You have just left the Salon En Vogue with colour beautiful, luminous, vibrant colour. How can you preserve that magic between appointments? Daily care makes the difference between colour that shines for weeks and colour that dulls in days. Here is advice from our professional colourists in the Vieux-Montréal for keeping your colour beautiful as long as possible.
Why colour maintenance is essential
Professional colour is an investment of time and money. Pigments deposited during your service are vulnerable to water, sunlight, heat and unsuitable products. Without proper care, even exceptional colour fades early. Caring for it between visits protects your investment and extends the pleasure of radiant hair.
Choose shampoo and conditioner for colour-treated hair
This is the first and perhaps most important rule. Ordinary shampoos contain harsh sulphates that strip pigment with every wash. Switch to a sulphate-free shampoo formulated for colour-treated hair. It cleans gently while preserving colour integrity.
Pair it with a conditioner for colour-treated hair that seals the cuticle and holds in pigment. Our colourists at Salon En Vogue can recommend professional ranges suited to your colour and texture.
Wash less frequently
Each wash removes some pigment. To preserve colour, shampoo only every two to three days. On non-wash days, use a quality dry shampoo to absorb excess oil at the roots without disturbing colour.
Wash with lukewarm rather than very hot water. Heat opens the cuticle and accelerates pigment loss. A final cool rinse can help seal the cuticle and add shine.
Avoid excessive heat
Blow dryers, flat irons and curling irons can quietly undermine colour. Excessive heat opens the cuticle and releases pigment faster. If you use heated tools, always apply heat protectant before every use. This simple step creates a barrier that protects both colour and hair health.
Whenever possible, air-dry or use the cool setting on your dryer. Your hair and colour will thank you.
Protect hair from sunlight and chlorine
UV rays are a leading cause of premature colour fading. In summer, wear a hat or apply a UV-protective spray designed for hair. This is especially important for vivid colour and cool shades such as ash or platinum blonde, which are particularly sensitive to sun oxidation.
Pool chlorine and sea salt are equally challenging. Before swimming, wet your hair with fresh water and apply conditioner as a barrier. Rinse immediately afterward to remove chlorine or salt.
Use colour-depositing masks
The colour-depositing masks are an excellent way to refresh your shade between appointments. Their pigments sit on the hair surface and compensate for colour lost through washing. They come in a wide range of shades.
Use one once or twice a week instead of regular conditioner. For blonde hair, a purple mask neutralizes unwanted yellow and keeps blonde fresh and luminous. Warm-toned masks restore richness and depth to brunette and red hair.
Plan root touch-ups
Growth is inevitable, but a thoughtful touch-up schedule prevents harsh contrast between natural roots and coloured lengths. Generally, plan a root touch-up every four to six weeks for traditional colour. balayage offers a more natural grow-out and can extend touch-ups to eight weeks or longer.
Our colourists at Salon En Vogue will create a schedule based on your colour, growth rate and desired result.
Invest in regular professional treatments
Alongside home care, professional salon treatments make a remarkable difference. A deep-conditioning or keratin treatment every two to three months restores elasticity and shine, repairs chemical and daily wear, and helps colour remain vibrant longer.
Book a colour consultation
Colour maintenance begins with good daily habits, but nothing replaces a professional colourist's expertise. At Salon En Vogue, dans le Old Port of Montreal, our team supports you at every stage so your colour remains as radiant as the day of your visit. Whether you need a touch-up, treatment or personalized product advice, we are here for you.