Beautiful hair colour isn’t exclusive to the salon!
Whether you’re an at-home colour convert or are skipping the salon temporarily, anyone can become a master at colouring their own hair. Armed with the right tools and techniques, you can achieve stunning shades from the comfort of your own home.
Whether you’re freshening up your current hair colour or switching it up by trying something totally new, we’ve put together the perfect guide to dying your hair at home…
When choosing at-home hair dyes, finding your perfect shade can be daunting, especially when it feels like there are endless colours to choose from! Before you decide how light or dark you want to dye your hair, consider your natural hair colour, skin tone and what you’re hoping to achieve.
For the most natural looking results, our Schwarzkopf Hair Experts recommend staying within two shades of your natural colour. This makes finding your perfect shade a lot less overwhelming.
When considering your complexion, the rules are also simple. Cooler skin tones suit cool colours, such as icy blondes and ashy browns. Warmer skin tones are best complemented by warm shades—think rich brunettes or buttery blondes.
Experiment with a range of colours by using our Find Your Colour tool to try on different colours in real time. With no need to download an app, it couldn’t be easier to check out shades before you commit.
Part of choosing your perfect colour also involves deciding the level of permanency you want to achieve. This will depend on the look you’re going for and how long you want results to last. The dye’s packaging will state whether it’s permanent, semi-permanent or temporary.
For intense, long-lasting results or white hair coverage, we recommend using a permanent hair dye. They’re ideal for if you’re committed to a specific shade or want a noticeable transformation. Our Creme Supreme permanent hair colour offers shades from the lightest blondes to the deepest blacks.
Feeling less brave? Or want to subtly shift your natural hair colour? Try using a semi-permanent dye instead, which will gradually wash out over several washes. It’s the perfect choice if you’re experimenting with a new look.
Temporary shades are sometimes called wash-in, wash-out, as they do just that. They’re most commonly used as a quick fix to try a fun new shade and generally work best on light hair.
From gathering your supplies to protecting your skin, preparation is key when it comes to achieving salon-worthy results with DIY hair colour. Follow these steps to prep like a pro!
Whether in a salon or at home, always do an allergy test 24-48 hours before dying your hair to make sure the formula is safe for you to use. This applies even if you’ve used the same dye in the past.
Wondering how to do a patch test? Apply a small amount of dye to a clean, dry area of skin (e.g. behind the ear or on your inner arm) and monitor the area for signs of irritation. If you experience any redness, itching or swelling, wash the product off immediately. Don’t use the dye and consider seeking medical advice if symptoms persist or worsen. If you experience zero symptoms in the timeframe provided, you’re good to go!
Although your hair dye kit should come with everything you need, it’s always good to be prepared and have extra supplies to hand!
Grab a hairbrush, some hair clips, an old towel to drape over your shoulders and your stain-stopping sidekick, petroleum jelly! Apply a thin layer around your hairline and ears to keep colour where it belongs.
Don’t make the mistake of running out of dye halfway through the process! For long or thick hair, we recommend getting two boxes of dye (depending on hair length) to make sure you have enough.
Although it’s a straightforward process (you can’t go too wrong when dying your hair at home) every box dye is different, so it’s important to read the instructions carefully.
To prevent a DIY disaster, pay close attention to details such as the application time or whether your hair should be damp or dry. Leaving the dye on for too long could leave you with unexpected results and an unhappy scalp.
With your chosen hair colour safe to use, skin shielded and supplies within easy reach, throw on your oldest t-shirt and let the colour transformation begin…
The trick to achieving even coverage is to start off by sectioning your hair, ideally into four parts. Go from your forehead to the nape of your neck and then from the top of one ear to the other.
Pop on your disposable gloves and carefully follow the instructions on how to mix your colour. Once mixed, squeeze the formula into your hands and gently run through your hair, starting with the mid-lengths and ends. Ensure all the hair is saturated and leave to process for the allotted time.
For hard-to-reach areas, enlist the help of a friend to make sure no strand has been missed!
When the timer sounds, it’s time to grab your gloves again and apply warm water to the hair, rinsing until the water runs clear.
You might have noticed a conditioner included in your box, not only vital for soft and shiny hair, but also for sealing the cuticles and locking in your colour. Apply to towel-dried hair and leave in for two minutes before rinsing.
Congratulations! You’ve officially given yourself a gorgeous colour refresh at home. Now you can admire your handiwork and show off your new look! The best part? Your new-found confidence to switch up your shade whenever you like.
Ready to begin your at-home hair colour journey? Explore our Creme Supreme permanent hair colour collection today, featuring our HaptIQ System to intensely care for hair while colouring.