Home Colouring

What colour should I dye my hair?

The best hair colour for you depends on your skin tone, your current hair shade, your hair type and how much maintenance you're comfortable with. Whether you're after a fresh update or a complete change, there's a shade that can suit your style and routine.

Some colours offer impact, while others are easier to maintain or give a more natural-looking finish. The trick is knowing how they work with your base colour and condition!

Here’s what to know about each shade before you make your pick:

• Red hair dye gives bold results on light hair. If your hair is dark, you may need to lighten it first. Shades like auburn and crimson add richness and stand out, but they may require more frequent touch-ups.
• Blonde hair dye works best when your locks are healthy enough for bleaching. Ash and platinum suit cooler tones, while honey, beige and light blonde shades offer a softer take on this colour.
• Light brown suits most skin tones. This colour adds warmth and softness without being too bold. It’s also less demanding than lighter or red shades, especially if you want a natural-looking result or need to blend in grey hair naturally without going too dark.
• Brunette is a low-maintenance classic. It holds colour well, adds depth and shine, and suits both cool and warm undertones. It’s also a flexible choice across different hair types.
• Dark colours are easier to apply but harder to remove. If you’re thinking about going lighter down the track, it’s worth keeping that in mind before you colour.

Can you dye your hair when pregnant?

Yes, you can colour your hair while pregnant. Still not sure? Pop into a Hairhouse store and consult with one of our Hairhouse experts. We can help you choose options like semi-permanent hair colours that don’t sit directly on the scalp.

You might notice your hair feels thicker or behaves a little differently during pregnancy. That’s completely normal. A few tweaks to your routine, like using hydrating hair masks and colour-safe haircare, can help keep your strands feeling strong and looking fresh between appointments.

Is box dye bad for your hair?

Box dye isn’t inherently bad, but some formulas can be harsher than salon colour, especially those with stronger chemicals designed for quick, all-over results. Many hair dyes are now made without ammonia or peroxide, so they’re gentler on your hair and scalp.

At Hairhouse, hair colour brands like Revlon Professional, Dare, Goldwell, Manic Panic and Fudge offer a range of at-home colour options. If you have a sensitive scalp or are prone to irritation, Wella Koleston Perfect uses technology that helps lower the chance of allergic reactions. It also provides 100% grey coverage and up to five levels of colour lift.

To protect your hair after colouring, we recommend using products made for colour-treated hair. They help lock in colour, reduce fading and keep your hair feeling soft. Add in some hair treatments and styling products, and your hair will stay in great shape between touch-ups!

How to dye hair at home

You can dye your hair at home by following a few easy steps and using the right hair colour products. A strand test is a good place to start if you're trying a new shade or formula. It helps you understand how your hair reacts and gives a preview of the result.

Once you’ve tested the colour, these steps will help you apply it properly and look after your hair during the process.

• Do a strand test: Apply a small amount of colour to a hidden section to preview the result and check for sensitivity.
• Mix and apply with control: Follow the instructions closely and use gloves. If you’re colouring regrowth, start at the roots for even coverage.
• Use the right hair dye tools: Sectioning clips, brushes and bowls are all essential hair dye tools that make the process neater and give you better coverage.
• Go light with hair bleach: Use hair bleach or lightening products that contain peroxide only if your hair is healthy enough to lift colour. These formulas are powerful, so always follow the timing instructions closely to protect your hair.
• Add toner when needed: Apply hair toner after bleaching if you need to correct brassiness or soften strong undertones.

How long to leave hair dye in for

How long you leave hair dye in depends on the type of colour and your hair, so always read and follow the instructions on the product. Leaving it in too long can cause dryness, while rinsing too early may affect colour payoff and how long it lasts.

If you're using semi-permanent or permanent hair colour at home, timing matters. It helps the shade develop evenly and stay vibrant. You can shift your natural hair a few shades lighter or darker with easy-to-use, long-lasting options available online and in-store at Hairhouse.

Australian and international brands like Goldwell, Wella, L'Oréal Paris, Schwarzkopf, Fudge and Revlon offer blonde, ash blonde, dark blonde, light ash brown, light brown, medium brown and dark brown shades. Many are ammonia-free and peroxide-free, so they’re gentler on the hair while still delivering visible results.

Want creative looks? Try pastel colours. They work best on pre-lightened hair and show up clearly when applied to a clean, even base. With Alfaparf Revolution, you can experiment with your favourite pastel tints for a fresh new look!

How long does semi-permanent hair dye last?

Semi-permanent hair dye typically lasts a few washes up to several weeks, depending on your hair and how often you shampoo. It's perfect if you want to switch up your colour without long-term commitment.

If you're looking for a temporary hair colour to make a statement or add a little oomph to your natural hair colour, Dare and Manic Panic offer some fabulously fun shades to play with. Try Flamingo Feather for a bright pink or Forest Fairy for a bold green.

An at-home Dare dye job will last between 5 and 30 washes. When it's washed out, there are plenty more gorgeous colours to try next.

Manic Panic hair colours are vegan, semi-permanent hair dyes formulated to last 4-6 weeks, depending on your routine. They have an exciting range of bold and beautiful shades to temporarily colour your hair in rich red tones such as Vampire Red and Pillarbox Red, along with many brilliant blues, purples, greens, pinks, and even a bright and sunny shade of yellow.

To keep temporary hair colour looking fresh for longer, use a shampoo and conditioner made for colour protection. Try to wash only when needed, and avoid formulas that strip colour.

For added intensity between applications, a conditioner with pigment can help revive your tone and keep your colour looking fresh. If you’re managing regrowth, a root touch-up product is a quick fix between full dye jobs.

How often should you dye your hair?

How often you colour depends on the shade, your hair type and how visible the regrowth is. Lighter shades like blonde hair tend to show roots sooner, while deeper tones may give you more time between touch-ups.

Permanent colour holds longer than semi-permanent, but both need the right care to stay vibrant. Use shampoo and conditioner made for coloured hair, and consult with a Hairhouse stylist if you're unsure how often to reapply. We’ll help you build a colour routine that suits your hair and schedule!

Try Colour Royale for vibrant, long-lasting colour

Colour Royale is a professional hair colour brand available only at Hairhouse. All products are made in Italy and come in a wide range of rich shades to suit every hair type and skin tone. Each formula delivers even coverage, vibrant colour and a glossy finish that lasts.

BondCare technology helps protect your hair during colouring, while Argan Oil and Aloe Vera leave it feeling soft and healthy. With colour conditioning cremes, peroxide and application tools included, it’s easy to colour your hair at home and get great results.

Where to buy hair colours in Australia

You can buy hair colour products across Australia at Hairhouse, both in-store and online. We stock a wide range of semi-permanent and permanent colours, plus everything you need to apply and maintain your colour at home. Whether you're after a bold change or a subtle refresh, there’s something for every hair type and style.

To find your nearest Hairhouse, use your current location or enter your postcode or suburb into our store locator. Prefer to shop from home? Browse our full range of hair colour products, styling tools and colour care essentials online.

We offer fast checkout and free delivery on orders over $70. For help choosing the right shade or routine, check our FAQs or book a consultation with one of our in-store stylists!