Lived-In Color vs. Regular Maintenance: What’s Right for Your Hair & Budget?
Hey! It's Meg Ann Lee. As a hairstylist, one of the most common questions I get is, "When do I need to come back in for a touch up?" The answer? It depends!
I swear sometimes people hate my answers to their beauty questions because truly it is ALL PERSONAL PREFERENCE. But those recommended maintenance timelines-like a haircut every six to eight weeks or a highlight refresh every eight to ten weeks-aren't just random. They're based on how hair grows, how color fades, and how to keep your hair looking its best without spending a fortune every time you sit in my chair.
The Science Behind Hair Growth & Color Maintenance
Hair typically grows about half an inch per month, meaning by the time you hit that eight-week mark, you've got a full inch of new growth. For cuts, that can mean loss of shape and split ends creeping up. For color-especially highlights or gray coverage-that much regrowth can change how your color blends, requiring more time and product to correct. I personally don't like to foil any one sooner than 8 weeks but if my client likes 6 weeks better their appointment choice would be a mini or partial foil.
Here's the truth: the longer you wait, the more work your stylist has to do.
If you skip a highlight appointment and wait 12+ weeks, your roots are longer, which means we need more lightener, more toner, and more time to blend everything seamlessly. That extra product and effort? It adds to your cost!
The Rise of Lived-In Color (And How It Affects Maintenance)
The good news? Modern hair trends have made "lived-in" color more popular than ever. Techniques like balayage, root melts, and shadow roots create soft, natural grow-out, meaning you can go three, four, even six months without a refresh-if you're okay with a longer, more expensive session when you do come back. Sometimes I forget that clients don't understand this but these 2-3 per year type of appointments are NOT the appointments that are listed on my main menu as partial or full foils. You are looking at my "Transformation Foil" or my "Color Correction" options.
Lived-in color works best when planned strategically with your stylist. If you know you want fewer visits, ask for techniques that grow out softly. But remember: while you'll save money in the short term by coming in less often, your maintenance appointments will take longer and cost more due to the amount of product and blending required.
Finding the Right Maintenance Plan for You
Whether you prefer regular six-week touch-ups or a twice-a-year lived-in refresh, there's no wrong choice-it's all about balancing your budget, hair goals, and lifestyle. The key is staying consistent with whatever plan you choose so your hair stays healthy, your color stays fresh, and your salon visits don't turn into a financial shock.
Thinking about stretching out your appointments or switching to a low-maintenance look? Let's chat next time you're in my chair, you can book with me at moss hair salon HERE <3