Why Your Hair Color Isn’t Lasting, And What To Do About It

Mallory Sills
Aug 4
2 min read

Tips for Busy Women Who Want Long-Lasting, Effortless Color

You booked the appointment, carved time out of your busy schedule, and left the salon with the perfect color that's bright, dimensional, and effortlessly polished. But within a few weeks, that fresh tone feels faded, dull, or brassy. Sound familiar?

If your hair color isn’t lasting as long as it should, it’s not always because of the formula or technique...it’s often what happens after you leave the salon that makes the biggest difference.

Here are the top reasons your color might be fading faster than you’d like and what you can do to keep your investment looking fresh between appointments.

1. You’re Using the Wrong Shampoo (or Washing Too Often)

Many drugstore shampoos are loaded with sulfates and harsh detergents that can strip color fast. And while daily washing might feel necessary after workouts or long days in the office, it’s one of the biggest culprits behind color fade.

Pro tip: Switch to a sulfate-free, color-safe shampoo and stretch washes with dry shampoo when possible. I can recommend pro-quality products that protect your tone and maintain your hair’s integrity.

2. You’re Not Using a Shower Filter

Chicago’s water is notoriously hard, full of minerals and chlorine that can dull blondes, shift tones, and leave your hair feeling dry. If you’ve ever noticed brassiness creeping in earlier than expected, your water might be the reason.

Quick fix: Invest in a showerhead filter to minimize mineral buildup and keep your color true for longer.

3. Heat Styling Without Protection

Blow-drying and flat ironing are part of life for many city professionals but doing so without thermal protection can literally burn the tone out of your hair, especially blondes or dimensional brunettes.

Your go-to: Use a salon-grade heat protectant every time you style. It takes 5 seconds but makes a major difference in tone retention and shine.

4. You’re Going Too Long Between Glosses or Toners

Think of toners and glosses as your color’s secret weapon they neutralize unwanted tones, enhance vibrancy, and add shine. If you’re only coming in twice a year for your balayage or highlights, but skipping touch-ups in between, your color will inevitably lose its “just done” look.

What I recommend: Book a toner or gloss refresh every 6–8 weeks to maintain your ideal shade and keep it looking luxe.

5. Product Build-Up or Scalp Neglect

Busy schedules don’t always leave time for a full hair care routine but skipping clarifying treatments or scalp care can result in buildup that blocks color from fully absorbing or showing up with clarity.

A simple shift: Use a gentle detox shampoo monthly and book an in-salon treatment seasonally to reset your canvas.

Let’s Keep Your Hair Color Looking Luxe

You deserve hair that looks polished and effortless every day even weeks after your appointment. By making a few simple shifts in your hair care routine and staying on top of gloss refreshes, you can extend the life of your color and keep that “fresh from the salon” feeling long after you leave my chair.