I started using a cold water rinse on my color clients and it's made a real difference

I mean, I always knew cold water was supposed to help lock in color, but I never made it a real step in my process. For the last two months, I've been doing a final rinse with cool water for a full minute after every color service. I've seen way less fading between appointments, especially on my red and vivid color clients. One of my regulars who gets a bright magenta said it lasted almost 6 weeks without looking dull. It's such a simple thing but it really works. Has anyone else tried this and noticed a change, or do you have another trick for making color last?

3 comments

3 Comments

rowanwells2mo ago

Watched my friend's bright blue hair turn a sad green mess in three weeks flat. She was ready to give up on fashion colors for good. Her stylist finally told her to blast it with cold water at the end of every shower, like painfully cold. She stuck with it and that next blue stayed strong for over a month. It seems so basic but it really does seal the cuticle tight. I guess that little bit of extra effort makes all the difference.

the_miles2mo ago

Wince just thinking about that cold water blast, but @rowanwells is right, it's the secret weapon. My own hair turned swampy orange once because I couldn't handle the freeze. Learned the hard way that warm water washes money straight down the drain. That extra minute of suffering is honestly the only thing that works.

susansingh1mo ago

My hair dresser actually told me the opposite. 30 years of coloring and I've never used cold water once. Lukewarm at most. The key is a good color-safe shampoo and conditioner, plus waiting 48 hours before the first wash. Never had orange or green tones either.