Water Colour Hair Dye

Even if you have used Water Colour hair dye before, you must carry out a patch test every time you use it. Here is how you do a patch test using Water Colour hair dye:

1. Take a tiny pinch of Water Colour hair dye powder from the vial and mix it with a drop of warm water on a saucer. Reseal the vial immediately. Do not allow the remaining powder to get wet.

2. Wash a small area of skin inside your elbow and dry gently but thoroughly. Apply a drop of the Water Colour mixture to the area with a cotton bud and allow to dry. Do not wash off for AT LEAST 48 hours (Please be aware that in some cases the skin sensitivity/allergy test can take longer to react – up to a week for some people).

3. If during this period you experience any irritation, redness, swelling or burning, wash off immediately. It is likely you are allergic to an ingredient in this product and should not use it.

Simply add warm water, shake and apply.

Water Colour natural hair colours can be used as a Semi, Demi, or Permanent hair colour by adjusting your application of the hair colour (shown below).

• Semi-permanent: Apply to damp hair. (Lasts up to 8 washes. No grey coverage).
• Demi-permanent: Apply to well towel-dried hair. (Lasts up to 12 washes and covers up to 50% grey).
• Quasi-Permanent: Apply to dry hair. (Creates a more permanent tint which lasts 18 washes or more and colours up to 100% grey).

Full instructions are included with every order, or you can click here to download the instruction leaflet.

1. Wearing the gloves provided, apply the Water Colour mousse to the roots of your hair at approximately 1.5cm intervals to the root area only.

2. Pile your hair on top of your head and put on the cap, securing it to prevent any dripping.

3. Stay in a warm environment ensuring the solution does not dry out under the cap.

4. Follow the timing table for the colour depth you require.

5. If the colour on the rest of your hair has faded and needs refreshing, reserve the remaining Water Colour mousse for the ends. 10 minutes before the end of the colouring process remove the cap and quickly distribute the remainder of the foam evenly through your hair, massaging it to the ends ensuring it is covered evenly. Replace the cap over your hair.

6. Rinse the colour from your hair until the water runs clear. Shampoo your hair using your usual shampoo and rinse thoroughly again. Apply your usual conditioner and leave in for at least one minute to restore the pH balance; rinse and style as normal.

We cannot give you an exact answer as this will always depend on how long or thick your hair is.

If your hair is of average thickness and about shoulder length, you will usually need 1 vial of Water Colour. For longer or thicker hair you may need 2 or even 3 vials.

If you are applying to your roots only you may get 1 or 2 applications.

Tip: For the most efficient and economical way to apply - squeeze the required amount of Water Colour hair colour into a non-metallic bowl and apply with a hairdressers tint brush, this will help with application and make the colour go further.

You may be interested in our Hair Colouring Accessories.

Water Colour can be used as a Semi, Demi or Quasi-Permanent hair dye

• Semi-permanent: Applied to towel-dried hair for 30 minutes it can last up to approximately 8 washes with no grey coverage.
• Demi-permanent: Applied to well towel-dried hair for 45 minutes it can last up to approximately 12 washes with subtle grey coverage.
• Quasi-permanent: Applied to dry hair for between 1 hour and 1 hr 20 minutes it can colour up to 100% grey. With this method it can be completely permanent and last up to approximately 18+ washes (3-6 weeks or more) but as with all natural hair dyes is likely to fade gradually over time. However, please be aware that if you use this method too often on pre-dyed hair the colour can build up, become too dark and lose the ability to fade, which is why we recommend the regrowth application method if you only need to cover your roots.

The above is a guide only – the results may be affected by the condition of your hair and any previous treatments.

Each shade of Water Colour hair dye is made from the same blend of active powder base with different proportions of pigment to formulate each individual shade. The following ingredients form the base of all shades: Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate, Sodium Percarbonate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcostinate, Silica, Sodium Silicate, Sodium Sulphate, Xanthan Gum.

The nine ingredients for the dye pigments are: p-toluene diamine sulphate – PTDS, m-amino phenol sulphate, 2.4 diaminophenoxyethanol hcl, p-aminophenol sulphate, 4-amino 2 hydroxytoluene sulphate, 4-amino -m-creosol, 2-amino 6-chloro -4-nitrophenol, 2-methyl-5-hydroxyethylaminophenol, 4.5 diamino-1-(2-hydroxyethyl) pyrazole sulphate.

Click here for a more detailed look at the ingredients in Water Colour

Your order will include one pair of polythene gloves and one polythene hat per colour and ONE reusable applicator bottle with nozzle per order - *unless you remove it*

*Our special applicator bottles can easily be rinsed and re-used for many years, so if you already have one and don’t require a new one, you can remove it from your order under 'Eco Options' at the checkout (and get 50p off!).

If you wish to add extra applicator bottles they can be found at the bottom of the Water Colour shade chart for £0.50 each.

Water Colour powder when stored correctly can last for many years. However it is best to use within two years of purchase if you can, to minimise the chance of it spoiling.

The last two numbers on the batch number (BN) are the year of manufacture.

It is important to store them somewhere dry, and ideally also cool and dark like a drawer or cupboard (do not store in the bathroom). Check the lids are on tight as this will help to prevent moisture getting in.

The dye should look powdery - if it looks granular then it has probably spoiled and may not work.