What Is a Hair Color Rinse and Should You Try One?

When it comes to coloring your hair, you’re probably familiar with options like permanent hair dye and hair makeup. And if you like to stay up to date with the most popular coloring methods, you’ve likely heard the buzz about the hair color rinse. But what exactly is it? Whether you’re looking to give your color-treated strands a refresh or simply boost your natural hair color, a color rinse may just be what you’ve been searching for. Ready to learn more? Here’s the 4-1-1.

WHAT IS A HAIR COLOR RINSE?

First thing’s first, what is a hair color rinse? While this hair coloring method is commonly referred to interchangeably as a hair gloss, glaze, and toner, they’re not the same! Like these other hair-refreshing options, this type of hair color offers your strands a wash of color, rather than a permanent hair color change. Like a gloss, it doesn’t penetrate the hair shaft, but it isn’t the same as a semi-permanent hair color, which only coats your strands. Instead, this type of demi-permanent hair dye penetrates the outer cuticle of your hair.

A hair color rinse is applied all over wet hair and left on for just a few minutes, depending on the desired outcome. While the treatment is more commonly done in the salon, there are at-home color rinses available for those who prefer a DIY project.

Color rinses are a great way to give a vibrant hair color a boost between salon sessions or to simply add a tint of color to your natural strands. A color rinse is also a worthy option for those who notice their strands are starting to become brassy. Keep in mind, however, that color rinses won’t lighten your strands. Despite their name, a hair color rinse also doesn’t always have to add color to your locks. If you’d prefer to add a bit of shine to your mane, a clear color rinse will suit your needs.

The best thing about a hair color rinse is that since the color or sheen they deliver gradually fades, you won’t have to worry about any harsh lines of demarcation.

IS A COLOR RINSE BAD FOR YOUR HAIR?

No! In fact, since color rinses don’t contain ammonia, they can be less damaging than their permanent hair dye counterparts. That said, this type of hair color is used with a developer, and over time, if over-used, it can cause damage. Of course, since a hair color rinse doesn’t penetrate the hair shaft, it won’t last forever, and you most likely will want to repeat the whole process. Speaking of…

HOW LONG DOES A HAIR COLOR RINSE LAST?

How long a hair color rinse will last depends on the rinse you use, and if you’re using an at-home option or headed to the salon. Generally, a salon version will last longer than a DIY one, but it’s easier to re-up your rinse at home than it is to get back to the salon again. You can also increase the lifespan of your color rinse with the proper hair care regimen, which we’ll talk about in a bit. Typically, a rinse will fade with each shampoo, lasting around four to six washes.

3 HAIR CARE TIPS TO HELP YOUR COLOR RINSE LAST

Your hair care regimen can directly impact how long your color rinse lasts. Here are a few tips to keep in mind to get the most out of the color treatment.

#1. OPT FOR COOL WATER

While it may be tempting to rinse your strands with warm temperatures, cool water will help increase the longevity of your hair color rinse.

#2. USE COLOR-SAFE FORMULAS

Your go-to shampoo and conditioner won’t cut it when you get a color rinse. Instead, you’ll need to look for a system that’s specifically formulated for color-treated hair. Try the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Color Vibrancy Protecting Shampoo, L’Oréal Paris Elvive Color Vibrancy Protecting Conditioner, and L’Oréal Paris Elvive Color Vibrancy Repair and Protect Balm.

#3. LOAD UP ON CONDITIONER

Keeping your strands hydrated is another way to extend the life of your color rinse. If you want to show your strands some extra TLC, swap your conditioner with a daily deep conditioner, like the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Color Vibrancy Rapid Reviver Deep Conditioner.

Now that you’ve been introduced to hair color rinses and their ability to refresh your colored strands, perhaps you’d like to learn about another color-boosting option. Head over to our article, Do You Need Color-Depositing Conditioner?, to do just that.