The most low-maintenance hair colour, according to colourists

We love low-maintenance hair colour. Switching up your dye job based on the latest hair colour trends is fun and all, but let’s be honest: nobody wants to spend more time or money at the salon than necessary. While there may not be a magic wand for you to wave each time you need a refresh (especially when it comes to red hair and blonde hair colours, which are currently trending), there are certain colours and in-salon techniques that ensure that your hair continues looking great long after you leave your colour appointment.

It’s always smart to consult with your colourist about what you’re looking for, but it can also be helpful to go in knowing what you want. A quick Instagram scroll can help provide timely hair colour inspo. To help you save time and money, we spoke to top colourists to get their expert advice about which colours grow out best and will buy you more time between salon visits.

What is the most low-maintenance hair colour?

According to Lorena M. Valdes, a colourist at Maxine Salon, “anything that leaves your natural hair alone and only adjusts the mids and ends” is best for not needing so many touch-ups. With something harsh like highlights, you would get a band of growth from the roots down, but if you’re not touching the roots and leaving them natural, there won’t be a recognizable “line of demarcation,” she says.

“Balayage is amazing for low-maintenance hair colour as it starts off as a soft point at the root to a thicker ribbon towards the bottom, which mimics what the sun does to our hair naturally,” says Valdes. Balayage is a highlighting technique in which colourists hand paint the highlights strategically, so that the lightened pieces appear more naturally placed.

Celebrity hair colourist Brian O’Connor, who is co-owner of Fruits Salon , adds that “babylights are always a nice way to leave a soft blend and an easy grow out.” Babylights are more delicate than highlights, and they’re woven throughout the hair for a more natural blend of colours.

What are the most difficult hair colours to maintain?

Red hair is notoriously difficult when it comes to upkeep. While it’s the hardest colour to fully strip from your hair, it’s also the first to fade, often lightening drastically within the first few washes. So unless you’re wanting to touch-up your own colour at home, it would be wise to skip the scarlet shades.

In general, Valdes says to avoid “solid colours that are the same from roots to ends.” Single processed colours — whatever the hue — will grow out pretty obviously whether your natural hair is light or dark. This colouring is a sure-fire way to get that dreaded line of growth.

“An all-over bleach and tone is always going to be high maintenance,” O’Connor says, adding that allover black is tough too, “especially if you have a lighter natural hair colour.”

How do you maintain hair colour at home?

O’Connor says to avoid too much heat styling. “It’s the biggest colour fader, as well as the sun,” he says. Additionally, Valdes says to steer clear of abrasive shampoos and swimming pools — chlorine can mess with your colour.

Instead, opt for a colour-locking shampoo and conditioner. We like the Redken Color Extend Shampoo and Conditioner. And if you are going to use hot tools, always use a heat protectant like Tresemme Care & Protect Heat Defence, which hydrates too.

Because coloured hair tends to be drier and more damage-prone, it’s smart to incorporate a hair mask. One that deposits coloured pigments is even better because it'll give your colour a boost between salon appointments. We love Moroccanoil, Christophe Robin and Wella for this.

Ready for low-maintenance hair colour inspo? Ahead are our favourite shades and techniques that will look great long after you leave the salon.

Low-maintenance hair colours & styles

Chestnut Brown

Medium-brown hair lovers might want to consider golden brown chestnut hair. “Chestnut hair is a beautiful shade that ranges from deep reddish brown to light golden brown; it’s a very versatile colour that suits many skin tones and can be both warm and cool in tone,” says Nicole Lucero, a colourist at Mahogany Grace Salon. She adds that the look has become increasingly popular in recent years, with celebrities like Camila Morrone, Emma Watson, and Lily Collins sporting the shade. “It is a low-maintenance hair colour that requires minimal touch-ups.”

Ombré Balayage

If you’re tired of high-maintenance shades or want something closer to your natural colour, you’ll love the ombré balayage aesthetic. “Less is more with a subtle ombré look,” Madison Reed master colourist Shvonne Perkins tells GLAMOUR. “It draws inspiration from ’70s style icons and features a solid root with grown-in, sun-kissed blonde highlights weaved throughout the mid lengths and ends.”

Deep Brunette

According to Perkins, a deep brunette is so close to natural that it's also especially low maintenance. “All you’d be doing at home would mostly be utilising colour depositing conditioners and blue shampoos, just to keep your tone balanced,” she says. “Otherwise, a little bit of fade actually works with these natural shades because they appear as subtle highlights.”

Cosy Blonde

The cosy-blonde movement is already well underway, and considering how low-maintenance it is, it's not hard to see why.

“Cosy blonde is a term used to describe a super-low-maintenance approach to being a blonde,” says Michelle Cleveland, celebrity hair-extension artist and Wella master colour expert. “The look embraces more depth in the hair with low lights and strategic placement of lighter blonde shades, allowing for a low-maintenance blonde that works for any season.”

Chestnut Highlights

For a slightly lighter option that's still low-maintenance, Perkins suggests chestnut brown with highlights. “Chestnut brunette is a natural brown with hints of caramel and golden undertones,  and loads of rich shine," she says. What’s more, she adds, is that this colour is especially luminous and reflective. “It’s a departure from the subdued, ash tones featured in the trends from seasons past.”

Candlelit Brunette

One of 2023’s biggest brunette hair trends is candlelit brunette, and with good reason: it's super chic and super low maintenance. “Candlelit brunette is a warm and radiant brown hair color that’s achieved by adding subtle highlights and lowlights to a brown base; the overall effect is meant to mimic the soft, flickering glow of candlelight,” says Jennifer Korab, celebrity hairstylist and owner of Renaissance Salon & Spa.

“To achieve this medium-brown ombré colour, I use a combination of foiling and balayage highlight techniques to add dimension and depth to the hair,” says Korab. “The tones of the highlights are typically a shade or two lighter than the base colour. The shade of a candlelit brunette can vary depending on individual preferences and skin tones. Some people may prefer a more golden, honey-toned look, while others may opt for a deeper, chocolatey tone.” This is an especially ideal option for those with naturally light brown hair. Touch-ups can be infrequent since it looks so pretty grown out.

Honey Melt Blonde

Much like cosy blonde, honey melt blonde is an ideal option for blondes looking for a more low-key and less high-maintenance take on the light shade. “Honey melt is adding honey tones and lowlights in a pirouette pattern around the shape of the haircut,” says Lauren Mildice, hair colourist at Maxine Salon. "By having a warmer blonde colour, you won’t find yourself at the salon as often since warmth lives in the hair.”

Adding depth and warmth back into the hair also minimises the visibility of the grow-out phase, Mildice adds. “This technique can be utilised to replenish depth and dimension while creating structure to an empty monotone summer blonde.”

Caramel Lowlights

For a more quiet luxury inspired take on candlelit brunette, Lucero recommends dyeing your hair a rich chocolate brown with reddish undertones and opting for lowlights instead of blonde highlights.

“This look is achieved by adding lowlights to the hair in shades of caramel or burgundy,” she says. “It is a great way to achieve a natural-looking hair colour that is also striking and bold. This style suits individuals with warm-toned complexions.”

Deep Blonde

“A deep blonde like this is low maintenance because it allows the hair to retain some of its natural pigment, and it’s not overly lightened, limiting the maintenance involved for both repair and colour,” says Perkins. One of our favourite takes on deep blonde is Rosie Huntington-Whitley's butterscotch blonde.

Honey Wheat

“There’s no doubt that brown hair has been a huge colour trend in recent years, with many celebrities opting for a natural (even if it’s not their own natural) hue,” says Alex Brownsell, celebrity hairstylist and co-founder of Bleach London. “We have seen many blondes becoming more beige, with many people opting to keep their blonde but tone it down to something that could pass as natural.” Examples of the phenomenon includes caramel blonde and honey wheat, which can be created using part Just Like Honey, part White Heat, and part Instant Coffee.

Natural Brown

The natural movement is also underway for brunettes. “More natural colour is still in, meaning people are avoiding over-processing,” says Jaclyn Curti, hair colourist and extensions specialist at Eva Scrivo Salon. “Think Olivia Rodrigo’s rich chocolate brown with subtle amber brown highlights toward the bottom.” This look also works well for ashy brown colours.

Face-Framing Highlights

There's no need to dye (and care for) your whole head of hair when you just want a pop of colour. “This luxe light brown and blonde look is the pigment mix of the moment,” Brownsell says of the two-tone blonde-on-brunette look. “This coffee brown is the perfect colour for sectioned styles like Charlie XCX's Gemini hair, and half and half, or Dua Lipa peekaboo stripes.” (Another example? Skunk stripe hair.)

You can achieve this at home using semi-permanent dye like Bleach London’s Instant Coffee Super Cool Colour, says Brownsell. Make the blonde pop with face-framing baby-lights. But the best part? It’s super-low upkeep, as it looks just as chic while growing out.

This feature originally appeared on GLAMOUR US.