The use of haircolor is on the rise! And today it's not just about gray coverage... More and more women of all ages are using color as a form of expression, evolving their color much like they do their wardrobe. If you are one of the many who indulges in the practice, it's important to protect your investment with aftercare products formulated specifically for chemically treated tresses.
These days the best products for color treated hair offer gentle, sulfate-free cleansing to avoid striping and strengthening treatments to nourish, replenish and protect the integrity of the hair. Leave-in treatments and styling products step up with protective qualities to shield hair from the elements and to keep color from fading. Their aim is to leave hair with a shiny, healthy-looking finish that prevents fading.
Here are some of our go-to products, specifically for color treated hair:
TIGI Bedhead Color Goddess Oil Infused Shampoo
Infused with nourishing sweet almond oil, coconut oil, and keratin, this shampoo strengthens from within while it refreshes, cleanses and removes build up. Designed as therapy best for brunette colored hair, Pro-vitamin B5 and vitamin E works to restore hair, leaving hair silky and shiny. bedhead.com
Keratin Complex Color Care Shampoo
This mild cleanser is free of sodium chloride and sulfates and is formulated to give lasting smoothness to keratin-treated and color-treated hair. Its three-protein blend conditions and minimizes frizz and flyaways for healthy looking smoothness and shine. keratincomplex.com
GKHAIR/Moisturizing Shampoo Color Protection
Using plant extracts, this cleanser gently soothes and moisturizes the scalp and normal to dry/coarse hair types. SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate), SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulfate) and Sodium Chloride free formula preserves and protects your color investment. gkhair.com
Aveda - Black Malva Color Conditioner
A unique conditioner that is versatile for brunettes, silver-haired or black-haired ladies. It's a cool-toned dark shadow in a conditioner that deposits a black tint onto hair to add cool tones to brunettes and acts as a toner for anyone currently sporting an on-trend silver/gray color. For platinum blondes wanting an icier tone, with regular use of this conditioner you can turn your platinum locks silver. aveda.com
ColorProof SuperRich Daily Intensive Moisture Treatment
This treatment is infused with resilience-building Baobab and hydrating ingredients to deeply and instantly quench moisture-compromised hair to refuel, strengthen and soften. Soy lipids and proteins strengthen and repair hair from the inside out. New nanotechnology delivers intense moisture deep within to rebalance, nourish and restore while sealing the cuticle for optimum moisture retention. colorproof.com
Framesi Color Lover Moisture Rich Conditioner
The ultimate source of hydration, Quinoa provides the moisture hair craves and infuses it with shine and softness. This sulfate, parben, gluten, DEA and Sodium Chloride free formulation also offers thermal and UV protection. framesiprofessional.com
Redken Color Extend Rich Recovery
This lightweight hair color protection treatment mask is specially formulated to provide protection to extend the life of hair color. It delivers powerful anti-fade protection, repels UVA/UVB rays and other environmental aggressors and optimizes color durability and retention. Ceramides strengthen the hair fiber to prevent breakage. This mask leaves hair feeling moisturized, manageable and vibrant. redken.com
L'Anza Healing Colorcare Magic Bullet
Comprised of the same anti-fade compounds naturally found in flowers, L'Anza's Flower Shield Complex, Keratin Healing System, plus UVA/UVB/UVC Protectors, combine to extend hair color. This lightweight daily elixir keeps hair hydrated, conditioned and vibrant looking while it detangles. Apply daily prior to styling and blow-drying. lanza.com
Olaplex Hair Perfector No 3
Olaplex Hair Perfector No.3 is a take-home product to use once a week to strengthen hair after color services or to use as a pre-treatment for a future chemical service. This single ingredient formula is free of silicone or oils. It links broken bonds in the hair during and after chemical services making them stronger than before. olaplex.com
Colure True Color Shine Serum Plus
This frizz-free and grease-free formula gives hair maximum shine while leaving strands luxuriously smooth. Multi-functional Shine – Plus technology preserves, protects and strengthens color-treated hair. It offers thermal protection against heat from blow dryers, flat irons, and curling irons while full spectrum sunscreen protects from UVA and UVB oxidative damage. colurehaircare.com
What's New in Color Care?
Color care technology has come so far in recent years with the implementation of nanotechnology as a delivery method. Working at the molecular level, smaller particles of nourishing, moisturizing and structure building ingredients are more easily infused into the hair, which is a benefit for its long-term health.
There's also a better understanding of the health and care of the cuticle of the hair. The scale-like structure of the hair surface needs to be kept closed after the color service in order to prevent the color pigment from being washed away. The cuticle is also responsible for the feel of the hair, which will have a coarse texture and appear dull if not properly sealed or in some cases, filled in.
Not sure which color care products are right for you? Ask your colorist/hairdresser!
