Keep Autumn Hair Color Bright by Adding This to Your Conditioner

Ever wonder what those little tips and tricks are that people use to keep those beautiful browns, golds, blonds, and reds vibrant? Well, take it from me: You don't have to buy the big expensive salon-brand shampoos and conditioners for your specific color. Even if you already have some expensive conditioner, these tricks will work just as well as with any other. I have worked with hair for many years, and here are a few inexpensive tricks for you to do to your regular bottle of conditioner to keep your luscious fall color throughout the year.

Before trying any of these methods, it might be easier for you to handle if you pour your conditioner into a large bowl first so you can mix it thoroughly.

If you have Red or Auburn hair-color:
- Get a packet of Red Kool-Aid. Sprinkle about 1/4 teaspoon into your conditioner and stir mixing completely. If you would like a more intense red flare, add in more Red Kool-Aid to your conditioner. Keep adding little by little until you get the tonal value that you want. If you have created an intense red conditioner...keep in mind that you might want to wear gloves while applying it to your hair as it might stain your hands.

If you have Brown hair color:
- Simply add 1 teaspoon of instant coffee to your favorite conditioner. You may add more if you have a bigger bottle or want a richer brunette color.

If you have Blond hair color:
- Get a packet of Blue Kool-Aid. Add 1/4 teaspoon to your bowl of conditioner. You only want the conditioner for blond to have a slight blue tone to it. You don't want to have a bright, dark blue conditioner. This will add too much of a bluish stain your hair. Be careful about adding too much. If you think you might need more but are not sure, you can always wash your hair and try it, then if you need more you can add it afterwards.
The blue cancels out any yellow tones in the blond color just as the rinses such as White Minx do.

If you have Golden or Caramel hair color:
- Rinse your hair with a tea mixture to bring out your golden tones. The stronger you brew the tea, the more golden or caramel your hair-color will be. A little hint...loose leaf tea will brew a stronger color.

These techniques are meant to maintain your hair-color. They are not meant to be permanent. Also remember that tanning beds will fade your hair-color. I highly recommend you don't use tanning beds anyways for every reason, but this is just as a reminder to those of you who use them..they will fade your color, so you will probably wind up using more conditioner to maintain your color.

The best way to professionally wash your hair and take care of your color is to:
1- Wash once for a base wash to clear the way for a good cleaning.
2- Wash a second time to give the good cleaning as you will notice once you apply the shampoo it comes alive with foamy force! Scrub that scalp good! It will open your follicles and improve circulation.
(Two washings are not necessary, but will dramatically improve the absorption of the conditioner and the condition of your hair.)
3- Apply your conditioner. Massage it thoroughly distributing it through your hair and scalp. Do this for 3 to 5 minutes. Rinse your hair with COOL water. This will close your hair follicles and seal the conditioner in making your hair soft and shiny.

Do this and you will be amazed at the difference between this and just washing once, rinsing, and quickly conditioning. If you can't do this or don't have the time to do this every time you wash your hair, (which a lot of people don't) then simply do it as much as possible when you can. Any that you can do will help your hair and keep the color vibrant.

Note: Clarifying shampoos will strip the color from your hair.

I hope you have found these tips helpful, and keep that beautiful color shining all year long!