Red Hair Care: Tips & Products
I’ve been dying my hair for over twenty years {seriously, that sounds terrifying to write down – how is it possible I’ve been doing anything for twenty years?!}. I can remember the very first time I dyed my hair – a strawberry/gingery red onto my dirty blonde hair. I was hooked from then on. My hair has been dyed red for coming up six years, baring a few months in the middle when I experimented with a darker look.
I’ve always dyed my hair at home myself, with box dyes. I’m kinda funny on my hair, and don’t trust anyone else with it, so I tend to just do it myself. Twenty years experience means I know what I’m doing. I know a lot of people recommend leaving it to the professionals, but I’ve never had any major disasters!
There are a lot of rumours about red hair, and how it’s hard to keep, that it fades fast etc. I also get asked lots about the colour I use, and how I look after my hair. So here goes…
Hair Dye
Currently, I’m using this Schwarzkopf Live XXl hair dye, in ‘Real Red’. I’ve been using it for the past 8/9 months. Previously I used Directions in ‘Pillarbox Red’. The main reason I switched is that with the Schwarzkopf dye, I don’t need to bleach my roots every time I dye my hair. The dye takes over my natural colour {which is a brown colour – similar to Lola’s}. Bleach isn’t too kind on your hair, plus, I’m a little too lazy for so much messing around every month! I have bleached my hair once in the past 9 months, to brighten it up a little and let the dye ‘take’ a little better. I find that I need to dye my hair around every 3 weeks to keep the colour as bright as I like it.
Washing
If you have dyed red hair, DO NOT WASH EVERY DAY. Red hair dye fades really quickly, so if you *have* to wash your hair everyday, it may not be the best choice for you. I tend to go for around 3 days between washes. They also recommend that you don’t have a hot showere – well, no way am I standing in a cool shower especially in winter! So I do wash my hair under hot water, but I find that with only a couple of washes a week, it doesn’t fade out too fast.
The most important point is to choose a shampoo/conditioner designed for coloured hair. Currently I’m using the Aussie Colour Mate shampoo and conditioner. These keep my colour vibrant whilst also moisturising my hair – important for colour treated hair.
In-between washes is where the fabulous dry shampoo comes in! I love Batiste Cherry – smells fab and freshens my hair up on those days I’m not washing it!
Products
My hair is pretty thick, and a little dry from years of dying. When I’ve washed my hair, I use a little Argan Oil in the ends. I first bought it after someone recommended it for my daughters wildly curly and tangled hair. I was impressed with the difference it made, so I tried it out in my hair! It not only adds some extra moisture to my ends, but also tames any frizz and adds shine.
Another product that I recommend is the VO5 Cherish My Colour Lustre Boost Balm. I smooth it through my hair from roots to tips, it helps to prevent colour fade whilst also boosting shine and fighting frizz. I also use the Full Bodied Spray on my roots to add a little extra ‘oooomph’! I usually blast my roots with the hair dryer, head upside down, for a couple of minutes after spraying this in, then leave the rest to air dry.
Preventing ‘stains’
It’s true that red hair dye can end up everywhere. It stains and leaves a mess! But you can prevent it. First, when you’re dying your hair, make sure you cover up! I use an old dressing gown, kept only for hair dying, to cover all my clothes. I also put an old towel down on the bathroom surface, so that I don’t stain the sides red! When it comes to rinsing off time, you’ll notice that the bottom of the shower/bath looks like a blood bath! Make sure you rinse it all down the drain so that you don’t have a permanent red stain on the base!
Be careful on what towel you use on your hair. I’ve stained so many towels over the years! Now I use one of those hair turbans. No more stained towels – especially if you’re at a hotel or visting family!
Don’t go to bed with wet hair. Wet hair will leak more dye than when it’s dry – laying down on your pillows iwth a head full of wet red hair will ensure you wake up to red stains on your pillowcases in the morning! If you *have* to go to bed with wet hair, lay an old towel over your pillow to protect it.
Oh – and make sure when you’re putting the dye on, that you use the gloves that come in the kit. Red hands are not a good look ;)
Do you use box dyes? What are your favourite brands?
16 Comments
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Lauren
October 1, 2014 at 10:12Some really useful tips! It’s been a while since I had red hair but I always found it faded pretty quickly – it’s good to know there are ways to keep it looking good. Definitely works for you – you look great!
Sharon Powell
October 1, 2014 at 12:39Some excellent tips! Your hair looks great, really suits you x
Jo Middleton
October 1, 2014 at 12:53I’ve got loads of grey in my hair and have an ongoing internal debate about whether I should dye it or not. Part of me wants to, part of me thinks I shouldn’t, just because of the pressure for women NOT to be grey. I think I may be giving it too much thought…
Louise (@TattooedMumsy)
October 1, 2014 at 14:10I’ve been dying my hair red for 15 years now and except for, like you, a few brief moments where I was dark and then blonde. I actually use a lot of the products you have mentioned above. I used to use the Aussie shampoo but at the moment I use L’Oreal Elvive colour protect. I use either the Schwarzkopf like you have above or the L’Oreal Feria range. I also dabbled with the Directions dye but found it a bit too messy and not as durable as the the others. I am a victim of the stained pillow cases though, rookie mistake I know! :)
Jen aka The Mad House
October 1, 2014 at 18:43You really suit red hair. I have been dying my hair for over 20 years too, but mostly due to grey. Last year I developed a reaction of all dyes so am going gray not so gracefully!
You Baby Me Mummy
October 1, 2014 at 19:14Your hair is amazing, that colour really makes your eyes pop. I used to dye my hair red from a box. Then had a spell off anything. Then hairdresser blonde highlights, a brief spell back red, now dirty blonde mousey until all the dye is out! x
Emma
October 1, 2014 at 22:44My grown up daughter is a hair dresser so I just sit back and relax and get her to do all the work! tee hee.
Joanna Sormunen
October 2, 2014 at 00:29I think that color looks fabulous on you. I’ve tried dying my hair with different colors through the years too. But mostly I stick with my natural color. It’s easier, lol. Right now I want to dye it with witug, it’s a natural plant here and gives a black/blue color to the hair. I want to do the traditional hair dye and face paint. Hopefully it will be possible soon :)
Sonya Cisco
October 2, 2014 at 09:39Another fake red head here, and I too find I have to dye it regularly to keep it bright, and I only wash mine once a week – dry shampoo for the win!
Eleanor (thebristolparent)
October 2, 2014 at 10:06Sadly for my bank balance my do requires a four hour trip to the hairdressers and a drop of some large money to keep it blonde. I wish to bejesus I was as adept at this shiz as you are!
agatapokutycka
October 2, 2014 at 10:17I always use home box hair colorant. Lately I had a chance to try Naturtint, which is a natural hair dye and I totally loved it. It is going to be my hair colorant of choice from now on
Globalmouse
October 2, 2014 at 22:34I love your hair! I would love to be brave enough to go for a bold colour!
Fritha
October 4, 2014 at 14:51Your hair always looks so fantastic! you really suit red, I don’t think I did! x
Laura
October 5, 2014 at 23:16I used to dye my hair loads – my favourite colour was bright pink – blue never looked very good. I found though that it really took it’s tole on my hair nut with the products you mentioned I am sure if I had used them it would of been in much better condition. I love your red hair – amazing
Laura x
Zena's Suitcase
October 7, 2014 at 21:16You’ve got it all covered here! I love red too, and am with you on the Aussie products and not washing it too often. I’ve recently used Garnier Olia and they are great. What I will say though is after baby my hair has fallen out in droves. Be prepared! Do you have a product that slows it down :)
Vicky
October 10, 2014 at 12:59I had red hair a couple of years ago and loved it – but when I got bored it was a nightmare to remove, I had to grow it out! I could never get it to be as vibrant as yours, I’m in awe of your hair colour!