If your hair color looks dull and lackluster, highlights can be the perfect solution to bring out that beautiful sparkle in your locks. Highlights are an effective way to add some dimension to your hair color and give you a fresh new look, but many people need help keeping those highlights bright and vibrant.
Don’t worry about this blog post; we’ll be giving you our best tips on keeping those gorgeous hues popping for weeks on end! From choosing the right products to using simple at-home treatments, these easy steps will help ensure you get salon-worthy results no matter where you’re starting.

So if you’re hoping for attention-grabbing tresses then read on how to keep highlights bright!
What Will You Need?
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of maintaining your highlights, let’s first talk about gathering the products you’ll need and breaking down which ones are best for this job.
You will need the following:
- A color-safe shampoo and conditioner
- A hydrating hair mask
- A leave-in conditioner
- A heat protectant spray
- A toning shampoo
- UV protection haircare products, such as a styling gel with SPF or a leave-in treatment
- Hair scissors for regular
Now that you’ve got the supplies, it’s time to get into our tips for keeping your highlights bright and vibrant!
10 Easy Steps on How to Keep Highlights Bright
Step 1. Use Color-Safe Shampoo and Conditioner:
Ordinary shampoo and conditioner can strip your hair of its color over time. Choosing a color-safe shampoo and conditioner designed to cleanse your hair while maintaining its color and shine gently is important. These products will be less harsh on your highlights and will keep them looking bright and vibrant.
Step 2. Apply a Hydrating Hair Mask Regularly:
Dry and damaged hair can make your highlights appear dull. To keep your highlights radiant, it’s vital to use a hydrating hair mask regularly. A quality hair mask provides deep nourishment and hydration, restoring the luster and shine of your highlighted hair. Apply the mask once a week, allowing it to sit for the suggested time before thoroughly rinsing. This simple step can dramatically preserve the vibrancy of your highlights.

Step 3. Incorporate a Leave-In Conditioner:
Leave-in conditioners are a fantastic tool to keep your highlights looking bright and fresh. They work by forming a protective barrier around your hair shaft, locking in moisture and preventing color from fading. Apply a leave-in conditioner after each hair wash while the hair is still damp. This layer of protection keeps your highlights vibrant and adds an extra level of condition to your hair, making it softer, smoother, and more manageable.
Step 4. Protect Your Hair from Heat:
Heated styling tools, such as hair dryers, straighteners, or curling irons, can significantly damage your hair and cause your highlights to fade more quickly. A heat protectant spray can help shield your hair from the damaging effects of high temperatures, preserving the vibrancy of your highlights. Spray it evenly throughout your hair before using any heated tools. This step will keep your highlights bright and add a layer of protection to your hair, reducing the risk of heat-induced damage.
Step 5. Use a Toning Shampoo:
Toning shampoos, often called purple shampoos are designed to neutralize brassiness and keep your highlights looking salon-fresh. They work by depositing cool tones into your hair to balance out any warm tones that may develop over time. Using a toning shampoo once a week can help maintain the brightness of your highlights. Remember to follow the instructions on the bottle for how long to leave the shampoo in your hair, as leaving it in for too long can result in a purple tint.
Step 6. Apply UV Protection Hair Care Products:
Just like your skin, your hair is susceptible to damage from the sun’s UV rays, which can cause your highlights to fade. Incorporate a UV protection hair care product, such as a leave-in treatment or a styling gel with SPF, into your hair care routine. This added layer of protection will shield your hair from the sun’s harsh rays, keeping your highlights bright and vibrant.
Step 7. Regular Trims with Hair Scissors:
Regular trims with hair scissors can also contribute to keeping your highlights bright. Split ends, and breakage can make your highlights look dull and lackluster. Giving your hair regular trims reduces the chance of damage and keeps your hair looking fresh and vibrant. Aim to have a trim every 6-8 weeks to maintain the health and brightness of your highlights.
Step 8. Limit Exposure to Chlorine:
Chlorine, commonly found in swimming pools, can have a harsh bleaching effect on your highlights, causing them to lose their brightness over time. To prevent this, try to limit your exposure to chlorinated water. Consider wearing a swim cap to protect your hair if you must swim. Alternatively, you can pre-soak your hair with clean water, as hair absorbs less chlorine when wet.
Step 9. Eat a Balanced Diet:
Your diet plays an essential role in maintaining the health and vibrancy of your hair. Make sure you are consuming enough protein, vitamins, and minerals. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, and antioxidants can help nourish your hair from the inside out, keeping your highlights bright and healthy.

Step 10. Give Your Hair a Break:
Lastly, it’s important to give your hair a break occasionally. Constant heating, styling, and coloring can cause significant damage to your hair. Try to go natural as much as possible. Limit the use of heated styling tools and harsh chemical treatments. This will not only keep your highlights bright but also enhance the overall health of your hair.
By following these easy and effective steps, you can keep your highlights looking as bright and vibrant as they were on the day you walked out of the salon. Remember, consistency is key in hair care, and making these steps a part of your routine will ensure that your highlights retain their radiance and shine for a longer period.
5 Additional Tips and Tricks
- Use Color-Enhancing Shampoo: Invest in a good color-enhancing shampoo for highlighted hair. This can help maintain the brightness of your highlights and prevent them from fading over time.
- Use A Hair Mask: Include a hair mask in your weekly hair care routine. This will add moisture and nourishment to your hair, which is essential in keeping your highlights bright and vibrant.
- Clean Only The Lengths Of Your Hair: Shampoo and conditioners near your roots can strip the color from your highlights. To prevent this, you should only clean the lengths of your hair with a mild shampoo or sulfate-free option.
- Be Careful In The Sun: Try to limit your exposure to direct sunlight, as it can cause your highlights to fade. If you’re spending a lot of time outdoors, wear hats and use sunscreen to help protect your hair from the sun’s damaging UV rays.
- Keep Temperature Control: Heat can cause fading with your highlights. Try to air dry whenever possible and avoid using heated styling tools such as curling irons or blow dryers. If you must use heat, always use a heat protectant on your hair before applying any hot tools.

With these tips and tricks, you’ll be sure to keep your highlights bright and as vibrant as when they were fresh out of the salon!
5 Things You Should Avoid
- Avoid Frequent Washing: Washing your hair too often can strip away the color and make your highlights appear dull. Limit washing to just two or three times per week.
- Avoid Chlorinated Water: Swimming pools often contain chlorine, which can bleach your highlights and cause them to fade. Before swimming, protect your hair by applying a hair mask or oil.
- Avoid Using Regular Hair Products: Regular hair products can be harsh on highlighted hair. Opt for products specifically designed for color-treated hair.
- Avoid Hot Styling Tools: As stated earlier, heat can cause fading with your highlights. Limit the use of straighteners, curling irons, and other hot tools.
- Avoid Hard Water: Hard water contains minerals that can cause buildup and dull your highlights. Consider installing a shower filter to soften the water and brighten your color.
Avoiding these common pitfalls will greatly assist in maintaining the vibrancy of your highlights, ensuring they remain bright and fresh for longer.
Why Do Your Highlights Fade So Fast?
Highlights can fade quickly for several reasons. First, your hair is constantly exposed to the sun and environmental pollutants, which can cause fading over time. Additionally, regular use of hot styling tools and harsh hair products can damage the color molecules in your highlights, leading to premature fading. Finally, improper care, such as frequent washing or hard water, can strip away the brightness.
To maintain the brilliance of your highlights, it’s important to take proper care and use the right products. With a combination of color-protective shampoos, hair masks, heat protectants, and avoiding harsh chemicals, you can help keep your highlights looking vibrant for longer!

Conclusion
Finally, the best way how to keep highlights bright and beautiful is by using quality products and regularly maintaining your color. Ensure you touch up your color between salon visits, invest in good heat protection products, and use a shampoo specifically designed for colour-treated hair. You should also work with a stylist who can help tailor the perfect care and maintenance plan to suit you.
Following these steps will ensure that your highlights stay bold and vibrant for as long as possible. So don’t forget to implement these practices now – you won’t be sorry! If you want to take it one step further, why not try a brighter or more daring hue next time? After all, highlights are meant to reflect the real you.
Experimentation is encouraged – just make sure you maintain it properly afterward. And remember: shine on!
About the Author
Jane Hubbard is a passionate beauty expert with a wealth of experience in makeup, hair, and overall beauty techniques. After years of working as a hairdresser specialist, she followed her entrepreneurial spirit and started her own consultancy business.
Jane has always been driven by her desire to help others feel confident in their own skin, and she does this by sharing her knowledge, experiences, and practical beauty tips. Through her consultancy, she empowers individuals to embrace their unique beauty, offering tailored guidance that boosts both self-esteem and personal style.
Professional Focus
- Specializes in makeup, hairstyling, and beauty consulting.
- Provides personalized beauty advice, tips, and techniques to help individuals feel confident in their appearance.
- Dedicated to staying up-to-date with the latest industry trends and developments.
- Passionate about creating a comfortable and empowering experience for every client.
Education History
- University of Craft and Design – Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Woodworking and Furniture Design
- Woodworking Apprenticeships – Extensive hands-on training with skilled craftsmen to refine carpentry and furniture making techniques
- Online Courses & Masterclasses – Continued education in advanced woodworking techniques, design principles, and specialized tools
Expertise:
- Makeup artistry, hairstyling, and beauty consulting.
- Personalized beauty techniques to enhance confidence and self-expression.
- Educating clients on how to maintain their beauty routines at home.