How to Colour Grey Hair with Desert Shadow
Grey hair can colour beautifully with Desert Shadow Organic Hair Colours, but it can behave differently from naturally pigmented hair.
Some grey hair takes botanical colour easily, while other grey can be more resistant. Good preparation, the correct mixing method and sufficient processing time can make a significant difference to your result.
This guide explains how to prepare, mix and apply Desert Shadow Organic Hair Colour to grey hair—and what to do if your greys are stubborn or difficult to colour.
Before you begin
Your final colour result will depend on several things, including:
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your natural hair colour
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your percentage of grey
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the Desert Shadow shade you choose
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how porous or resistant your grey hair is
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previous chemical or botanical colour treatments
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product, oil or silicone build-up on the hair
Botanical hair colour is individual, so always perform a strand test before your first full application.
Step 1 — Start with clean hair
Clean hair is very important when colouring grey.
Natural oils, styling products, conditioners and silicone build-up can create a barrier on the hair and reduce colour uptake.
Wash your hair immediately before colouring.
If necessary, shampoo twice to make sure the roots and grey areas are thoroughly clean.
Do not apply conditioner before colouring.
Towel dry your hair well. Your hair can be damp, but should not be dripping wet when you apply the colour.
Step 2 — Mix your Desert Shadow colour for grey coverage
Follow the Grey Coverage Mixing Instructions supplied with your Desert Shadow Organic Hair Colour.
The grey-coverage method is designed to help botanical colour take more effectively on grey hair.
Always follow the instructions for your individual Desert Shadow shade, as activation and mixing requirements can vary between colours.
Step 3 — Apply generously
Grey hair needs to be thoroughly coated.
Divide your hair into manageable sections and apply the colour generously, paying particular attention to:
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grey roots
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temples
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hairline
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areas with a higher concentration of grey
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any areas that have previously been difficult to colour
Make sure every grey strand is completely covered with the botanical paste.
If you are maintaining an established Desert Shadow colour, you may only need to apply to your regrowth rather than repeatedly colouring the full length.
Step 4 — Keep the colour moist
Once the colour has been applied, cover your hair with a shower cap or suitable wrap.
This helps retain warmth and moisture while the botanical colour develops.
Do not allow the paste to dry out on your hair.
If the colour dries during processing, you may not achieve the full colour result.
Step 5 — Allow enough processing time
For stronger grey coverage, allow the full processing time recommended for your chosen Desert Shadow colour. For many shades this is approximately 3 hours. Some lighter or brighter shades may require less time, so always follow the instructions for your chosen colour.
Some lighter or brighter shades can be processed for less time when a softer result is desired, so always check the instructions for your chosen colour.
If your grey is resistant, the full recommended processing time will usually give the best opportunity for colour uptake.
Step 6 — Rinse your colour
When processing is complete, rinse the botanical colour thoroughly from your hair.
Follow the rinsing and aftercare instructions supplied with your Desert Shadow colour.
Remember that botanical colour can continue to settle and develop after rinsing, so assess the final result according to the instructions for your chosen shade.
What if my grey doesn't take the colour?
Some grey hair is naturally more resistant than others.
If you have followed the grey-coverage instructions carefully but your grey is still not taking the colour sufficiently, don't assume that you need a different shade.
First look at preparation and colour uptake.
Stubborn or colour-resistant grey
For stubborn grey, we recommend our Pre Colour Wash Bar.
The Pre Colour Wash Bar is designed specifically to help prepare resistant hair immediately before using Desert Shadow Organic Hair Colour.
It deeply cleanses the hair and scalp and helps remove oils and build-up that may interfere with colour uptake.
How to use the Pre Colour Wash Bar
Use the bar immediately before colouring.
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Wet your hair and work the Pre Colour Wash Bar into a rich lather.
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Concentrate particularly on the roots and resistant grey areas.
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Rinse thoroughly.
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Towel dry your hair.
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Immediately apply your Desert Shadow Hair Colour.
Important: When using the Pre Colour Wash Bar, your Desert Shadow Hair Colour must be activated using the Apple Cider Vinegar solution.
The Pre Colour Wash Bar is not an everyday shampoo. It is a pre-colour treatment for stubborn grey and should not be used more than once a month, as overuse may dry the hair.
Do I need a Red or Copper base?
Not everyone with grey hair needs a red base.
A high percentage of grey does not automatically mean that a red base is required.
The need for a red base depends on:
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the Desert Shadow colour you are using
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your starting hair colour
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whether your grey is stubborn or resistant
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how well your hair takes botanical colour
Chocolate Shadow and Deep Chestnut Shadow
If you are colouring resistant grey with Chocolate Shadow or Deep Chestnut Shadow, you may need to first apply Red Shadow or Copper Shadow as a base.
However, some people achieve good grey coverage without a red base.
Start by following the normal grey-coverage instructions.
If your grey does not achieve sufficient coverage or depth, try the Pre Colour Wash Bar. If your grey remains difficult to colour, a Red or Copper base may provide a stronger foundation for the darker colour.
If you are moving from blonde or very light hair to Chocolate or Deep Chestnut, a red base is required to create the warm foundation needed before applying the darker colour.
Indigo Shadow is different
If you want to use Indigo Shadow on grey hair, a red base is required.
Apply either Red Shadow or Copper Shadow first to create the warm foundation needed for Indigo.
Without a red base, Indigo applied to grey or very light hair may produce an unwanted blue, green or ashy result.
Please follow our dedicated How to Colour Grey Hair with Indigo Shadow instructions before using Indigo on grey hair.
Why can grey hair look slightly different?
Grey hair has little or no natural pigment, while the rest of your hair still contains its own colour.
Desert Shadow colours work with the colour already present in your hair rather than removing it.
This means the same Desert Shadow shade can look slightly different on your grey strands and your naturally pigmented hair.
Rather than creating one completely flat colour, your greys may become slightly lighter highlights within the overall result.
This can create beautiful, natural-looking depth and dimension.
Maintaining your grey coverage
Desert Shadow Organic Hair Colours build with repeated applications.
Once you have achieved the depth and tone you like through the lengths of your hair, concentrate future applications mainly on your regrowth.
Refresh the full length periodically—approximately every fourth or fifth application, or when needed.
This helps prevent unnecessary colour build-up through the lengths and ends.
Always strand test
We always recommend a strand test before your first full application, particularly if:
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you have a high percentage of grey
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your grey is resistant
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you have previously chemically coloured your hair
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you have previously used henna, indigo or another botanical colour
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you are changing to a significantly darker shade
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you are unsure which Desert Shadow colour to choose
A strand test gives you the best indication of how your own hair will respond.
Need help?
If you're unsure which Desert Shadow colour or grey-coverage method is right for you, we're happy to help.
Send the Desert Shadow team:
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a clear photo of your hair taken in natural daylight
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your approximate percentage of grey
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your natural hair colour and current hair colour
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details of previous chemical or botanical colour
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the result you would like to achieve
We can then help guide you towards the most suitable Desert Shadow colour and application method for your hair.