Caring for Color-treated Hair

Whether you like to experiment with all colors of the rainbow or simply enhance what your mother gave you, colored hair can be high-maintenance.

That's because your hair is formed of three layers: the outer cuticle, a middle layer called the cortex, and the inner medulla. These layers protect your hair and determine strength and color. Natural blonds may naturally lack a medulla layer, meaning their hair may be finer than that of brunettes. When it comes to synthetic dye, it’s the cortex we are particularly interested in.

This layer contains a natural pigment named menalin, which determines your hair color. In order to alter this shade, synthetic dyes must open the cuticle a little to penetrate the cortex and change the pigment. As your hair’s natural oil, sebum, then struggles to travel down the coarser cuticle, this process can leave your hair feeling more dry and brittle than usual.

So, the quest for color can leave hair feeling a little parched! Luckily a range of products can help colored locks stay smooth and vibrant.

Try a treatment

Our at-home hair treatments will give you professional results which can last for up to six weeks. Use them regularly for dazzling results, and (unlike many hair treatments) apply to dry hair. Essential oils, fresh fruit and vegetables can be absorbed more easily prior to shampooing, as wet hair is already saturated. A dry application gives your locks a better chance of drinking up all that nutrition. Wrap your hair in a warm towel for 20 minutes while the ingredients work their magic on your hair.

Specialist treatments for colored hair include H’Suan Wen Hua and Jasmine and Henna Fluff-Eaze. The former is made of organic, free-range eggs, and fresh banana and avocado to strengthen damaged hair and deliver moisture to dehydrated ends. Bay leaf infusion and cinnamon leaf oil boost your roots and revive the overall condition of your hair.

Jasmine and Henna Fluff-Ease contains red henna infusion to protect color and deliver glossy shine to brunettes without altering your hair shade. Olive oil nourishes individual hair strands, while wheatgerm oil is rich in restorative vitamin E, which maintains healthy hair.

And don't forget to check out the Damaged Hot Oil Treatment! This rich blend of olive, almond and avocado oils will replenish moisture and leave locks gleaming.

Cleanse your hair with care

In order to counteract brittleness, use a hydrating shampoo on your colored hair. Products like Rehab offer fantastic cleansing action through the use of sea salt and papaya, but also protect the hair with jojoba and extra virgin olive oils. Furthermore, fresh mint and rosemary are renowned for their wonderfully restorative properties on the scalp, which is key to healthy hair.

Fairly Traded Honey is an indulgent, restorative shampoo, made with beeswax and neroli oil to leave your hair shiny and hydrated. The high content of honey acts as a natural preservative for this product, and gently cleanses the scalp without stripping it of moisture. Bergamot oil brings out color to give your locks a glossy finish.

To tame colored hair which refuses to lie straight, reach for a bottle of Cynthia Sylvia Stout. This vegan stout and cognac shampoo leaves hair feeling incredibly shiny and smelling delicious. Vinegar and fresh, organic lemon juice encourage the cuticle to lie flat, making it perfect for reducing frizz and creating a smoother, shinier look.

Anyone who wants an extra five minutes in bed should try Godiva Shampoo Bar. This product combines balancing ylang ylang, nourishing cocoa butter and macadamia nut oil to give you a shampoo and conditioner in one. Camellia and gardenia oils condition the hair to leave it feeling smooth, while heady jasmine provides an irresistible fragrance.

Blousey is a gentle banana shampoo which helps protect and revive stressed-out, colored hair. Fair trade organic cloves and star anise decoction promote healthy roots, while fair trade organic cocoa butter hydrates dry hair to bring it back to balance. A restoring and soothing shampoo for hair in need of TLC.

Condition like never before

Once your hair has been gently cleansed, take your pick from the following range of color-friendly conditioners. Neroli-rich Happy Happy Joy Joy conditions and nourishes parched hair to leave it feeling stronger and healthier (as well as stunningly perfumed). Grapefruit and orange blossom give a glossy finish to colored hair, and rose soothes sensitive scalps. Almond milk is a beautifying tonic, which leaves your hair feeling soft and silky.

American Cream conditioner has a nourishing, hydrating effect without the weight, making it perfect for a bouncy finish. Honey water hydrates the hair and lavender helps to balance oils on the scalp to keep your roots healthy. A cheerleader for shiny hair that’s full of life and movement.

Enjoy a deep, restorative treatment with Retread conditioner. An agar agar gel base helps to nourish damaged hair without leaving it saturated, while avocado and neroli oils hydrate split ends and help to stop further damage. Use this rich conditioner on dry or damaged hair to see a gradual return to balance.

For those who enjoy the perks of a solid product, try Jungle Solid Conditioner. Fair trade organic cocoa butter melts onto the hair and delivers nutrients from fresh figs and avocado to each lock. Fresh bananas strengthen colored hair and leave you smelling of the tropics.

To protect damaged ends from further damage, follow up your routine with R&B Hair Moisturizer. Originally designed for curly, drier hair, this product is rich in fair trade cocoa butter and olive oil to leave dry hair fabulously shiny.