How to Prevent Blue Hair from Turning Green

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Blue hair dye is really striking, but also a bit high-maintenance. Unfortunately, your blue hair can fade into an unwanted green hue over time. [1] Not to worry—there are plenty of tips and tricks to help you maintain your hair’s beautiful blue color.

1

Tone your hair with purple shampoo.

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    These yellow tones, when mixed with the blue hair dye, can lead to a greenish tint in your locks. [2] Wash your hair with your traditional shampoo; after rinsing it out, lather your hair with purple shampoo. [3] Let this product sit for a few minutes before rinsing it out. As a good rule of thumb, use this shampoo 1-2 times a week to help tone your hair. [4]
    • If your hair is lighter, platinum blonde shade, your hair might not look as green over time.
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2

Mix blue dye into a deep conditioner to refresh color.

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    Stir 1 spoonful of blue, vegetable-based, semi-permanent hair dye into your conditioner. Massage the colored conditioner into your hair, combing it through your strands to spread out the mixture. Then, clip away your hair so it’s out of your face, and let the conditioners sit for 5 minutes. Rinse out the mixture completely afterward. [5]
    • You can use this mixture when you shower to recharge your beautiful blue hair.
3

Shower with lukewarm or cool water.

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    From a scientific standpoint, hot water causes fading by lifting up your hair’s outer cuticle layer. To prevent this from happening, set your tap to a lukewarm or cold setting, which will preserve your hair color for longer. [6]
    • The higher the water temperature, the faster your color will fade.
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4

Shampoo once every 3 days.

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    Unfortunately, dyed hair fades a little bit each time you lather up with shampoo. Instead, space out your showers so you can keep your hair clean and fresh without compromising the color. [7]
5

Use sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner.

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    To prevent this, check the shampoo and conditioner labels while you’re at the store. Pick up products labeled specifically as “sulfate-free,” and toss out any old products that list sodium laureth sulfate or sodium laureth ether sulfate as an ingredient. [8]
    • You can also look for products that are designed and labeled for color-treated hair. [9]
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6

Spritz your hair with dry shampoo.

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    Shop for dry shampoos with “color-safe” on the label. On the days you skip the shower, spray dry shampoo in your hair to keep it fresh. [10]
    • You can also look for a color-tinted dry shampoo that matches the blue shade of your hair.
7

Air-dry your hair instead of blow-drying it.

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    Then, let your hair air-dry the rest of the way. Don’t use a blow dryer too often—this can damage your locks. [11]
    • Don’t overdo it when you towel-dry your hair. Unfortunately, scrubbing your hair dry with a towel can lead to fading.
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8

Apply heat protectant spray before heat styling.

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    If you really love your curling or flat iron, spritz heat protectant spray all over your blue hair before you start styling. [12]
    • The best way to protect your hair is by avoiding heat styling altogether. If you really want to curl or straighten your hair, use heat protecting products first, and set your tools to a low temperature, like 350 °F (177 °C). [13]
9

Guard your hair from the sun with a UV protectant.

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    As a precaution, apply a UV protectant hair spray or treatment all over your hair before heading outside for the day. [14]
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10

Stay away from chlorine.

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    To keep your hair’s beautiful blue shade intact, take a break from the pool. If you’d still like to take a dip, slip on a cap before heading into the water. [15]

Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What kind of shampoo should I use?
    Patrick Evan
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Patrick Evan is the Owner of Patrick Evan Salon, a hair salon in San Francisco, California. He has been a hairstylist for over 25 years and is a Thermal Reconditioning Specialist, dedicated to transforming difficult curls and waves into sleek, straight hair. Patrick Evan Salon was rated the Best Hair Salon in San Francisco by Allure magazine, and Patrick's work has been featured in Woman’s Day, The Examiner, and 7x7.
    Patrick Evan
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    Choose a sulfate-free, color-safe shampoo. These have a pH in the 4.5-5.5 range, which is the same as hair. That will ensure the cuticle stays closed, which will preserve your color for longer.
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      Tips

      • While touch-ups can be really helpful, too much dye might damage your hair. When people get their hair dyed professionally, they space out their appointments by 4-6 weeks—feel free to use this as a template for your own touch-ups. [16]
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      • A dye with purple undertones is less likely to fade to green.
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      Warnings

      • Don’t wash your hair for at least 3 days after you’ve dyed it blue. If you wash your hair too soon, your hair might fade. [17]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.teenvogue.com/story/dyeing-my-hair-blue-what-i-wish-i-knew
      2. ↑ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xCpwy1PAqBo&t=1m44s
      3. ↑ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xCpwy1PAqBo&t=3m22s
      4. ↑ https://www.cosmo.ph/beauty/hair/how-to-use-purple-shampoo-a1014-20191106
      5. ↑ https://rascalhoney.com/beauty/review/color-depositing-conditioner-recipe/
      6. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/hair/tips/a25379/ruining-dyed-hair/#4
      7. ↑ https://www.today.com/style/how-often-should-i-wash-my-hair-t125276
      8. ↑ https://theeverygirl.com/how-to-maintain-color-treated-hair/
      9. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/hair/tips/a25379/ruining-dyed-hair/#5
      1. ↑ https://theeverygirl.com/how-to-maintain-color-treated-hair/
      2. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/hair/tips/a25379/ruining-dyed-hair/
      3. ↑ https://www.self.com/story/fresh-hair-color
      4. ↑ https://www.insider.com/dyed-hair-mistakes-2018-11#your-conditioner-is-all-wrong-6
      5. ↑ https://www.teenvogue.com/story/dyeing-my-hair-blue-what-i-wish-i-knew
      6. ↑ https://theeverygirl.com/how-to-maintain-color-treated-hair/
      7. ↑ https://www.empire.edu/blog/beauty-tips/long-wait-coloring-hair-again
      8. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/hair/tips/a25379/ruining-dyed-hair/#1

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