Why does red hair fade - Garnier Why does red hair fade - Garnier

Why Red Hair Color Fades Fast and How to Maintain It

Red hair is probably the most captivating shade to dye your hair, plus it truly flatters every skin tone. From auburn and burgundy to crimson and cherry, you’ve definitely got your pick. The only downside of dyeing your mane red is it’s the color most likely to wash out. If you don’t want your red hair color fading too quickly, read on for Garnier’s guide with tips and products that will keep your redhead dream alive.

Why Does Red Hair Color Fade So Quickly?

It’s a scientific fact that red hair dye fades faster than other hair color shades – regardless of the brand or manufacturer. The red hair molecule is larger than other color molecules, so it doesn’t penetrate the cortex (inner shaft) of the hair as deeply as other color molecules. In other words, it can’t move in for long, which makes it easier for water to flush out. And let’s not forget all the other usual suspects: sun exposure, frequent shampooing, heat styling, and harsh haircare products.

How to Keep Red Hair from Fading

So, what’s the secret to stopping your red hair color fading? It’s actually easier than you think! Follow these tried and true methods on how to keep red hair from fading recommended by our hair color expert Patricia Slattery, Assistant Vice-President of Training & Education and Product Evaluation at L’Oreal.

How to Maintain Red Hair Color

Once you’ve hit the redhead sweet spot, you’ll want to maintain it as best you can. Here are a few golden rules:

  • Prevent damage and split ends by getting a regular trim.
  • Avoid washing with a clarifying shampoo; they are great for an occasional detox, but will also strip your color.
  • Deep condition every week with a hydrating hair mask.

How to maintain red hair color - Garnier

Find the Best Red Hair Shade for You

Whether you’re looking for auburn, ruby or scarlet, there are dozens of red shades to choose from. Your undertones (cool, neutral, warm) and natural base color play a role in how red shades look and fade. Match cool reds like burgundy with cool undertones and warm reds like copper with warm undertones. If you’re not sure or just want to test things out before your dye, beeline to our Virtual Try-On Tool to get a live view of yourself in all your red selections.
Hair Color Virtual Try-On

Hair Color Virtual Try-On

Virtually try on Garnier hair colors to discover your perfect shade.

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Red Hair Color Fading FAQ

  • Red hair color typically lasts 4 to 6 weeks depending on your hair care practices and the formula you use. It’s a good idea to freshen things up with a gloss or touchup between dye sessions.
  • The color your red hair fades to depends on your base color and the shade of red hair color you used. Faded red hair ranges from orange and copper to pink and brown.
  • Some of the most natural-looking red hair colors include shades like auburn, copper, and cinnamon because they closely mimic real redheads. If you’re going for something more subtle, avoid really bright or dark reds like cherry and intense red.
  • Red hair color fades faster on certain hair types more than others. Porosity (how long hair holds moisture) and texture influence how quickly the fade arrives. For example, fine hair fades faster because the higher porosity of coarse hair helps it retain pigments longer. Hair that has been lightened is also more prone to fading.
  • You can dye over faded red hair without bleaching in most cases, especially if the red shade is darker or more vibrant. Do a strand test first and choose a color that's one level deeper than the faded shade.
  • The best shampoo for red color-treated hair does not contain any drying sulfates. Look for a shampoo labelled “color-safe” or a color-enhancing shampoo enriched with red pigments. Garnier has a range of products that protect and enhance red tones, including Color Shield Shampoo and Argan Cranberry Color Care.

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