My mother used to go to her monthly hair appointment like clockwork — on the given Saturday morning, you could find her firmly seated in the salon chair by 10 a.m., ready for her longtime colorist to give her a fresh look. However, times have changed, and a monthly or biweekly salon appointment may not be feasible for those with colored hair, especially red hair, which is oftentimes more difficult to maintain than other colors.
Since red dye tends to fade faster both naturally (the color itself clings well to hair, but is difficult to penetrate well, which leads to fading) and through environmental factors (sunlight, heat styling, chlorine and constant shampooing), maintaining red hair calls for a specialized routine and a robust product lineup.
To find out the best ways to maintain red hair, I spoke to Meri-Kate O’Connor, a Los-Angeles based celebrity stylist and colorist, about the best techniques, products and tips to try.
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How I picked the best products for red hair
When choosing the products on this list, I compiled options based on expert recommendations and favorite picks from the shopping experts on our NBC Select staff (specifically staffers who have extensive experience with red hair). I also included top-rated options from tried and true hair care brands that we’ve previously used and loved.
- Product types: Maintaining colored hair requires a full regimen, so I include products to cleanse (like sulfate-free, color safe shampoo), condition (like color-enhancing conditioner) and styling (like heat protectant and dye kits). I’ve also included options for color depositing masks, which help to keep your hair’s tone vibrant in between dye touchups.
- Hair type: There are no specific considerations to keep in mind for different hair types, so whether you have thick, thin, curly, straight or natural hair, O’Connor suggests choosing products that prioritize color retention, moisture and hair nourishment and strength.
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The best products for maintaining red hair in 2026
Editor’s pick
This color refresh mask is designed to moisturize and nourish your hair while helping to boost the red tones in your hair, according to the brand. “The first time I went red two years ago my stylist recommended this color depositing mask and it was a God-send for keeping my color fresh,” says NBC Select editorial projects manager Rebecca Rodriguez. “I used it once a week for four months and still had half the bottle left, and my hair always felt smoother and shinier after I used the mask,” she says. She also likes that the pump design makes it easy to dispense and helps to minimize stains around her bathroom, says Rodriguez.
Best color-depositing mask
Rodriguez uses this mask to help upkeep her color in between full dyes, and says it’s her favorite product to use when her color needs a refresh. It doubles as a deep conditioning treatment, using argan and apricot kernel oils to repair and hydrate hair, and an amino acid blend to detangle and add shine, according to the brand. “The mask does more than just restore my color vibrancy — it’s also deeply hydrating which has been critical since I had to lighten my hair substantially to achieve this color which obviously caused a lot of damage,” says Rodriguez.
Best conditioner
This conditioner comes recommended by O’Connor due to its hydrating formula. “[It] gives great tone and shine,” she says. It enhances the shade of your hair between dye jobs and has ingredients like meadowfoam oil to increase shine, almond extract to increase your hair’s volume and babassu oil to hydrate and protect your hair, according to the brand. For best results, apply the conditioner to towel-dried hair and leave it on for up to five minutes before rinsing it out; you should use it twice a week to enhance color or once a week to maintain it, according to the brand. It also has a non-staining formula that will naturally fade out after three washes, according to Leonor Greyl.
Best shampoo
This shampoo is sulfate-free, meaning it’s gentler on your hair and scalp, says O’Connor. It cleanses hair while preventing color from fading and has a lightweight formula that won’t weigh down your hair, according to the brand. The blend of amino, lactic and tartaric acids add softness to your hair to combat potential color treatment damage and locks in your color to stop it from stripping away. This shampoo is also available in a version for finer hair types.
Best budget pick
These masks deposit a strong color, and come in a range of red and copper hues, including Scarlet Red, Ruby Red and Cherry Chestnut. The semi-permanent color moisturizes your hair with jojoba and coconut oil, which help add color without any damaging lightening agents, according to the brand. Apply the mask to dry hair and allow it to sit for 15 minutes before rinsing with warm water.
Best heat protectant
Rodriguez likes to use this hair gloss as a heat protectant, but it’s also a leave-in conditioning treatment that helps to hydrate and seal the hair cuticle, which locks in moisture and shine, according to the brand. “What I like about this heat protectant is not just that it protects my strands from heat damage, but it also always leaves my hair looking glossy after a blow dry,” says Rodriguez. It protects against heat up to 450 degrees, plus it has a lightweight formula that layers well with other products, according to the brand.
Best dye tool kit
Rodriguez recommends using a pair of gloves when handling color-heavy products. This kit includes not only gloves, but also all the tools you need for an at-home color touchup, including a bowl, two dye brushes, a protective shawl, hair clips and hair caps, according to the brand. The shawl is also water- and corrosion-resistant, making it safe to use with stronger chemicals and dyes, according to Xarchy. You can store all the accessories in the included bag, too.
Tips for maintaining red hair
Below, O’Connor shares some tips and tricks on the best ways to maintain your red hair and keep the color looking fresh and bold throughout washes.
- Wash your hair less: The hair washing process can be the trickiest part of maintaining red hair, since excessive washing is known to fade color. “The less you shampoo your hair, the better for the color,” says O’Connor. She suggests washing no more than three to four times per week and using a dry shampoo in between washes. When you do wash your hair, use a color-safe shampoo (like the ones above) for your washes, says O’Connor. Follow it up with a moisturizing conditioner to hydrate your hair.
- Prevent fading: Fading is one of the biggest concerns when it comes to hair coloring, and even more so when it comes to red hair. To preserve your color for as long as possible, O’Connor suggests minimizing your hair’s exposure to heat and sun by covering your head with a cap or scarf. She also says you should stay out of chlorinated and salt water, since both can speed up the fading process.
- Styling. Hot tools and overstyling can also fade your red hair color, says O’Connor. To combat this, use a good heat protector before styling your hair, she says.
- Touchups and recolors. The frequency of your color retouches will depend on how fast your hair grows. However, O’Connor suggests touching up your roots every four to six weeks on average. Use toning and gloss treatments during touchups to keep your hair’s red hue shiny, fresh and non-brassy, she says.
Frequently asked questions
What is a color depositing mask?
A color depositing mask helps refresh the red color and keep it looking vibrant, says O’Connor. Depending on how often you wash your hair, use one every one to two weeks for best results, she says.
Does the water temperature when washing red hair matter?
Yes, the temperature does matter — O’Connor says it can directly affect how much your hair color runs. “Warm water opens the hair cuticle, which can sometimes help color seep out,” she says. It can also deposit minerals into your hair that cause color fading or oxidization, which can turn your red hue dull and brassy. O’Connor recommends using cooler water to preserve the color.
How do you keep the hair color from staining your stuff?
To prevent staining, you should rinse your hair with cooler water and make sure the water runs clear after rinsing your color, says O’Connor. However, staining may still happen, so she suggests avoiding white pillowcases, just in case.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Meri-Kate O’Connor is a Los-Angeles based celebrity stylist and colorist.
Why trust NBC Select?
I’m an associate SEO reporter covering skin care, wellness, apparel and lifestyle, including stories on the best natural hair masks and how to maintain braids. For this story, I spoke to a celebrity colorist to find out the best techniques, products, and tips to try when maintaining red hair.
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