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I’ve been colouring my hair enough times to know that every step matters: the prep, the formula, the aftercare, and yes, the reset when it fades or goes weird. The market keeps evolving, with gentler ingredients, newer techniques, concerns about health, and lots of hearsay. This guide is everything I wish someone had sat me down and told me before I bleached over that brass nightmare. If you want vibrant, healthy hair + fewer regrets, buckle up.
You’ll learn: what types of colouring are out there; trends & what people are doing now; choosing the right shade/formula; process; DIY vs pro; aftercare; real risks & myths; cost/value. Let’s go. 💇♀️
• Temporary / Wash out colour: Coats the outer layer of hair shaft; lasts few washes.• Semi permanent / Demi permanent: Penetrates slightly, no major lift; lasts more washes, less damaging.• Permanent / Oxidative: Lifts natural pigment and deposits new; longer lasting until hair grows out; uses stronger chemicals (peroxide, ammonia or ammonia alternatives etc.).
Chemistry side: permanent ones use oxidation – precursors + coupling agents + oxidizer (like hydrogen peroxide) to open cuticle, change melanin. Non oxidative ones often use dyes that simply deposit on surface or lightly inside shaft. Research shows that oxidative dyes carry higher risk of irritation, allergic reaction, and possibly other health effects in heavy or frequent users. (PMC)
• Low maintenance, lived in colours: root melts, shadow roots, soft balayage so regrowth isn’t so harsh.• Cleaner formulas: ammonia alternatives, bond builders (that attempt to reduce damage inside the hair shaft), less harsh oxidisers.• Pastel, muted & natural tones: instead of screaming bright colours, more people are doing muted rose, mocha, taupe, warm neutral blondes.• Sustainable / safer colorants: plant based dyes, vegan formulas, ingredients transparency. 🌱
It’s more than a “what look do I want” — your hair’s condition + lifestyle + skin undertone matter more than you think.• Skin / undertones: cool vs warm vs olive; eye colour; natural hair colour base.• Hair health: if your hair is already damaged, porous, with split ends, lifting too much will cause breakage. Build santé (strength) before going extreme.• Maintenance willingness: colourful hair or high lift blondes = more upkeep (toners, root touch ups, colour protecting shampoos, glosses). 🧴
If you go DIY, always do a patch test first; follow timing exactly; consider investing in colour protection products. 🧤
Here’s what realistically happens when you get your hair coloured (or attempt it at home if you're brave):
Neglect this, and even the best colour turns dull, brassy, or crispy. Here’s what to do:• Use colour safe shampoos/conditioners, ideally sulphate free or with mild surfactants. Sulphates strip more oil + can accelerate fade. (eSalon)• Avoid very hot water, frequent washes. 🚫🔥• Use UV protection (sprays, serums) or wear hats; sun causes colour fading and damage. 🧢• Deep conditioning / protein treatments occasionally to rebuild damage inside shaft.• Gloss or gloss like treatments to refresh colour between major sessions. ✨
Pros
• Instant style refresh + increased confidence. 💃• Can cover greys.• Allows creativity, self expression. 🎨• Newer formulas help reduce damage if done well.
Cons
• Maintenance cost & time.• Damage risk: breakage, dryness, frizz, loss of shine.• Colour fades, shifts (especially blondes).• Risk of allergic reaction, skin irritation. 😖
• Allergic contact dermatitis is one of most reported side effects. (IJDVL)• Possible links in specific populations between frequent use of permanent dyes and certain cancers; though for general users evidence is mixed and not conclusive. (EWG)• Damage inside hair shaft: over bleaching or improper developer/timing causes porosity, breakage. ⚠️
• Colouring cost depends on region, salon reputation, complexity of colour (single process vs highlights/balayage), product quality.• Time: appointment length + upkeep (touch ups, toners, glosses).• Value = balancing how much you love the look vs what you are willing to sacrifice (maintenance, cost, hair health).
Depends on type (permanent lasts until regrowth, semi lasts a few washes, temporary washes off quickly); hair porosity & care influence.
If done poorly, yes; done well with care, damage can be minimized and sometimes repaired.
Yes, and they help slow fading; avoid harsh sulphates; but not magic — exposure, heat, sun still matter.
Options: colour correction by a professional, gloss/ toner to neutralize unwanted tones, cut excess damaged hair.
Be cautious. Patch tests, consulting a professional, using gentler or non oxidative dyes can reduce risk. 🧪
Here’s the honest wrap from someone who’s been bleaching, toning, hiding brassy tones, and doing deep repairs:• Think before the dye: what your base is, how much maintenance you can or want to give.• Choose safer formulas when possible; go to pros if doing big changes.• Aftercare is not optional — it's what keeps your colour alive and hair healthy.• Know the trade offs: style vs health vs cost vs time.
If you follow all these, your hair colour journey can go from “why did I do that shade” to “this shade feels me.” Embrace the change, but love your hair through it. 🌿✨