How to Remove Box Dye in the Salon

Recently, I was invited to speak on Australia's biggest national morning TV show about the impact of the cost of living crisis on hair colour choices, particularly focusing on box dyes. Today, I’m excited to share further insights on this podcast.

Over the past few years, we've seen the rise of the “expensive brunette” trend, characterised by rich, multi-dimensional brunette shades that required regular salon visits for upkeep. This created a luxurious, high-maintenance look.

However, with the current economic climate, many are opting for a more budget-friendly approach, leading to the emergence of the “economic brunette.”

The “economic brunette” trend is all about maintaining a beautiful brunette colour while minimising salon visits and reducing overall costs.

Show notes for podcast episode 179

Box Dyes? Yay or Nay? Where do you sit on this topic? Are you angry or annoyed when a client has been colouring their own hair with box dye? Or do you operate a judgement free zone in your salon for DIY’ers?

How do you respond when a client asks you if they can just touch it up themselves between salon visits? Do you have solutions for clients that need to push their appointments out further due to the cost of living crisis?

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 build-up.
• 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.

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 we must as an industry stop judging people who’ve danced with the devil itself – box dye! 

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.

I have flexible education pathways suitable for every learning style with online programs and in-person events. I’m your go-to Educator for unbiased brand-free hair colour education, including how to navigate removing box dye.

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. 

Click here >> to send me an email enquiry.

Listen to episode 179 of the Colour Kristina Talks Podcast to to learn the 3 things you must start doing to kickstart your journey as a hairdressing educator.