Curly Q:My naturally curly hair gets very dry and limpy whenever I color it. How can I keep my color-treated curls healthy, shiny, and bouncy?
Color-treatments can wreak havoc on your hair if you're not careful, especially on curls which tend to be more prone to dryness. I've met chicas who have literally damaged their curl pattern from the insane amount of bleaching they had done to their tresses. Not to mention, the beach water and constant sun exposure from the summertime can cause further damage to color-treated curls. But don't' stress, Ouidad's Creative Color Director, Ian Dorey offered me a few tips on how you can keep your dyed locks looking healthier and shiner than ever. Check out a few tips below!
Readmore ¿Qué más? Curly Qs: How can I prevent crunchy, sticky curls?
Chose the right color treatment: "Make sure your colorist is using the most gentle color possible for the service," says Dorey. "I use demi-permanent color that is ammonia-free and gives lots of shine on almost all my curly clients. This keeps curls healthy, vibrant and shiny."
Avoid hot water: Try to avoid washing your hair with hot water, not only does it cause quick color-fading but it can also help dry out your hair. Try washing your hair with lukewarm water instead and if you can, avoid shampooing daily. Use shampoos and conditioners especially made for color-treated hair, like L'Oréal Paris Advanced Hair Care Color Vibrancy Nourishing Shampoo ($5) and Conditioner ($5).
Do a hair mask: "Always follow up with a great conditioning hair treatment or mask," says Dorey. "My clients love Ouidad Meltdown Mask ($40), which I use after all color-services and have clients take home as well."
Get a post-color glaze done: Whenever you get your hair colored, it opens up the cuticle causing damage. This can also cause dullness, so to boost back that shine and combat damage, try getting a professional glaze done at your salon. Or try, Sebastian Professional Ammonia-Free Colorizing Gloss Treatment in Shine Clear ($20).
Protect hair from the sun: Now that the weather is getting warmer, you might want to protect your color-treated tresses with a UV protective spray, like Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil ($27).
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