How To Keep Your Hair Healthy and Looking Great Between Salon Visits

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Having healthy, beautiful hair is a goal that many of us strive for. However, to achieve this goal, it’s important to learn how to properly take care of your hair in between salon visits. With the right hair-care routine, you can maintain healthy hair and keep your locks looking their very best. In this blog post, we'll discuss some tips on how to take care of your hair between salon visits and protect your hair in the best way possible.

Ideally, you leave the salon looking fabulous, with your color on point, your blowout looking amazing and with the best shine!! But how do you make it all last? Here are my helpful ways to help your beautiful salon visit last until your next visit. I’m going to tell you how you can keep your hair in the best shape! I was a former hairstylist behind the chair and Matrix educator for over 10 years and these are the tips and tricks I always shared with my clients and continue to use for myself to this day.

Washing Your Hair

I was always having this conversation with clients as to how often they wash their hair. Often if they are doing daily shampooing it's hard to get them to change, but when they do they are so much happier! Think of all the time you will save, the money on shampoo and to top it all off, your hair will look even better. Now I know some of you say that your hair is too oily to do this or you hate the smell. To ease yourself into this process, start with regularly washing every other day to get your hair used to not producing as much oil, wear a hat on day two or plan it for when you won't be leaving the house. Once your hair gets used to an every other day schedule you can keep pushing it until your only washing your hair around 2 times a week. This will give the best results! Your hair will continue to produce those oils because you are stripping them away. The less you wash the less oil it will produce.

Washing your hair every day actually can strip the scalp of its natural oils, leading to dry, brittle hair. I suggest aiming to wash your hair every 2-3 days, this seems to be the sweet spot for more people for never getting oily and keeping their hair clean. If you have an oily scalp, try using a dry shampoo in between washes to absorb some of the excess oils. When you do wash your hair, make sure to use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo and use lukewarm water as hot water can also strip your hair of its natural oils. You also want to make sure you are cleansing correctly. Use two shampoos every time you wash. The first one will clean off any dirt, oils and chemicals from the product, and the second wash will actually clean the hair. This is important for getting your washes to last longer as well. After washing your hair, make sure to condition it to keep it soft and healthy.

Now when you are washing, your water shouldn’t be so hot you're burning your head. For a number of reasons this isn’t good for you! One is it will remove your color faster. Two it’s stripping the oils from your hair again and can cause dryness to your hair. It can also cause your hair to produce even MORE oil. Bottom line, the cooler the water the better for washing your hair.

Heat on Hair

Along with hot water, using hot tools on your hair can also cause damage. Yes, we all want a gorgeous blowout, but save it for special events or use your blow dryer in a cooler setting. Here’s what I do: I wash my hair twice a week. On day one I will usually braid it when it's half dry and sleep on it. This way I have the appearance of full-volume hair in the morning with a beautiful wave but I didn’t use any heat. On day two I will blow it out and give my hair curl (with a lower heat setting and protective products). Usually, day two is for the weekend when I have more places I am going and people to see. If you still need to blow dry and curl your hair just turn down the setting and use a heat protector.

Heat styling can cause extensive damage to your hair, so it is best to keep heat styling to a minimum. Instead, allow your hair to air dry as much as possible and avoid using hot tools such as curling irons, straightening irons, and blow dryers. If you must use heat styling tools, always use a heat protectant product first and set the temperature to the lowest setting. I will link below all of my favorite heat protectants and styling aids to help you maintain gorgeous hair!

When To Use Top Knots & Hats

Yes, we all love those days when you can throw a hat on or pull your hair into a top knot. However, they aren’t ideal for your hair. I myself am a lover of both!! However, if I wear a hat I only use it outside of the house, and as soon as I am home I take it off! Top knots are also my favorite style when it's almost hair-washing day, but I try my best to never sleep with it like that and always leave it loose. The tighter you pull your hair the more it's pulling each strand and causing breakage. I like to use silk scrunchies and tie in a loose pony when I go to bed or leave it loose. The silk scrunchies will help fight the frizz and breakage of hair. You also want to be cautious when combing or brushing your hair. Be sure to use a wide-toothed comb to minimize breakage.

What Products To Use

You just paid good money for your hair to get done, so please don’t run to the store and buy some products off the shelf without some research. The wrong product can strip your color, as well as cause damage to your hair. There is a reason stylists show you the products they use and ask if you need anything as you are checking out. To keep your hair looking its best, it is important to avoid products that contain harsh chemicals such as sulfates, parabens, and mineral oils. These ingredients can strip away natural oils from your hair, leaving it dry and brittle. Instead, opt for natural, organic hair products with ingredients like aloe vera, coconut oil, and shea butter. These ingredients will nourish and moisturize your hair without stripping away essential oils.

Using fewer styling products such as mousses, gels, and sprays can also help keep your hair healthy between salon visits. These products can leave a residue on your hair that can cause it to become dry and brittle. Again, try to limit your use of heat-styling tools such as curling irons and straighteners as well, as they can cause heat damage and strip away natural oils from your hair.

To further nourish your hair between salon visits, deep condition your hair once a week. This will help replenish moisture and nourish the overall health of your hair. If you are only washing your hair once a week then stick to every other week or every other time. You don't want to over-add protein from conditioners and conditioning masks to your hair, this can cause the opposite effect. So stick to once a week if you wash 2 or more times and every other week or once a month if you wash weekly.

Bonus Tips

- One way to extend the life of your color between salon visits is to use a root touch-up powder or spray to conceal your roots. Apply it to the root area only and blend it in with a brush or a comb for a natural look. Be sure to brush this out before washing your hair.

- Appointments to trim your hair every 6-8 weeks to keep your hair looking healthy and avoid any split ends that can cause your hair to actually get shorter from breakage.

- Protect your hair from the sun with a hat or other coverage, and avoid over-washing your hair. Eating a healthy diet rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals is also important for keeping your hair healthy and looking its best.

- Avoid using chemical treatments (such as bleaching or coloring) too often or over-processing. A good hairstylist will advise you against any hairstyle that will overly damage your hair.

By following these tips, you can keep your hair looking great between salon visits and maintain a healthier hair care routine.

Comparing Blue vs. Purple Shampoo: Which One is Right for You?

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Shampoo plays an important role in keeping our hair looking and feeling healthy. But with so many options on the market, how do we know which one is right for us? If you've ever noticed the "blue" and "purple" shampoos at the store, you may be wondering what the difference is between them. As a previous hairstylist for over 10 years and an educator for the Matrix product line, I understand the importance of haircare at home and am excited to share these tips with you! In this blog post, we'll discuss the key differences between blue and purple shampoos, so you can decide which one best suits your hair needs.

Purple Vs. Blue Shampoo: How they work

Have you noticed those yellow and brassy tones in your hair? You may be wondering what's the best solution. Blue and purple shampoos are specially designed to address these issues and can help you maintain your blonde hair color.

Blue shampoos are designed to neutralize yellow and brassy tones in blonde hair and work best on hair that has been lightened or bleached. It removes unwanted yellow and gold tones from hair and is an effective solution for correcting overly warm blonde tones.

Purple shampoos, on the other hand, can help to maintain blonde highlights or platinum hair color. It adds subtle violet undertones to blonde hair, helping to counteract yellow and brassiness. This is a great option if you want to enhance the cool tones of your hair or keep your blonde color vibrant.

When choosing between blue or purple shampoos, consider the color of your hair and the desired effect you want to achieve. Blue shampoo is better for lightening overly warm blonde tones, while purple shampoo is better for maintaining and enhancing cool tones. However, both can be used to maintain blonde hair and correct unwanted yellow and brassy tones.

Purple Vs. Blue Shampoo

If you have blonde, grey or silver hair, you may have heard of purple shampoo. This special shampoo is specifically designed for those with light-colored hair and can help to tone down unwanted warm yellow tones. On the other hand, those with darker hair may find blue shampoo more beneficial. This type of shampoo can help to reduce red and orange hues and is a great choice for brunettes with blonde highlights or balayage hair color. No matter your hair color, it is important to use the right shampoo to keep your hair looking its best. Blondes should opt for purple shampoo, while brunettes should go for blue. Doing so will ensure that your hair looks vibrant and healthy and that you get the best results.

What is Purple Shampoo?

When it comes to maintaining healthy, vibrant hair, purple shampoo is a must-have for those with blonde, gray, or silver locks. Purple shampoo works by counteracting the yellow tones that naturally occur in light-colored hair due to oxidation by removing yellowness. The purple pigment in the shampoo neutralizes the yellow tones, leaving the hair looking brighter and more vibrant.

Purple shampoo is best used on light-colored hair that has been dyed or lightened, as it can help maintain the color for longer. It can also be used on natural gray or silver hair to reduce yellow tones and help keep the color looking fresh. When using purple shampoo, it is important to use it sparingly, as overuse can lead to a purple tint in the hair. It is also important to follow the shampoo with a conditioner to prevent dryness and maintain optimal softness. If your hair is overly dry and/or you use the purple shampoo too much it will lead to a purple tint in your hair color.

What is Blue Shampoo?

If you’re looking for a way to keep your blonde or brunette hair looking bright and vibrant, blue shampoo is your answer. Blue shampoo, specifically designed to reduce brassiness and yellow tones in blonde and brunette hair, is the perfect way to maintain your desired shade of cool tone while also reducing fading.

Blue shampoo works by depositing blue pigments into the hair shaft to neutralize the orange and red tones. Using blue shampoo regularly can help keep both color-treated and natural dark blonde and brunette hair looking fresh and vibrant. It can also be used to tone highlights and create a more unified look for blonde hair. So grab yourself some blue shampoo, like Matrix blue shampoo or Fanola blue shampoo, and get ready to rock your beautiful locks instantly!

How well do these Shampoos Work?

These type of shampoos works best when used twice a week to maintain hair's shine and vibrancy. It works by depositing blue pigments onto the hair, which neutralizes the warm tones and leaves hair looking and feeling healthier. However, it will not replace that your hair may need to be toned. Toning your hair is using hair color to color balance the yellow, orange and warm tones that occur. If this is the case and blue & purple shampoos haven't helped that you need to seek a professional stylist to better assist you with achieving the tone of your hair that you desire.

How to Use Blue and Purple Shampoos

When using either blue or purple shampoo, it is important to use it sparingly. When shampooing you should be doing a rinse, wash repeat cycle and wash 2 times. The first shampoo is to remove any built-up residue from products and chemicals. The second wash is to clean the hair. The first wash should be with a color care shampoo and the second with your purple or blue shampoo for best results. Start using it every other wash, and increase the frequency if needed. After applying the shampoo to wet hair on your second wash, leave it on for a few minutes before rinsing it out. This will give the shampoo time to work its magic and deposit the pigment into the hair. To get the best results, follow up your blue or purple shampoo with a conditioner that is specifically formulated to work with the shampoo. I personally am usually a bigger fan of heavy conditioners to keep the hair hydrated over most of the blue & purple conditioners however this is a personal preference. I will link my favorites below but my favorite conditioner of all time is the "It's A 10". It fully conditions your hair leaving it soft and shiny but also not too heavy.

If you are looking to preserve the color of your hair, be sure to use a heat-protectant spray when styling. This will help to keep your hair looking vibrant for longer. Heat protectant sprays can be applied before styling, and will help to lock in the color. As well as using cooler water. The hotter the water the worse for your hair. It not only isn't good for hair to be using hot water but it will rinse out the toner your stylist has put on your hair much faster.

Best Blue Shampoos

Blue shampoo is designed to help neutralize yellow and brassy tones in hair that has been lightened or color-treated. It can also help keep blonde hair looking bright and vibrant between salon visits.

Many of the best blue shampoos are sulfate-free and contain nourishing ingredients like argan oil, keratin, and sunflower seed extract to help keep hair healthy and shiny. It's important to look for blue shampoos that are specifically formulated for blonde hair, as they tend to be more effective in neutralizing yellow tones. Some of the best blue shampoos are designed to work in tandem with purple shampoos to deliver maximum toning and color protection.

Blue shampoo is the perfect product for anyone looking to keep their lightened or color-treated hair looking its best. It can help keep blonde hair looking vibrant and neutralize yellow and brassy tones. To get the best results, it's important to use a blue shampoo that is specifically formulated for blonde hair and is sulfate-free and filled with nourishing ingredients. Below are the best blue shampoos you can pick from right now.

Best Purple Shampoos

Are you looking to keep your blonde, grey and silver hair vibrant and free of yellow tones? Here are some of the best purple shampoos on the market including Matrix Total Results Keep Me Vivid Purple Shampoo, Joico Color Balance Purple Shampoo, and Pureology Strength Cure Best Blonde Purple Shampoo. Matrix Total Results Keep Me Vivid Purple Shampoo is formulated with anti-fade technology to keep blonde hair color vibrant, while Joico Color Balance Purple Shampoo uses its violet pigment to neutralize yellow and orange tones in bleached or highlighted hair. Finally, Pureology Strength Cure Best Blonde Purple Shampoo uses plant-sourced amino acids to nourish and protect blonde hair while toning yellow tones. Here are those and a few others linked below for you

How Often Should I Use Blue or Purple Shampoo?

To get the best results, you should use blue or purple shampoo once or twice a week. However, if your hair is particularly prone to yellowing, you may want to use it more often. On the other hand, if your hair is already cool-toned, you may want to use purple shampoo less often to avoid over-toning. Be sure to read the instructions on the product label to determine how often you should use it. You can adjust this by seeing if you have achieved the cool tone you are looking for. Once you have don't use it until you start to see the warmth or yellow and orange tones come back again and adjust your shampoos like this. If you somehow end up overusing it do not panic. Using clarifying shampoo treatments will help remove the overuse of color pigment in your hair.

Using all the techniques above will help you achieve the exact tone for both blondes and brunettes. Everyone loves a different tone of hair color depending on their skin tones so regardless of what trending right now in hair color be sure to do what's you want first and foremost, but hopefully also for what is complementary to you! If you have questions on any of this please be sure to leave them below. I'm always here to help!