How long do hair highlights last? Tips for prolonging color

The lowdown on keeping your highlights brighter for longer

Highlights are like that new crush—so exciting at first, but if you’re not careful, they’ll lose their charm fast. Whether you’re rocking buttery blonde streaks or rich caramel ribbons, keeping them looking salon-fresh can feel like a full-time job. And let’s be real, nobody’s signing up for weekly touch-ups.

Between shampoo snafus, sun damage, and plain ol’ time, your highlights are up against a lot. But don’t reach for the hat just yet—there are tried-and-true tricks to help you stay in that golden hour phase. 

Here’s how to keep your highlights looking as flawless as day one (without breaking the bank).

The truth about highlights and their shelf life 

What exactly are highlights? 

Highlights add depth, dimension, and brightness to your hair. The process involves lifting sections of your hair using bleach or color to create lighter tones that contrast with your base. Depending on your vibe, you can opt for partial highlights, which frame your face and add subtle brightness, or full highlights for an all-over-lightened look. And then there’s the ultimate dilemma: balayage vs. foils. Balayage delivers a sun-kissed, hand-painted effect with softer regrowth, while foils offer precision and a bolder color payoff.

Why do highlights fade?

Your highlights may look fresh out of the salon, but the clock starts ticking the moment you step outside. UV exposure, frequent washing, and hard water are some of the biggest culprits behind fading. Internally, hair porosity plays a role—damaged or porous hair struggles to hold onto color molecules. Add heat styling and chemical treatments to the mix, and your highlights could lose their luster faster than you’d like.

Understanding these factors is key to maintaining your color and keeping your highlights looking their best for longer. The good news? With the right care, your highlights don’t have to be fleeting.

How long do hair highlights last?

The average lifespan of highlights 

The lifespan of highlights varies depending on the technique, your hair’s growth rate, and how well you maintain them. Generally, highlights start to show regrowth after about 6–8 weeks, but some techniques, like balayage, can last longer due to their softer, blended effect. Other factors, like the use of toners, glosses, and proper at-home care, also play a role in keeping your highlights fresh. Let’s break down some of the most popular highlighting techniques and how long they tend to last.

Balayage

Balayage is the epitome of effortless chic. This hand-painted technique creates a soft, sun-kissed look by applying color starting mid-shaft and extending through the ends. One of its biggest perks? Minimal upkeep. The gradual blending means regrowth is subtle, allowing it to last 3–6 months before needing a touch-up. A gloss or toner every few months can help maintain the vibrancy and counteract brassiness.

Foils

For bold, precise highlights, foils are the go-to technique. They allow for full control over placement and can achieve dramatic, high-contrast results. However, they require more frequent maintenance, as the color is applied closer to the roots, making regrowth noticeable within 6–8 weeks. Regular trips to the salon for root touch-ups and toning will keep the look fresh and polished.

Babylights

Babylights are perfect for achieving a soft, natural look. These ultra-fine highlights are designed to mimic the subtle, sunlit strands often seen in children’s hair. Their delicate blending makes them a low-commitment option, with maintenance needed every 10–12 weeks. They grow out seamlessly, making them ideal for those who want a subtle refresh without constant salon visits.

Lowlights

Lowlights add depth and dimension by incorporating darker shades into the hair. This technique works well to break up overly light hair or bring richness to your base color. While lowlights can fade more quickly due to their darker pigments, they grow out less noticeably and require fewer touch-ups. Proper care, like reducing washing frequency and avoiding harsh products, can help prolong their intensity.

Choosing the right highlighting technique depends on your style preferences and the time you’re willing to dedicate to maintenance. Whether you prefer a low-maintenance balayage or the high-impact look of foils, understanding their longevity will help you plan for your next salon visit.

Factors that influence longevity

Natural hair color and type play a major role in how long highlights hold up. Lighter natural shades blend regrowth more flawlessly, while darker bases may show a sharper contrast as hair grows out. Hair texture matters too—straight hair can make regrowth more visible, while wavy or curly hair naturally camouflages it.

Maintenance habits make a real difference, though. Frequent washing, UV exposure, and heat styling can all speed up fading. And if you’re using the wrong products (*ahem* sulfate shampoos), you might be washing your color investment down the drain.

The bottom line? With a little salon strategy and the right aftercare routine, you can stretch the life of your highlights and keep them looking fresher for longer.

Products to prolong hair highlights

Shampoos and conditioners for color-treated hair

The foundation of maintaining stunningly natural highlights is in your everyday wash routine. Opt for sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners designed for color-treated hair, as sulfates can strip away your color faster than you can say "touch-up." Look for products that include UV filters to guard against sun damage and ingredients like argan oil to lock in moisture.

Standout picks include the Moroccanoil Color Complete Shampoo and Conditioner, which use COLORLINK™ technology to repair and protect hair, helping to keep your highlights salon-fresh for longer. Bonus: They’re gentle enough for frequent use, leaving hair soft and shiny without fading.

Toning products

Highlights have a way of turning brassy when exposed to hard water or heat, but purple and blue shampoos are here to save the day. Purple tones neutralize unwanted yellow hues in blondes, while blue tones counteract orange in brunettes. Use once a week to keep your highlights looking bright and balanced.

Product-wise, try Fanola No Yellow Shampoo for blondes or Joico Color Balance Blue Shampoo for brunettes. Both pack a pigment punch and keep brassiness at bay.

Leave-in treatments

Protecting your hair from heat and environmental damage is more important than you think! The Moroccanoil Protect & Prevent Spray offers a triple threat: UV protection, antioxidant-rich hydration, and defense against pollutants. Spray it on before styling to shield your highlights from everyday stressors.

Weekly treatments

Don’t skimp on weekly treatments—they’re your hair’s lifeline. A deeply hydrating mask like the Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask will quench dryness and enhance color vibrancy, while strengthening products like Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector repair the structural bonds of bleached and highlighted hair.

Commit to these power players, and your highlights will go the distance, staying bright, bold, and healthy between salon visits.

Pro tips for keeping highlights salon-fresh

Styling habits

Heat styling can be your highlights’ worst enemy, fading color and causing damage. Stick to low-temperature settings (under 350°F) when using flat irons or curling wands, and never skip a heat protectant. Moroccanoil Protect & Prevent Spray is a go-to for shielding hair from heat and environmental stressors. If possible, embrace air drying or use a diffuser to minimize direct heat exposure. For added volume without heat, try wrapping hair around Velcro rollers while it’s damp.

Washing habits

The less you wash, the longer your highlights last. Aim for 2–3 washes a week (and less if you can train your hair to play ball!), using lukewarm water to prevent color from fading prematurely. Hot water opens the hair cuticle, allowing color molecules to escape, so keep things cool. On off-days, a lightweight dry shampoo like Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo keeps roots fresh without stripping moisture.

Salon maintenance

In between highlight appointments, book gloss or toner treatments to refresh your color. Glosses add shine and boost vitality, while toners can neutralize brassiness or tweak the tone of your highlights. These quick fixes keep your color looking intentional rather than overdue for a touch-up.

Sun protection

As we’ve established, the sun isn’t just hard on your skin—it’s also a major culprit in hair color fading. Hats and scarves offer stylish protection, but UV-protective sprays are your secret weapon for everyday use. 

Spritz a product like Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Heat/UV Protective Primer to block sun damage and keep hair hydrated. Poolside? Avoid chlorine exposure by wetting your hair with clean water and applying a leave-in conditioner before diving in.

Haircut frequency

Not only do they make your hair look unhealthy, split ends and breakage can also distort your highlights, creating unevenness that dulls your overall look. Regular trims every 6–8 weeks keep your hair strong and allow your highlights to shine, literally.

Follow these salon-approved tips, your highlights can look fresh and healthy for weeks beyond your salon visit. A little effort goes a long way toward maintaining that just-colored glow.

How to make highlights longer—wrapped up

Okay, let’s wrap this up. How long do hair highlights last? On average, highlights can stay fresh for 6–12 weeks (and sometimes up to 6 months), but this depends on the technique, your hair type, and how well you care for them. With the right routine, you can make those streaks shine long after your salon visit.

Stick to sulfate-free shampoos, use toning products to fight brassiness, and never skip a heat protectant before styling. Hydrating masks and gloss treatments? Consider them your highlights’ best pals. UV rays, chlorine, and hard water? Your highlights’ biggest enemies.

Here’s your cheat sheet for keeping your highlights in the spotlight:

– Use sulfate-free and color-safe shampoos.

– Apply purple or blue toners to combat brassiness.

– Protect hair from heat styling with sprays or serums.

– Hydrate with weekly masks to prevent dryness.

– Visit your salon for toners or gloss treatments.

Keep the glow going with more expert advice on the LifeTYME blog!