The amount of times I have dyed my hair are innumerable. I have tried many different brands and types of hair colours and inevitably watched as my pretty hair faded. Growing sick of this, I began to try some tips and tricks in order to keep my hair colour - permanant or not - looking shiny and vibrant until I next changed my mind. So if you also would like to stop your hair colour from fading prematurely, follow the following tips.

1. Don't wash straight after dying.

Shampooing your hair after the dye has finished processing is a pretty big no-no. It is one of the best contributors to your hair dye fading quicker than it should. After dying your hair, simply rinse the chemical out and then apply conditioner - preferably one that comes with the dye if available. See your local salon or hair product retailer for an intensive, colour-locking after-dye conditioner which will not only leave your hair feeling ever-so-soft and manageable, but will help preserve the colour in your hair.

2. Don't over-wash your hair.

Temporary colours are not the only kind of dye hair washing can take a toll on. Generally, washing your hair will take the vitality out of a permanent dye too. Therefore it is important not to wash your hair too often - only as needed. If you can, skip the second shampoo as well.

3. Skip the shampoo altogether!

This suggestion may sound a bit dirty, but if only part of your hair, for example your fringe, is dyed, then skip washing it! It needs only to be washed if it gets really dirty, and aside from that, stick to the conditioner. Your hair will absorb the smell of the conditioner so even if it hasn't been cleaned, nobody's going to know!

4. Don't let your hair stay wet.

As your hair dries, water evaporates it and takes your hair colour with it. Try to avoid leaving dripping-wet hair to dry naturally, but towel dry it or blow dry it thoroughly to ensure that as little water needs to evaporate as possible. Click here to learn how to dry your hair.

5. Avoid using products.

Using hair products means that you have to wash your hair more often and more thoroughly. Saying goodbye to product build-up, sadly, also means you're saying goodbye to your luscious colour. Avoid using products where possible in order to minimise washing your colour down the drain.

6. Use a colour shampoo and conditioner.

There are many shampoos and conditioners available for colour treated hair. Not only do they lock in colour, but some help to intensively moisturise the hair as well, therefore minimising any damage done while colouring your hair. They are a really good idea to help prevent your hair colour fading and are available at supermarkets. I use Pantene Pro V's version =]

7. Use the right dye in the first place!

Having coloured my hair so many times, I know which brand of dye work best for my hair. I would adivse that you find out the same and stick to that brand. Generally the cheaper the dye, the lower quality it is and quicker it will fade. This rule doesn't always apply, though. The  best dye to use is a salon professional dye, which are available from Price Attack. While there you should also enquire about the after-dye conditioner - the salon dyes don't come with one.