One of the best things you can do in life is get clear on what you want, what you want to achieve, and what your priorities are—starting with your non-negotiables. Boundaries? Essential. Standards? Non-debatable. And when it comes to home Hair Colouring, having a set of golden rules is the secret to salon-worthy results without the salon price tag.
So let’s lay them out. The non-negotiables that make at-home Hair Colouring as seamless, stress-free, and flawless as possible—because great Colour shouldn’t come with second-guessing. Here’s what you must follow (and a few that work wonders for us) to help you find your own perfect process while using the My Hairdresser home Colour range.
Hair Colouring Non-Negotiables
You Can’t Lighten Colour With Colour
Applying a 9 Very Light Blonde over a 6 Dark Blonde? Not happening. Hair Colour doesn’t lift Hair Colour. You’ll need Colour Remover to strip out old pigment first.
Colour
Remover
Stop Colouring Over Colour (Unless You’re Going Darker)
Applying a 5 Light Brown all over every time? That’s just layering pigment on pigment—hello, dry, dull, way-too-dark Hair and Build Up. Stick to your roots for touch-ups, not the whole head.
If You’re Going 3+ Shades Darker, Use a Colour Filler
Going from a Lightened Blonde to Dark? Fill first. Lightened Hair lacks Warm Tones, and skipping this step can leave you with patchy, murky, or even green results.
Colour
Filler
Refresh, Don’t ReColour
Faded or brassy Tones? Skip the permanent Colour and go for a Toner or gloss—a quick 20-minute fix that revives pigment without damage or Build Up.
Mix It Right
Use a plastic or glass bowl (never metal) and follow the correct ratios:
Standard Colours: 1:1.5 (60ml Colour + 90ml Developer)
Highlift Blondes (901, 902, 908): 1:2 (60ml Colour + 120ml Developer)
Tint Bowl
and Brush Set
Timing Is Everything
35-40 minutes for regular Colour, 45 minutes for Grey coverage and Highlift Blondes. Want your Ash or Beige Tones extra Cool? Leave them for the full 45 minutes.
Apply to Dry, Day-Old Hair
Freshly washed Hair? Nope. Your natural oils help protect your scalp, so apply Colour to dry Hair—preferably a day or two post-wash.
Non-Negotiables for At-Home Application
Set Up for Success
Hair should be dry, combed, and sectioned into four, secured with clips before you begin.
Protect Yourself
A Protective Cape keeps Colour off your clothes, skin, and towels—no mess, no stress.
Protective
Cape
Mix It Right
In a Tint Bowl, squeeze in Colour first, mix to a creamy consistency (especially if blending shades), then add Developer and mix until thick and smooth.
Keep a Wide-Tooth Comb Handy
Perfect for detangling, blending, or Toning without damage.
Wide Tooth
Comb
Hair Care & Routine Non-Negotiables
Wide-Tooth Comb = Shower Essential
Use it when conditioning to gently detangle without breakage.
Ditch Tight Elastics
Claw clips and towel scrunchies protect your Hair (and look cute).
Schedule Your Colouring
Plan ahead by adding touch-ups to your calendar—it keeps your Colour fresh and stress-free.
Find Your Colouring Sweet Spot
Morning, afternoon, or night? Pick a time that works for you. For me, it's post-workout, pre-getting-ready—otherwise, I push it back until it's way overdue (and I hate that feeling).
