Home Colouring

How to choose a hair dye shade that suits your skin tone

The right hair dye shade comes down to your skin tone, your natural hair colour and how much maintenance you're up for. Cool skin tones suit ashy shades like dark ash blonde or light ash blonde, while warm skin tones suit golden hues like dark golden blonde or golden brown. Olive and neutral tones can pull off both.

Here's what to know about the most popular shades before you pick yours:

• Red and auburn add richness but need frequent touch-ups. Dark red shades show up best on pre-lightened hair, so if your base is dark, plan for a lightening step first.
• Blonde shades work best on healthy hair. Light ash blonde suits cool tones, while honey and beige blondes give a warmer result.
• Light ash brown, light brown and golden brown suit most skin tones, blend greys naturally and are lower maintenance than blonde or red.
• Medium brown, dark brown and brunette shades add depth and shine and work across cool and warm undertones. Rich chocolate brown tones are especially flattering on medium to deep skin tones.
• Dark shades are easier to apply but harder to reverse. Factor that in if you're planning to go lighter later.

If you want a professional result at home, Colour Royale is a great place to start. Available exclusively at Hairhouse, it comes in over 90 shades, from rich chocolate brown and deep dark brown to light ash blonde and dark golden blonde, so there's a shade for every skin tone and hair type.

What type of hair dye should you use?

The type of hair dye you choose depends on how long you want the colour to last and how much change you're after. It's worth understanding how each one works before you commit.

Permanent hair dye is the most long-lasting option. It lifts and replaces your natural hair colour from within the hair shaft, giving you full grey coverage and a result that grows out rather than washes out.

If you'd prefer something less permanent, semi-permanent hair dye fades gradually with each wash and is gentler on your hair and scalp than permanent colour. This is a good option if your hair is colour-treated, dry or on the more fragile side.

For something with no commitment at all, temporary hair colour washes out in just a few shampoos. It's a great way to experiment with a bold shade or refresh your look for a night out.

How to dye your hair at home step-by-step

Dyeing your hair at home is straightforward when you have the right products and a clear process. Before you start, do a patch test 48 hours beforehand to check for any allergic reaction, and a strand test to preview how the colour will turn out.

Here's how to get a salon-quality result at home:

1. Mix and apply with control: Follow the product instructions and wear gloves. Start at the roots if you're covering regrowth and work through to the ends.
2. Use the right application tools: A tint brush, mixing bowl and sectioning clips give you more precise, even coverage than applying by hand.
3. Go carefully with hair bleach: Only use hair bleach or hair peroxide if your strands are healthy enough to lift. Follow the timing instructions closely to avoid damage.
4. Use a toner after bleaching: Correct brassiness or neutralise unwanted undertones with a hair toner. It deposits colour pigments into the hair to refine your result.
5. Rinse and condition: Follow up with a conditioner or hair treatment to restore moisture and seal the cuticle.

Prefer to leave it to a professional? Book with a Hairhouse stylist for a hairdresser-quality colour result in store!

Is box dye bad for your hair?

Box dye is not bad for your hair when you use the right formula and follow the instructions. Many at-home hair dyes now come in ammonia-free or peroxide-free formulas, which tend to be gentler on your hair and scalp than traditional dye. The key is choosing the right product for your hair type and condition.

You'll find home colouring options from trusted brands including Revlon Professional, Goldwell, Manic Panic and Schwarzkopf Professional at Hairhouse. If you have a sensitive scalp, try Wella Koleston Perfect. Its ME+ technology reduces the risk of allergic reactions while delivering 100% grey coverage and up to five levels of lift.

Once you've coloured, switch to colour-treated hair products to lock in colour and reduce fading. Follow up with hair treatments from Hi Lift to keep your hair in good shape between touch-ups.

How to make your colour last longer

The right aftercare routine makes a real difference to how long your colour stays vibrant. Use a moisturising shampoo and conditioner for colour-treated hair, wash in cool water and try to limit washing to two or three times a week since frequent shampooing is one of the fastest ways to strip colour.

If you've gone pastel, be extra diligent as lighter fashion shades fade faster than natural tones. A keratin treatment after colouring also helps seal the cuticle and slow down fading.

Shop colour maintenance products at Hairhouse or book a salon visit if your colour needs a refresh.

How often should you dye your hair?

How often you colour depends on your shade, your hair type and how quickly your regrowth shows.

As a general guide, permanent colour needs a refresh every four to six weeks. Semi-permanent is more forgiving since it fades gradually over several washes with no harsh regrowth line to worry about.

If you're blonde or using a lighter shade, expect to touch up more frequently as roots tend to show sooner. Avoid applying permanent dye over already coloured hair too frequently, as this can lead to dryness and damage over time.

Can you dye your hair while pregnant?

Yes, you can colour your hair while pregnant. As a precaution, many people choose to wait until after the first trimester and opt for semi-permanent hair colour or highlights, as these minimise direct scalp contact with colour. Supporting your hair with hydrating hair masks and colour-safe haircare can also help keep your strands strong during pregnancy.

Whether you're after a bold change or a subtle refresh, you'll find everything you need at Hairhouse. We stock a wide range of hair colour products, including permanent, temporary and semi-permanent hair colour, plus all the tools and colour care products to keep your colour looking its best.

Browse online and head straight to checkout, or visit your nearest Hairhouse store, where our team can point you to the right shade in person. We offer free delivery on orders over $70, making it easy to get professional-quality colour results without leaving home.