Color Maintenance: Purple Shampoo, Heat, and Hard Water Tips

You've invested time and money into the perfect shade at our Mission studio. Now, the goal is to keep it that way for as long as possible. Mission's environment presents some unique challenges for color-treated hair, but they are all manageable with the right habits.

The Hard Water Challenge

Many areas in Mission and the Fraser Valley have "hard" water, which is high in minerals like calcium and magnesium. These minerals can build up on your hair, making color look muddy or causing highlights to turn "brassy." A chelating shampoo used once a month can help strip these minerals away.

Purple Shampoo: The Blonde's Best Friend

If you're a blonde in Mission, purple shampoo is your secret weapon. Because purple is opposite yellow on the color wheel, it neutralizes those unwanted warm tones. But be careful—over-using it can make your hair look "drab" or even slightly purple. Once a week is usually the sweet spot.

The Cool Rinse Secret

Hot water is the enemy of hair color. It opens the cuticle and allows the color molecules to wash right out. Whenever possible, wash and rinse your hair with cool or lukewarm water. It's the simplest and cheapest thing you can do for your color.

UV Protection

Just like the sun bleaches your patio furniture, it will bleach your hair color. If you're spending the day at Mission's Heritage Park or out on the river, use a leave-in conditioner with UV filters to act as a "sunscreen" for your hair.