How to Care for Your Hair After a Big Color Change | Gem House Salon, Brooklyn

You finally did it — you took the plunge and went for a major color change. Whether you’re now a bright blonde, rich brunette, or rocking something dimensional and bold, that fresh new tone feels transformative. But once you leave the salon, how you care for your hair determines how long that color stays vibrant, shiny, and healthy.

A before photo showing naturally rich brunette hair prior to a major color transformation — ready for a bold shift to platinum blonde. Captured at Gem House Salon in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, where our colorists specialize in custom blonding, balayage, and transformative hair color services for guests from Williamsburg and Long Island City.

At Gem House Salon in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, we specialize in custom color transformations — from lived-in balayage and creative color to rich, glossy brunettes. Here’s how to protect your investment and keep your new shade glowing long after your appointment.

An after photo showcasing a stunning platinum hair color transformation — bright, dimensional, and expertly toned for a luminous finish. Created at Gem House Salon in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, where our stylists specialize in full blonding, highlights, and balayage. For long-lasting vibrancy, we recommend professional glosses, toning sessions, and a color-safe care routine tailored to your new blonde.

1. Wait Before Washing

After your color service, your stylist will always remind you: don’t wash your hair for at least 48 hours.
This gives your cuticle time to close and helps lock in pigment. When you do wash, use lukewarm or cool water — hot water fades color faster and can dry out your hair.

Pro tip: At Gem House, we recommend Davines OI Shampoo or Minu Shampoo for gentle cleansing that won’t strip color molecules.

2. Switch to a Sulfate-Free Routine

If you’ve made a big color change, this one’s non-negotiable. Sulfates (often found in drugstore shampoos) are harsh detergents that can fade your tone and dull your shine.
Ask your stylist to help you choose a color-safe, sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner designed for your specific shade and hair type.

Local favorite: Stop by Gem House Salon to pick up your stylist-recommended Davines duo — we’ll even help you customize a care routine during your next blowout or gloss service.

3. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

Color-treated hair craves moisture. Incorporate a weekly deep conditioning mask to keep strands supple and smooth. Look for products infused with oils, proteins, and ceramides to rebuild strength from within.

Our go-to? The Davines Nounou Hair Mask — a nourishing treatment that restores elasticity and softness to color-stressed hair.

In-salon upgrade: Add an Opal Treatment or Clear Gloss at your next visit for a hydration boost that seals the cuticle and enhances shine instantly.

4. Protect from Heat and UV

Your color’s biggest enemies? Heat and sunlight.
Before blow-drying, curling, or stepping out into the city sun, always apply a heat protectant or UV shield. Even in Brooklyn’s cooler months, UV rays can cause your tone to fade faster.

Salon tip: The Davines OI All-in-One Milk adds softness, detangles, and protects against heat up to 450°F — perfect for daily styling.

5. Schedule Regular Gloss Appointments

Every 6–8 weeks, book a Redken Shades EQ or Davines View Gloss to refresh your tone, restore shine, and revive depth. Think of glossing like skincare: it’s the step that keeps everything looking radiant and even.

Why it matters: Regular glossing keeps your brunette rich, your blonde bright, and your reds dimensional — all while maintaining the health of your hair.

6. Keep Up with Maintenance Trims

Healthy ends reflect light better — and light reflection = more shine. A trim every 8–10 weeks helps maintain your color’s vibrancy and prevents dullness from split ends.

Gem House signature tip: Pair your trim with a mini gloss or Opal scalp treatment for a full refresh without committing to a full color session.

7. Use a Silk Pillowcase

It may sound like a small detail, but sleeping on silk or satin reduces friction, prevents breakage, and helps preserve your color’s smooth finish. Consider it the easiest upgrade to your nighttime routine.

Your Brooklyn Color Experts

From the first swatch to your follow-up gloss, Gem House Salon in Greenpoint, Brooklyn is here to keep your color journey seamless. Our stylists specialize in lived-in blondes, seamless balayage, dimensional brunettes, and creative color — all customized to your skin tone and lifestyle.

Whether you’re looking for a color correction, a bold transformation, or a subtle refresh, our team will guide you through every step — and teach you how to care for your hair so it always looks like you just stepped out of the salon.

Book Your Next Color Service

Ready for your dream color — and the aftercare plan to match?
Book your next color service or gloss appointment with Gem House Salon in Greenpoint today.

✨ Book Now on gemhousesalon.com
📍 Located in Greenpoint, Brooklyn — just steps from Transmitter Park.