Permanent hair color typically lasts the longest among all hair dye types. It penetrates the hair shaft and chemically alters the pigment, resulting in a much longer lasting change. Dark colors, especially blacks, and deep browns, tend to have the most staying power due to their larger color molecules.
Some popular brands known for long-lasting results include L'Oréal Paris Excellence Creme, Clairol Nice 'n Easy, and Garnier Nutrisse. However, always remember to do a patch test and follow the instructions carefully to minimize any potential damage and maximize the longevity of your color.
Generally, the following colors are known for their longevity: Deep Blue and Dark Purple: These colors often contain more concentrated pigments that can adhere better to the hair. Darker shades typically fade more slowly than lighter ones.
Salon dye does tend to last longer than home bought dye. Why? That's because of the dye itself and the way it's applied. Your colourist will apply the dye to your roots and then to the rest of your hair.
Red hair is notoriously difficult when it comes to upkeep. While it's the hardest color to fully strip from your hair, it's also the first to fade, often lightening drastically within the first few washes. So unless you're wanting to touch-up your own color at home, it would be wise to skip the scarlet shades.
Certain harsh chemicals in popular box dyes have given many stylists pause. Common concerns include: Ammonia - This mixing agent lifts cuticles to deposit colour but is quite drying over time. Peroxide - High volumes like 30+ developer cause more damage to delicate hair.
Salon hair color is often more long-lasting than box dye. This is because professional stylists use high-quality products that are designed to provide vibrant, long-lasting color.
Hair color can fade due to a variety of factors, including frequent washing and styling, using products containing sulfates, added salts, and even alcohols, exposure to sunlight, UVA and UVB rays, and even minerals in your water, chlorine and other chemicals. Here's a deep dive into each cause…
The length of time that permanent hair dye will last depends on a few different factors, including the health of your hair, how often you wash it, what shampoo you use, and the type of hair dye you use. Generally speaking, though, you can expect permanent hair dye to last anywhere from 6 to 12 weeks.
Darker hair colors like deep black, espresso brown, and blue-black tend to fade the slowest. These colors have larger pigment molecules that hold onto the hair better, making them more resistant to fading.
Brown hair colors for gray hair are the sweet spot for gray coverage if your natural shade is medium blonde to dark brown. They are also ideal if you're gray all over.
"PLATINUM HAIR is the most expensive hair color in the world. Why? Because it takes so many products, so much maintenance, and constant care to keep it looking like this.
Deep Brunettes and Black
If you're aiming for minimal fading, you can't go wrong with dark brown or black shades. These deep hues tend to hold onto their richness for a longer period. Imagine them as a sturdy fortress—once those color molecules are in there, they're less likely to slip out quickly.
Garnier Nutrisse Ultra Permanent Colour
A natural-looking colour that effectively covers grey is what most look for at an at-home hair dye, and you'll find exactly that in this one. There's a wide range of shades to choose from too, from a Honey Blonde, all the way through to Infinite Black.
It could be that your hair is resistant to tint, especially when the hair texture has changed as a result of going white. But also it could be that by going lighter, either all over, or by introducing (subtle) highlights you would not see the regrowth strip quite as quickly as if it were lighter.
Fade Resistance: Aveda hair color resists fading, allowing your color to remain consistent over time.
An ammonia-free formula that contains plant-derived pigments and oils like jojoba and coconut oil, Phyto was the winner of the GH Beauty Lab's most recent at-home hair color test. It provided the richest, most uniform and truest color, and users found that it lasted longer than all others tested.
Preserving Natural Tones:
Unlike permanent colors that may alter your hair's natural tone, demis work with your existing hue, adding depth and vibrancy without compromising what nature gave you. This makes them an ideal choice for those seeking a change without straying too far from their natural look.
Hard water is perhaps the most frustrating cause of fading hair color. That's because hardness isn't immediately obvious — which means you could use this water on every wash and inadvertently make things worse. Hard minerals can fade your hair dye and cause other issues.
What hair dye brands should I avoid? Brands that frequently use harmful chemicals include Clairol Nice'N Easy, Garnier Nutrisse, Revlon Colorsilk, and L'Oreal Preference. These products often contain ingredients like ammonia and PPD, which are associated with health risks.
Simply put, when it comes to salon color vs. box dye, it's always best to get your hair colored at the salon by a professional. Salon formulas better for your hair, and having a pro colorist apply it also ensures the best results.
It's clear that salon color is superior to box dye in many ways. Not only does it provide better coverage and more accurate results, but it also doesn't contain the same level of harsh chemicals that can damage your hair. If you're considering dyeing your hair at home, be sure to keep these differences in mind.