You know the story -- you go to a salon, get a fabulous new hair colour, feel like a brand-new woman, and then three weeks later, the colour has faded. It's not uncommon, says Colin Ford, Technical and Education Manager at L'Oreal Professionel -- all it takes is careful maintenance.

"Getting a new hair colour is like getting a new car. You wouldn't want to put cheap oil into it," he says. Here are some of Ford's tips on how to keep artificial hair colour looking vibrant:

Always use a shampoo for colour-treated hair (most brands have one). L'Oreal's shampoos, which contain Ionene-G, help keep colour locked in with frequent use.

Don't shampoo every day -- doing so will only work the colour out faster; every two to three days is adequate.

Use a protective product with anti-oxidants and UV filters, since the sun's rays take out colour, even from natural hair.

Try using a colour refresher shampoo in between colourings. These shampoos, which contain colour pigments, help keep colour vibrant and add gloss to the top layers of the hair. Start in the third week after your colouring, and leave it on the hair for about one to five minutes.

Don't let your colour fade too much. If you wait too long, it will be hard to get the same shade again.