Planning to get your hair coloured for the first time? Here’s everything you need to know

Touching colour to one’s hair is a rite of passage most brown girls embrace wholeheartedly. It’s a transformative, liberating, and refreshing form of self-expression. As important as it is to decide on hair colour, it is also essential to develop a post-care regimen for the upkeep of your freshly coloured tresses, especially if you’re colouring your hair for the first time.

Celebrity hairstylist and founder of Tweak Salon, Mr. Sumit Ishrani, confirmed, “Hair colouring is a fantastic way to express personal style. Your hair colour can be a direct reflection of your personality and creativity. Celebrities, influencers, and fashion icons around the world are continually experimenting with hair colour. Since your hair is exposed to chemicals it is important to prioritize the health of your hair while maintaining stunning colour results.”

There are various elements to consider while selecting your new hair care routine, from serums and cleansing duos to hair treatments. 

Dr. Aparna Santhanam, Head of Medical Operations at Kaya Limited, added, “Protect your ends by nourishing with a serum or oil to prevent breakage and maintain strength.” Take your pick from these premium products.

FixMyCurl’s Scalp & Strands Elixir Hair Oil

Protect your mane with this enriching serum infused with the goodness of golden seaweed, retinol, and 11 nutrient-rich oils. This weightless formulation applies like a serum but works as hard as an oil, making it perfect for all hair types.

IndeWild Moonlight Scalp Serum, ₹1,199

This serum is formulated to bolster hair regrowth and scalp health. A high-performance blend of clinically proven hair regrowth stimulators, such as caffeine, burdock root, amla and more, it works to promote hair regrowth. Comfortably apply it to your scalp as an overnight treatment. There’s no fuss about washing it off as the formula is non-greasy.

Your daily-use shampoo might not be suited to your freshly coloured mane. “Select products specifically designed for coloured hair. These are formulated to be gentle and help preserve the colour. Look for sulfate-free options as sulfates can strip the colour,” adds Dr. Santhanam. We’ve curated some high-performing hair cleansers for coloured hair below. 

3TenX Hydrarevive Shampoo and Conditioner, ₹2,998

Formulated in Italy, experience ultimate hydration with this shampoo-conditioner duo. Boasting Moroccan argan oil and omega-3, regular usage of this shampoo should deeply nourish and soften your mane, revitalizing even the driest strands without stripping your fresh colour.  

Redken Color Extend Magnetics Duo, ₹1,800

Achieving longer-lasting hair colour isn’t unattainable with the Color Extend Magnetics Duo—consisting of the Color Extend Magnetics Sulfate-Free Shampoo and Hair Mask. Working in harmony to moisturize, detangle, and protect colour-treated hair, ensuring your vibrant hues stay salon-fresh for longer.

Moxie Beauty Essential Curly Hair Routine, ₹1,799

Suited to Indian hair types and wavy to curly tresses, Moxie’s simple 3-step routine comprising of their scalp-reviving shampoo, a deep conditioner to hydrate and strengthen, and a weightless leave-in conditioner is ideal. Brownie points for their full-size and travel-size options.

L’Oréal Vitamino Colour Protection Treatment Duo, ₹1,765

This colour-safe shampoo and hair mask duo is perfect to switch to after a new hair colour. Expect your mane to feel softer and shinier and the colour to stay intact for up to 8 weeks. 

To retain moisture and strengthen your strands, Mr. Ishrani advises treating your hair with a heavy-duty deep conditioning mask once a week. Here's a list of some carefully formulated colour-friendly masks and treatments.  

Kérastese Chroma Absolu Color Gloss Rinse-Out Treatment, ₹3,800

This creamy formula is an at-home hair gloss treatment that works to strengthen hair and extends the longevity of coloured hair for up to 6 weeks post-use. When mixed with water and applied, it provides not just intense softness but a high shine, and glossy finish without a trip to the salon. 

Olaplex No. 6 Bond Smoother Leave-In Styling Treatment, ₹2,950

This nourishing cream formula works effectively to eliminate frizz. Whether applied on post-wash wet hair or dry hair, a few drops is enough to prevent flyaways. Free of sulfates, phthalates, parabens, or gluten, this is an all-rounder vegan and colour-safe product.

3TenX UltimateRevitalize Mask, ₹1,999

This powerful fusion of keratin and collagen works wonders to nourish your tresses. Shampoo and rinse your hair and then apply this mask to the ends of your locks to have your hair feel irresistibly soft and shiny. Follow it up with their frizz control serum to lock in the shine. Works best in conjunction with the HydraRevive Shampoo and Conditioner Duo.

Dr Neha Yadav, an aesthetic cosmetic surgeon at VLCC India, weighed in to suggest limited heat styling. “Take frequent breaks from heat tools to give your hair time to recover. When you do use heat, always apply a heat protectant, use lower settings (when possible), and work quickly,” she advised. 

We’ve rounded up some heat protection sprays for you to bookmark. 

Kevin Murphy Heat Protection Leave-in Foam, ₹2,000

This unique formulation works round the clock to protect your mane from heat. The foam consistency makes it easy to apply and highly absorbent without any grease whatsoever.

BBlunt Hot Shot Heat Protection Spray, ₹499

This weightless heat protection hair mist shields your tresses from heat up to 230º Celsius. The grapeseed oil in it acts as a natural heat protectant, and provitamin B5 improves hair lustre. It tames frizz and also protects against pollution and sun damage.

Schwarzkopf Professional OSiS+ Flatliner Heat Protection Spray, ₹1,450

This heat protection hair spray infused with glycerin and keratin works to moisturise your hair while offering protection against heat styling and resisting humidity. For best results, pair it with their Frizz Control and Shine Serum.

Lastly, Dr. Santhanam also recommends, “Maintaining a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals is important. Don’t forget to drink plenty of water to keep your hair healthy from the inside out.” 

Cosmix Wellness Healthy Hair Growth Supplement ₹780

Feeding your hair from within with all-natural supplements can do the trick. This potent blend is made of strawberries, monk fruit, goji berries, and other organic ingredients, leading you to experience reduced hair fall and providing a boost to hair growth. 

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