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Water Colour Gel is a gentle hair dye giving rich natural hair colour without PPD

You'll love Water Colour Gel...

The newest version of Water Colour is our best gentle hair dye yet.

You'll enjoy deep, natural colour, better grey coverage, easier application and quicker results - safe in the knowledge that its gentle formula is still free from harsh chemicals like PPD, ammonia and bleaching agents.

Shade Chart

Really happy with the new gel formula, very straightforward to mix, use & simpler timing - still gives excellent coverage.

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Our best cover yet

Rich, vibrant shades that give better grey coverage than ever before.

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Colour in record time

Just 20 to 30 minutes processing time...that's twice as fast as our original Water Colour!

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Gentle formula

Still free from nasties like PPD, ammonia, alcohol, resorcinol, perfume and bleaching agents.

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Mess free application

Simply mix with water to form a thick gel and apply with your tint brush - free with your first order.

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Planet concious

Our mini vials contain the powder only, reducing waste. Simply add water and mix to a gel.

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Colour Chart

Water Colour Gel is free from harsh chemicals so won't lighten your hair. This gentle hair dye is ideal for grey coverage or for darkening light hair. The hair colour samples below are the approximate shade when applied to white hair.

Barley Pale Light Blonde Hair Dye Gel
Barley
Shade 9/0
$16.20   
3 for £33
Water Colour Wheat Blonde Hair Dye - Wheat Hair Colour Gel UK
Wheat
Shade 8/0
$16.20   
3 for £33
Water Colour Toffe Hair Colour Gel - Toffee Hair Dye
Toffee
Shade 8/33
$16.20   
3 for £33
Water Colour Chocolate Brown Hair Dye - Chocolate Hair Colour Gel
Chocolate
Shade 5/0
$16.20   
3 for £33
Water Colour Dark Chocolate Hair Dye - Dark Brown Hair Colour Gel
Dark Chocolate
Shade 4/0
$16.20   
3 for £33
Water Colour Black Coffe Hair Dye Gel - Coffee Brown Hair Colour
Black Coffee
Shade 3/0
$16.20   
3 for £33
Water Colour Damson Hair Dye - Dark Purple Hair Colour Gel
Damson
Shade 6/7
$16.20   
3 for £33
Water Colour Gel White Pepper Hair Colour Gel - Medium Grey Hair Dye UK
White Pepper
Shade 7/01
$16.20   
3 for £33
Water Colour Salt Hair Colour Gel UK - Light Grey Hair Dye Gel
Salt
Shade 10/17
$16.20   
3 for £33
More shades are on the way...
If you can't see yours yet, why not contact us for tips on a custom blend?
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In more detail

Water Colour Gel is our newest 'just add water' hair dye. You'll receive a small bottle of powder which, when mixed with water, forms a thick, easy to apply hair dye gel. Kind to your hair, it boasts excellent grey coverage and gives rich, natural looking hair colours.

Free from ammonia, PPD, alcohol, resorcinol, perfume and bleaching agents, you can enjoy beautiful natural hair colours without the need for harsh chemicals.

We'll send you a free tint brush with your first order which will last for years to come. This is the only piece of specialist equipment you need. Usage instructions are enclosed with every order, and we also include plastic hats and gloves. You can opt out of these after checkout if you have your own reusable ones.

As with all our gentle hair colours, Water Colour Gel can only be used to cover greys or darken your existing colour. Since it is free from bleaching agents, it will not lighten your hair.

For the best grey coverage, we'd recommend selecting a base shade (shades that end in /0) and applying for the full 30 minutes.

Questions & Answers

Do I need any equipment?

The only special item you will need is the free reusable tint brush that you'll receive with your first order.

The hair colour gel can be mixed in any non-metallic bowl, and a measuring cup or jug is also useful to ensure the correct amount of water (90ml) is used. You'll probably be able to find these items in your kitchen, or we sell plastic and plastic-free tint bowls from £3.25.

How long does the colour last?

Water Colour Gel can be used as a Demi or Quasi-Permanent hair dye. It should be applied to dry hair, with timings as follows:

Quasi-Permanent
When applied for just 30 minutes, you'll enjoy hair colour lasting up to 18+ washes and providing up to 100% grey coverage.

Demi-Permanent
When applied for only 20 minutes, your hair colour will last up to 12 washes and provide subtle grey coverage.

The above is a guide only – the results may be affected by the condition of your hair

How do I apply Water Colour Gel?

Water Colour Gel should be applied to dry hair following our simple 4 step application process.

Step 1 – Mix

  • Measure 90ml of hand-hot water (around 38°C) into a mixing bowl.
  • Gradually add all the powder from the vial into the water, stirring constantly with a tint brush until fully mixed and beginning to form a gel.
  • Leave to stand for 2 minutes to allow gel to thicken, then stir again before application.

Step 2 – Apply

  • Wearing gloves, apply to dry hair.
  • Follow either the Full Head or Regrowth application methods (detailed below).

Step 3 – Wait

  • Pile your hair on top of your head and put on the cap provided, ensuring it’s secure to prevent dripping.
  • Keep your hair warm by wrapping a towel over the cap, ensuring the solution doesn’t dry out.
  • Set a timer – either 20 or 30 minutes (see below), depending on the permanency you'd like.

Step 4 – Rinse

  • 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.

Application Methods

Full Head Application

Use for first-time colouring, or when there’s no marked difference between roots and ends.

  • Use the tint brush to apply the hair dye gel mixture to your roots in 1.5cm sections.
  • Work the mixture through the rest of your hair, ensuring even coverage from roots to ends.
  • Choose your development time - 20 or 30 minutes.

Regrowth Application

Use to cover root regrowth when the rest of your hair is already coloured.

  • Apply the hair colour gel mixture to your roots only at 1.5cm intervals using the tint brush.
  • Choose your development time. If required, apply the remaining mixture to the ends 10 minutes before the end of your chosen processing time.

Development Time

Water Colour Gel produces rich colour in record time - twice as fast as Water Colour! Choose the permanency of your colour by adjusting the timing:

20 minutes – Demi-Permanent

For colour that lasts up to 12 washes, and provides subtle grey coverage.

30 minutes – Quasi-permanent

For colour that lasts up to 18+ washes, giving up to 100% grey coverage.

Can I still use a mixer bottle?

Whilst mixing in a bowl and then applying with a brush is the optimum way of applying Water Colour Gel, we have tested applying with a mixer bottle from our original Water Colour, and the technique does still work.

If you wish to do this, please note two key points:

1. The fill line on our old bottles is too low for Water Colour Gel, so please measure 90ml hand hot water.

2. Water Colour Gel forms a thick gel, so it does need a really good shake when mixed in the bottle. Shake vigorously until mixed, leave for two minutes and then shake again before applying.

How many vials of Water Colour Gel will I need?

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 Gel. For longer or thicker hair you may need 2 or even 3 vials.

If you are applying to your roots only, you may even get 2 applications from the same vial of hair colour gel. You will need to split the powder carefully and reduce the water volume. Ensure any powder you are not using right away remains totally dry and is tightly re-sealed in the vial.

What are the ingredients in Water Colour Gel?

Water Colour Gel uses a water-based formula that preserves your hair's natural structure. It does not contain harsh chemicals such as PPD, ammonia, alcohol, peroxide, resorcinol or bleaching agents.

The following ingredients are found in all shades of Water Colour Gel hair colour:

Sodium Sulfate
Sodium Percarbonate
Xanthan Gum
Methyl Ethyl Cellulose
Silicia Dioxide
Sodium Laurol Sarcosinate
Mineral Oil
Sodium Metasilicate

Depending on the shade you choose, your hair dye will also contain a combination of the following:

P-Toluenediamine Sulfate
P-Aminophenol
M-Aminophenol Sulfate
1,5-Dihydroxynaphthlene
P-Amino-O- Cresol
4-Amino-M- Cresol
2-Amino-6- Chloro-Nitrophenol
1-Hydroxyethyl 4.5- Diamino
Pyrazole Sulfate
HC Yellow 2

How do I do a patch test?

It is essential to patch test before every hair dye gel application, even if it is a product you have used before.

Patch testing with Water Colour Gel is a simple 3-step process:

1. Mix Test Solution

Take a small pinch of Water Colour Gel powder and mix it with a drop of warm water. Be careful to reseal the cap securely on the remaining dye to keep it dry.

2. Apply Test

Clean a small area inside your elbow and apply the solution with a cotton bud. Allow it to dry and leave on for a minimum of 48 hours.

3. Monitor for Reactions

If irritation, redness, itching, swelling, or burning occurs, wash off immediately and do not use the product. If symptoms persist seek medical advice.

What is the shelf-life of Water Colour Gel powder?

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

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.

Great Results Covered the greys perfectly and left my hair feeling smooth and soft.
I would highly recommend this product.
Reviewed by Rekha S on 31/03/2025
Pretty good Although it felt a bit itchy for first few minutes it was easy to apply and the shorter development time is welcome. I will be using on myself before transition to my customers to check lasting coverage.
Reviewed by Miss Deborah S on 31/03/2025
Water Colour Gel Easier to mix and apply, with reduced wait time - great!
Reviewed by Tracey C on 31/03/2025
New formula - same excellent result Really happy with the new gel formula, very straightforward to mix, use - & simpler timing still gives excellent coverage.
GHD’s customer service is second to none - they always respond to any enquiry, offer professional advice & an excellent service.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Reviewed by Susan B on 28/03/2025
Difficult to apply The coverage is fine, no worse than the original Water Colour, but I found this extremely difficult to put on my hair. Applying colour with a tint brush is not easy, it's a hairdressing skill that requires training, and that's to put it on someone else - for someone like me, who is untrained and not very good with my hands, to put on my own hair, was a nightmare! I couldn't get it on the back with the brush at all as I couldn't see what I was doing, I had to resort to leaning over the bath and slathering it on with my hands, which made a horrible mess of the bath. The process took about an hour, which kind of cancels out the faster development time. Please go back to the original system!!
Reviewed by Annabelle F on 26/03/2025
Hi Annabelle,
I have good news for you! Although we think that a bowl and brush is the optimum method, after a couple of similar comments we have today tested application from a mixer bottle. There are a couple of things to pay attention to:
1. You'll need to measure 90ml of hand hot water, as the fill line on our old style bottles are lower than this.
2. It needs a really good shake to get it started before being left for two minutes and then shaken again.
We hope you enjoy using the product more with this new method, and would love to have a follow up review after your next use.
Best wishes,
Dan
Happy lady I wasn't sure about the new way of applying the hair colour or the new name. I usually use 'Natural brown' it is now called 'Chocolate' but I was pleasantly surprised. It was easy to mix and easier to apply. I also loved how it only took 25 mins instead of the usual 1hr!! All good!!!
Reviewed by Susan B on 26/03/2025
Reviewed by Mrs Hayley C on 26/03/2025
BEST HAIR JUST THE TICKET
Reviewed by Mrs Val M on 20/03/2025
Easy to use Easy to use, shorter time to develop and satisfied with the result.
Reviewed by Janet G on 18/03/2025
Water colour gel Ok but more messy to use overall and stings a bit on scalp. Better result in terms of good level of colour over stubborn grey. Plastic bottle is replaced by plastic bowl for mixing plus the need for a plastic brush to apply so that wasn’t really environmentally sound in fact! I wasn’t sure if I wanted to continue with this new method but am pleased with colour so probably will try to get used to it and the increased mess in bathroom is more to clean up…but will give it a go.
Reviewed by Ramona N on 18/03/2025
Hi Ramona, thank you for taking the time to review Water Colour Gel.
We are pleased you got better grey coverage and like the colour, but sorry you found the process a bit messy. The gel should be thick and easy to work with. Once it is thoroughly mixed, it does need to be left for two minutes to thicken, and then mixed again. We hope this will make for a tidy bathroom next time!
Regarding plastic, the tint brush is only sent with your very first order and can be reused for years to come, whereas many of our customers currently get 6 to 8 applicator bottles each year, so we hope for a significant plastic saving overall. As far as the bowl goes, it doesn't need to be specialist or even plastic - any non-metallic bowl that you already have is fine.
Please do update us as you get used to using this colour :)
Dan

Customer Reviews

10 reviews with an average score of 4.5 stars

All our verified reviews are collected independantly by Reviews.io - see our Reviews.io page.

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Our best cover yet

See the difference right away, with the deepest and most vibrant shades in our range.

With better coverage than our original Water Colour, we're confident Water Colour Gel will tackle even resistant grey hair, allowing you to continue to choose a gentle approach even as grey hair increases.

As with our original formula, you can combine shades to create your own custom colours, as well as adjusting processing times to adapt the grey coverage / permanancy.

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Colour in half the time

Water Colour Gel needs just 20 or 30 minutes processing time, giving you great results in quicker than ever.

Which time to choose? It depends on the permanancy you'd like.

Choose 30 minutes for quasi-permanent colour, which will last up to 18+ washes with up to 100% grey coverage.

Demi-permanent colour needs just 20 minutes, and will last up to 12 washes. This will give a more subtle grey coverage, useful for blending rather than hiding greys.

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Free from nasties

Gentle Hair Dye isn't just our name - it's our mission. You can rest assured that just like our original Water Colour, Water Colour Gel is:

  • Free from PPD
  • Free from ammonia
  • Free from alcohol
  • Free from resorcinol
  • Free from perfume
  • Free from bleaching agents

Not only that, but it gives you even better results in half the time. What's not to like?

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Mess free application

Water colour gel is easy to mix and apply. You can use any non-metallic bowl.

Simply measure 90ml of hand-hot water (around 38°C) into the bowl of your choice. Gradually add the powder from the vial, stirring constantly with your free, reusable tint brush until the water and powder are fully mixed and a gel is beginning to form.

Leave to stand for 2 minutes to allow the gel to thicken, then stir again before beginning your application.

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Helping the planet

By shipping without water, we're not only saving over 100g in weight per colour, we're also able to use super small bottles that fit in small packages. All of this gives a lower carbon footprint and uses less plastic and other packaging material.

Unlike our original Water Colour, you no longer need a mixer bottle - any non-metallic bowl is fine, which helps reduce plastic waste even further.

Hats and gloves? We still include single use ones free of charge, but rest assured if you don't need them, you can tick a box after check out and we'll leave them out of your order.

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Cruelty
Free
Gentle
Formulas
Suitable
for Vegans
Friendly
Support
Recyclable
Packaging
Speedy
Delivery