How we pick our products
Nowadays, our hair colouring options are virtually limitless: blonde, brown, black, auburn, chestnut and even green, blue, pink… Hair dyes are quite simply one the most frequently used cosmetic products. In our society, colouring your hair is now considered normal and even routine. But why do we actually do it?
Hair colouring products aren’t only designed to cover grey hair. A dash of colour can do a lot more than you might think: from boosting one’s self-esteem, to highlighting our features, or as part of a full makeover. Besides, contrary to popular belief, not all hair colouring products actually damage our hair. We’ve designed this article to answer all your questions and doubts regarding this beauty product.
Summary
- Hair colouring products are designed to give a certain colour to your hair. Many different types of dyes exist depending on colour, composition and how long they last.
- Colouring your hair isn’t simply useful to mask appearing grey hair. It can provide multiple benefits on both cosmetic and psychological levels.
- While it is true that certain products can harm your hair, not every dye will. In fact, some even positively affect hair health.
The best hair colouring: Our Picks
We’ve designed a selection of the very best hair dyes available on the market right now, and it’s right here in the next section for you to discover. The main features of each product is also briefly summed up for you to easily compare them. We’re confident this will help you pick the hair colour that’s just right for you.
Shopping Guide: Everything you should know about hair colouring
There are a number of key criteria you should consider regarding hair dyes before taking your decision. In the following section, we have included the most important factors regarding hair colouring products to help you make an informed purchase. We also tackle the most frequently asked questions by past users.
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What is a hair colouring product exactly?
You can dye your hair in a specialised centre or from the comfort of your own home. Nowadays, many products available on the market. While the duration will vary from one hair dye to another, none can offer permanent results. This is why you’ll need to regularly repeat the process.
Why should I use hair dyes?
One of the main ones is to give greater shine to our hair. Quality hair colouring will help you get reflections that will bring luminosity to your mane. Many also use hair dye to change their look and give a big boost to their self-esteem. Certain products now also include nutritious and beneficial compounds for healthier hair.
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What types of dyes are available out there?
- Permanence
- Formulation
- Purpose
Hydrogen peroxide and ammonia are present in permanent dyes. They allow you to drastically change the colour tone of your hair, as they have the ability to remove a large part of its natural pigmentation. Semi-permanents also include hydrogen peroxide and pigments, but not ammonia. This means they are less aggressive, and can change the natural colour of your hair without altering its structure.
Last but not least, vegetable dyes consist of pigments of natural origin obtained from vegetable oils or extracts. They nourish your hair and give it a beautiful shine, all the while being free of chemical compounds. The cumulative action of these products mean that you need to use them almost constantly for a greater binding.
| Type of hair colouring | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent | Radical changes, great variety of colours and long-lasting results | They require constant touching-up of the root, greater hair damage and more allergic reactions |
| Semi-permanent | Less aggressive with your hair, they cause less allergic reactions and enhance your natural colour | They don’t allow drastic colour changes and the results are less durable |
| Vegetable or temporary | The natural ingredients are less harmful to your hair, and nourish and brighten it. They cause less allergic reactions | Short-term results and dry hair after multiple applications |
What is hair colouring made of?
Despite these differences, we can identify eight basic components of hair colouring. They are the following: base cream, colour precursors, dyestuffs, alkalising agents, caring agents, antioxidants, complexing agents and perfume. Once combined, they create a creamy substance with a pleasant aroma capable of colouring your hair.
In the table below, you’ll find out more about the different functions of these eight base components, as well as examples of each.
| Component | Function | Examples of ingredients |
|---|---|---|
| Cream base | This is the body of the dye. It combines an aqueous and an oily component. | Fatty alcohols, emulsifying agents and surfactants |
| Colour precursors | They penetrate your hair to form large colour molecules. | Para-toluylenediamenesulphate, resorcinol and meta-aminophenol |
| Dyestuffs | They provide colour and reflections. | Plants, metals, compounds, synthetics |
| Alkalising agents | They facilitate the penetration of dyestuffs into your hair. | Ammonia |
| Caring agents | They protect the integrity of the hair and keep it healthy. | Polymers, silicone derivatives, natural compounds |
| Antioxidants | They promote the preservation of the dye. | Sodium sulfite, sodium ditionate, ascorbic acid or vitamin C |
| Complex agents | They prevent unwanted reactions between metal compounds and hydrogen peroxide. | Various |
| Perfume | They give a pleasant smell to the dye. | Various |
When should I start dyeing my hair?
First and foremost, dye it when you feel the need to. Grey hair doesn’t mean you have to use hair colouring at all: certain people are comfortable with them, while others can’t wait to get rid of them. Secondly, and if you want a more specific limit, it is recommended to dye when over 50% if your hair is grey.
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Last but not least, experts advise you to start dyeing your hair when you’re actually ready to care for your colour. This process is by no means a one-off, permanent thing. It will most likely require constant maintenance on your part, with recurring touch-ups. This is why you need to be willing to devote time and resources to your new hair colour.
How often should I dye my hair?
That being said, it is not an exact science and the factors we mentioned above truly influence this. You’ll have to dye it more frequently if, for instance, your hair grows very quickly. In the same vein, touch-ups will be needed more often if the colour of the dye is very different from your natural colour. On the other hand, damaged hair will require you to space out your dyeing sessions.
How are hair colouring products used?
There are several aspects to remember if you opt for dyeing your own hair at home. First of all, you need to pick the right colour to match your desired results. Before starting the process, make sure your hair is very clean and well brushed. Keep in mind that hair colouring products can easily leave stains, so it is recommended for you to wear old cloths and a pair of gloves.
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You want to know of any possible allergies to the product before using it, so apply a small amount to your wrist. You can then start dyeing your hair if nothing happens. Applying petroleum jelly to the hairline is recommended to avoid colouring your skin. Mix the components of the dye together, and spread the mixture over your hair. Use the brush to do so lock by lock and from root to tips.
Once you’ve dyed all your hair, massage your head to further distribute the product. You can wear a shower cap to cover your hair while waiting for the time indicated by the colouring manufacturer. All that’s now left is thoroughly rinsing your hair with plenty of water. And don’t worry about all the dye that you can see in the water: this is completely normal.
What are the side effects of hair colouring products?
On the other hand, hair colouring products may contain components that can be aggressive with the hair’s structure. Repeated use can therefore lead to damaged, dry and lifeless hair. These dyes – in particular permanent ones – contain chemicals that can cause allergies.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of hair dyes?
Shopping Criteria
There are key factors to consider when the time comes to buy your own hair colouring product. In the following section, we’ve detailed the most important ones to help you in your search. If you take them into account, we’re confident you’ll be able to pick the hair dye that best suits your needs. We’ll be looking at:
Colour
Needless to say that the very first thing you’ll be considering when you decide to dye your hair is the colour. Nowadays, there is an extremely wide range of colours available on the market. You should find just a bout any shade you want, from the most classic to the most fanciful. This is why you need to have a very clear idea of what colour you want to have.
In the end, the choice of the hair dye will mostly depend on the results you’re looking for. You might for instance want to opt for your natural colour if you’re dyeing it to cover up emerging grey hairs. On the other hand, a totally different shade might be in order if a makeover is what you’re after.
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Duration
As you well know by now, the different types of hair dyes are categorised based on the duration of their results. This is naturally important for you to evaluate when buying a hair colouring product. Don’t hesitate to ask yourself: what end result am I looking for? This should help you determine which type of colouring to go for.
A semi-permanent hair dye is, for instance, a great option if you’re colouring your hair for the first time.
On the other hand, women who have been dyeing for a while already with the aim of covering grey hair will reap better benefits from permanent colouring products. Being clear about your goal will be key in choosing the right hair dye for your needs.
Quality
You never want to neglect quality when it comes to cosmetic products. A good quality dye offers many advantages that a lower quality product simply can’t. The colour, for instance, will look more natural and shiny. Quality hair dyes also tend to be less aggressive on your hair, therefore minimising damage.
On the other hand, there have been reports of allergic reactions or sensitivity derived from the use of hair colouring. As you can imagine, this is more likely to occur while using poor products. This is why we can’t emphasise enough on the fact that you must absolutely consider the quality of the hair dye you plan on buying. That way, you’ll make the most of this cosmetic product without putting your health at risk.
Allergies
Allergic and hypersensitivity reactions are the most common side effects linked to hair colouring products. While they are not particularly frequent, these reactions are particularly annoying and unpleasant, and can even pose a risk to your health. This is why you can’t overlook this aspect when purchasing your hair dye.
For this doing, it is recommended to check the composition of the product. This will help you rule out any hair dye that includes components that may be harmful to your health. Finally, you should naturally consult your doctor before using any hair colouring product if you suffer from any dermatological pathology.
Type of hair
As you know, our hair is as unique as we are, which means that not all have the same needs. In that regard, remember to consider your hair’s characteristics when making your decision – which will depend on several factors. These include having very damaged hair, or particularly fine and delicate hair.
If your hair is lacking vitality or volume, you should opt for a dye that gives you greater shine and body. Fine and delicate hair, on the other hand, are more easily damaged by hair colouring products. In that case, it is recommended to avoid dyes with ammonia and rather go for natural and moisturising products. In the end, you should always choose the one that best suits your hair.
Packaging
You might not think so, but the packaging of the product actually has a vital role. As we explained earlier, the process of dyeing your hair at home isn’t an easy task: it requires technique, agility and dexterity. You can make this process significantly easier by buying a product that offers the right tools, so take a good look before buying a specific hair dye.
Regarding this aspect, you’ll find certain hair colouring products that include several accessories, such as spatulas, dye-mixing tools and applicators. These will all help you dye your hair more easily, therefore potentially optimising the results. For that reason, we encourage you to opt for a hair colouring product that includes these elements.
Summary
In conclusion, hair dyes truly offer many more properties than you might have originally thought. This is why they have become part of basic cosmetics. If you’re afraid of these new emerging white hairs, a quality product will provide a quick and affordable solution to fight back ageing.
Are you tired of looking in the mirror and seeing the same hair day after day? Do you feel like you’re lacking a little something? Then a hair dye may just be your antidote against boredom and monotony, giving you the makeover you need in a matter of minutes. Quality colouring products will even give your hair its vitality back if it’s taken on a dull look.
The great news is that, contrary to popular belief, dyes won’t necessarily damage your hair. In fact, many now use them to improve the look and texture of their hair. This versatile product has multiple properties to offer and is within everyone’s reach. Will you dare add a dash of colour to your look?
If you liked our guide on hair colouring products, feel free to share this article on your social media or leave us a comment in the section below.
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