Summer in Colorado is unmatched. But between our high elevation, intense UV index, and those long, gorgeous days that practically beg you to stay outside, our hair goes through a lot—especially if it’s color-treated.
At Centre Salons & Spas, our stylists in Arvada, Denver, and Westminster hear the exact same question every June: “Why does my color look so different by August?”
If you’ve noticed your gorgeous shade shifting over the summer, you aren’t imagining things. There’s a real reason it happens, and thankfully, an easy way to fix it!
What Heat and Sun Actually Do to Your Hair Color
Whether you rock a rich brunette balayage, a vibrant red, or a crisp, cool blonde, your hair color faces two major opponents in the summer: UV rays and heat. Here is what’s happening beneath the surface:
- The UV Factor: Think of UV rays like natural bleach. They break down the chemical bonds in both your natural pigment and your salon color. Red and copper tones are usually the first to fade because those warm color molecules are incredibly light-sensitive. Meanwhile, blonde shades can start looking brassy as their protective toner gets stripped away, and dark brunettes might start pulling an unwanted reddish or orange cast.
- The Heat Factor: Whether it’s the direct midday sun or just the ambient warmth of a Colorado afternoon, heat causes your hair cuticle to lift and open. When that cuticle is open, your gorgeous color molecules can slip right out.
Throw in a little chlorine from the pool, trail dust from your weekend hikes, and extra summer washes, and you have a recipe for color that looks a little tired well before your next appointment.
Signs Your Color Needs a Little Extra Love
Most of the time, summer color fading happens so gradually you barely notice—until you look at a photo from May.
Maybe your cool ash blonde is suddenly looking a bit yellow by July. Or perhaps your chocolate brown is looking a little rusty at the ends. And if you love vivid or fashion shades? The high-altitude sun can fade them within just a few weeks of heavy outdoor activity.
If you’re seeing these changes, don’t worry—your color-treated hair hasn’t suffered permanent sun damage, and your color isn’t failing! It’s just reacting to the elements. Our main goal is simply to slow that process down.
View this post on Instagram
How Our Arvada and Denver Stylists Protect Your Color
You don’t have to hide indoors to keep your hair looking amazing. The stylists at Centre Salons & Spas recommend a few simple, daily habits for summer hair care in Denver:
- Swap Your Shower Routine: First things first, switch to a color-safe shampoo and conditioner packed with UV defense. The Aveda’s color care line is an absolute game-changer here; it’s specifically formulated to seal the hair cuticle and lock in your shade. You can grab your perfect match at any of our three locations.
- Think of Leave-Ins Like Sunscreen: You wouldn’t hike a standard 14er without sunscreen, and your hair needs that same level of protection. Applying a UV-protective leave-in spray or oil before you step outside creates an invisible shield against fading. (Pro-tip: Aveda’s sun care line is practically made for Colorado summers).
- Schedule a Mid-Summer Refresh: You don’t always need a full color service to bring your hair back to life. A quick gloss or toner treatment midway through the season can cancel out brassiness and restore your shine. Many of our guests in Westminster and Denver book a quick gloss appointment in July just to keep their spring color looking intentional and bright all summer long.
Before Summer Slips Away, Let’s Chat!
If the summer sun has already done a number on your hair, you don’t have to wait until fall to fix it. The team at our salons in Arvada, Denver and Westminster is here to help. We can look at your hair, curate a simple at-home routine, and get your tone right back to where you love it.
Your hair color is an investment, and you deserve to love it all year long. Let’s keep it looking bright, healthy, and beautiful!
And since summer is a full-body commitment, we’re also running a few seasonal specials — 10% off skincare during any booked facial in June & July, plus buy 3 bikini or Brazilian waxes and get your 4th free. Ask about either when you book!
Book Your Summer Refresh with Us Today!