How to Make Your Hair Color Last Longer

When you’ve spent the money to dye your hair, you don’t want the color to fade too fast. Regardless of whether you’ve chosen a box dye, or had your hair professionally dyed in a hair salon, all hair dye fades.

There are some things you can do, to try and reduce the speed of color fade, to make your hair color last longer.

How to Make Your Hair Color Last Longer

Why Does Dyed Hair Color Fade?

Hair dye works by opening the outer layer of the hair shaft, so the hair dye can settle inside, but the dye isn’t permanently sealed in.

Every time your hair gets wet, the hair strands swell slightly, and some of the hair dye pigment slowly slips out – which is why we can see some hair color leave our hair, when washing.

If you wash your hair too often, use hot water, or frequently use hot hair tools, it speeds up the process of the hair color fading.

Plus, sun exposure and pollution can also weaken your hair color over time, leaving your hair color looking brassy or dull.

Hard water can cause a mineral buildup on the hair, which also affects how your hair dye looks, and how long it lasts.

If you hair is already dry or damaged, before applying hair color, the color tends to fade faster, as the hair cannot hold onto pigment as well.

What To Do In The First 48 Hours After Coloring

The first 48 hours, after coloring your hair, is the most important, and should be seen as a “set time” for the hair dye pigment.

Try and keep your hair strands dry, and touch it as little as possible, as water, sweat and friction can all disturb fresh hair dye.

Avoid wearing your hair in tight ponytails, wearing hats and rough towel rubbing when drying, and instead use a soft microfiber towel to blot the water. Plus, use a satin or silk pillowcase for sleeping, to reduce friction.

You should also avoid swimming pools, hot tubs and saltwater, and also protect your hair from the sun, by using a UV spray.

When brushing your hair, detangle gentle with a widetoohed comb, starting at the ends, an apply a lightweight leave-in conditioner to reduce tangling.

How Often Should You Wash Freshly Dyed Hair?

After the first 48 hours are up, aim to wash your hair 2-3 times a week, as shampoo lifts a little hair dye every time you wash your hair, and can end up dulling shine.

If you have oily hair, stretch the time between your hair washes with a rinse-only day, to refresh your scalp, and reduce the amount of fully hair washes you have.

When it comes to your ideal hair washing routine, it will depend on your hair’s natural texture and your hairstyle.

If you have fine, straight hair, you may need to wash your hair every other day.

Those with thick, curly or coily hair, can wash their hair once or twice a week.

Although, if you swim, work out daily, or live in a humid environment, you might need to wash your hair more often, but try and avoid daily shampooing.

Here are three ways you can make your hair dye last a little longer…

Deep Conditioning Treatments

Deep conditioning treatments can make a noticeable difference in how long your hair color lasts.

Color-treated hair loses water and “lipids” faster, so your hair can feel rough, and end up leaking hair dye.

If you use a weekly deep conditioning treatment, it’ll boost moisture retention, smooth the hair’s cuticle, and help keep pigments in place between salon visits.

Choose a conditioning treatment specifically for color-treated hair, as they tend to contain ceramides, fatty alcohols and plant oils, and apply the conditioner after shampooing, like you do with your usual conditioner of choice.

Comb the treatment through your hair (gently), and leave it to sit for at least 5-10 minutes.

Using Cold Water

Cold water can help to lock in your hair color, by keep the hair’s cuticle flatter, so less dye molecules can slip out, when your rinse your hair.

After shampooing and deep conditioning, use a cool hair rinse for 30-60 minutes, to seal your hair color.

If icy cold water feels too intense, you can start with lukewarm water, and end with cold. Focusing the coolest water on your mid-lengths and ends, where hair color tends to fade fasted, and keep the water pressue moderate, so you don’t roughen up the hair’s surface.

Avoid long, steamy showers, as that can swell the hair’s cuticle, and encourage more color bleeding.

Between hair washes, you can refresh your scalp with a quick cool rinse, and gently massage, instead of a full hair wash.

Sulfate Free Shampoos

Harsh shampoos strip away hair color pigment, every time you wash your hair. Switching to a sulfate-free shampoo will help to keep your hair dye richer, and longer lasting.

Sulfates create lots of foam, when washing your hair, and the sulfates roughen the hair’s cuticle, and pulls out hair dye, especially from freshly colored hair.

You will still thoroughly cleanse your scalp with sulfate-free shampoos, without over-stripping, so your hair color looks deeper, and highlights stay refined.

Look for formulas that are labeled as being “color safe” and pair them up with a matching conditioner, to seal in moisture.

Focus your shampoo on the scalp, and not the ends, and let the bubbles rinse through the lengths, or scrubbing

Marie Reynolds London Eye-Drate Patches Review

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Marie Reynolds London Eye-Drate Patches Review

Eye patches are one of those skincare products I’ve tried in every possible iteration over the years – from quick-fix high street options to very expensive spa-grade treatments. It takes a lot for a pair to truly impress me. That said, the Marie Reynolds London Eye-Drate Patches have firmly earned their place in my routine.

I’ve been a long-time admirer of Marie Reynolds London as a brand. I genuinely trust Marie’s approach to skincare and, hand on heart, I’ve never tried a product from her that I didn’t love. These patches feel very on-brand: considered, effective and designed to support the skin rather than overwhelm it.

What Are Marie Reynolds London Eye-Drate Patches?

What are Marie Reynolds London Eye-Drate Patches?
What are Marie Reynolds London Eye-Drate Patches?

The Marie Reynolds London Eye-Drate Patches are biocellulose under-eye patches designed to deliver an intensive hydration boost to the delicate eye area. They are formulated to sit closely against the skin, allowing the ingredients to be delivered efficiently and comfortably.

Biocellulose is key here. It moulds beautifully to the contours under the eyes, ensuring even coverage and preventing slipping during wear.

Key Ingredients & Benefits

The formulation behind the Marie Reynolds London Eye-Drate Patches focuses on hydration, comfort and visible revitalisation.

Key benefits include:

  • Hyaluronic Acid to deeply hydrate and help plump dehydration lines
  • Icelandic Moss, known for its soothing and revitalising properties
  • Biocellulose Technology helps ingredients absorb effectively by adhering closely to the skin

Together, these ingredients work to leave the under-eye area looking smoother, fresher and more rested.

How to Use Marie Reynolds London Eye-Drate Patches

Using the Marie Reynolds London Eye-Drate Patches is simple and fuss-free:

  1. Apply to clean, dry skin under the eyes
  2. Smooth gently into place
  3. Leave on for 10–15 minutes
  4. Remove and lightly pat in any remaining serum

They work beautifully as a morning skin-prep step before makeup, or in the evening when your eyes need a little extra care.

My Experience & Results

My Review of Marie Reynolds London Eye-Drate Patches
My Review of Marie Reynolds London Eye-Drate Patches

What I appreciate most about the Marie Reynolds London Eye-Drate Patches is how consistently comfortable and effective they are. They feel instantly soothing on application, never irritating, and sit beautifully under the eyes without slipping.

One thing that really sets these apart is the amount of serum inside each sachet. There is genuinely so much product that it feels almost wasteful not to use it elsewhere. Once I’ve applied the patches, I always smooth the excess serum over my face, neck, décolleté and chest, where it absorbs effortlessly and leaves the skin feeling deeply hydrated and plumped. It’s a lovely added benefit and makes the treatment feel even more luxurious and generous.

As someone who has tested countless eye products over the years, I can say these feel thoughtfully formulated rather than trend-led. That’s something I’ve come to expect from Marie Reynolds London.

To check out Marie’s other products, read all my other reviews:

  • Marie Reynolds Zedz Night Time Blend Sleep Review
  • Marie Reynolds London Moringa Melt Cleansing Balm Review
  • Marie Reynolds FACE Pro Vitamin A Night Oil Review
  • Marie Reynolds London Butter Balm Antioxidant Mask Review
  • Marie Reynolds London Supercharger Skin Boosters Review
  • Marie Reynolds Restore Skin Food Facial Mask Review

Before & After: Marie Reynolds London Eye-Drate Patches

before Marie Reynolds London Eye-Drate Patches
Before
After 15 minutes wear of Marie Reynolds London Eye-Drate Patches
After 15 minutes wear of Marie Reynolds London Eye-Drate Patches

Who Are Marie Reynolds London Eye-Drate Patches Best For?

The Marie Reynolds London Eye-Drate Patches are ideal if you:

  • struggle with dehydration around the eyes
  • want a smoothing, plumping effect without heaviness
  • enjoy a spa-like skincare moment at home

They’re suitable for all skin types, particularly those who prioritise hydration and comfort.

Final Thoughts

The Marie Reynolds London Eye-Drate Patches are a beautifully executed eye treatment that delivers exactly what they promise: hydration, comfort and a visibly refreshed under-eye area.

As with everything I’ve tried from Marie, these feel trustworthy, effective and thoughtfully made. I genuinely trust the brand, and I’ve yet to encounter a Marie Reynolds London product that hasn’t impressed me.

If you’re looking for under-eye patches that feel luxurious but purposeful and that genuinely support the skin, these are well worth adding to your skincare wardrobe.

Where to buy them

The Marie Reynolds London Eye-Drate Patches are available in a set of 5 for £25.20. Shop online via the link below:

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