How to Care for Highlighted Hair Between Salon Visits

There is nothing like the fresh, luminous look of newly highlighted hair, whether you have a classic half head of foils, subtle face framing pieces, or a bold full head. The trick is keeping that salon fresh finish for as long as possible. Here are our simple tips for caring for highlighted hair at home in between visits to Baileys Hairdressing in Grantham.

Wash gently, and not too often

Standard shampoos can strip both colour and natural oils, so switch to a sulphate free, colour safe shampoo made for highlighted hair. It is gentler and keeps your highlights vibrant for longer. Try not to over-wash either, as frequent washing fades colour and dries the hair. Two to three washes a week is plenty, with a little dry shampoo in between if you need it.

Tone and condition to keep colour bright

If you notice yellow or brassy tones creeping in, a purple shampoo used once a week will neutralise them and keep blondes looking cool and clean. Just follow the instructions carefully so you do not over-tone. Lightening, especially with bleach, can also leave hair feeling dry, so a weekly deep conditioning mask restores moisture, softness and shine. Your stylist can recommend the right one for your hair type.

Protect your highlights from heat and sun

Heat from straighteners and tongs fades colour and weakens the hair, so keep styling to a minimum and always use a heat protectant when you do reach for the tools. Sunshine and chlorine do damage too. Wear a hat in strong sun, use a UV protection spray, and if you are swimming, rinse your hair with clean water first and pop on a swim cap where you can.

Keep up your salon visits

Even the best home routine cannot replace professional upkeep. Depending on your placement and how quickly your hair grows, we usually suggest a refresh every six to ten weeks. Whether it is a half head, T-section or face framing foils, we will keep everything looking natural and fresh. If you are weighing up your options, our guide to full head, half head and T-section highlights explains the differences, and you can book straight from our highlights services in Grantham page.

How often should you get highlights redone?

A refresh every six to ten weeks keeps highlights looking their best, though finer or face framing pieces can often wait longer because they grow out softly. Your stylist will suggest the right timing for your placement.

What is the best shampoo for highlighted hair?

A sulphate free, colour safe shampoo, with a purple toning shampoo once a week if you are blonde and want to keep brassiness away. We are happy to recommend products that suit your hair at your appointment.

How do I stop my highlights going brassy?

Use a purple shampoo weekly, wash a little less often, and protect your hair from sun and chlorine. A glossing toner in the salon between full appointments also keeps the tone fresh.

Can I book a refresh without a full head of highlights?

Yes. A T-section or half head refresh, or a toner, is often all you need between full appointments. If you are not sure, just ask and we will talk you through the options.

Want to keep your colour looking its best? Book your refresh online, or explore our foil highlights in Grantham and we will help you plan the perfect maintenance routine.