A fresh salon colour is gorgeous — but the reality is that it starts fading from the moment you leave the chair. The average person visits their colourist every 6-8 weeks, and maintaining vibrant colour throughout that period requires the right at-home routine.
Here are the expert-backed strategies that professional colourists recommend — and the products that make the biggest difference.
The First 72 Hours Are Critical
The first 3 days after colouring are when your hair is most vulnerable to colour loss:
- Wait 48-72 hours before washing — This allows the cuticle to fully close and colour molecules to settle into the cortex
- When you do wash, use lukewarm water — Hot water opens the cuticle and releases freshly deposited colour
- Skip conditioner on the first wash — Some conditioners can pull fresh colour out of the hair
The 7 Rules of Colour Maintenance
1. Switch to sulphate-free shampoo immediately
This is the single most important thing you can do. Sulphate-free shampoos extend colour vibrancy by 40-60% compared to conventional formulas. That translates to weeks of extra colour life.
All Evera shampoos use Sodium Coco-Sulfate — a gentle coconut-derived cleanser that removes buildup without touching your colour.
2. Use colour-specific botanical shampoo
Go beyond "colour-safe" and choose a shampoo that actively enhances your specific shade:
- Red Line — Henna + hibiscus for red/auburn tones
- Dark Line — Indigo + blackcurrant for brunette tones
- Blonde Line — Rhubarb + calendula for blonde tones
- Hydrating Line — Fenugreek + marshmallow root for dry coloured hair of any shade
3. Deep condition weekly
Coloured hair is more porous and loses moisture faster. A weekly colour-matched mask replenishes moisture and delivers colour-enhancing botanicals for intensive maintenance.
4. Seal the cuticle with protein treatments
Colour molecules escape through gaps in the cuticle. GA Liquid Gloss delivers hydrolysed proteins that fill these gaps and smooth the cuticle surface — physically reducing the pathways through which colour escapes. Use weekly.
5. Reduce wash frequency
Every wash releases some colour. Extending from daily to every 2-3 days can add 2-3 weeks to your colour's lifespan. Sulphate-free formulas help hair stay cleaner longer since there is no silicone buildup attracting dirt.
6. Protect from UV
UV radiation breaks down both natural and synthetic hair pigments. Wear a hat in strong sunlight, especially in summer. UV damage to colour is cumulative and irreversible.
7. Cool water rinse — every time
Finish every wash with cool water. This seals the cuticle flat, locking colour in and creating a smoother surface that reflects more light. It takes 10 seconds and makes a measurable difference.
Product Recommendations by Hair Colour
| Hair Colour | Shampoo | Mask | Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red / Auburn | Red No.3 | Red Mask No.3 | GA Liquid Gloss |
| Dark / Brunette | Dark No.5 | Dark Mask No.5 | GA Liquid Gloss |
| Blonde / Highlighted | Blonde No.4 | Blonde Mask No.4 | GA Liquid Gloss |
| Any colour (dry) | Hydrating No.2 | Hydrating Mask No.2 | GA Liquid Gloss |
All products are vegan, silicone-free, and sulphate-free. Crafted in Italy with cold-extracted organic botanicals. Free UK delivery over £60.