Once you have a fresh coat of color, damage control is essential to keep your fragile hair and color intact. Don't co-wash per usual -- instead, use a sulfate-free, cream-based cleanser. It's gentler on your hair and scalp and slows fading, says Dellinger.

As a curly girl, you shouldn't wash every day, but if you do, Friedman recommends Nexxus Color Assure Pre-Wash Primer, $17.99, a treatment that shields water to lock color in and prevent fading and Nexxus Color Assure Glossing Tonic, $17.99, a moisturizing product that adds shine and protects hair from heat styling. When your color starts to fade, work a gentle color booster like eSalon Tinted Love Color Enhancing Treatment, $12.45, or Ouidad Color Sense Shine Boosting Color Extender, $26, to extend the life of your color without harsh chemical ingredients.