If you’re reading this right now, it’s safe to assume you’ve paid for an expensive dye job and want to get your money’s worth. Summer is one of the best times to switch up your look (hot girl/guy summer calls!) but it’s also the hardest to maintain as we wash our hair more often, are exposed to stronger UV rays, dive bomb into chlorine, etc. Yet it’s not impossible if you know your stuff. Here are 5 of our favourite tips to keep your hair colour to dye for all summer long.

1. Avoid over-washing
We love the feeling of freshly washed hair as much as the next person, but the more you wash your hair, the quicker your colour will fade. This is because when the hair is wet, it swells, causing the cuticles - the outer layer of the hair shaft - to lift slightly and colour molecules to be washed out.

Over-washing also strips the hair of natural oils which form a protective layer to slow down the fading process. Without these oils, it’ll become dry and appear less vibrant. To protect coloured hair, stick to 1-2 times a week, and don’t forget to seal those cuticles back up afterwards with a blast of cold water.

2. Use a chemical-free shampoo
When you do wash your hair, make sure your shampoo is all for protecting coloured hair. This means completely free of chemicals, such as sulfates, parabens, and SLS, to extend the life of your colour.

All Alott haircare products are formulated without nasties, including our Moisturising Shampoo Bar. Infused with cedarwood to balance oil-producing glands, your hair will be less greasy in the long run so you won’t need to wash it as much. For a stunning sheen that makes your colour pop, jojoba and coconut oils moisturise and smooth the hair cuticles to catch light better.

3. Protect your strands from UV rays
One of the main causes of coloured hair fading in summer is sun damage. It can even change hue as direct sunlight oxidises hair dye. You can protect your hair from UV rays by seeking shade, wearing a hat when you can’t, and always using a UV protectant spray.

We also recommend prioritising haircare products that offer UV protection, especially those with antioxidants. Antioxidant-rich jojoba and coconut oils can neutralise free radicals and have a natural SPF of approximately 4 and 8.

4. Pre-wet your hair before swimming to avoid chlorine and saltwater damage
Chlorine fades hair colour over time by chemically breaking down the dye molecules, whilst saltwater draws moisture away from the hair and weakens the hair cuticle so that it can no longer lie flat, allowing dye to escape. Our hair works similar to a sponge when wet. So if your hair is already wet, you’ll reduce the amount of chlorine and saltwater your hair can absorb to protect your colour.

But if you like your new hair colour the most with beachy waves, minus the damaging effects of too much saltwater, try our Sea Salt Spray. It contains the perfect amount of Halen Môn sea salt for waves as good as the real deal without losing moisture. If only it added volume and boosted nutrient delivery too… Oh, wait! It does.

5. Use multipurpose haircare products to prevent build-up
Too little haircare products and your hair won’t live up to its full potential. Too many hair products and you’ll dull your once vibrant hair colour with product build-up. When products aren’t removed properly from the hair, they’ll gather on the surface and block light from reflecting off it.

To prevent this from happening, choose haircare products that can tackle multiple concerns at once so you use less of them (extra eco points for you). Take Alott Matte Hair Clay for example. It not only offers long-lasting hold but also supports a healthy scalp, deeply hydrates, and soaks up excess oil and impurities.