9 Mistakes Colorists Hope You'd Stop Making After Leaving the Salon

You leave the salon feeling on top of the world with your freshly colored hair and shiny, vibrant locks. But the challenge is maintaining that glow once you're back in your daily hair care routine. Turns out, you might be unknowingly doing a few things wrong that could impact the vibrancy and health of your freshly dyed strands. No worries—just avoid these habits your colorist wishes you’d leave behind. Here are the biggest mistakes, according to professional stylists.

1. Cranking Up the Heat on Your Styling Tools

Let’s be honest: if you rely on hot tools to feel and look your best, it’s unlikely you’ll stop using them anytime soon. Rather than giving them up completely, professional hairstylist Laurent Saint-Crocq recommends lowering the temperature for a safer styling experience.

“Excessive heat can seriously damage your hair, leading to breakage, dryness, and even burns,” he warns. “Instead, opt for a lower heat setting, between 200 and 300 degrees Fahrenheit, and always apply a heat protectant spray before using any hot tools like blow dryers or curling irons.”

2. Over-Washing Your Hair 

Finding the right balance in how often to wash your hair is key. Washing too infrequently can upset your scalp’s balance, causing irritation and excess oil. But washing too often can lead to dryness and color fading.

“Just like laundry detergent and soap, shampoo can strip away both moisture and color from your hair,” says Keith Shore, a celebrity stylist at Sally Hershberger.

Rather than shampooing every time, try using a cleansing conditioner once a week. Healthy hair doesn’t need to be shampooed as often, and a cleansing conditioner will gently cleanse while eliminating scalp oil and adding moisture to the ends.

3. Leaving the Salon with Wet Hair

Leaving the salon with a freshly styled blowout is often the highlight of the visit, but there are times when you're in a hurry or prefer to finish drying your hair at home. However, Beth Minardi, a hair color expert at James Fojt Salons and color director at ArtegoUSA, advises you to reconsider doing this.

Beth recommends that both you and your colorist should see your hair when it’s dry to accurately assess the color results. She suggests booking a salon blowout to avoid any surprises and to leave with your hair looking stunning.

4. Touching Up with Box Color

Professionally colored hair is a splurge, and that’s why it’s essential to keep its vibrancy intact. Stretching the time between appointments is fine, but Saint-Croc advises skipping box dye when doing so.

Box color often contains harsh metallic salts, high ammonia levels, and other chemicals that can harm your hair. They’re also difficult to remove, and the results can be unpredictable, leading to uneven color. Stick to professional coloring and try using a temporary root cover-up spray, anti-brass shampoo, glossing treatments, or toners to help with regrowth, grays, and dullness.

5. Going Straight to Others for Opinions

After a major color change, it’s tempting to run straight to your friends and family for feedback. However, unless you’re sure they'll be completely supportive, Minardi suggests holding off.

As Minardi puts it, “Everyone has an opinion—only yours matters.” Take some time to embrace and adjust to your new color privately. Check your color in different light sources, like natural sunlight and various locations. Trust your own judgment and then let your loved ones admire your new look, without needing their approval.

6. Brushing Your Strands with Too Much Force

Hair is especially delicate in the days and weeks following a bleach, highlight, or dye treatment. One of the most common errors that Shore observes is clients brushing their hair too aggressively right after a color service.

“Avoid using a metal brush on non-moisturized hair right after highlighting. This can cause breakage and ruin the look,” Shore advises. “Instead, apply a leave-in conditioner and use a wet hair brush to gently detangle before styling.”

7. Choosing Subpar Shampoo

While you don't have to splurge on shampoo and conditioner, it's best to steer clear of low-end products whenever possible. Your hair color is an investment, and the daily products you use can influence both its vibrancy and the overall health of your hair.

"Shampoos that contain sulfates can strip moisture from your hair, cause your color to fade, and lead to skin irritation," says Saint-Croq. "For better hair care and to maintain your color, you should choose a shampoo specially designed for color-treated hair. High-quality shampoo plays a crucial role in keeping both your hair's health and its color intact."  

8. Avoid Using a Flat Iron on the Hairline 

While flat irons can be useful, Shore advises lowering the temperature and steering clear of using this tool on your hairline.  

"The hair along the hairline is finer and more delicate than the rest of your hair, and it is often the section that is highlighted during a color treatment," he explains. "If you absolutely need to use a flat iron, leave the hairline untouched and instead style it using a round brush and blow dryer, especially after it has been bleached. Using the iron here can cause breakage and frizz, and it’s really unnecessary."

9. Jumping into the Pool Immediately

It’s best not to schedule your color appointment just before a pool party or tropical getaway. If you do, make sure to keep your hair dry. For those who prefer to get their hair colored just before their vacation, Minardi recommends booking your appointment the week prior, rather than the day before.