The First 72 Hours
During the first 72 hours, the pigment is still settling into the cuticle, so keep water, heat, and friction away from your hair. This applies to every color service, including balayage, foils, gloss, and single process.
- No wash for 72 hours. Let the color bond fully before water touches your hair.
- Skip your workout on the first day. Sweat at the scalp lifts new color faster than shampoo does.
- Use cool water for the first wash. Hot water opens the cuticle and rinses the pigment out of your hair.
- Sleep on silk. Cotton creates friction that drags color out of your ends.
Daily & Weekly Care
The right shampoo makes your color last longer, so use only color-safe, sulfate-free products.
- Use only a sulfate-free, color-safe shampoo. Olaplex 4, K18, and Pureology are all safe choices.
- Wash your hair no more than 1 to 2 times a week.
- Finish every wash with a cool water rinse to close the cuticle and lock in shine.
- Use a deep conditioner or bond treatment every 7 to 10 days, especially on highlights and lifted hair.
- Apply a heat protectant every time before you blow-dry or use a styling tool.
- UV exposure fades color, so wear a hat or use a UV-protectant spray in the summer.
What to avoid
- Clarifying or anti-dandruff shampoos, because they strip color quickly.
- Chlorine and saltwater without a barrier. Coat your hair in conditioner first and rinse immediately afterward.
- Box dye or at-home gloss between appointments.
- Tea tree, peppermint, or other cooling shampoos, which are often clarifying formulas under another name.
- Daily heat styling without a heat protectant.
Refresh Timeline
Color holds best when you refresh it on schedule. A gloss between full services keeps your tone fresh and the cost low.
Week 1
Lock it in
Avoid washing and heat for 72 hours, then use a cool water rinse on day 4.
Week 4 to 6
Gloss refresh
This $60 add-on service refreshes your tone without lifting the color again.
Week 10 to 12
Full service
Book a balayage retouch, foils, or single process, paired with a treatment.
If you want your color to last, the gloss at week 4 is the most effective step you can take. With it, you can come back every 12 weeks for a full service instead of every 6 weeks for a correction.
Questions at any time
If your tone shifts unexpectedly or you notice banding, take a photo in natural light and text (857) 233-1147. If you reach out within 7 days of your color service, we will book a complimentary adjustment.