At this point in my life, I think it’s safe to say I’m a bit of a chameleon when it comes to hair color. While I’m a natural brunette, over the years I’ve gone from warm highlights to jet black to full platinum to, most recently, copper. (There were pinks and blues and purples and greens along the way, too, but we don’t need to get into that.) That being said, I’m no stranger to changing my hair products out to meet my specific color needs.
Until just about a month ago, I was rocking a full head of platinum blonde for about two years. As a result, I’d curated a strong line up of toning and brass-reducing products. But when I decided to make the leap and go full-on “copper cowboy,” I knew I’d need to switch to something that focussed more on protecting and maintaining color. Obviously, my first instinct was to go for celeb-loved brand, Color Wow, and after a few weeks of using their color-protecting shampoo, I can confidently say this is a go-to for maintaining vibrant color long after your salon appointment.
What it is:
Color Wow’s Color Security Shampoo ($24) is a sulfate-free, 100-percent clean, color-protecting shampoo that helps maintain vibrant color without leaving behind any pesky residue. Formulated with a unique blend of eight non-stripping cleansers that keep the hair cuticle smooth and closed, this color-extending product helps prevent color fade even after 20 washes. I’ve been using this product as my primary shampoo for weeks now, and am pleased to say I haven’t seen any fade to my hair color since I first got it done.
What I also love about this product is that it protects and preserves color without weighing the hair down. My hair gets very easily weighed down and doesn’t handle product well, so I’ve had issues in the past with treatment-based shampoos leaving my hair feeling greasy. But, Color Wow’s Color Security Shampoo is created with ingredients that all wash off the scalp completely and contains no silicones, thickening, conditioning or anti-frizz ingredients that can stay behind and create that thick, built-up feeling and even cause scalp irritation and hair loss.
How to use:
Since switching to my red hair, I’ve used this shampoo every time I have a wash day. For bright color that lasts, simply massage a dime-sized amount of product into the hair and enjoy the luxurious lather and delicious, fresh scent. Then, just rinse and enjoy color that is maintained and a scalp that is light and product-free.