Ah, red. It's such a feisty color. It can be a sassy, fiery shade of cherry, or a subtle, natural strawberry blonde. Whatever the case, one thing's for sure. While the smaller color molecules of red dye enter the hair rather easily, they also exit the hair quite rapidly.

The most surefire way to keep red staying vibrant is to wash your hair less often. But, there are more things you can do to keep your reds refreshing. Check them out after the jump, and look out for my tips on keeping blond, brown, and black hair looking fresh in posts to come. Get started when you read more.

  • Go pro: When it comes to red, there are so many variations and tones of color. Plus, box color isn't as strong as professional color, so it's best to leave it to the experts. That, or use professional color only like you'd find at Sally Beauty Supply.
  • Sun protection: Besides water, one of hair color's worst enemies is the sun. Protect from fading by covering your hair with a scarf, hat, or even sun protecting product like Aveda Color Conserve Sun Protector ($14).
  • Wait and wash: After coloring your hair, wait 24-48 hours to help lock it in further. Trust me. It works.
  • Cold water: Warm water opens up the cuticle. Cold water helps seal it. Help prevent red color from slipping out by washing it in cold water instead.
  • Safety first: It probably goes without saying that color-safe shampoo is a must for color-treated hair. For red hair, however, it's an absolute must. Try Redken Color Extend Shampoo ($13) and Redken Color Extend Conditioner ($15).
  • Glazed over: A glaze will keep your red looking shiny and fresh in between colorings. John Frieda's Luminous Color Glaze in Deeper, Richer Red ($8.50) might just do the trick.
  • Depositing shampoo: Once or twice a week, try a color depositing shampoo and conditioner to keep the vibrancy alive, like L'Oreal's ARTec Professionnel Color Depositing Shampoos ($17 each) and Conditioners ($19 each) in Cherry Bark, Orange Marigold, and Red Clover.
  • DIY: Use ingredients from nature to enhance your hair color. Apply a 50/50 mixture of carrot and beet juice on damp hair. Let it sit for an hour out in the sun.
  • Get real: Be realistic about red. If you are going from a light blond to an auburn, it may take a few trips to the salon to get the true, rich red pigment you desire.

Source