Look

Colour refresh between visits

Blonde and lightened hair fades and turns brassy fastest just before your next salon visit. Here’s a look that helps you stretch your colour a little further at home.

Send us a message Browse care

Why colour fades and brass returns between appointments

Freshly toned blonde hair looks its best in the first week or so, but as you wash, use heat and spend time outdoors, the toner fades and warm undertones start to show through. Lightened hair is more porous, which means it loses pigment quickly and absorbs minerals from water and products, leading to yellow or orange tones known as brass. In Joburg and Pretoria, the higher UV index and harder water can speed up this process, while pool water and old pipes in any city can bring out strange green or copper tones.

No matter how carefully you care for your hair, the last weeks before your next colour appointment are when you’ll notice dullness, fading and warmth the most. The aim is to keep your look bright and soft until you’re back in the stylist’s chair, without over-toning or drying it out.

The Fair Hair Studio home routine for bridging weeks

Start your week with a gentle cleanse using Blonde Wash Soft, followed by Violet Soft Rinse for two to five minutes to neutralise yellow. Always wear gloves, and rinse until the water runs clear. Mid-week, use Cool Tone Gloss for a fast refresh, leave it on for 3 to 8 minutes, but dont go longer to avoid a lilac or dull finish, especially if your hair is very light or porous.

Once a week, add Silk Repair Mask after your wash. For sun or outdoor days, mist Sun Shield Mist onto your hair before you head out, and reapply at midday. On wash days, use Bond Soft Serum on damp lengths before styling with low heat. Every night, sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase or use an Overnight Silk Wrap to minimise friction and help your colour last. If you’re swimming, pre-wet your hair and use a leave-in like Sun Shield Mist or Length Oil Drop before you swim, then rinse straight after.

Wash with Blonde Wash Soft, then Violet Soft Rinse (2 to 5 min, gloves).
Gloss with Cool Tone Gloss (3 to 8 min, gloves, every 1 to 2 washes).
Weekly Silk Repair Mask for mid-lengths and ends.
Daily Sun Shield Mist, especially in sun.
Bond Soft Serum before styling, silk wrap nightly.

When to book your next salon appointment and how to style in the meantime

The closer you are to your next colour appointment, the less you want to push your hair with strong toning products. If you’re two to three weeks out, book your toner or colour refresh early, these slots fill up fast at the end of the month and before holidays. If you have a big event like a matric dance or family photos, time your salon visit for three to seven days before so your hair looks its best, but your scalp has a little time to settle.

In the meantime, style gently: keep heat low, use a wide-tooth comb when detangling, and never run irons over damp hair. For softness and shine, warm a couple drops of Length Oil Drop in your palms and smooth it over the ends. If you’re caught in a power cut, let your hair air-dry halfway before using a dryer on low heat.

Common mistakes and quick fixes for at-home colour maintenance

Overusing violet products or leaving them on too long is a classic slip, especially when brass starts to show. This can leave hair looking dull or with a purple tinge. If you overdo it, switch to gentle shampoos for your next two washes and skip the violet step until the colour evens out.

Another usual problem is forgetting to protect hair in the sun or before swimming. Always keep a small spray of Sun Shield Mist or your travel trio handy in your bag. If you see greenish or copper tones after a swim, rinse immediately, apply Silk Repair Mask and book a care review at one of our studios for advice. And for those days you skip your silk wrap or pillowcase, give your ends some extra Length Oil Drop the next morning.

Questions about brass and upkeep

For questions about brassiness, purple staining or how often to use gloss between appointments, use our contact form. Include your last salon service, your water area, and whether you swim so the routine suits blonde care in Kramerville, Sandton and across Gauteng.