10 Tips to Keep Your Red Hair Vibrant

Red, copper, strawberry, oh my! Shades of red can be deep and rich, or they can go soft and understated—but they all seem to come out quickly in the wash. While the picky pigments in reds require a little extra upkeep, these top tips from our color pros will keep reds happy and vibrant between applications.

01 INGREDIENTS MATTER

Always opt for shampoos, conditioners, and stylers that are labeled “safe for color-treated hair.” These products are formulated without sulfates and parabens, which could fade color or bring out unwanted, brassy tones.

02 SKIP THE SUDS

True story: Water dulls hair color, especially reds. Hold onto your pigment by shampooing as little as possible, and getting a good dry shampoo for the off days. Ours has panthenol and vitamin E, so it can cleanse hair without drying it out.

03 CHILL OUT

When you do suds up, give just-conditioned hair a nice cold rinse to seal the cuticle and preserve your color. While some folks disagree on this one, we're decidedly pro. Added bonus? A spritz under cold water and you'll feel more alive than ever—promise.

04 DEEP CONDITION

It's no secret that healthy hair means better color, and this is especially true for reds. Get ahead of process-worn locks with a moisturizing deep conditioner the day before your color application, and once a week thereafter.

05 STICK TO YOUR ROOTS

Applying hair color over previously colored hair can cause over-processing, over-darkening, or uneven results. So keep touch-ups strictly to regrowth, and avoid overlapping.

Image of hands mixing custom hair color with developer in a mixing bowl with two hair clips, a timer, and color bottle set out on the table

06 ADD BACK PIGMENT

Look alive between color applications with an enhancing treatment like our Tint Rinse—the colorist secret weapon here at eSalon. It's available in a range of shades, so you can target your treatment and prevent the fading that can happen over time.

07 REFRESH REGULARLY

Because of the nature of red pigments, redheads need an all-over color boost more often than their blonde or brunette counterparts. So for consistently rich, even color from root to tip, be sure to keep those color refreshes regular.

08 WEAR A HAT

The sun is another serious culprit in the case of dulling color. Extend the life of your shade (and protect yourself from UV rays) by covering up whenever you hit the great outdoors.

09 CONDITION TO SWIM

Between dried-out strands and altered tones, pool water can be color kryptonite. You can avoid over-chlorination by wetting hair with tap water and adding just a tad of conditioner before you take a dip. Better yet? Try a swim cap.

10 PROTECT AND SHINE

Did we mention that sun fades color? Because it really, really does. Put your best red forward with a daily leave-in conditioner that also has UV protectant properties. Our Leave-In Conditioner has that, and it lets you get your shine on. #Win.