Blonde Army: How I Maintain My Coloured Hair

This is my first haircare post so pretty exciting! Hope you like! :-)

I have naturally dark blonde hair, which I really don't like, so when I can afford it I have it coloured a lighter blonde using foils. To try and extend the period between hairdresser visits, I have a collection of hair products that I use regularly in the battle to maintain the colour for as long as possible.

Every Other Day

I wash my hair every other day using Pro:Voke Touch of Silver Daily Maintenance Shampoo and Daily Nourish Conditioner. These bottles are 200ml in size and are designed for grey, white or platinum blonde hair. I wouldn't say I class my hair as completely white or platinum blonde (and definitely not grey!), but I have a mixture of brighter tones and then some darker ones to give the colour some depth and to make it look more natural. So with these products I am targeting those brighter tones in my hair. 

Pro:Voke Touch of Silver Daily Maintenance Shampoo - "This gentle cleansing shampoo contains Sunflower Seed Extract and UV Absorber to help protect against photodamage and safeguard your colour, whilst Optical Brightener instantly boosts shine. Resulting in fresh, healthy, great looking hair."

Pro:Voke Touch of Silver Daily Nourish Conditioner - "This creamy protective formula helps repair damaged hair by infusing extra moisture to give an improved smooth and silky texture. Contains Sunflower Seed Extract and UV Absorber to help protect the structure of the hair and prevent colour fading. Whilst Optical Brightener restores silver tones. Resulting in super-sleek radiant hair!"

I didn't expect my hair to feel so soft and in as such good condition after using these - I guess it's because the purple colour of the products makes me think of dye and chemicals, which don't equal healthy hair.

On the left is the conditioner and on the right is the shampoo.

Twice A Week

The Pro:Voke Twice A Week Brightening Shampoo is a clear 150ml bottle, which reveals the violet colour of the formula. It is a toning shampoo, which actively neutralises brassiness; so basically it prevents blonde hair from looking yellow. Because of this, the use of the Daily Maintenance Shampoo above is recommended to prevent colour build up. The violet pigment also fights fading and dullness.

I don't always manage to use it twice a week, as you have to leave the shampoo lathered into your hair for 5 minutes. So it's not a product to use when you're in a rush and only having a quick shower! However this is the product that provides the most noticeable difference in your hair colour - I often get asked by my friends if I've had my hair coloured when I haven't, and this is the reason why. 

Please note that all of the Pro:Voke products can stain, so the bottles state to avoid contact with clothing and porous surfaces. Unfortunately some of my towels at home have purple splodges on them! As long as you rinse the product out properly and don't have any blobs left on your hands or body, then you shouldn't have a problem.

Occasional Use

From John Frieda's Sheer Blonde range is the Controlled Lightening Spray. This works by spraying it on towel dried hair and activating the product by exposing it to heat - so basically by blow drying. Even straightening or tonging your hair afterwards will greater the lightening effects, according to the bottle. This product however contains hydrogen peroxide, which is a bleaching agent. Therefore I only use it occasionally, normally to try and blend any dark roots appearing. 

So there we have it, my blonde army! I have purchased the Pro:Voke range from independent pharmacies on Amazon, from Savers and larger Boots stores, depending on what is most appropriate at the time. (My local Boots doesn't stock it and I don't have a Savers in my town either.) John Frieda products are available in Superdrug or Boots.

What hair products do you use to maintain your colour?

Beauty Bird xx

P.S. I would like to apologise for the poor picture quality in this post, I am struggling with this at the moment so bear with me!