When you invest in beautiful highlights, whether it’s balayage, ombré, or babylights, you want to keep them looking fresh and vibrant for as long as possible. In a city like New York, with its ever-changing weather, maintaining the perfect hair color can be a challenge. From the hot, humid summer days to the cold, dry winter months, the New York weather can take a toll on your hair, causing your highlights to fade faster than you’d like. But don’t worry – we’ve got you covered! Here’s how to maintain your highlights in NYC’s weather, ensuring they stay flawless through every season.

Why Your Highlights Need Extra Care in NYC’s Climate

New York City’s climate is harsh, with high humidity in the summer, freezing temperatures in the winter, and everything in between. These weather extremes can lead to color fading, brassiness, and dryness – issues you definitely want to avoid. Whether you’re rocking platinum blonde highlights, caramel balayage, or rich brown babylights, proper care is essential to preserve the vibrancy and integrity of your color. So, what can you do to protect your highlights and keep your hair looking salon-fresh? Let’s break it down.

1. Protect Your Hair From the Elements

In New York, you’re constantly on the go, exposed to the elements, and sometimes battling unpredictable weather. Here’s how to protect your highlights:

• Wear a Hat or Scarf: Shield your hair from sun exposure during the summer months with a stylish hat or scarf. The sun’s UV rays can cause color to fade, especially with blonde highlights. In the winter, a hat can protect your hair from the drying effects of cold winds.

• Use a UV Protectant: Just like your skin, your hair needs protection from UV rays. Invest in a leave-in conditioner or hair serum that contains UV filters. This will help prevent your highlights from becoming dull and brassy.

2. Choose the Right Shampoo and Conditioner

The right hair products are crucial for maintaining the longevity of your highlights. Here’s what to look for:

• Color-Safe Shampoo: Avoid regular shampoos that can strip your hair of color. Choose a sulfate-free, color-safe shampoo that’s gentle on your highlights and helps to retain their vibrancy.

• Purple Shampoo for Blondes: If you have blonde highlights, a purple shampoo is a game-changer. Purple shampoo neutralizes yellow and orange tones, keeping your blonde highlights cool and fresh.

• Moisturizing Conditioner: Highlighted hair can be drier than natural hair, so it’s important to use a rich, hydrating conditioner. This will keep your hair soft and nourished, preventing breakage and frizz caused by NYC’s changing weather conditions.

3. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

Whether it’s the summer heat or winter’s dry air, your highlighted hair needs moisture. To maintain the health and vibrancy of your highlights:

• Deep Condition Weekly: Treat your hair to a deep conditioning mask once a week. This will help restore moisture, repair any damage, and prevent color from fading prematurely.

• Avoid Heat Styling: Excessive heat styling can cause damage and color fading. If you do use heat tools, always apply a heat protectant spray to shield your hair from the damage caused by flat irons, curling irons, or blow dryers.

4. Minimize Washes

Frequent washing strips your hair of natural oils, leaving it more vulnerable to damage and fading. To preserve your highlights:

• Wash Less Frequently: Try to wash your hair 2-3 times a week instead of daily. This will help maintain your hair’s moisture balance and prevent color from fading quickly.

• Use Dry Shampoo: Dry shampoo is your best friend between washes. It not only absorbs oil but also adds volume, so your highlights look fresh longer.

5. Protect Your Hair at Night

Sleeping on your hair can cause friction, leading to frizz, breakage, and fading highlights. Here’s how to protect your hair while you sleep:

• Use a Silk or Satin Pillowcase: Swap out your cotton pillowcase for a silk or satin one. This will reduce friction and keep your highlights intact while preventing breakage.

• Wrap Your Hair: Another option is to loosely wrap your hair in a silk or satin scarf before bed. This can help protect your hair from tangling and preserve your color.

6. Visit Your Hair Colorist Regularly

One of the most important things you can do to maintain your highlights in NYC’s unpredictable weather is to visit your hair colorist regularly. At [Your Salon Name] in Park Slope, we specialize in creating custom highlights that are tailored to your hair type and personal style. Our expert colorists will ensure your highlights are always vibrant and on-trend. Regular touch-ups every 6-8 weeks will help maintain your highlights, prevent root regrowth from showing, and keep your color looking fresh all year round.

7. Consider Your Haircut

When your highlights are starting to fade, a fresh haircut can help breathe new life into your look. Adding layers or trimming split ends can enhance the appearance of your highlights and ensure they remain fresh and vibrant, no matter the weather outside.

8. Make Hydration a Priority

New York’s dry winter air and hot summer months can leave your hair feeling parched, but hydration is key to keeping your highlights vibrant. Drink plenty of water to hydrate from the inside out, and incorporate moisturizing hair products into your routine.

Conclusion: Keep Your Highlights Gorgeous Year-Round

Whether you’re living in the heat of summer or braving the cold winds of winter, maintaining your highlights in NYC’s unpredictable weather doesn’t have to be a challenge. By following these tips and incorporating high-quality hair care products, you can keep your highlights looking fresh, vibrant, and gorgeous no matter the season. Visit [Your Salon Name] in Park Slope, Brooklyn for expert hair color services and tips on keeping your highlights looking their best.

Want to learn more about how to maintain your highlights, or are you due for a color refresh? Book an appointment today and let us help you keep your hair color looking amazing all year round.