mix ACV with water (ideally cold, or at least room temperature) and add in Tea Tree Oil. Done!
How to Use the Rinse?
After washing your hair, use rinse it by slowly pouring it over your head, making sure to cover it everywhere.
Wait for 2 – 5 minutes.
Rinse off.
Tips to Tweak the Recipe:
You can use brewed vinegar or synthetic vinegar with similar results as ACV.
You can skip the essential oils if you prefer.
ACV doesn’t leave any smell behind that’s offensive. However, if you’re worried, use rose or lavender essential oil or hydrosol when you are doing the final rinse. It gives a nice aroma to your hair.
Why These Ingredients?
ACV – Raw Apple cider vinegar is highly acidic. When it’s combined with water, it can make your hair color last longer. The same goes for any vinegar. It also leaves your hair shiny.
ACV will also help regular your skin’s pH levels, clarify, and prevent itchy scalp.
Many have reported a reduction in dandruff, unclog hair follicles, dryness, dead skin cells, and itching with regular use of ACV in their hair care routine.
Tea Tree Oil – Prevents itching due to hair coloring, which is a very common problem for many. Try adding it to your rinse and see if it helps.
Frequency:
Use this once a week, though you can also use this when your hair color seems to fade.
As a bonus, we’re also going to look at ways to enhance hair color. This means few ingredients will darken your hair color when it starts fading, and by using them, you can push hair coloring for a few more days.
The ingredients are not harmful for hair’s natural ph, though some are not that harmful like food coloring. Choose the right option for your hair color. See what works for you and go with those.
DIY Coffee Spray for Darker Hair Colors
Ingredients
Coffee Grounds – 2 Tbsp.
Instructions
- Prepare a thick decoction either using an espresso maker or filter.
- Strain the decoction and transfer it to a spray dispenser.
- Done!
How to Use it?
Spray it liberally on your hair.
Wait for 25 minutes.
Rinse off.
Tips to Tweak the Recipe:
You can add lavender hydrosol for a good aroma, though coffee smells good all on its own.
Instead of coffee, you can use black tea instead. Make sure the decoction you use is strong, as tea tends to leave a light orangish shade on lighter hairs.
This can usually be fixed by adding coffee along with it. Tea lasts longer than coffee, so that’s a plus.
DIY Rosemary & Sage Rinse for Darkening Hair Color
This rinse can darken your hair color and, with regular use, is considered to reverse graying or dark hairs.
Ingredients
- Rosemary – ½ Cup
- Sage – 1 Cup
- Water – ½ Liter
Instructions
- Boil water in a bowl.
- When it comes to a rolling boil, add in the herbs.
- Let it steep for 25 minutes.
- Strain and set aside.
How to Use It?
Pour this rinse on your hair as a final rinse – several times.
Wait for a few minutes before rinsing off.
Frequency:
Use this regularly and consistently to top up dark hair color tones – brown, black, etc. With consistent use, it is known to reverse premature graying and also promote better hair growth.
Tips to Tweak the Recipe:
You can also use this as a spray instead for better results.
DIY Chamomile Rinse for Blonde or Golden Hair
This is typically for blonde or golden hair. It can lighten your hair or highlight your locks with a golden tint. It depends on your hair shade, and the results vary for different individuals for several reasons.
Ingredients
- Chamomile Flowers – ½ – 1 Cup
- Water – 2 Cups
Instructions
- Boil 2 cups of water in a bowl.
- Add the chamomile flowers to boiling water.
- Let it steep for a good 30 minutes.
- Strain & set aside.
How to Use it?
Pour the prepared rinse on your hair a few times.
Wait for 7 – 10 minutes before rinsing off.
Tips to Tweak the Recipe
You can also use Calendula flowers, Rhubarb roots, or even Saffron.
If you want to lighten your locks, you can use lemon juice.
Frequency:
Use this at least once a week or whenever your hair requires a shine boost.
Other Ideas to Top Up Hair Color
All these recipes are really good and natural ways to boost hair color. Some also have good results using carrots, beets, or even food colors for topping up hair color.
You can try those ideas, though carrots and beets don’t last more than a few days at most.
Black Walnut Hulls are also used to darken black or brown color shades. However, it’s not widely available. But if you can find it, it can do great wonders for darkening your hair with just a rinse.
Though Henna takes 2 – 4 hours to set as hair color, many have said they’re able to use it as a rinse for darkening existing hair color. It leaves an orangish tint on your hair, coupled with Indigo leaves, giving brown-dark brown shades.
Though you don’t have to boil it, you can use it directly. You can try preparing a paste, leaving it overnight, and diluting it in the morning to use as a rinse. Wait for 5 – 7 minutes before rinsing off, you can keep it longer for darker results.
Tips to Make your Hair Color Last Longer
Don’t take showers in very hot water. Keep your water as close to room temperature as possible if you don’t prefer pouring cold water on your hair.
Lukewarm water is better than hot showers, so go with lukewarm during colder months.
If you’re going for a swim, use a protectant and make sure you wait for a few days after coloring your hair before dipping in a pool. However, if your hair ends up brassy try using a purple toning shampoo for combatting it.
Don’t use harsh shampoos or styling products. Use shampoo for color-treated hair to make sure your hair color lasts longer.
Use a clarifying shampoo to remove buildup before coloring your hair. This will make sure your hair color sticks better to your hair.
Avoid using heat tools, including blow drying your hair. However, if you must use a dryer, keep the settings on cold.
Don’t forget heat protectants when heading out or when using heat tools.
Avoid hard water – consider using a water softener or shower filter for your home.
Go for more days between showers – more washing will fade off your hair color faster.
Try using a leave-in hair conditioner for thick or thin colored hair instead of deep conditioning masks. When you leave on your mask for a longer duration, it tends to strip off your color, and it tends to fade off when you wash off the mask.
Do try out the different variations and see how they work for you. Choose the ones meant for your hair color for the best results. Feel free to write back to us with any questions or queries. Don’t have time for DIY recipes?
We have you covered with a range of products from Vitamins Revive. Do you have a problem that you don’t have time to prepare remedies for?
Fret not, check out Vitamins Revive Store to see if there’s something that might work for you. The fun part of DIY is tweaking and experimenting, so don’t forget to step out of your comfort zone, try a few tweaks, and let us know how they turn out.
FAQS
How often can I do an ACV hair rinse?
You can do an ACV hair rinse as often as you like! Some people do them every day, while others only do them once a week. Experiment and find what works best for your hair.
Does ACV rinse help with oily hair?
Apple cider vinegar is excellent for oily hair because it helps to balance the pH of your scalp and hair. This, in turn, helps to reduce the production of oil.
Apple cider vinegar is also beneficial for dry hair because it helps seal the hair shaft’s cuticle and add shine.
