Low-Maintenance Hair Color

Whether you dye your hair at home or in the salon, you probably want to spend less time (and money) doing it. We'll show you how to wait longer between highlight appointments, touch up roots at home, and even cover grays with ease. By Marissa Gold

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Get Professional Color at Home
With so many women forgoing salon visits to color their hair at home, Fekkai probably figured--hey, if I can't beat 'em, why not join 'em?

His Salon Color system is a line of permanent home hair color complete with a professional bowl and brush, protein pre-treatment, and conditioning post-treatment. If you've been visiting the salon to go red, or to dye your natural color something darker, this kit can achieve the same results at home--and you won't have to tip anyone!

Shop Now: Fekkai Salon Color, $30

Courtesy of Frederic Fekkai

Visit the Salon Less Often
If you'd like to have more time between salon visits, it's all about minimizing those roots. "Ask your colorist to weave highlights through hair in layers, which makes them less obvious," says Sharon Dorram-Krause, Color Director for Nexxus and the Sally Hershberger Salon in NYC.

To go 2 months (or more) between appointments, "Make sure you only go 2-3 shades darker/lighter."

Courtesy of Sharon Dorram-Krause for Nexxus

Touch Up Roots
This Emergency Retouch Kit, available at Space NK starting September, is available in 9 shades of premium hair color. The formula infuses keratin protein, amino acids, and caviar essential oils to help keep hair conditioned.

Available at: SpaceNK

Courtesy of Kelly Van Gogh

Refresh Dull Color
A clear gloss is the secret to shiny, just-from-the-salon hair. Most colorists use them to seal in color and close the cuticle after color treatments, especially highlights. You can do the same at home with a product like this one from Frederic Fekkai.

Tip: Use it 2-3 weeks after salon (or home) color to keep it looking fresh and make it last longer.

Shop Now: Fekkai Salon Glaze, $28

Courtesy of Frederic Fekkai

Keep Color Bold
Many experts believe sulfates (lathering agents) in shampoo are the culprit of fading color. But Sharon Dorram-Krause, Nexxus Color Director, blames water: "Water is the main cause of color fade, even more than sun exposure, chlorine and harsh shampoos," says Dorram-Krause. 

Her salon stocks Nexxus Dualiste products, which were developped to block water from entering the hair shaft--a main cause of color fade in their tests.

Shop Now: Nexxus Dualiste, $11.99-$15.99

Courtesy of Nexxus

Protect Your Investment
This paraben, sulfate, and silicone-free line of haircare products debuted this summer at Kiehl's. Not only do these product not contain any color-stripping ingrediants, but Sunflower Seed Oil contains a natural UV-protective filter to protect hair from the sun, too.

Shop Now: Kiehl's Sunflower Color Preserving Line, $18-25

Courtesy of Kiehl's

Quick Fix for Roots
Think of this product like mascara for your hair. Keep it in your bag for those moments when roots suddenly appear, and simply brush on using the unique pen formula to cleverly conceal them. Available in colors from Beige Blonde to Jet Black, it'll dry onto hair as a quick fix and then rinse away when you shampoo.

Shop Now: Oscar Blandi Root Touch-Up Pen, $23

Courtesy of Oscar Blandi

Go Demi-Permanent
To avoid getting stuck with a new color when experimenting at home, a demi permanent is a great way for a brunette to go red or a blonde to go darker without any salon commitment. "Since it washes out in about 24 washes, the client has the flexibility to try new looks frequently," says Danny Lapointe, Artistic Director for Clairol Professional. Try that with a permanent color, and you'll be left with roots that only a colorist can usually correct.

Visit your local Sally Beauty Supply for the best selection.

Courtesy of Clairol

Get Rid of Gray
Clairol's new Advanced Gray Solution, developed for use on African American Hair, promises to cover grays without damage: "The dye molecules react with oxygen in the air instead of a developer," says Tippi Shorter, celebrity colorist for Clairol. "Because the typical developer is not involved there is no peroxide or ammonia and the color is gentle enough to use even after a relaxer." The color lasts up to 12 shampoos.

Find a Retailer: ClairolPro.com

Courtesy of Clairol