4 Tips that Can Help You Keep Colored Hair Moisturized

Confession – I went twenty two years before coloring my hair the first time. Before I used the Shea Moisture* Color System, the only time I played with permanent color was when I got highlights in the middle of last summer.

I was always too scared to experiment with coloring my hair because I always thought that it would make my hair fall out (dramatic right?).

The truth is that coloring natural hair can be a fun way to switch things up, especially if you’re looking for a change. However, it’s important to be careful when coloring your hair and adjusting your hair regimen to fit the new changes.

Once hair has been colored, it can become drier and weaker if it isn’t cared for properly. And as we all know, dry hair is more susceptible to breakage and damage.

If you’re considering coloring your natural hair, or if you’ve already colored your hair and don’t have any idea how to maintain it, here are 5 tips for keeping colored hair moisturized:

Skip harsh shampoo and cleansers

Harsh shampoos dry out natural hair normally, so they can definitely dry out colored hair as well. The other problem with using harsh cleansers on colored hair is that the color will begin to fade over time.

To keep your hair from fading, try to avoid products with ingredients like sodium laureth sulfate and sodium lauryl sulfate.

Those ingredients are responsible for the squeaky clean feeling we have after washing, but they can strip our hair of its natural oils*. Instead, look for moisturizing shampoos and shampoo alternatives (like black soap or bentonite clay*) to cleanse hair without stripping or fading.

Also, add cowashing into your regimen more. Cowashing simply means skipping shampoo, and using conditioner to cleanse hair of excess product buildup. Cowashes have less harsh ingredients than shampoos, and cowashing twice a week will keep hair soft and moisturized.

Moisturize hair daily

Depending on the health of your hair, you should increase the amount of times you moisture during the week. Colored hair can dry out fast, so if you normally moisturize twice a week, switching to every day can make the difference.

You can purchase a leave in conditioning spray or curl refresher spray to use consistently. Otherwise, invest in a cheap spray bottle and fill it with water and conditioner to instantly hydrate your strands. You don’t have to drench your hair everyday, but at least mist it with water to keep it moisturized.

Implement oil into your regimen more

Oils* are an essential part of every hair journey, and they can be very helpful after coloring natural hair.

Oils* have multiple uses (like sealing, pre-pooing, deep conditioning*, etc), so you just have to find your way to add it to your regimen.

Since I’ve colored my hair, oil rinses have become a more frequent part of my wash regimen.

Whichever way you decide to use oil, make sure you use an oil that is thick enough to seal your hair without being too heavy that strands become limp. Coconut*, avocado, and olive oil* are great oils to use on colored hair, especially as a sealant after moisturizing.

Manipulate hair less

I know that once you color your hair, you’re going to want to play with twist outs, braid outs, perm rods*, and all the other cute styles that there are. However, colored hair is still fragile, and too much manipulation can lead to breakage.

If you decide to do a low manipulation style, style your hair gently and try finger detangling. Leave the style in for as long as possible before taking it down. Avoid using too much heat, and preserve your hair on a satin pillowcase*. Less manipulation means less pulling and less breakage/shed hair.

Drink More Water

Water is the number one way to add moisture to natural hair. You can wet your hair all you’d like, but healthy hair starts from within, and that means that you should definitely up your water intake, especially if you don’t drink enough water to begin with.

It has been said that we should drink around half of our body weight in water, although if you’re new to the water game you should start by drinking at least eight glasses (or four 20oz water bottles) a day. Increase your water intake for a month, and notice the changes as your hair will be shinier, more moisturized, and healthier.

You should color your natural hair only if you feel comfortable with the idea and if you can handle a slight change to your regimen. Colored hair can still be healthy, as long as it’s maintained correctly. Take your time and adjust your regimen based on what you feel your hair needs. After time, it gets easier to manage and you’ll have a great color to show for it!