Okay, I’ve got a confession to make. I have a big, fat celebrity crush and it’s not Ryan Gosling or Bradley Cooper.
It’s Christina Hendricks – or more specifically, her hair.
I mean, have you ever seen a more beautiful shade of red in your life?! I’m in awe of the fiery femininity of that incredible crimson – it’s hair so good, it’s famous in its own right.
The question is: how in the world does she manage to maintain that vibrant shade? Dyed red hair is notorious for fading faster than any other colour, so I decided to do a little investigating into what it takes to be a bonafide redhead…
Turn off the hot water
If you’re serious about keeping that red hue in tip-top condition, take less hot showers – at least when you need to wash your hair. Yep, really! The heat opens the hair shaft and exposes the colour, meaning it’s more vulnerable to fading faster. By contrast, cooler temps close the hair cuticle, sealing in the moisture and sebum that’s responsible for making your strands shine. Brrr… get ready to turn down the temperature!
Don’t rush to wash
The worst thing you can do after colouring your mane is washing it. Red molecules are large, and aggravating them with shampoo so soon after getting your hair did with can release pigment prematurely. The result? You’ll end up watching helplessly as all that red dye goes down the drain. To avoid this, wait at least 48 hours before pulling out the products – and make sure they’re specifically formulated for coloured hair.
bh tip: We can’t go past the John Frieda Radiant Red Colour Protecting Shampooandevo fabuloso red conditioner. Both are made for colour-treated hair and free from sulfates so they won’t strip your hair of its gorgeous hue.
Shield your strands from the sunshine
Like skin, hair can suffer from sun damage, so it’s important to do what you can to protect it from those harsh rays. Spritz on a UV protection spray before heading outside to prevent your colour from fading.
bh tip: We love Wella Professionals System Sun UV Spray– it’s non greasy and promises to hydrate, protect (and serve).
Take on the task
When you don’t have time (or money) to book in at the salon, get familiar with at-home dye jobs. They’ll cover you in the short term, and won’t dry out your strands. Oh, and Ms Hendricks has just been named as the Clairol Nice N Easy hair colour ambassador, saying she’s used it for over a decade. Hey, if DIY dye is good enough for her…
bh tip: When you’re scouring the shelves for an at-home red dye colour, keep an eye out for Garnier Color Sensation, Napro Palette and Goldwell Professional Topchic Max Reds.
How do you maintain the colour of your fiery red strands? And are you also obsessed with Christina Hendricks?!
