Keratin or colour first? How long to wait to dye after keratin

Quick answer: as a guide, colour goes first and keratin second, in the same visit or a few days before, because keratin seals the cuticle and helps your colour stay shiny. If you already have keratin, wait about 2 weeks (10–15 days) before colouring and choose a gentle ammonia-free colour. At Fusion Beauty (Carrer de Floridablanca 73, Sant Antoni, Barcelona) keratin costs €95–165 and colour €45–95. Adolfo, our colour and straightening specialist, confirms the plan for your hair at the consultation.

It is a very common question when people book: "I want colour and keratin, which do I do first?". The answer matters, because both services work on the same hair and the order changes the result of each. This guide explains the order we usually recommend, how long to wait if you already have keratin, what happens with highlights and bleaching, and how it works with Ybera Paris organic straightening. Everything below is general guidance: every head of hair is different, and Adolfo confirms the plan for yours at the consultation.

The short answer: colour first, keratin second

As a guide, the usual order is:

1. Colour or highlights, on the same day or a few days before.
2. Keratin, applied to the freshly coloured hair, dried and sealed with a flat iron.

Often both can be done in the same appointment: colour first, then keratin. You leave the salon with your new shade and smooth hair, and you do not need to come back two weeks later.

Why the order matters

Hair dye needs to get into the hair fibre to deposit colour. Keratin does the opposite: it forms a layer that seals the cuticle, the outer layer of each strand, so hair is smoother, less frizzy and shinier.

So if you colour first, the keratin helps keep the colour shiny and makes the surface of the hair look more even. If you colour straight after keratin, the colour may take less evenly and the dye can shorten how long the straightening lasts. Neither is what you want when you invest in both services.

Already had keratin? How long to wait before colouring

If you already have keratin and want colour, as a guide:

• Wait about 2 weeks (10 to 15 days) before colouring.
• Choose a gentle ammonia-free colour. At Fusion Beauty ammonia-free colour costs €45–85.
• Avoid bleaching and strong lightening right after keratin.
• Use a sulphate-free shampoo before and after colouring to look after both results.

See every option on our hair colour page. If you are unsure about your case, send us a WhatsApp with the date of your keratin and we will tell you which dates work.

Highlights, balayage and bleaching

With highlights the principle is the same, only more so: lightening goes before keratin. If you want balayage (€120–195) or babylights (€85–145) plus straightening, the usual plan is highlights first and keratin second, on the same day or a few days later.

What to avoid is bleaching or heavy lightening right after keratin. If you already have keratin and want to go lighter, mention it when you book so Adolfo can assess your hair and suggest dates. For blonde or highlighted hair, Ybera Paris Fashion Stylist is the line designed for lightened hair (€145–305). If you are thinking about balayage, our balayage price guide for Barcelona helps you budget.

What about Ybera Paris organic straightening?

Ybera Paris organic straightening is an alternative to traditional keratin, formulated without formaldehyde. The principle is the same: as a guide, colour first and straightening second, often in the same appointment. If you already have it, also wait about 2 weeks before colouring.

Fusion Beauty is an official Ybera Paris salon. Organic straightening with a cut costs €95–145, and the lines are Discovery €140–295, Fashion Stylist for blondes €145–305 and Black Diva €195–350. More on our Ybera Paris organic straightening page and in our comparison Ybera Paris vs traditional keratin.

A guide timeline

How long each service lasts

As a guide, keratin usually lasts 3 to 5 months and Ybera Paris straightening 4 to 6 months, depending on your hair, how often you wash it and the products you use. Balayage is usually refreshed every 3 to 4 months. Planning your touch-ups together saves you visits. If you are torn between keratin, organic straightening and hair botox, read keratin vs organic straightening vs hair botox, and if Barcelona frizz is the issue, our guide to humidity, hard water and keratin.

Prices

Prices from our September 2026 list, valid in October 2026. Where there is a range, the price depends on hair length, and we confirm it before we start:

• Colour: €45–95; ammonia-free colour €45–85.
• Highlights: balayage €120–195, babylights €85–145.
• Brazilian keratin: €95–165.
• Ybera Paris: organic straightening with a cut €95–145, Discovery €140–295, Fashion Stylist for blondes €145–305, Black Diva €195–350.

For example, on short hair, colour (€45) and keratin (€95) in the same visit come to €140. Everything is done by Adolfo, our stylist specialised in colour, balayage, straightening and treatments, at Carrer de Floridablanca 73, Sant Antoni. More details on our Brazilian keratin page. We are open Monday to Friday 10:00–20:00 and Saturday 10:00–14:00.

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