Highlights are a stunning way to add dimension, shine, and depth to your hair, whether you're rocking subtle face-framing pieces or bold, contrasting sections. While highlights instantly transform your look, maintaining them is key to keeping your color fresh, vibrant, and healthy. At Venelle Salon & Spa, we understand that beautiful, long-lasting highlights require proper care to ensure they stay looking their best.

In this blog, we’ll share some expert tips and tricks for maintaining your highlights and keeping your hair in top condition, all while minimizing the need for constant touch-ups. Read on for everything you need to know about keeping your highlights vibrant and your hair healthy!

1. Protect Your Color with the Right Shampoo

The shampoo you use plays a significant role in how long your highlights will last. Traditional shampoos can strip color, leaving your highlights looking dull or faded. To preserve the vibrancy and shine of your highlights, opt for a color-safe shampoo that’s free from sulfates. Sulfates are harsh cleansing agents that can cause color to fade more quickly.

• Tip: Choose a sulfate-free, moisturizing shampoo designed for color-treated hair. Look for shampoos that protect against UV damage and help prevent color fading. Our Aveda Color Conserve Shampoo is a great option for keeping your highlights vibrant longer.

2. Deep Condition Regularly

Highlights can sometimes leave hair feeling dry or slightly damaged due to the lightening process. To keep your hair healthy, smooth, and nourished, make deep conditioning a part of your routine. Deep conditioners will help to replenish moisture, repair any damage, and add shine to your highlights.

• Tip: Use a deep conditioning treatment once a week to maintain healthy hair and restore moisture. A great option is the Aveda Damage Remedy Intensive Restructuring Treatment, which helps to strengthen hair while keeping it soft and shiny.

3. Limit Heat Styling

Excessive heat styling can cause damage to your hair, and this can be especially noticeable on highlighted strands. Heat can strip the hair of moisture and exacerbate dryness, making your highlights appear lackluster and dull. While you don’t have to avoid heat entirely, it's important to limit the use of hot tools and always protect your hair with a heat protectant spray.

• Tip: When using blow dryers, flat irons, or curling irons, always apply a heat protectant spray or serum to your hair before styling. A product like Aveda’s Brilliant Damage Control Spray is perfect for protecting highlighted hair from the damaging effects of heat.

4. Avoid Excessive Sun Exposure

While a little sunlight can help give you that sun-kissed glow, prolonged exposure to UV rays can cause your highlights to fade more quickly. The sun’s harsh rays can strip color and cause hair to become dry and brittle. When you’re spending a lot of time outdoors, it’s important to protect your hair from sun damage.

• Tip: If you plan to be outside for extended periods, wear a hat or use a UV protectant spray to shield your highlights from the sun. You can also look for hair products with UV filters to help protect your color.

5. Schedule Regular Touch-Ups

To maintain the vibrancy of your highlights, it’s essential to schedule regular touch-up appointments with your stylist. As your hair grows, your natural roots will show, and the contrast between your highlights and regrowth can become noticeable. How often you need a touch-up depends on how fast your hair grows and the intensity of your highlights.

• Tip: For most people, a touch-up every 6 to 8 weeks is ideal to keep your highlights looking fresh and prevent any obvious root regrowth. At Venelle Salon & Spa, our expert colorists will help you maintain a seamless look, ensuring your highlights stay gorgeous with minimal maintenance.

6. Hydrate Your Hair with Oils and Serums

Highlighted hair can sometimes feel a little dry or frizzy due to the color process. To keep your hair smooth, hydrated, and shiny, incorporate nourishing oils and serums into your hair care routine. These products will help smooth down the cuticle, add shine, and keep your hair looking healthy.

• Tip: Use a lightweight hair oil or serum on the ends of your hair after styling to add moisture and combat frizz. We recommend Aveda’s Dry Remedy Oil for a rich boost of hydration that will help keep your highlights looking smooth and shiny.

7. Wash Less Frequently

Washing your hair too often can strip away natural oils, which are essential for keeping highlighted hair soft and nourished. Over-washing can also cause color to fade faster. To preserve both the health of your hair and the vibrancy of your highlights, try to wash your hair less frequently.

• Tip: Aim to wash your hair about 2 to 3 times per week, or as needed. In between washes, use dry shampoo to refresh your hair and absorb excess oil. Aveda’s Shampure Dry Shampoo is a great option for keeping your hair fresh between washes.

8. Get Regular Trims

Regular trims are crucial for maintaining the health of your hair, especially when you have highlights. The ends of your hair tend to be more vulnerable to damage, and if they’re left untrimmed, they can become split and dry. A trim helps keep your hair healthy, ensuring that your highlights remain fresh and vibrant from root to tip.

• Tip: Schedule a trim every 6 to 8 weeks to keep your ends healthy and prevent split ends. Trimming regularly will also help maintain the shape and fullness of your highlighted hair.

9. Be Gentle with Your Hair

Highlighted hair can be more delicate than untreated hair, so it’s important to handle it gently to avoid unnecessary breakage. When towel-drying or brushing your hair, be sure to do so with care to avoid putting stress on your strands.

• Tip: When towel-drying, pat your hair dry rather than rubbing it to avoid friction and breakage. Use a wide-tooth comb or a detangling brush to gently work through knots, starting from the tips and working your way up.

10. Choose the Right Products for Highlighted Hair

To maintain your highlights and keep your hair in its best condition, using the right products is essential. Invest in color-protecting shampoos, moisturizing conditioners, and treatments that are designed specifically for highlighted or color-treated hair.

• Tip: Ask your stylist at Venelle Salon & Spa for product recommendations that are tailored to your hair type and highlight technique. We carry a variety of premium, color-safe products like Aveda Color Conserve to ensure your highlights stay beautiful and vibrant.

Final Thoughts: Keep Your Highlights Fresh and Radiant

Maintaining your highlights doesn’t have to be difficult, but it does require the right care and attention. By following these tips and using high-quality products, you can ensure your highlights stay vibrant, healthy, and stunning for longer. At Venelle Salon & Spa, we’re always here to help you maintain your gorgeous color and achieve the best results possible. If it’s time for a touch-up or if you need guidance on maintaining your highlights, book an appointment with us today!