Water Colour Gel^® - PPD Free Hair Dye

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.

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

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

Step 1 – Mix

• Measure 90ml of hot (but not scalding) water 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 hair 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 natural hair colours in record time - twice as fast as Water Colour hair dye! Choose the permanency of your hair colour by adjusting the timing:

20 minutes – Demi-Permanent

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

30 minutes – Quasi-permanent

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

Whilst mixing in a bowl and then applying with a brush is the optimum way of applying Water Colour Gel, we have tested applying this hair dye 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.

Yes! Want your favourite Water Colour Gel hair dye shade to be just a little more golden? Or perhaps, add a hint of red or a dash of copper? Our article in the Infohub takes you step by step through the process of mixing different hair colour shades to create a hair colour that is unique to you.

Water Colour Gel does not contain any harsh bleaching agents - therefore, it can only darken or tone your hair. This is perfect for regular grey coverage, or for darkening your existing hair colour.

If you have more than a smattering of greys, there is one easy trick you could try for a beautiful natural highlights effect. Simply choose a shade lighter than your natural colour.

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.

Water Colour Gel is an ammonia and PPD free hair dye that 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 hair colour 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

Water Colour Gel is a PPD free hair dye. Many people who react to standard PPD hair dyes find this hair dye colour much easier to tolerate.

However: If you have a confirmed allergy to PPD (p-phenylenediamine), it’s important to be cautious with any hair colour because:

1. Some people with PPD allergy can also react to related colour ingredients (this is called cross-reaction)
2. Sensitivities can be unpredictable, and allergies can develop over time (sensitisation) even if you’ve used a product before without problems

Whether you have allergies or not, you should always patch test before every use - even if you’ve used the product successfully in the past. If you get any itching, redness, stinging, swelling or irritation during the patch test, do not use the product. If you’ve had a severe reaction before (e.g. facial/eye swelling, blistering, widespread rash), we recommend speaking with a GP/dermatologist and asking about patch testing to confirm which ingredients you react to.

Even if you have used Water Colour Gel hair dye before, and although it is an ammonia and PPD free hair dye, it is essential to patch test before every hair dye gel application.

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.

Your order will include:

• Your chosen Water Colour vial(s).
• Polythene hat and gloves – one per item ordered.
• Instructions – one per order

Your first order will also include a free reusable tint brush!

We pride ourselves on offering eco-friendly options. If you do not need the hat and gloves, you can opt to remove them from your order after checkout.

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 your Water Colour hair colour gel 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.