If the current economic crisis has you seeking out cost-effective beauty habits and opting for more DIY solutions than before, we’ve got you covered. Remember lockdown, back when we were waxing our own legs and painting our nails? This is not our first rodeo and, since then, at-home beauty treatments have had a makeover all of their own. Take hair dye. Gone are the harsh, chemical one-shade-fits-all options; now there are gentler formulas, cleverer colour matching and great options for going as natural or as bold as you dare.

Josh Wood


Miracle Kit, £29
Josh Wood

Not the colour magician himself, but a brilliantly formulated close second. Buy it.


Redken


Gel Lacquers, £12
Redken

As its name suggests, a high-shine lacquer finish and deep colour saturation. Buy it.


Bleach London


Super Cool Colour, £6.50
Bleach London

A great one for fun brights and pastels. Not for the faint hearted. Buy it.


Garnier


Nutrisse Creme, £6.49
Garnier

A great go-to for blondes as it doesn’t dry and leaves lengths soft and natural looking. Buy it.


Clairol


Permanent Root Touch Up, £6.49
Clairol

If you want to combat greys without doing a full colour, this is a great option between salon appointments. Buy it.


L’Oreal Paris


Colorista Permanent Hair Paint, £6.99
L’Oreal Paril

A great budget buy with deep pigments for long-lasting results. Buy it.


Phyto


Phytocolour, £13.50
Phyto

Ammonia-free and 75 per cent plant-based, it’s a great option for sensitive scalps. Buy it.


It’s Pure


Organic Herbal Hair Colour, £11.95
Organic Herbal Hair Colour, £11.95 Copy

Soil Association-approved and fully organic, It’s Pure hair dye is 100 per cent natural, using the power of Ayurvedic herbs to add shine and health to locks. Buy it.


IGK Hair


Permanent Colour Kit, £20
Permanent Colour Kit, £20

Colour and a hair treatment in one, complete with squalane, bamboo and orchid extracts for softer and smoother locks that are less prone to breaking. Buy it.


ESalon


Custom Hair Colour, £27.50
Esalon Copy

Made-to-order custom hair colour with personalised instructions and all the kit you need to colour at home. Buy it.


5 Tips For Dyeing Your Hair At Home



Be Realistic


If you’re trying to go from brown to platinum, that’s best left to the professionals. When dyeing at home, browse the shelves for your current hair colour and go for two shades either side of that for fool-proof results.

Cover Up


The prep step is key. Cover yourself and any carpets or soft furnishings at risk of splashing. Ensure you have all the kit you need to hand before you mix your colour, so you’re not taking gloves on and off once you start. Remember to wear something you can easily remove before stepping into the shower to rinse!?

Start At The Roots


Apply colour to dry hair and start at the roots; this is where any regrowth or ‘virgin’ un-dyed hair will be, which will take longer to colour. Use clips to work methodically around your hair in sections and leave to develop for the recommended amount of time before combing through the lengths for the most even results.

Avoid Staining


Any barrier cream – a lip balm or Vaseline are great – applied to the hair line (front and back!) as well as the tops of your ears will ensure the dye doesn’t stain your skin. Apply liberally with a cotton bud and simply wipe away once you’re done.

Invest In The Right Kit


If you are going to be dyeing your hair at home regularly, it’s worth upgrading some of the kit you get as standard with your box dye. Instead of the messy applicator bottle, use a bowl and brush to apply all-over-colour for a more salon-precise finish -– they are cheaply available and reusable. Another tip is to buy a box of better-fitting latex gloves so you can apply your colour without slipping and sliding around in the plastic ones in the kit.

By Lydia Mansi
February 2023