How long does metallic hair color last?

Developer: Aqua, Hydrogen Peroxide, Cetearyl Alcohol, PEG-40 Castor Oil, Disodium Pyrophosphate, Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Phosphoric Acid; Colour cream: Aqua, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ammonium Hydroxide, Coconut Alcohol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Ceteareth-50, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Ceteareth-20, Parfum, Sulfuric Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Sulfite, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Silicate, Propylene Glycol, Etidronic Acid, Toluene-2,5-Diamine Sulfate, Resorcinol, N,N-Bis(2-Hydroxyethyl)-p-Phenylenediamine Sulfate, 2-Amino-4-Hydroxyethylaminoanisole Sulfate, 2-Methylresorcinol, 4-Amino-2-Hydroxytoluene, Quartz;

Permanent hair dye (like the name suggests) is designed to last longer than temporary and semi-permanent hair dyes, however, it still doesn’t last forever. Unlike semi-permanent hair dye that’s designed to last just a few shampoos, permanent hair dye penetrates the hair strands more, locking in the colour for longer. Ideally, permanent hair colour would stay just as vibrant as it was the day you coloured it, at least until the roots grow. On most heads of hair, that would mean a good 6-8 weeks between touch-ups. 

Can permanent hair dye fade?

Sometimes with permanent dye, colour fade can happen within a few weeks. But why does this happen? Typically, hair dyes are soluble in water. When you wash your hair, dye molecules simply dissolve and your new colour rinses away. Of all hair dye colours, red usually dissolves the easiest in water. As a result, this colour usually fades the quickest. This doesn’t mean that you can’t have a vibrant lasting colour with permanent hair dye though, you just need to know how to look after it and what dye to use. 

How to make permanent hair dye vibrant for longer

If you’re looking for long-lasting hair dye that won’t fade quickly, you can’t go past oil-based dyes. Not only do they improve colour delivery (think very vibrant colours), but oil-based dyes also do not dissolve as easily when you shampoo, giving them even more staying power. Try Nutrisse by Garnier, enriched with shea, avocado and olive oil  - infusing colour and care at the heart of the fibre for a long-lasting result. Another one of our favourite oil-based dyes is Olia, formulated with 60% flower oils for colour that treats your hair and gives you vibrant colours.

Take care of your hair

Colour washes out more easily from damaged or porous hair. Use nourishing, colour-safe treatments, conditioners and shampoos for healthier hair and lasting colour. We recommend the Fructis Colour Last Shampoo and follow up with the Fructis Colour Last Conditioner. Really look after your hue with a hair mask at least once a week. For coloured hair we suggest the Fructis Hair Food Protecting Goji.

These tips will help stretch your colour the promised 6-8 weeks. Unless, of course, a different shade catches your eye before then...

How to dye your hair at home

So now we know how to look after and extend our permanent hair colour, it’s time to get down to the nitty gritty; how to actually dye your hair at home.

Choose your dye wisely

From platinum blonde to jet black and everything in between, there are a multitude of options available when it comes to hair dye. Even if you have a general idea of the colour you want, it’s worth considering which precise shade would be best for you based on your skin tone and eye colour. Can’t decide on a colour? Try our Color Match Hair Colour Quiz to find the perfect hue for you. 

Once you’ve chosen your shade, it’s also important to pick the right dye. There are some great at-home hair colour kits out there. Our favourites for bold and vibrant permanent colour without ammonia is the Olia Permanent Hair Colour range. How about radiant, long-lasting colour with 100% grey coverage? Then you can’t go past the Nutrisse Permanent Hair Colour range. Each range not only delivers beautiful, vibrant shades, but they also protect and strengthen hair thanks to natural ingredients that promote healthy looking and feeling hair.

Preparation is key

So, you’ve got through the hard part and chosen your favourite colour, now it’s time to start your preparation! Before you jump right in and start colouring it’s important to perform a patch test of the dye 48 hours before to ensure you won’t have an allergic reaction. If you have very thick, shoulder length or long hair, we recommend buying two boxes to cover your whole head. When you’re ready to go, double check you have everything you need in reach and ensure you wear an old t-shirt or towel you don’t mind getting a bit of dye on. 

Play by the rules

Once you’re ready to give in, make sure you follow the instructions down to the letter. A good idea is to always read them twice to ensure no tips and tricks and timing details are missed. It’s also important to apply the hair dye carefully for balanced coverage all over your head – if you’re worried about this part, then why not invite a friend to join the fun? You can double-check each other’s dye jobs and then keep each other company while waiting for the timer to go off.

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