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Why Does Coloured Hair Fade?

You’ve just walked out of the salon with that perfect tone - bold brunette, icy blonde, rich copper, or even something wild like lavender or rose gold. It’s glossy. It’s vibrant. It’s everything.

Then, a couple of weeks later… it’s not.

Colour fading is one of the most frustrating parts of having coloured hair - especially when you’ve invested time, money and energy into your new hue. So what actually causes it to fade? And how can you make that fresh-from-the-salon colour last as long as possible?

All Colour Fades (But You Can Slow It Down)

First thing’s first: colour fading is normal. Every time you wash your hair, go out in the sun, or just go about your life, your colour is slowly breaking down. It’s part of the deal - no matter how high-end the colour product or how talented your stylist is.

But here’s the good news: you can absolutely slow fading down, make your colour last longer, and keep it looking vibrant between salon visits.

The trick? Knowing what causes fading in the first place so you can tweak your routine (and the products you use) in all the right ways.

1. It Starts at the Salon (Colour Type & Technique Matter)

Not all colour is created equal and how your colour was applied plays a big role in how long it sticks around.

✨ Permanent vs semi-permanent: Semi-permanent colour sits closer to the surface of the hair and fades faster. It’s great for low-commitment colour or toning between appointments, but if you want serious staying power, permanent colour will go the distance.

✨ Light vs dark tones: Light, pastel or vivid shades tend to fade faster than deeper, richer hues. That’s because lighter pigments have a harder time bonding with the hair, and they wash out more easily over time.

✨ Pre-lightening: If your hair was lightened first (like with blonde, copper, or fashion shades), it’s more porous - meaning it can absorb colour better, but also lose it faster.

✨ Root shadowing, balayage, or all-over colour? Techniques that blend your natural base (like balayage or ombre) tend to grow out and fade more gracefully than all-over colour - which might show fading at the roots and ends more obviously.

👉 Bottom line: If your hair was freshly coloured and it faded quickly, don’t blame the shampoo just yet - it could come down to the colour formula, application method, or hair history. Talk to your stylist about a plan that suits how often you’re happy to refresh your look and make sure you're using colour-friendly shampoo, conditioner and treatments.

Hair stylist applying professional colour

3. Your Washing Habits Might Be Working Against You

We get it - there’s nothing better than that fresh, clean hair feeling. But if you’re shampooing every day, rinsing with steaming hot water, or using the wrong products (looking at you, supermarket shampoo!)? You could be washing your colour right down the drain.

Here’s how your wash routine could be causing colour fade:

Washing too often: Frequent washing strips the scalp’s natural oils and lifts colour molecules faster, especially in the first week after colouring.
Using hot water: High temps open the hair cuticle, which can cause colour pigments to escape more easily.
Using harsh or sulphate-loaded shampoos: These can be too aggressive on coloured hair, lifting colour while trying to remove oil and product build-up.

💡 What helps:

Switch to a sulphate-free, colour-safe shampoo (like Pureology, RPR Extend My Colour, or Jeval Don’t Go Changing) and try washing every 2–3 days instead. Rinse with lukewarm (not hot) water, and always follow with conditioner to seal the cuticle.

Holy Grail tip: Use dry shampoo between washes to keep your scalp fresh without rinsing out your colour. Check out our blog on how often you should be washing your hair, too!

Young woman with bright red hair using hair products

4. Heat Styling (Without Protection!) Is a Colour Killer

This is a biggie - and one we've covered before (read it here!).

Hot tools might give you the look you love - sleek and straight, bouncy waves, a full-volume blowout - but all that heat comes at a price. And if you’re not using heat protection? That price is often your colour.

Excessive heat damages the outer cuticle layer, making hair more porous and prone to colour loss. And once that protective barrier is compromised, your vibrant hue fades faster, leaving you with dry, dull, lacklustre strands.

💡 What helps:

Always, always use a heat protectant - even if you’re just blow-drying, and even if you're air-drying. Products like Eleven Miracle Hair Treatment, Olaplex No.9, or Color WOW Dream Coat create a barrier between your hair and the heat, helping lock in moisture and colour.

If you can, lower your heat settings (180°C or below is ideal for most hair types), and give your hair regular breaks from heat styling altogether.

Young woman holding dull, lifeless blonde hair

5. UV & Environmental Exposure

We protect our skin from the sun… but what about our hair?

Strong UV rays - especially here in New Zealand - break down the chemical bonds in coloured hair, causing your shade to fade, oxidise or shift tone.

Add in saltwater, chlorine, wind, and air pollution? You’ve got a cocktail of external factors working against your colour every time you step outside.

Even if you’re mostly indoors, that daily dose of sun through the window or commute exposure can slowly but surely strip your colour’s vibrancy.

☀️ What helps:

Use styling products with built-in UV filters (like Moroccanoil Hydrating Styling Cream or Jeval Dream Leave-In Detangler Cream)
Wear a hat or scarf if you’re spending long hours outside
Rinse your hair after swimming in salt or chlorinated water to reduce long-term damage
Lock in hydration with colour-safe leave-ins or oils like Moroccanoil Treatment Light

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6. Using the Wrong Shampoo & Conditioner

When it comes to coloured hair, not all shampoo and conditioner are created equal - and using the wrong kind can quietly undo all your hard colour work.

Supermarket shampoos might smell nice and lather like a dream, but many contain harsh sulphates and silicones, strong detergents, or cheap fillers that strip colour, dehydrate strands, and leave your hair looking dull.

And while some conditioners coat the hair for that temporary soft feel, they often don’t offer the kind of deep nourishment that coloured hair needs to stay healthy.

Even if your wash schedule is on point, the products you use could be speeding up fading, dryness, or colour change.

🧴 What helps:

Choose sulphate-free, colour-safe shampoos and conditioners
Steer clear of anything that promises a "deep clean" unless it’s designed for colour care (and not bought from your local Woolworths...)
Look for formulas with bond-building or antioxidant-rich ingredients to support long-term colour health
If your hair feels coated or heavy, try a once-a-month clarifying treatment followed by a deep conditioning mask

7. Hard Water & Product Build-Up

Even if you’re using all the right products and protecting your hair like a pro, one sneaky culprit could still be fading your colour faster than you’d like: hard water.

Hard water is full of minerals like calcium and magnesium, which leave behind a residue on your hair. That build-up can block moisture and nutrients from penetrating the hair shaft - and worse, it makes your colour look dull, uneven, and patchy over time.

Combine that with styling product build-up (hello dry shampoo and heat protectants), and you’ve got a recipe for lacklustre colour, fast.

💡 What you can do:

Use a clarifying shampoo once every 1–2 weeks to remove mineral build-up - just make sure it’s colour-safe.
Consider installing a shower filter if you live in a hard water area.
Follow up with a nourishing conditioner or treatment to restore softness and shine after clarifying.

8. Your Shade & Hair History Matter

Not all colours are created equal - and neither is the hair they’re applied to.

Bright reds, pastels, coppers and vivid tones tend to fade faster because of the type and size of the pigment molecules used. And if your hair has a history of lightening, bleaching, or chemical treatments? It's already more porous and prone to colour loss.

Even natural brunettes who’ve gone blonde or caramel may notice uneven fading if the underlying hair structure isn’t strong or balanced.

The bolder the colour or the more processed your hair, the more TLC it’ll need to stay looking vibrant.

Rear of a young person's head with vibrant blue hair

9. Everyday Habits That Add Up

Sometimes it’s not one big thing causing colour fade - it’s a bunch of little ones adding up over time.

Hot showers? They open the cuticle and wash colour right out. Rough towel-drying? It creates friction that can break down colour molecules. Skipping conditioner, sleeping with dry ends exposed, or going weeks without a treatment? All of it chips away at your hair’s ability to hold onto that colour.

🧴 The fix: keep your wash days gentle, always condition, and work in regular masks or leave-ins to protect your strands from everyday stress.

Quick Tips to Maintain That Colour

Now that you know what’s working against your colour, here’s a quick recap of the small habits that actually make a difference:

✔ Use colour-safe shampoo & conditioner - preferably sulphate-free and made for your shade.

✔ Turn down the heat - both in the shower and when styling.

✔ Protect before you style - always use a heat protectant.

✔ Keep UV and chlorine exposure low - hats and leave-in protectants are your hair’s best mates.

✔ Clarify occasionally - remove mineral or product build-up so your colour can shine.

✔ Stick to a routine - consistency = longer-lasting colour and healthier hair overall.

Want more detailed tips? Check out our guide to maintaining your colour between salon visits 💛

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Why Does Coloured Hair Fade?

All Colour Fades (But You Can Slow It Down)

1. It Starts at the Salon (Colour Type & Technique Matter)

3. Your Washing Habits Might Be Working Against You

4. Heat Styling (Without Protection!) Is a Colour Killer

5. UV & Environmental Exposure

6. Using the Wrong Shampoo & Conditioner

7. Hard Water & Product Build-Up

8. Your Shade & Hair History Matter

9. Everyday Habits That Add Up

Quick Tips to Maintain That Colour

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