First, stop putting off calling your stylist.

The first step to dying your hair without damaging it is simple: stop putting off calling your stylist. The best color is always achieved by a professional, so don’t be afraid to ask for a consultation before you commit or have any doubts about the process. You may think that if you’re not going to be around for the appointment, it doesn’t really matter when you schedule it; but as we’ll discuss later on in this guide, letting your hair rest between coloring sessions is just as important as getting regular appointments with your stylist.

Use the right products with your color or DIY dye job.

When it comes to the actual process of coloring your hair, you can use a store-bought product or make your own using natural ingredients. Either way, make sure that you’re using the right products for your color. You’ll want to stick with sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners made specifically for colored hair. These products will help keep your strands healthy and vibrant while keeping them safe from any damage caused by harsh chemicals (which are found in many at-home dyes).

Additionally, look for products that match up with your specific hair type (straight, curly or oily) as well as what type of blonde you’re trying to achieve (ashy? icy?). Always check ingredient labels carefully so that you know exactly what’s going into your hair—and don’t hesitate if something sounds sketchy!

Finally: always do a skin patch test prior to applying any dye product directly onto yourself at home!

Condition often and use a hair mask at least once a month.

Condition your hair regularly.

Conditioning your hair is just as important as washing it, because a good conditioner will add moisture that keeps your strands from drying out and breaking. When you’re using a shampoo, make sure to rinse off any residue left behind by the product so that you’re not applying too much of it during each wash.

Another great way to prevent damage is by using a hair mask once or twice per month—especially if you’ve dyed your locks recently! A mask will help repair split ends, strengthen straggling strands and provide moisture without weighing down individual curls like heavy serums can do. If you’re unsure what kind of product would be best for your specific needs (and budget), consult an expert stylist at an Aveda salon near you!

Add some natural ingredients to boost shine, nourish, and protect your hair.

A hair mask is a great way to add some of the nutrients your hair needs, and it can be made with just a few common kitchen ingredients. If you want to try this out, mix one egg white with two tablespoons of honey and two tablespoons of olive oil. After shampooing your hair, apply the mask evenly over each strand before wrapping it up in a towel for about 30 minutes. Rinse off with cool water, then use a wide-tooth comb rather than regular shampooing to remove any residue from your locks (this is especially important if you’ve been using henna). Follow up by conditioning as usual!

Don’t wash your hair directly after you color it.

After you’ve colored your hair, don’t wash it for at least 48 hours. The longer you can wait, the better.

The hair dye is still settling into your strands, so washing too soon will make the color fade more quickly (and also cause damage).

Washing your hair too early can also make color take longer to set in some cases, depending on what type of dye you used (this is why some people have to wait a week or two after coloring their hair before they can go swimming).

Ask for foil instead of an all-over color when you go to the salon.

If you’re looking to dye your hair at home, ask for foil highlights instead of an all-over color. Foil highlights are less damaging and can be applied only to certain areas of the head. This means that if you want a section of your strands dyed a different shade than the rest—like rainbow colors or pastel hues—you can do so without worrying about how it will look when applied all over your head.

These types of highlights also last longer than traditional all-over colors because they don’t require as much bleach or developer to get darker shades like black or red onto the hair. This makes them easier on your strands, which means better health for everyone involved in this process!

Be patient getting professional ombré or balayage highlights because they take longer than traditional coloring techniques.

You’ve probably noticed that ombré and balayage hair coloring techniques can take a while to do at the salon. And it’s not just because they’re intricate, but also because they require more time than traditional coloring techniques.

One reason for this is that ombré and balayage highlights are created using long-lasting products that need to be applied in several different layers. The reason for this is simple: The goal of these techniques is to achieve a gradual fade from root color to tips, which requires multiple applications of dye over time. A second reason why these services take longer is because they require more technician skill than other types of coloring methods—there are simply more steps involved in creating the look!

The benefit? You’ll get gorgeous, natural-looking results with fewer visits back to the salon (and less money spent on hair appointments). But if you’re looking for something fast and cheap like traditional highlighting, then stick with your roots only or try out some temporary dyes instead!

Keep your ends protected in the winter by wearing a hat.

If you want to protect your ends from the cold and dryness of winter, try wearing a hat. It will help keep color looking vibrant for longer, while also protecting your hair from being damaged by the elements. If you can’t wear a hat every day (or don’t want to), try using a scarf instead!

There are many different types of hats that you can wear in winter that will help protect your hair. Some examples include beanies, knit hats with pompoms on top or knitted earflaps, bandanas wrapped around braids or ponytails (I love this look!), hooded sweatshirts pulled up over the ears—the possibilities are endless!

When you take good care of your dyed hair, it will last longer!

Once your hair has been coloured, it’s important to take good care of it.

When you’re out in the sun – especially if you have pale skin – UV rays can damage your dyed strands. To protect them from the elements, be sure to use sunscreen on any exposed bits of skin (like ears and neck) before going outside. And when you come inside, use a wide-tooth comb or brush instead of a fine-toothed comb so that there’s less friction as your hair passes through the bristles.*

Once every two weeks or so, treat yourself to an at-home deep conditioning treatment! A little bit goes a long way—just rub half a teaspoon into towel dried hair then leave on for 15 minutes before rinsing out with cold water.*

When colour fades away over time (which happens eventually), some people choose to get it re-done professionally because they love having their roots done up differently than the rest of their locks.* Others opt for an at home dye job in lieu of professional maintenance because they don’t have time during busy workweeks or simply because they like experimenting with different colours themselves!