Home hair dye kits
Grabbing a box of hair dye from the supermarket might seem like the easiest and cheapest way to give your look a bit of a boost. Box dye is widely available and easy to use, especially for minor changes - like darkening hair slightly or temporarily covering greys.
However, colouring hair at home comes with challenges:
-
It’s difficult to apply dye evenly, particularly at the back of the head.
-
The final result isn’t always predictable and it may not look like the photo on the front of the box!
-
The same box dye can look very different depending on someone’s natural colour, previous treatments and hair texture.
-
For anyone with highlights, balayage, or uneven tones, box dye may lead to patchy or dull results. Overlapping colour at home can also cause build-up and damage over time.
-
Because home dyes are made to work on a wide range of hair types, they often contain stronger chemicals. This can result in dryness or fading more quickly - especially with repeated use.
Salon hair colour
Professional salon colour is customised to suit the individual. Hair sylists take into account colour goals, hair history, texture, and condition before choosing the right formula and application method.
In the salon:
-
Colour is mixed to match or enhance natural tones.
-
It's applied in a way that blends evenly from root to tip.
-
Hair stylists can also use specialised techniques like foils, balayage, and toning to achieve results that simply aren’t possible with a home dye kit.
-
Salon products are designed to be more gentle and effective, helping to maintain the strength and health of the hair during and after the colouring process.
-
A professional also provides aftercare advice, helping clients choose the right shampoo, conditioner, and treatments to protect their colour between visits.
Which option is best?
For simple, temporary changes, home colour might be suitable. But for anyone looking for long-lasting results, seamless blending, or a significant colour change, professional salon services are the better choice.
Visiting a professional helps reduce the risk of damage, ensures a more natural finish, and makes it easier to maintain the colour over time. This is especially important when lightening hair, correcting previous colour, or blending greys for a softer look.
Need advice?
For anyone unsure about which option is right for their hair - or thinking about switching from home dye to salon colour - a consultation can help. A professional stylist can assess your hair, answer any questions, and recommend a plan that suits your lifestyle and budget.
