8 Great Tips on How to Maintain Blue Hair

How to maintain blue hair is all about preserving vibrancy while keeping your hair healthy.

Here’s what the latest expert advice and real user experiences suggest:

Key Maintenance Tips for Blue Hair

Minimize shampoos — ideally wash every 2–3 days. Every wash strips pigment and oils, dulling color fast.
Avoid washing for 48–72 hours after dyeing to allow the color to properly bind to the hair shaft.

Always rinse with cold water — hot water opens the hair cuticle and lets dye escape; cold water seals it and helps lock in color.

Invest in sulfate-free, color-safe shampoo and conditioner, ideally from a vivid haircare line (e.g. Matrix Keep Me Vivid) that prevents fading up to ~65 days.
Use blue (not purple) toning shampoo or conditioner to neutralize unwanted orange tones in cool-toned or blue-leaning hair.

Color-depositing conditioners or tonics (blue-shaded) are highly effective. Reddit users recommend Keracolor and No Fade Fresh brands for extended vibrancy.
Some shampoos come in shades like “Lucky Blue” to also tone hair and prevent green undertones.

Avoid heat styling tools (blow dryers, straighteners, curling irons) especially in early days; if necessary, always use a heat-protectant spray.
Shield hair from UV — sun exposure can fade and dull vivid colors. Wear hats or use UV-protectant sprays/shields.

Dry shampoo is your best friend for extending time between washes without stripping color or oils.

Try Redken or Kérastase options for refresh and glow.

Overtone in purple or blue helps maintain tone and prevent fading to green, especially in yellowed hair bases.

Some stylists advise overtone more vibrantly so it fades into your perfect shade rather than green or muddy hues.

Weekly deep conditioning masks and color gloss treatments help preserve shine and add pigment back between dye sessions.

Routine	Details
Post-dye (first 48–72h)	No washing; rinse only if needed
Washing days	Use sulfate-free, color-safe shampoo/conditioner; use cool water
Between washes	Use dry shampoo to reduce washing
Once a week	Apply blue deposit conditioner or tone with tinted conditioner
Monthly	Deep mask or gloss treatment to restore moisture and pigment
Daily care	Avoid heat styling; wear UV protection when outdoors

“Wash your hair as little as possible and use a tinted conditioner (NOT a shampoo)… keeps the color fresh and bright.”
“Blue is actually the MOST stubborn shade so lasts the longest of any color…”

Blue hair can last up to 4–8 weeks depending on care and shade intensity, but you can stretch this much longer with smart habits.

Photo credits: Good Dye Young