How long does permanent hair dye last with an at home hair colour kit?
It’s the age old question: if I dye my hair with an at home dye kit, how long will permanent hair dye actually last? Well the answer lies in a few factors. Depending on the type of hair dye, how you care for your locks afterwards and how well you follow the instructions while you dye it, your answer may vary. There are many benefits to at home hair dye kits, for one you can dye it whenever suits you! No waiting for booked out salons and no paying an arm and a leg when you get there for hair you don’t really like. Instead, choose your own colour and achieve your dream hair all in the comfort of your own home. The best part: it couldn’t be easier! So, are you ready to take the plunge? Read on for everything you need to know to keep your new locks the best they can be and exactly how to dye your hair at home.
What is permanent hair dye?
Permanent hair dye (like the name suggests) is designed to last longer than temporary and semi-permanent hair dyes, however, it still doesn’t last forever. Unlike semi-permanent hair dye that’s designed to last just a few shampoos, permanent hair dye penetrates the hair strands more, locking in the colour for longer. Ideally, permanent hair colour would stay just as vibrant as it was the day you coloured it, at least until the roots grow. On most heads of hair, that would mean a good 6-8 weeks between touch-ups.
Can permanent hair dye fade?
Sometimes with permanent dye, colour fade can happen within a few weeks. But why does this happen? Typically, hair dyes are soluble in water. When you wash your hair, dye molecules simply dissolve and your new colour rinses away. Of all hair dye colours, red usually dissolves the easiest in water. As a result, this colour usually fades the quickest. This doesn’t mean that you can’t have a vibrant lasting colour with permanent hair dye though, you just need to know how to look after it and what dye to use.
How to make permanent hair dye vibrant for longer
If you’re looking for long-lasting hair dye that won’t fade quickly, you can’t go past oil-based dyes. Not only do they improve colour delivery (think very vibrant colours), but oil-based dyes also do not dissolve as easily when you shampoo, giving them even more staying power. Try Nutrisse by Garnier, enriched with shea, avocado and olive oil - infusing colour and care at the heart of the fibre for a long-lasting result. Another one of our favourite oil-based dyes is Olia, formulated with 60% flower oils for colour that treats your hair and gives you vibrant colours.
Take care of your hair
Colour washes out more easily from damaged or porous hair. Use nourishing, colour-safe treatments, conditioners and shampoos for healthier hair and lasting colour. We recommend the Fructis Colour Last Shampoo and follow up with the Fructis Colour Last Conditioner. Really look after your hue with a hair mask at least once a week. For coloured hair we suggest the Fructis Hair Food Protecting Goji.
These tips will help stretch your colour the promised 6-8 weeks. Unless, of course, a different shade catches your eye before then...
How to dye your hair at home
So now we know how to look after and extend our permanent hair colour, it’s time to get down to the nitty gritty; how to actually dye your hair at home.
Choose your dye wisely
From platinum blonde to jet black and everything in between, there are a multitude of options available when it comes to hair dye. Even if you have a general idea of the colour you want, it’s worth considering which precise shade would be best for you based on your skin tone and eye colour. Can’t decide on a colour? Try our Color Match Hair Colour Quiz to find the perfect hue for you.
Once you’ve chosen your shade, it’s also important to pick the right dye. There are some great at-home hair colour kits out there. Our favourites for bold and vibrant permanent colour without ammonia is the Olia Permanent Hair Colour range. How about radiant, long-lasting colour with 100% grey coverage? Then you can’t go past the Nutrisse Permanent Hair Colour range. Each range not only delivers beautiful, vibrant shades, but they also protect and strengthen hair thanks to natural ingredients that promote healthy looking and feeling hair.
Preparation is key
So, you’ve got through the hard part and chosen your favourite colour, now it’s time to start your preparation! Before you jump right in and start colouring it’s important to perform a patch test of the dye 48 hours before to ensure you won’t have an allergic reaction. If you have very thick, shoulder length or long hair, we recommend buying two boxes to cover your whole head. When you’re ready to go, double check you have everything you need in reach and ensure you wear an old t-shirt or towel you don’t mind getting a bit of dye on.
Play by the rules
Once you’re ready to give in, make sure you follow the instructions down to the letter. A good idea is to always read them twice to ensure no tips and tricks and timing details are missed. It’s also important to apply the hair dye carefully for balanced coverage all over your head – if you’re worried about this part, then why not invite a friend to join the fun? You can double-check each other’s dye jobs and then keep each other company while waiting for the timer to go off.
Care for your hair
As mentioned before, caring for your coloured will make your colour last longer. Most experts say that you should avoid shampooing for at least 2 or 3 days after dyeing your hair. This allows the dye to truly be locked into the hair fibres, leaving you with colour that will last longer. Once you’ve started washing again, use products especially designed for coloured hair. We recommend the Fructis Colour Last Shampoo and follow up with the Fructis Colour Last Conditioner for best results. This will ensure your locks stay beautiful and vibrant while also remaining nice and healthy.
Now you have the low down on permanent hair colour it’s time for the real fun. Get colouring and creative with your locks on your own terms with at home dye kits, or find your perfect shade with our Virtual Try On tool.
