If you’ve recently gotten hair highlights or are planning to get them soon, you might be wondering: How do I keep them looking fresh and shiny for a long time? At our hair salon in Surrey, we help many clients every week maintain their beautiful highlights, and we’re here to share expert tips in simple language.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to take care of your hair highlights, the common mistakes to avoid, and what products to use so your color doesn’t fade too fast.
Let’s get started.
What Are Hair Highlights?
Hair highlights are lighter sections of hair that are dyed to add contrast, brightness, or dimension to your hairstyle. They can be subtle or bold, depending on your style. Some of the most common types of highlights include:
- Foil highlights
- Balayage (freehand painting)
- Babylights (very fine highlights)
- Chunky highlights (thicker, bolder sections)
Highlights can help you stand out, give your hair a sun-kissed glow, or even make your haircut pop. But just like any hair color treatment, highlights need care and maintenance.
Why Do Highlights Fade or Change?
Highlights fade over time due to a few simple reasons:
- Sun exposure: UV rays can lighten and dry your hair.
- Heat styling: Flat irons and blow dryers can damage hair and fade color.
- Harsh shampoos: Some shampoos strip the hair color.
- Chlorine or saltwater: Swimming can dry out your hair and change the tone of highlights.
- Not using color-safe products: Regular hair products don’t protect colored hair.
That’s why it’s important to follow a proper routine if you want your highlights to look fresh for weeks or even months.
Easy Tips to Maintain Your Hair Highlights
1. Use a Sulfate-Free Shampoo and Conditioner
Look for shampoos and conditioners that are labeled “sulfate-free” and “color-safe.” Sulfates are harsh chemicals that can strip the color from your hair and make it look dull. A gentle, color-safe shampoo helps lock in the brightness of your highlights.
2. Wash Your Hair Less Often
Washing your hair too often can cause your highlights to fade faster. Try to wash your hair just 2–3 times a week. When you do wash, use lukewarm or cool water instead of hot water. This helps your hair keep its moisture and color.
3. Deep Condition Once a Week
Highlights can dry out your hair, so it’s important to use a deep conditioner or a hair mask once a week. Look for masks with ingredients like keratin, coconut oil, or argan oil. These help repair damage and keep your hair soft and shiny.
Tip: Our Surrey hair salon offers deep-conditioning treatments that hydrate and protect highlighted hair.
4. Protect Your Hair from the Sun
Just like your skin, your hair needs protection from the sun. If you’re spending time outside, wear a hat or use a UV-protectant hair spray. This will help prevent your highlights from turning brassy or fading too soon.
5. Limit Heat Styling
Using too much heat on your hair can weaken your strands and dull your highlights. Try to use flat irons, curling wands, and blow dryers less often. When you do use them, always apply a heat protectant spray first.
6. Use Purple Shampoo for Blonde Highlights
If you have blonde or light highlights, purple shampoo can be your best friend. Purple shampoo cancels out yellow or brassy tones and keeps your highlights looking cool and bright.
Use it once a week in place of your regular shampoo. Don’t overuse it, or your hair may look slightly purple or too ashy.
7. Get a Gloss Treatment
A gloss treatment adds shine and revives your hair color. It can be done at a salon and helps tone your highlights while sealing your hair cuticles. Ask your stylist about a gloss or toner service every 4–6 weeks.
Expert tip: We offer glossing services in our Surrey salon that refresh both your color and shine.
8. Avoid Chlorine and Saltwater
Chlorine in pools and saltwater from the ocean can be harsh on highlighted hair. If you swim often, wear a swim cap or rinse your hair with clean water before and after swimming. You can also apply a leave-in conditioner before entering the pool to reduce chlorine damage.
9. Trim Your Hair Regularly
Split ends can make your hair look unhealthy and frizzy. Getting a trim every 6–8 weeks will keep your hair looking clean and polished. It also helps your highlights stand out better when your ends are neat and fresh.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even with the best highlights, many people unknowingly damage their hair by:
- Using hot water to wash their hair
- Skipping regular conditioning
- Using cheap or harsh shampoos
- Overusing purple shampoo
- Not getting regular trims
- Avoiding salon visits for too long
Don’t fall into these traps. Keeping a simple and regular routine can make all the difference.
How Often Should You Touch Up Your Highlights?
It depends on the type of highlights and how fast your hair grows, but on average:
- Foil highlights: Touch up every 6–8 weeks
- Balayage: Can last 10–12 weeks
- Root touch-up (if applicable): Every 4–6 weeks
Always talk to your stylist about your ideal maintenance schedule. Our experts in Surrey will create a plan that suits your lifestyle and hair goals.
Why Choose a Professional Salon in Surrey?
Maintaining highlighted hair at home is possible, but getting help from a professional makes a big difference. At our Surrey hair salon, we use high-quality products, expert techniques, and personalized care to help you maintain your highlights with confidence.
Our services include:
- Root touch-ups
- Gloss and toner applications
- Deep conditioning treatments
- Haircuts and trims
- Personalized color-care advice
We’re proud to be known as one of the best hair salons in Surrey with years of experience helping clients of all hair types.
Final Thoughts
Maintaining your hair highlights doesn’t have to be hard. By following these simple tips—like using color-safe products, avoiding heat damage, and protecting your hair from the sun—you can enjoy bright, healthy, and beautiful highlights for weeks.
And if you ever need help, we’re here for you at our Surrey salon with expert advice and professional care.
Ready for Your Next Salon Visit?
Whether you need a highlight touch-up, a gloss refresh, or just a trim to keep your style looking sharp, our friendly team in Surrey is ready to help.
Book your appointment today and let us help you keep your hair color glowing and your confidence high.
Call us now or book an appointment online today – your hair deserves the best.
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