Gretta's Got It: Hair Help

WSVN -- OK, gals, it's no secret that most of us dabble in hair color. But when you lather, rinse and repeat your hair color and money could be going down the drain, so start with the right shampoo. Salon products may cost more, but they are worth it in the long run.

Omid Maxey, Safar Coiffure: "Their ingredients are so high grade that they don't strip the hair as much as regular drugstore brands."

Don't let your hair fall victim to water damage. Water wreaks havoc on your color, causing fading, breakage, even changing it all together, so check the concentration levels.

Omid Maxey: "You can check the chlorine levels, minerals. Whatever's in your water is public knowledge."

Knowledge is power and filters are your best defense.

Omid Maxey: "You can just put it over your showerhead, and it just improves the water clarity, so you get better results, and you'll notice a big difference."

Some of the best hair-protecting secrets can be found in your own kitchen.

Omid Maxey: "For example, avocado. You cut it open like you're making guacamole, and you really just mush it in your hands. I mean really just go to neanderthal town with it, and just put it in your hair. Let it sit for 20 minutes, and do your thing."

Olive oil is another insider hair care gem.

Omid Maxey: "Olive oil, basic virgin olive oil that you can buy anywhere. It doesn't have to be a name brand, but make sure it's 100 percent olive oil and not diluted. Apply it mid-shafts, to ends, and let it sit overnight. I would shampoo it out twice."

For all you brunettes, longer lasting color is as easy as an espresso!

Omid Maxey: "You take coffee bean grinds, espresso beans, and you mix that with your conditioner, and you let it sit in your hair for half an hour or overnight, and you rinse it out."

And we have all heard about clay masks for the face, but this one from France is for your hair.

Omid Maxey: "They look like pieces of asphalt from the road, but they are clay, chunks of clay that when you put in warm water it acts as a detoxifier as well as a moisturizing clay pack for your hair."

One of my own tricks that won't cost you a thing... skip a day or two between washings.

I'm Gretta for Gretta's Got It.