Common Hair Care Mistakes That Can Cause Colored Hair to Look Dull ?

ByBNW Staff

You leave the salon with hair that catches the light every time you move. Two weeks later, something’s off. The shine has faded, the shade looks flatter, and it just doesn’t look as fresh.

Colour rarely fades on its own. More often, it’s down to everyday habits we don’t think twice about. Here are the most common mistakes that leave coloured hair looking dull, and how to fix each one.

1. Using the Wrong Shampoo

This is the big one. Many everyday shampoos contain strong sulphates, which are brilliant at removing oil and product build-up but just as good at pulling colour out of the hair. If you’ve coloured your hair, it’s worth switching to a proper shampoo for colored hair. Look for a sulphate-free, gentle formula designed to protect pigment and keep the cuticle smooth. A smooth cuticle reflects light, and that’s what gives colour its glossy, vibrant finish.

Read the label, not just the front of the bottle. “Suitable for all hair types” doesn’t always mean it’s kind to colour.

2. Washing Too Often

Every wash rinses away a little bit of colour. Washing daily speeds up fading, especially with reds, coppers and vivid shades. Try stretching to two or three washes a week and use a dry shampoo in between if your roots get greasy. Your scalp usually adjusts within a few weeks.

3. Turning the Shower Up Too Hot

A hot shower feels lovely on a cold Irish morning, but heat lifts the hair cuticle and lets colour slip out. Wash with lukewarm water instead, and finish with a cooler rinse. It’s not the most pleasant way to end a shower, but it helps the cuticle close and adds shine.

4. Ignoring Hard Water

Many parts of Ireland have hard water, and the minerals in it can settle on your hair and leave a film. Under that film, colour can look muddy, flat or slightly brassy. A gentle clarifying shampoo every few weeks can help clear it, as long as you follow with a good conditioner. If hard water is a constant problem at home, a shower filter is worth considering.

5. Skipping Conditioner

Colouring makes hair more porous, which means it loses moisture and pigment faster. Shampoo cleanses, but conditioner seals everything in. Use it every wash, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends, and add a hydrating mask once a week. Dry, rough hair scatters light instead of reflecting it, so it will always look duller than smooth, nourished hair, even if the colour itself is perfect.

6. Styling With Heat and No Protection

Hair dryers, straighteners and curling tongs all take a toll on coloured hair. High heat can fade colour and roughen the surface of the hair. Use a heat protectant every time, keep your tools on a medium setting, and let your hair air-dry now and then. Your colour will last longer for it.

7. Forgetting About the Sun

Sunlight fades hair colour the same way it fades a favourite T-shirt. Even on a typical Irish summer day, UV rays get through the cloud. Wear a hat when you can, and consider a UV-protecting hair spray if you’re going to be outdoors for hours.

8. Colouring Over the Lengths Every Time

It’s tempting to refresh your whole head of colour whenever it looks tired. The trouble is that layering colour over already-coloured lengths can build up and leave the ends looking dark, flat and lifeless. Stick to colouring the roots, and ask your stylist about a gloss or toner to bring shine back to the rest.

How to Choose the Right Shampoo for Colored Hair ?

Not every colour-safe shampoo suits every head of hair. A few things to keep in mind:

  • Go sulphate-free. It cleanses gently and helps preserve your shade.
  • Match it to your hair type. Fine hair needs something lightweight. Thick or curly hair usually prefers a richer, more moisturising formula.
  • Think about your shade. Blondes often do well with purple-toned products, while brunettes and reds may prefer formulas that boost richness and depth.
  • Don’t overdo the extras. A simple routine of shampoo, conditioner and an occasional mask often works better than a bathroom shelf full of products.

If you’d rather browse than guess, Ecovluu is an online hair and beauty retailer that delivers across Ireland. You can look through hair care by hair type and concern, which makes it easier to find a shampoo for colored hair that suits your hair, not just anyone’s. With doorstep delivery, there’s no need to trek around shops comparing labels.

Final Thoughts

Dull colour is rarely about the dye itself. It’s usually the small, everyday habits that add up: the hot showers, the daily washing, the wrong shampoo. Change a few of them, and your colour will stay richer and shinier for longer.

Start with the easiest win: swap in a gentle shampoo for colored hair, turn the water down a notch, and don’t skip the conditioner. Your next salon visit will thank you.


Quick FAQs

How often should I wash coloured hair?
Two to three times a week is a good starting point. If your hair gets oily quickly, a dry shampoo can stretch the time between washes.

Does a sulphate-free shampoo really make a difference?
Yes. Sulphates are strong cleansers, and they can strip colour faster. A gentler shampoo for colored hair cleans without being so harsh.

Can I use a clarifying shampoo on coloured hair?
Occasionally, yes. Use it sparingly, perhaps once every few weeks, and follow with conditioner.