So you finally have that appointment schedule to get those beautiful gold highlights you've been wanting in your hair. But with winter fastly approaching, you might be wondering how you can not only maintain that rich color throughout the season, but keep your tresses healthy, as well. 

"I feel that women pride themselves in their hair and color, which in turn becomes somewhat of an investment," said Lindsey Kuhn, stylist and owner of +(e)merge Hair Studio, one of the top Little Rock salons for color in the 2012 Little Rock Beauty Black Book. "So protecting that investment is huge, and requires the use of the right products." 

Keep it healthy

The winter's frosty temperatures and dry air can do a number on color-treated hair. This includes fading, dryness and breakage. 

Healthy hair relies a lot on the type of shampoo and conditioner and newly colored hair is no exception. Use a shampoo and conditioner that is specifically formulated to help hair color stay rich and your strands moisturized. Kuhn recommends a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner. "The line we retail to most our color treated clients is O&M," she said. "It's 100 percent sulfate-free and paraben-free, causing less stress on the hair, in turn, locking in that color."

Lisa Gentry, stylist and owner of OOH La La Salon, another one of the top Little Rock salons for color in the 2012 Little Rock Beauty Black Book, also recommends a sulfate-free hair care system. The salon carries products like Pureology, Moroccanoil, It's a 10 and Enjoy.

"I’ve been asked by my clients whether the right product really makes a difference in their color and quality of their hair and my answer is always yes," she said.

An oil-based product is an option for hard-to-manage hair. "Clients need to maintain with a salon line for color-treated hair and with the lack of moisture, apply a small amount of an oil product, depending on the hair type," said Monica D. Craig, owner of M Salon, a top Little Rock salon for color, listed in the 2012 Little Rock Beauty Black Book. "There are oils made for thick hair as well as for thin." She recommends Loreal's Liss Ultime, which helps with static and also nurtures and moisturizes the hair.

Here are a few other things that the Beauty Bridge Blog suggests should be a part of your hair care regimen:

  • Do a weekly hair mask, which can add moisture and nutrients to your mane. Kuhn said O&M offers a seven-day moisture mask. "It's a great deep conditioner to do once a week just to keep those locks hydrated and happy," she said.
  • For those who have extremely dry, brittle or frizzy hair, Gentry suggests using the Keratin Complex Treatments by Coppola right after getting their color treatment. " It restores, rebuilds and rejuvenates any type of hair, leaving [it] silky, shiny and softer," she said.
  • After washing hair, comb (not brush!) in a leave-in conditioner before styling to keep hair conditioned all day.
  • Use a heat-protecting spray before you blow dry to avoid over-drying your hair.
  • Avoid vigorously rubbing your hair with a towel, which can damage strands and cause split ends.

Salons that can help

Find the right color for you and get more winter hair care tips from our LRBBB friends and 2012-2013 Best of Beauty Winners for Best Color:

M Salon

+(e)merge Hair Studio

Salon Scarlet

Serenity Salon

Joey Edwards Salon

The Salon at Glo Limited

OOH La La Salon