Product knowledge: red hair care

Red is the rarest hair colour on earth, with just 1% of the population born with it. For those that choose to fake it, here are some of our favourite picks for red hair care. As any colourist - or red-haired client - can tell you, red is the fastest shade to fade. The red colour molecule is much bigger and heavier than other colour molecules, which means it can be too large to penetrate the hair shaft and, instead, adheres to the surface where it can be washed out more easily. Luckily, there are plenty of ways that you, as a colour professional, can help your clients looking red hot for longer. Here George Northwood, owner of the first UK Pureology flagship salon and brand ambassador reveals his redhead rules…

• Don't over-wash hair. Three times a week is more than enough. Encourage clients to use a good sulphate free shampoo like Reviving Reds Shamp’Oil from Purelology as this keeps the colour locked in for longer. On the in-between days when your hair needs a refresh, use a good translucent dry shampoo.

• Make sure clients are having regular trims and using heat protection. Healthier hair equals longer lasting colour. Make sure they use heat protection when styling with appliances and have regular trims to avoid split ends, which weaken the hair structure and its ability to lock colour in.

• Make sure they're high-maintenance. Red is a high maintenance colour, so advise against if clients are low maintenance. The roots are the first area to show colour fade, so encourage clients to have regular root touch-ups in between bigger colour appointment.

• Get the right red. There are so many shades of red and copper to suit all types of skin types. It’s actually a very adaptable colour, so don't be afraid to go red. Getting the right red for your client is about you as a great colourist taking the time to create a red or copper shade that works best for them.

These days, there are also plenty of products to keep red looking vibrant. Here are some of our favourites.

The Best... Red Hair Care

[hji-gallery-legacy] [Image: Matrix]