What Hair Color Lasts the Longest in 2024?

Coloring your hair doesn’t come cheap. If you want to make the most out of your money, you should know what hair color lasts the longest so you can maximize your new look. Read on to learn all you need to know.

What Hair Color Lasts the Longest?

Whether you have tried coloring your hair before or you’re a newbie, you need to know what hair color lasts the longest so you won’t be bothered by constant maintenance. Coloring your hair is a trend that will never fade.

However, picking a new hair color isn’t as simple as looking at the photos on the dye carton and choosing it for your locks, hoping it would remain that color forever.  

Any veteran hair color expert will tell you that not all hair colors are the same, and certain colors are notorious for fading too soon. You wouldn’t want to dye your hair only to have it turn back to your natural color in two weeks, right?

After all, hair coloring is a very costly and time-consuming process, and you wouldn’t want all that money and effort to go to waste. Brown hair dye is the most popular color and is used by millions of people all over the world because it has the strong staying power.

If you want to change your hairstyle long-term, this natural hair color should be your top choice. This way, you won’t need to dye your hair every few weeks and risk damaging your locks. 

Read Next: What Is the Most Common Hair Color?

What You Should Know About Hair Colors

Before we delve deeper into what hair color lasts the longest, here’s what you should know about hair colors:

What Are the Different Long-lasting Colors?

The top answer to what hair color lasts the longest isn’t long. It only covers blonde and brown. However, there are a multitude of shades in each color to choose from. This will make it easier for you to pick the best color that will suit your appearance.

Some of the warm brown shades include:

• Cinnamon
• Mahogany
• Amber
• Golden brown
• Honey

The most common cool brown shades include:

• Mocha
• Dark chocolate
• Dark auburn
• Chestnut

The most common ash-blonde shades include:

• Silver
• Champagne
• Platinum
• Ice 

The warm blonde shades you can choose from are:

• Gold
• Caramel
• Butterscotch
• Honey
• Amber

What Types of Hair Colors Are Available?

When deciding what color your hair should be, you have two options. The first one is natural colors, and the second one is funky colors. No matter which type you choose, your color should last long enough until you see new hair growth on the roots.

This could take four to six weeks. But if you dye your hair brown, you can enjoy the results for several months if you take care of the color well.  

Before picking a hair color, you should also research the brand before applying. This way, you’re sure you’re getting the strongest hair dye instead of messing things up.

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• Black and Purple Hair
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Factors That Affect How Long Color Will Last

Keep these points in mind before you take the plunge and color your hair:

Your Natural Hair Color

You may think it seems boring to connect science with hair dyes, but if you want to understand the process of dyeing your hair better, you need to know about it.

Melanin determines the color of your hair, skin, and even your eyes. It’s a pigment that is found in the inner portion of your hair structure called your hair cortex. People who have an abundance of eumelanin have brown or black hair.

Meanwhile, pheomelanin is abundant for people with red hair, and blondes only have a small amount of eumelanin. To reach the cortex of your hair, the dye must be able to penetrate deep into the protective layer around the hair cortex, called the hair cuticle.

So if you have naturally dark hair and you want to have blonde hair color, you can’t simply buy a box of blonde hair dye. You first need to get rid of your hair’s natural pigment. 

Bleaching your hair to lighten it’s essential if you want to go for a significantly lighter color than your natural hair. For example, if you want to dye your hair lavender and you have naturally brown hair, you cannot do so without bleaching your hair first. 

During this time, you have to make sure your hair is moisturized to avoid breakage and damage. It’s also important to note that frequent bleaching can pave the way for hair loss. 

On the other hand, if you have a lighter hair color and you want to color your hair a darker color, you can expect it to stay on for longer because there is no need to strip your hair of its natural color. For instance, if you are blonde and you want to have brown hair, it will surely last. 

Hair Type

Aside from your natural hair color, your hair type is also a key determinant in what hair color lasts the longest. Those who have fine hair easily absorb hair dyes, while those with thick and coarse hair will take longer to do so.

Read Next: What Is Hair Porosity?

Hair Health

When it comes to knowing what hair color lasts the longest, you should always prioritize your hair’s health. When your locks are in their best condition, you can keep the color for a longer type. 

Damaged and coarse hair is more porous. While it may absorb the hair color quickly, it will simply bleed out. The answer to what hair color lasts the longest isn’t always a color. Most of the time, it also depends on your hair’s health.

How to Take Care of Your Hair Color

If you want to enjoy maximum results for your hair color, you need to elevate your hair care game. Contrary to what many people think, caring for your hair color doesn’t just involve getting the right conditioner to moisturize it. 

The best tip in taking care of your hair is to eliminate your use of styling tools that cause heat damage.

There are also environmental factors that could decrease the lifespan of your hair dye, such as sun exposure, as well as the water you use to wash your hair. Also, use color-safe hair products and don’t shampoo your hair every day.

Things to Consider 

Here are the things to keep in mind to ensure your hair color lasts longer and you don’t damage your hair in the process.

If you want to get it done at a salon:

• Book a consultation first. 
• Ask about the hair dye brands they carry.
• Fading is inevitable when it comes to most hair colors. Make sure you are committed to maintenance and upkeep, such as retouching your roots.  
• Go to a salon if you want to have red hair because it’s the hardest to achieve.  
• Always ask for the price estimate for your hair length. 
• Bring pictures that show your desired hair color. 
• Consider if the color will fit your skin tone. 
• Know that you may not get your exact desired color on your first hair appointment. 
• Keep in mind that you will damage your hair if you make big color changes. 

If you want to DIY your hair color:

• Exercise damage control before dyeing your hair. 
• Steer clear of DIY permanent dyes, especially if you are a first-timer. Experiment with semi-permanent hair color first. 
• Do not heavily rely on the photos on the hair dye box, and use your hair color as a guide. 
• Try to stay within two shades of your natural hair color. 
• Always do a patch test. 
• Get the right tools. This includes a dye brush, bowl, and latex gloves. 
• Prepare old clothes since coloring your hair can be messy. The last thing you want is to stain your favorite shirt. 
• Color with caution. 
• Always prioritize aftercare. Prepare a color-safe conditioner and shampoo to keep your hair color looking fresh.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the most frequently asked questions about what hair color lasts the longest.

So, What Hair Color Lasts the Longest? 

So, what hair color lasts the longest? As we explained above, the answer is clear: brown. If you want a long-lasting color change, head over to your favorite salon or DIY this hair color. And don’t forget to use our hair care tips to make the most of your new hair color.                                                      

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