I was sitting in the chair at my hairstylist’s and I was discussing my plan for caring for my color while on vacation. After discussing shampoos, conditioners, and masks, she asked which flat iron I was planning to take with me.I told her I was planning on taking my T3 and she said good, just make sure you use a lower setting. I asked why, since I use a heat protectant. She told me that the heat protectant may ensure I don’t damage the strands, but it won’t protect my color from intense heat. The intense heat of a flat iron on medium-high or high setting will immediately strip your color. You may not notice it right away, but after a few passes, you’ll start to wonder where your color went.

I couldn’t believe it, so I set out to do some research and came across this video clip on Insta:

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Watch #Hairbesties on why hair color fades so fast! Turn down the temperature to your flat iron and curling irons! New video on my YouTube channel! Don't forget to get your tickets to the GuyTangHairBattle @kenraprofessional show this weekend! @hairbynoora

A post shared by Guy Tang® (@guy_tang) on Feb 15, 2016 at 10:47pm PST

Shocking, right? I thought so, too. So, make sure you are protecting your expensive and time-consuming (four hours on my last visit!) color. Money aside, I don’t have four hours to get this color only to kiss it goodbye after a few flat iron sessions. I am now turning down my flat iron. It may take a little longer, but it will be well worth it in the long run.