Embracing Hair Colour Choices: Insights From Morning TV.

By Kristina Russell

I had an exciting morning recently when I was interviewed on Sunrise Morning TV on Channel 7! I was invited to discuss how people are navigating the cost-of-living crisis by considering DIY hair colour options, including the controversial topic of box dye.

Understanding Box Dye Choices

Box dyes have seen a resurgence lately due to their affordability and accessibility. With rising expenses, many individuals are opting for cost-effective solutions to maintain their hair. As salon professionals, it’s important to understand why clients choose box dye and how we can support them in achieving their desired results without judgment.

My No’s for DIY Colouring:

Certain DIY practices can be damaging or unpredictable. Here are my absolute no’s for at-home hair care:

- Colour Strippers: These can strip hair of essential oils and leave it prone to damage.

- Hennas: They can be difficult to control, resulting in unpredictable colours. Henna is impossible to bleach over when the client wants to remove it in the future, which I think is a misconception because it claims to be healthy and natural.

- Home Hair Bleaching or Balayaging: Professional techniques involving bleach should be left to trained professionals to avoid uneven results and potential damage.

Best Options for DIY Box Dyes:

While some at-home options may not be ideal, there are products that can be used with caution:

- Brown Root Retouch Kits: Ideal for covering or blending greys temporarily between salon visits.

- Root Touch-Up Aerosol Spray: Great for quick fixes before important events but should be used sparingly to avoid buildup.

- Peroxide-Free Colour Rinses: These are gentle options for refreshing colour without damaging hair structure. Does your salon retail range include temporary toning products? If not, now is the time to invest in a range that can deliver salon quality toning products for your clients.

Salon Choice Products:

For those looking to maintain salon-quality results, consider these top three product options for in-salon purchase:

- Toning Shampoos: Help maintain colour vibrancy and neutralise unwanted tones.

- Toning Conditioners: Nourish hair while enhancing colour and shine.

- Temporary Colour Mousses: Provide temporary colour enhancement and styling benefits.

Tips for Low Maintenance Hair Colours:

By recommending some low-maintenance colour options and techniques, you empower clients to enjoy their hair colour for longer periods. Educate them on the importance of using colour-safe products and regular toning treatments to maintain vibrancy and health. Here are some strategies to recommend to clients, allowing them to enjoy beautiful hair with less frequent touch-ups:

- Reds: Opt for rich, coppery tones that fade gracefully and blend naturally with roots. Suggest using long-lasting semipermanent colours instead of permanent dyes to avoid committing to frequent regrowth touch-ups. Reds typically require more maintenance due to faster fading, so advise clients to invest in colour maintenance and toning products tailored for red hair.

- Blondes: Recommend shades like honey or golden blondes that require less frequent touch-ups. Long-lasting semi-permanent options can provide vibrant colour without the commitment to regular root touchups. Balayage or hand-painted techniques offer softer grow-out lines compared to traditional foil highlights, minimising the contrast between regrowth and coloured hair.

- Coppers: Vibrant and warm tones can be easily refreshed with toning treatments between salon visits. Suggest semipermanent colours for clients who want to avoid frequent touch-ups. Balayage techniques can help soften the grow-out phase, ensuring a natural transition as hair colour fades.

- Brunettes: Natural-looking browns blend seamlessly with roots, allowing for longer intervals between salon appointments. Avoid drastic changes in hair colour (more than two shades lighter or darker), as they can result in noticeable regrowth lines. Balayage and hand-painted techniques create a softer, more natural grow-out compared to solid or block colouring methods.

High Maintenance Hair Colour Options to Avoid for Budgeting Clients:

To help clients on a budget, advise against high-maintenance colour options that require frequent salon visits or intensive upkeep:

- Platinum Blondes: High maintenance due to frequent toning and root touch-ups.

- Fashion Shades (e.g., Pastels, Vivid Colors): These fade quickly and require regular salon maintenance.

- Complex Balayage or Highlights: These techniques need professional touch-ups to maintain their blended effect.

It’s all about helping to educate our clients to make empowering choices and my experience on morning TV highlighted the importance of offering supportive advice and solutions to clients exploring DIY hair colour options. By understanding their motivations and providing professional recommendations, we can empower clients to make informed choices about their hair care.

Let’s continue to foster a positive and inclusive salon environment where every client’s choice is respected and supported. Together, we can ensure that everyone achieves beautiful and healthy hair, whether they choose salon treatments or DIY solutions.

Please contact me to inquire about attending a class or hosting a hands-on workshop or demonstration session in your location in 2024 or 2025. I will be touring across Australia and internationally. Send me a DM on Instagram at @colourkristina