How to Make Lived-In Hair Color Last Longer + 2025 Hair Color Trends
Lived-in color is all about effortless beauty—soft, natural, and low-maintenance. But just because it's designed to grow out seamlessly doesn’t mean you don’t need to take care of it. The right haircare routine can make all the difference in keeping your color looking fresh and vibrant between appointments. Here are my top tips to maintain that perfect lived-in look for as long as possible.
1. Wash Your Hair Less Often Overwashing strips the natural oils that keep your hair healthy and can cause your color to fade faster. Try to limit washes to 2–3 times per week and use a sulfate-free shampoo to gently cleanse without drying out your strands.
2. Use Color-Safe Products Not all haircare products are created equal. Look for color-safe, sulfate-free, and paraben-free shampoos and conditioners to maintain vibrancy. Some of my go-to brands include Oribe, Redken, and Olaplex for keeping color fresh and hair healthy.
3. Hydration is Key Lived-in blondes and dimensional brunettes need moisture to keep their color looking rich and glossy. Weekly deep conditioning treatments or a leave-in conditioner can help replenish hydration and prevent dullness.
4. Protect Your Hair from Heat If you’re using hot tools regularly, make sure to apply a heat protectant spray before styling. Heat can strip color and cause breakage, so try to keep the temperature at 350°F or lower when using curling irons or straighteners.
5. Tone It Up Blondes, especially, can experience brassiness over time. A purple shampoo once a week helps neutralize yellow tones, while brunettes can use a blue shampoo to maintain cooler, ashy hues.
6. Avoid Hard Water Hard water contains minerals that can dull hair color and cause buildup. If you notice your color looking a little off, consider using a clarifying shampoo once a month or installing a shower filter to protect your hair from mineral deposits.
7. Schedule Regular Glosses One of the best ways to extend your color’s life is to book a gloss or toner appointmentbetween full color services. This refreshes the tone and adds shine without committing to a full dye job.
Final Thoughts: Lived-in hair color is designed to look good at every stage of growth, but the right maintenance routine will keep it looking even better for longer. A little care goes a long way in making sure your color stays rich, dimensional, and effortlessly beautiful. If you’re ready for a refresh, book your next appointment with me in NYC or LA—let’s keep your hair looking its best!