9 Tips to Make Your Hair Colour Last Longer After 50
If you’ve ever glimpsed your reflection a mere two weeks after a pricey salon session and thought, “Already?”, you’re far from alone. For many of us over 50, our relationship with hair color can feel like an endless (and expensive) game of catch-up. Grey roots seem to reappear overnight, vibrancy fades too soon, and suddenly, that £150 dye job feels more like a fleeting fling than a long-term commitment.
With the average salon root touch-up in the UK now costing between £60 and £120—and full-color services often exceeding £180 depending on location and stylist expertise—extending the life of your hair color isn’t just a beauty move, it’s a financial one.
The good news? A few strategic changes to your routine can make a world of difference. From hydration heroes to salon-worthy touch-up tricks, here’s your guide to stretching your colour with grace, glamour, and a dose of practicality.
Start with Strength: Healthy Hair, Longer Colour
Professional hairstylists agree: the healthier your hair, the longer your color will last. When your strands are strong, well-nourished, and properly hydrated, they absorb color pigments more evenly and retain them for a longer period of time. To prep your hair for optimal color results, it’s essential to start caring for it in advance.
In the two weeks leading up to your salon appointment, incorporate a weekly deep-conditioning treatment into your routine. Look for masks enriched with restorative ingredients like keratin to strengthen, argan oil to deeply moisturize, and peptides to repair and fortify. This proactive approach not only enhances the longevity of your color but also leaves your hair looking shinier, smoother, and more vibrant.
Try:
Think of it as prepping a canvas before painting—a smoother surface makes for better results.
The 72-Hour Rule: Why Shampooing Too Soon Can Ruin Your Hair Colour
Chances are, your stylist has given you this golden rule: avoid washing your hair for at least 48 to 72 hours after getting it colored. And it’s not just a suggestion—it’s a must if you want your new hue to last. Here’s why: freshly applied hair dye needs time to fully penetrate and lock into the hair cuticle. Washing too soon can disrupt this process, causing the color to fade prematurely—and essentially sending your investment right down the drain.
When it’s finally time to lather up, be mindful of what you use. Always opt for a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo specifically formulated for color-treated hair. Sulfates, while effective cleansers, are harsh detergents that can strip away the very things you’re trying to preserve: vibrant pigment and essential moisture. A sulfate-free formula helps maintain your color’s brilliance and keeps your hair feeling soft, hydrated, and healthy between salon visits.
Expert Picks:
Hydration, Hydration, Hydration
No matter your hair type—curly, straight, fine, thick, or textured—hydration is the universal rule for maintaining healthy, vibrant color. Moisture-rich strands not only reflect light more beautifully, giving your color that enviable shine, but they also hold onto pigment more effectively, helping your shade stay true for longer.
The key is choosing the right type of hydration for your hair’s specific needs. For finer or oil-prone hair, lighter hydration is best—look for weightless mists, hydrating sprays, or weekly moisture masks that deliver nourishment without sacrificing volume or movement. The right moisture routine can make all the difference in the longevity and luster of your color.
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Cool It Down: Heat and Colour Don’t Mix
Heat is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to premature color fading. Whether it’s from your favorite styling tools or even steamy, hot showers, high temperatures can weaken the hair’s outer layer, stripping away both moisture and pigment. The result? Dull, dry strands and a color that fades faster than it should.
To preserve your shade and keep your hair healthy, try to limit the use of heat-styling tools whenever possible. Embrace air-drying, heatless styles, or low-heat settings as often as you can.
But on days when blow dryers, curling wands, or flat irons are a must, using a quality heat protectant is absolutely essential. A good heat protectant creates a barrier between your hair and high temperatures, helping to lock in moisture and shield your color from damage—making it a non-negotiable step in any color-care routine.
Daily Defenders:
And yes, this includes water temperature. Switch to lukewarm rinses and save the steaming showers for your skin, not your strands.
Root Touch-Up Magic
Grey roots have a way of showing up long before your next salon appointment—but that doesn’t mean every strand needs a professional touch. Thankfully, today’s root concealers have come a long way. Available in a variety of easy-to-use formats like sprays, powders, and touch-up crayons, these products offer a quick, seamless way to camouflage regrowth in seconds.
The best part? They’re designed to blend effortlessly with your existing color, delivering such a natural finish that no one will be able to tell the difference—except you. Whether you’re in between color sessions, stretching the time between appointments, or just need a last-minute fix before a big event, root concealers are a low-commitment, high-reward solution to keeping your color looking fresh and flawless.
Root Rescue Stars:
Keep one in your handbag and another in your bathroom cabinet—you’ll thank yourself on rushed mornings.
Gloss and Glaze: Your Secret Weapon
Think of a gloss or glaze treatment as a topcoat for your hair—like the final, luminous layer that takes your color to the next level. These at-home treatments are a game-changer when it comes to maintaining vibrancy between salon visits. Not only do they revive lost shine and smooth the hair’s surface for a healthier look, but they also help neutralize unwanted tones, such as brassiness, and add richness or depth to your existing color.
Unlike permanent dyes, glosses and glazes are typically ammonia-free and much gentler on your strands, making them a damage-free way to refresh your color. To keep your hair looking freshly colored and ultra-glossy, aim to use a treatment every two weeks. It’s a simple, salon-inspired ritual that keeps your hue luminous and your hair feeling silky-soft.
Shine Enhancers:
Smarter Shampooing
The truth is simple: the more frequently you wash your hair, the faster your color will fade. Every shampoo session lifts a bit of pigment from your strands, which is why spacing out washes is key to long-lasting color. Aim to wash your hair just two to three times per week to help preserve the richness and vibrancy of your shade.
In between washes, dry shampoo is your best friend. It refreshes your roots, absorbs excess oil, and adds a bit of volume—all without compromising your color. Look for formulas specifically labeled as color-safe, and steer clear of those that leave behind a white, chalky residue that can dull your hue or make your scalp look dusty. The right dry shampoo will keep your hair looking fresh, clean, and vibrant—no water required.
Favourites:
Embrace the “Zone” Strategy
Last but not least, when it comes to maintaining your color, less can sometimes be more. Instead of re-coloring your entire head at every appointment, talk to your stylist about adopting a “zone” approach. This technique focuses on refreshing only the most visible areas—like your roots, hairline, and part—rather than applying color all over. Not only is this gentler on your strands, helping to avoid overprocessing, but it’s also a more budget-friendly option that still keeps your color looking polished and consistent.
Another smart strategy? Consider switching to a demi-permanent dye. Unlike permanent formulas, demi-permanent color doesn’t contain ammonia and gradually fades over time, which means fewer harsh lines as it grows out. It’s especially ideal for blending greys in a softer, more natural-looking way. The result is a more low-maintenance color routine that’s kinder to your hair and makes every trip to the salon go further.
Don’t Forget Sun & Swim Protection
Color fade isn’t just caused by shampoo—external elements play a major role too. Exposure to UV rays, environmental pollutants, chlorine, and saltwater can all compromise your hair’s color, texture, and overall health. These factors can dull your shine, shift your tone, and leave your strands feeling dry or brittle over time.
That’s why protecting your hair from the elements is just as important as your wash routine. Make a UV-protective hair mist a non-negotiable part of your daily lineup—think of it as SPF for your strands. It helps shield your color from sun damage and keeps it from fading or turning brassy.
If you’re headed for a swim, whether it’s in the ocean or a chlorinated pool, there’s a simple trick to minimize damage: saturate your hair with fresh water before diving in. This helps prevent it from absorbing as much salt or chlorine. And after swimming, rinse again to wash away any lingering chemicals or minerals. These small habits can make a big difference in preserving your color’s brilliance and your hair’s health.
Sun-Savers:
Age brings many gifts—confidence, experience, and (if we’re lucky) a sense of humour about our greys. But that doesn’t mean we want to see them peeking out two weeks after a salon visit. With just a few simple swaps in your haircare routine, you can stretch the time between appointments, protect your investment, and enjoy luminous, glossy color that actually goes the distance.
Because while grey is inevitable, dull is entirely optional.
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