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Beauty

HOME HAIR DYE IS WHERE THE HEART IS

This lockdown necessity actually has a lot to offer

18.11.2020

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Comprising a series of both plainly monotonous and completely transformative events, the first lockdown was a bit of a blur. One specific date that we’ll probably remember forever, however, is the Fourth of July. This has nothing to do with American patriotism and everything to do with the reopening of hairdressers. But as some of us waited impatiently in the salon chair to be rid of a slew of curses, others had already adapted. In a bid to avoid having hair colour so outgrown that it resembled the coat of a pesky badger, home hair dye was the only option – and we actually liked it.

Now, in the middle of a second lockdown, this remains unchanged. Undeniably, getting your hair done professionally is a luxurious treat. But while hairdressers can offer a level of personalised perfection that you might not be able to achieve at home, it’s costly. There’s also something unnerving about having to stare closely at your own reflection while the magic happens, but that’s another matter. Like most things done independently, dying your hair yourself is empowering. In need of some home hair dye tips? From keeping dyed blonde hair in pristine condition to covering greys, we’re here to help.

THE TREATMENT

REDKEN EXTREME ANTI-SNAP TREATMENT, NOW £15.35 AT LOOKFANTASTIC

Ostensibly, Redken’s Extreme Anti-Snap treatment is not for the good of your mental health – but the positive effect it has on hair may well stop you from snapping at your nearest and dearest entirely. Offering protection against chemical damage, heat damage, mechanical damage, surface damage and hair breakage, this leave-in product is enriched with ceramides and an Interlock Protein Network – we guess the latter is like mutual aid for your hair.

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THE MASK

DAVINES NOUNOU NOURISHING REPAIR MASK, £23 AT CULT BEAUTY

Even uttering the name of this Davines hair mask sounds appropriately like cooing. Wrap your head in clingfilm and sit in a hot bath after applying it if your hair is in a partularly bad way – which may well be the case if you've been bleaching it.

THE PERMANENT HAIR COLOUR

Garnier Olia Midnight 2.0 Black Diamond No Ammonia Permanent Hair Dye, £6.99 AT BOOTS

Hairdressers may declare that they can JUST TELL when someone’s used a box dye, but with formulas improving constantly (Garnier’s Olia Midnight range contains 60% oils for optimum shine), they can’t possibly be as certain of this as they once were – we definitely aren’t.

THE SEMI-PERMANENT HAIR COLOUR

JOSH WOOD COLOUR ROSE BRUNETTE GLOSS, £19

Josh Wood Colour’s Rose Brunette – one of the latest shades in his semi-permanent Gloss collection – is touted as the type of colour that’s usually only available in salons. We favour this one in particular for anyone wanting to temporarily redden their hair with ease.

THE NON-PERMANENT HAIR COLOUR

BLEACH LONDON SUPER COOL COLOUR, £6.50 AT CULT BEAUTY

One of the funner elements of lockdown is the enthusiasm with which people embrace unconventional but non-permanent hair colours – like green!

THE HAIRCARE RANGE

PUREOLOGY HYDRATE SHAMPOO 266ML, £15.60 AT FEELUNIQUE

While you may choose to get something like balayage (which garnered over 135,000 mentions during lockdown) done professionally, the large part of hair colour maintenance will always happen at home. Harriet Muldoon – Larry King’s Queen of Colour – references the Pureology Hydrate range as “the perfect balayage bestie,” but it protects all shades of colour-treated hair without picking favourites.

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