Red hair fades fast, too fast. One moment it’s deep, luxurious, wine red, and then next it’s brassy, coppery, or straight-up orange. Every redhead knows the heartbreak of watching their colour shift after just a few washes.
And it feels like no matter what you do—avoiding the sun, washing less, using “colour-safe” shampoo the orange tones still creep in. You end up re-dyeing every 2–3 weeks, spending more money, more time, and causing more hair damage just to keep the colour you already paid for.
Here’s the good news: you don’t need constant salon visits!
With the right pigment care, especially wine red depositing formulas like Rehues Wine Red you can lock in your shade, correct brassiness, and maintain that bold, rich, freshly-dyed red for much longer.
Why Red Hair Turns Orange: The Real Reason Behind the Fade
Red hair colour fades faster than any other shade and that’s because red pigment molecules are the biggest, so they slip out of the hair the quickest.
And when the red fades? The leftover base pigments (orange + yellow) start showing through. That’s why the colour shifts.
This fade happens even quicker when the hair is exposed to heat from styling tools, frequent washing, and strong sunlight, all of which lift the cuticle and allow red pigments to escape. Without regular colour maintenance, the red can’t stay rich, so the orange tones become even more visible.
1. Heat, Sun, and Daily Washing
Heat, sunlight, and daily washing all lift the hair cuticle, which allows red pigments to escape much faster. This means that if you wash your hair every day, frequently use blow dryers or styling irons, or spend a lot of time under the sun, your red tones will fade quickly and lose their vibrancy.
2. Wrong Shampoo Strips Red Colour
Most commercial shampoos contain sulfates, strong detergents that aggressively clean hair by lifting the cuticle, which unfortunately strips colour-treated hair of its pigments. Red dye molecules, being the largest and sitting closest to the hair surface, are the most fragile and wash out first, leaving behind dull or brassy orange tones. Frequent washing, hot water, heat styling, and sun exposure all accelerate this fading. To maintain vibrant red hair, it’s best to use a sulfate-free, gentle, colour-locking shampoo that cleans without stripping pigments.
3. Not Using Tone-Correcting Pigments
If you don’t top up your red pigments regularly, your hair will fade unevenly, leaving dull or brassy tones. That’s why colour-depositing shampoos are a must for red hair as they refresh your red every wash and keep it looking vibrant and even.
For more insight on this topic, check out this blog article:
Why Your Hair Colour Fades So Fast — And How to Stop It
How to Maintain Red Hair Without It Turning Orange – A Pro Guide
Keeping red hair vibrant can feel like a losing battle, but with the right routine, you can prevent that dreaded orange fade and enjoy rich, salon-worthy red for weeks.
1. Use a Wine Red Colour-Depositing Shampoo
This is the most important step. A wine red shampoo replenishes red pigments with every wash, keeping your shade vibrant, cancelling orange brassiness, and reviving dull strands instantly.
Why it works:
- Neutralizes orange and copper tones
- Restores deep, multi-dimensional re
- Gives a glossy, salon-like finish
- Extends colour life by weeks
Pro tip: Rehues Wine Red Shampoo contains tone-correcting pigments that ensure your red stays true and rich.
2. Avoid Sulfates
Sulfates are harsh detergents that strip away not just dirt and oil but also your hair’s colour pigments, causing your shade to fade much faster. They lift the hair cuticle, making it easier for colour to escape, and they dry out the strands, which leads to patchy, uneven fading.
This is especially damaging for red and blonde tones, which lose pigment the quickest, often turning brassy, orange, or yellow. That’s why colour-safe shampoos avoid sulfates as they cleanse gently without stripping your colour.
3. Protect Hair From Heat and UV
Sun and heat exposure accelerate red fading and can turn vibrant red into brassy orange.
Protection tips:
- Always use a heat protectant before styling
- Apply UV-protecting sprays outdoors
- Wear hats or scarves under direct sunlight
4. Use Rehues Keratin Mask and Collagen Elixir Spray
It nourishes your hair while working hand-in-hand with your color-lock shampoo to keep your red vibrant and healthy, and it also protects your strands from heat, so styling tools won’t strip your pigments, a complete shield and nourishment combo that keeps your colour bold, your hair strong, and salon-fresh every day.
When to use:
- When your red looks dull
- If hair appears too coppery
- After sun exposure or swimming
Bottom line: Maintaining red hair is all about replenishing pigments, protecting your strands, and washing smart. With the right routine, you can enjoy a vibrant, multi-dimensional red that turns heads without fading into orange.
Best Products for Keeping Red Hair Vibrant: Featuring Rehues Wine Red Colour Lock Shampoo
If you’re struggling with that stubborn orange fade, your red hair needs pigment reinforcement and that’s exactly what Rehues specializes in.
Rehues Wine Red Shampoo
This concentrated pigment shampoo is specially designed to maintain all shades of red. It works by infusing hair with micro-pigments that cling to the cuticle, helping prevent warm, brassy, or orange tones from taking over.
How Tone-Correcting Pigments Work
Think of tone-correcting pigments as a color filter for your hair. Here’s how they actively keep your red vibrant:
- Refill lost reds: As your hair naturally fades, these pigments penetrate the hair shaft to restore the original red tones.
- Neutralize unwanted orange or copper hues: They counteract brassy undertones, leaving your red looking pure and balanced.
- Deepen and enrich your color: Rather than just coating the hair, they enhance the natural red depth without causing damage.
In short, tone-correcting pigments both restore and protect your red, keeping it fresh, vibrant, and salon-finished for longer.
Step-by-Step Routine: How to Maintain Red Hair Colour at Home
Food for thought
Maintaining vibrant red hair doesn’t have to be a losing battle. The key is a consistent routine that replenishes pigments, protects your strands, and prevents fading. By using products like Rehues Wine Red Shampoo along with the Keratin Mask and Collagen Elixir Spray, you’re giving your hair the ultimate care! Restoring lost reds, neutralizing unwanted orange tones, and keeping your color deep, rich, and healthy.
Remember: red hair fades faster than other shades, but with tone-correcting pigments, sulfate-free care, and proper heat/UV protection, you can enjoy salon-worthy red for weeks on end. Treat your hair right, and your red will turn heads never orange.
Save your colour, not your wallet! Revived your faded hair in one-wash.
Shop Rehues Colour Lock Shampoo now!
