You've reached your dream shade. Maybe it's the bold colour you've always been desperate to try, or a subtle enhancement of your natural hue that catches the light in the perfect way. No matter the shade, your next goal is to make sure your hair colour lasts as long as possible, and for that, you need advanced hair care that actually delivers on protection.
Enter ULTIMATE COLOR. Fresh from the success of our ground-breaking ULTIMATE REPAIR and ULTIMATE SMOOTH collections, this new regimen helps to keep colour vibrancy for up to 10 weeks*, with revitalised hair from the first wash. The line is powered by patented technology you won't find in other colour maintenance lines. Let's take a closer look at the four innovative formulas and what they can do for your flawless shade…
But, First – What Causes Colour Fading and Dullness?
Colour-treated hair fades or turns dull for a number of reasons, including:
Over-washing hair: Every time you wash, colour molecules are vulnerable to stripping – even more so if the water is too hot or your shampoo is too harsh.
Product build-up: When residue builds up on the surface of the hair shaft, your colour can start to look dull and lose its shine.
Heat and UV exposure: Both heat styling and sun exposure can break down colour molecules, causing your shade to fade or brassy tones to be exposed.
High hair porosity: When hair is highly porous, it has gaps and tears along the cuticle through which pigments can seep out. Damage can open the cuticle up further, accelerating the fading process.
By knowing these causes, you can take the right steps to protect your colour from fading – starting with a salon-level hair care regimen like ULTIMATE COLOR.
High-Performance Colour Protection for All Hair Types
ULTIMATE COLOR is your four-step routine for beautiful colour that stays vibrant for longer, featuring a sulfate-free shampoo, moisturising conditioner, miracle leave-in mask and shine spray.
The key benefits:
- Up to 10 weeks of colour vibrancy*.
- Revitalised hair from the first wash.
- A gentle detox that removes shade-distorting metals.
- Up to 4x more resistance to breakage** with the mask.
- Up to 86% less breakage*** with the conditioner.
Disclaimers:
* With regular use of ULTIMATE COLOR regimen from salon to home.
** When using Miracle Leave-in Mask vs. non-conditioning shampoo.
*** Vs. untreated hair.
Salon-Quality Formulas to Prevent Dullness and Fading
No one understands colour maintenance like the pros who colour your hair, which is why stylists collaborated with scientists to create ULTIMATE COLOR. This partnership resulted in a regimen that targets the key concerns behind fading colour: metal build-up, sun damage, environmental aggressors and over-washing.
How, exactly?
- Glycine fights already existing free radicals to help protect hair from the damaging and colour-fading effects of the environment.
- Metal Purifier helps to prevent hair damage due to its ability to encapsulate metal ions, inhibiting the formation of free radicals during oxidation.
- B5 helps to replenish and retain moisture from root to tip.
- The fast-rinsing results of ULTIMATE COLOR Conditioner and the no-rinse formula of ULTIMATE COLOR Miracle Leave-In Mask mean your hair's exposure to water is reduced.
- UV protection is built into ULTIMATE COLOR Miracle Leave-In Mask, shielding your colour from the fading effects of the sun.
Your ULTIMATE COLOR Regimen
Step 1 Shampoo: ULTIMATE COLOR Sulfate-Free Shampoo
ULTIMATE COLOR Sulfate-Free Shampoo gently cleanses your hair, while removing shade-distorting metals to preserve colour vibrancy.
It's suitable for hair craving a non-stripping, sulfate-free lather, and even offers soothing benefits for your scalp.
Key ingredients:
- Gentle surfactants to cleanse without stripping.
- Glycine and B5 to protect hair against free radicals.
- Metal Purifier to neutralise shade-distorting metals.
Best for: Coloured hair. Use a smaller amount on fine or low porosity hair and add more for longer, thicker and/or more porous hair.
How to use it: Massage the luxurious cleansing cream into the roots of wet hair and let the lather run through the lengths. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
Step 2 Conditioner: ULTIMATE COLOR Conditioner
ULTIMATE COLOR Conditioner is designed to reduce your hair's porosity, helping to plug gaps along the hair cuticle, so colour molecules can't easily escape.
Ultra-rich and creamy, it leaves hair softer, smoother and silkier, giving your colour the care it needs to look its most vibrant.
Key ingredients:
- Glycine and Metal Purifier to help protect hair against free radicals and colour-distorting metals.
- B5 to lock in moisture from roots to ends.
Best for: Coloured hair. Use a lighter amount on fine or low porosity hair and a more generous amount through dry or highly porous lengths and ends.
How to use it: After shampooing, gently squeeze out excess water and apply from mid-lengths to ends, avoiding the roots. Leave for 30 seconds to 3 minutes, depending on the desired level of conditioning, then rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
Step 3 Hair Mask: ULTIMATE COLOR Miracle Leave-In Mask
ULTIMATE COLOR Miracle Leave-In Mask reduces rinsing steps in your routine, while hydrating and offering protection to your hair colour from external aggressors.
The lightweight, hard-working hair treatment is loaded with antioxidants and moisturising ingredients, giving your hair up to 4x more resistance to breakage**.
Key ingredients:
- Glycine and Metal Purifier to protect hair against free radicals and colour-distorting metals.
- B5 to lock in moisture from roots to ends.
- Built-in UV protection to help shield colour against the effects of the sun.
Best for: Coloured hair. Start with a small amount on fine or low porosity hair and add more for thicker or more porous hair, concentrating on dry lengths and ends.
How to use it: After washing with ULTIMATE COLOR Shampoo, gently blot your hair dry with a microfibre towel, then pump ULTIMATE COLOR Intense Miracle Leave-In Mask into the palms of your hands. Apply it to the mid-lengths and ends of your hair, let it absorb for 30 seconds, then comb through to distribute it evenly.
Step 4 Styler: ULTIMATE COLOR Shine Spray
ULTIMATE COLOR Shine Spray is your secret weapon for glowing colour, with a B5 and Olivate blend that leaves hair up to 4x smoother***.
Suitable for all hair types, it adds instant shine to sleek, straight strands, effortlessly tousled waves, and bouncy curls and coils.
Key ingredients:
- B5 to lock in moisture from roots to ends.
- Olivate, a lightweight, hair smoothing ingredient derived from olive oil.
How to use it: This is the final step in your hair regimen. Use it on dry lengths after styling to create a glossy topcoat that guarantees smoothness. Top up whenever shine is needed for an instantly healthy look.
"ULTIMATE COLOR CELEBRATES THE COLOUR. IT'S GREAT FOR VIBRANCY, FOR LONG-LASTING RESULTS AND AN AMAZING SHINE FINISH ON THE HAIR.”
– Jordanna Cobella (@jordannacobella), Color & Trend Ambassador, Wella Professionals UK
Discover the Right ULTIMATE COLOR Routine Based on Your Hair Type
The complete ULTIMATE COLOR regimen is suitable for all hair types, textures and colours, but the amount of product your hair needs will differ depending on its shape and porosity. So, here's how to tailor your dosages…
| Hair type & porosity | Shampoo | Conditioner + Miracle Leave-In Mask | Shine Spray |
|---|---|---|---|
Type 1-2 + low porosity | Small amount, focus on scalp. | Conditioner: Light amount through lengths and ends. Mask: Small amount on ends. | Light misting to preserve movement and avoid buildup. |
Type 1-2 + medium porosity | Moderate amount through roots and lengths. | Conditioner: Moderate amount through lengths and ends. Mask: Small-to-moderate amount on drier areas. | Light-to-moderate misting. |
Type 1-2 + high porosity | Moderate amount, focus on scalp. | Conditioner: Generous application to porous lengths and ends. Mask: Moderate amount on dry ends and porous areas. | Moderate misting where hair feels rough or dull. |
Type 3-4 + low porosity | Small-to-moderate amount, focus on scalp. | Conditioner: Moderate amount through lengths and ends. Mask: Small-to-moderate amount, starting at the ends and adding as needed. | Light misting to avoid buildup. |
Type 3-4 + medium porosity | Moderate amount. | Conditioner: Moderate-to-generous application through lengths and ends. Mask: Moderate amount, focusing on drier areas. | Moderate misting through lengths. |
Type 3-4 + high porosity | Moderate amount. | Conditioner: Generous application through lengths and ends. Mask: Generous application to the driest, most porous areas. | Moderate misting to smooth hair and boost shine. |
Why This Works
Porosity refers to how well your hair absorbs and retains moisture. If you have low porosity hair, it may not absorb products as easily, meaning moisture can sit on the surface of strands and lead to build-up. That's why, in the guide above, we've recommended starting with smaller amounts of each ULTIMATE COLOR product, and only adding more if it's needed.
High porosity hair tends to absorb moisture and products more readily, but gaps in the cuticle mean it can also lose moisture more quickly. As a result, your hair may benefit from higher dosages of ULTIMATE COLOR Conditioner and Miracle Leave-In Mask. The conditioner can also be left on for longer, so your hair has more time to absorb its nourishing ingredients.
3 More Tips for Hair Colour Protection
ULTIMATE COLOR is your complete collection for maintaining colour vibrancy, but if you want to take extra steps to protect your shade, follow these three simple steps...
1. Wash Your Hair with Lukewarm Water
Not hot. Not cold. Lukewarm water is best for rinsing coloured hair, as it's warm enough to make sure your shampoo is rinsed thoroughly, but not so hot that it strips natural oils from the hair cuticle. So, if you suspect the water temperature might be too high, turn it down to protect both the colour and condition of your hair.
2. Apply a UV and Heat Protectant
Heat styling and UV rays can cause your shade to fade and become brassy, so add a powerful protectant to your regimen to keep your hair colour shielded. ULTIMATE REPAIR Protective Leave-In is ideal, as it protects against heat and sun damage, plus frizz, breakage and friction. Use it before blow-drying, straightening, curling, or heading outside for complete heat and UV protection.
3. Top Up the Tone in Between Salon Visits
If you want to revive your colour with a hint of a tint, the Color Fresh Mask is a tinted treatment that tops up your tone in 10 minutes. Apply your chosen shade to just-shampooed, damp hair, let it develop, then rinse to reveal a speedy refresh. With pastels, bolds, blondes, reds and brunettes, there's an option to suit every mane. There's even a purple conditioner called Lilac Frost for balancing blondes.
Maintain Colour Vibrancy For Up to 10 Weeks* with Wella Professionals
Forget fading hair colour. Help your dream shade go the distance with Wella Professionals' ULTIMATE COLOR regimen – boosting vibrancy from Shampoo to Shine Spray...
- Ultimate Color Shine Spray
Ultimate Color Shine Spray
Spray that adds smoothness and shine to colour-treated hair.
- Ultimate Color Miracle Leave-in Mask
Ultimate Color Miracle Leave-in Mask
Colour vibrancy and revitalized hair, 3-in-1 formula moisturizes, provides UV protection and up to 4x more resistance to breakage.
- Ultimate Color Conditioner
Ultimate Color Conditioner
Adds moisture, helping reduce porosity to seal pigments in. It revitalizes coloured hair and reduces hair breakage.
- Ultimate Color Sulfate-Free Shampoo
Ultimate Color Sulfate-Free Shampoo
Soothes the scalp while gently cleansing to minimize colour fade, moisturizes and detoxes hair from colour-distorting metals.