Sometimes destiny may be off a shade or two.

We turn to highlights, box colors or single processes to transform our strands into something desirable when our natural color just isn't cutting it.

Unfortunately, maintaining the achieved color for the longest amount of time possible before the next salon appointment takes extra care and products. Lucky for you, color-treated hair is so prevalent.

Shampoos and Conditioners

Those with dyed locks should look for shampoos and conditioners stating that they are exclusively for color-treated hair or, at the very least, say they are safe for dyed hair.

If not, the latherer runs the risk of stripping the color.

Splurge: Redken Color Extend Shampoo and Conditioner ($11.50 and $13 at select salons and beauty product stores) extend hair color's life with proteins, vitamins and UV filters.

Save: Herbal Essences Color Me Happy Shampoo and Conditioner for Color-Treated Hair ($3.99 each) are both infused with berries and satin, leaving your colored strands shiny, moisturized and smelling delicious.

Intensive Masques

Using a color-boosting hair masque once a week helps dyed locks maintain the desired shade. Remember to apply to clean hair and to allot at least 10 to 15 minutes until rinsing.

Splurge: L'Oreal Kérastase Reflection Chroma Reflect Masque ($58 at and select salons) protects hair from color-altering UV rays with UV filters and boosts hair color's shine and vitality.

Save: Matrix Color Smart Intensive Masque ($16.99 at folica.com) is made especially for damaged, color-treated hair.

The conditioning masque concentrates on hair's weakest spots, where color is most likely to fade and become altered.

Leave-In Conditioners

The more moisturized hair is, the longer it will hold on to color.

Splurge: Phyto Phytomist ($26 at Bath and Body Works) is a spray-on conditioner that utilizes sunflower to act as a sunscreen to minimize the damaging effects of the sun, preventing discoloration. Hair is left protected from environmental stress, hydrated and detangled.

Save: Garnier Fructis Leave-In Conditioning Cream for Color-Treated or Permed Hair ($3.09 at drugstores) is a lightweight conditioner that prevents split ends and frizz with natural fruit oils while also averting color-fading with UVA and UVB filters.

Finishing Products

After styling, a few dollops of a serum or cream will smooth fly-aways and make color shine, simultaneously protecting dyed hair.

Splurge: Frédéric Fekkai Color Technician Glaze ($20 at Ulta and Bath and Body Works) preserves color with a glaze that will add shine and leave hair looking polished and refined. A UV shield also protects hair color with just a few drops.

Save: ApHOGEE Gloss Therapy ($6.99 at folica.com) enhances color and highlights while protecting hair from styling damage and UV rays by acting as a sunscreen.

Color Protectors

UV rays are great for getting a tan, but extremely harmful to hair color. Unless you want your chestnut brown to turn into a brassy red, a few dollops or a spritz of a color protector featuring UV filters is a recommendation worth following.

Splurge: Pureology ColourMax UV Color Defense (18.99 at folica.com) defends against the sun's rays and thermal styling, preventing the risk of fading color. The emulsion technology allows for the ingredients to seep deeply into hair for ultimate strength.

Save: La Coupe Shine and Colour Protection Spray ($6.99 at Ulta) quenches thirsty, color-treated tresses with Shea butter, soy, botanicals and wheat protein to restore hair color's shine and vitality.