Aussies have rated Nice ‘N Easy (Clairol) as the top pick in Canstar Blue’s latest hair dye ratings, with five-star reviews in all categories. These include effectiveness, ease of use, value for money, variety & range, packaging convenience and overall satisfaction.
Our review compares hair dye on customer satisfaction, so you can find out what other Aussies think about the compared brands before you go ahead with a purchase. Think of it as like asking hundreds of your closest mates which hair dye they think is best!
Canstar Blue surveyed 575 Australians for their feedback on packet hair dye(s) they’ve purchased and used in the last six months.
The winning brand is the one that receives the highest Overall satisfaction rating once all the scores from the Overall satisfaction criteria are combined and averaged.
Find more detailed information on our Most Satisfied Customer methodology.
Not sure which hair dye brand to buy? Check out our buying guide below.
Nice ‘N Easy by Clairol knocked it out of the park with five star rating in all categories including overall satisfaction, effectiveness, ease of use, value for money, variety & range and packaging convenience.
With over 90 years of colour and experience, Clairol are a well known name in the hair dye market. It’s Nice ‘N Easy hair dye products are one of many brands under the Clairol name alongside its Natural Instincts, Blonde It Up, Root Touch-Up, Natural Instincts and Nice ‘N Easy Repair. The brand sells permanent, semi-permanent and temporary hair dyes that range in price from $9 to $20.
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Revlon achieved five star ratings for effectiveness and value for money and four star ratings across all other categories including overall satisfaction, ease of use, variety & range and packaging convenience.
Revlon is known for its popular makeup and beauty tools but its hair dye is also a popular choice for those looking for a new colour at home. With over 100 years in the beauty industry, Revlon’s products are a crowd favourite both in makeup and hair dye. Revlon’s hair dye products include the Colorsilk range with 13 shades and Total Color range with nine shades in total. You can expect to spend from $8 all the way up to $20 depending on the type of hair dye product you’re after.
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L’Oreal received five stars in the effectiveness category and four star ratings for the other categories which include overall satisfaction, ease of use, value for money, variety & range and packaging convenience.
L’Oreal offer a number of hair dye products from permanent dyes to grey cover ups and more. Its range includes the Preference range of permanent hair dye, the Magic Retouch products including a spray and precision touch up and the Casting Creme Gloss semi-permanent hair dye. You can expect to spend from $8 to $25 for its hair dye products with a number of shades available for any hair colour preference.
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Garnier achieved a four star rating for overall satisfaction and three stars for effectiveness, ease of use, value for money, variety & range and packaging convenience.
Garnier is a leading hair brand offering everything you need to touch up your roots or rock a whole new look, with two permanent hair dye ranges to choose from. The Nutrisse permanent hair colour promises up to eight weeks of colour and anti-dryness and is said to contain avocado, olive, shea and argan oils to keep your locks shiny, smooth and strong. There are 22 shades available, such as Crimson Promise and Natural Light Ash Blonde. Garnier alternatively offers the Olia range, which is claimed to be the first permanent home hair colour that’s powered by oil and not ammonia. You can expect to pay from $15 to $25 for its hair dye products making it a slightly pricier option.
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Schwarzkopf achieved four star ratings for effectiveness and ease of use, with three star ratings for overall satisfaction, value for money, variety & range and packaging convenience.
Schwarzkopf offer a number of hair dye, hair styling and hair care products with an extensive range of hair dye. Its hair colour brands include Brilliance, Live Colour, Nordic Blonde, Colour Specialist and more. The well known Live Colour brand features a number of Baseline colours as well as Ultra Brights for those looking to really stand out. You can expect to spend from $15 to $25 for its hair dye products from semi-permanent to permanent hair dyes.
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Everyone loves a little change here and there but when it comes to hair colour it can unfortunately go horribly wrong. It’s best to know the ins and outs of hair dye to help you make the right choice if you’re thinking of going blonde at home or a few shades darker perhaps.
There are a few different types of box hair dye you can buy from the shops. Each one serves a unique purpose to either add some colour or give you a touch up.
Demi-permanent hair dye is similar to semi-permanent in that it contains no ammonia but includes a low-volume developer that allows the dye to penetrate beyond the outer cuticle of your hair.
As time has gone on, more and more brands and vibrant colours have become popular and readily available in stores. Similarly, there have become more and more effects or styles of colouring that are popular across Australia from ombre to peek-a-boo or two-tone colour. We found that:
In regards to effects and styles of colouring we found that:
Box hair dye will generally last from six to eight weeks in the hair. This will also depend on a number of factors including the kind of shampoo and conditioner you use, how often you wash your hair and whether you use hair tools like straighteners or hair dryers.
If you’re washing your hair every two days, the likelihood of the colour lasting six to eight weeks is slim. Similarly, if you’re not using colour specific shampoo and conditioner, it can rinse the colour out much faster and consistently adding heat from hair dryers and straighteners can damage your hair and the colour.
To make your new hair colour last longer you can use specific colour shampoos and conditioners and other hair care products like heat protection, toners and protection oils. It’s also important to note that preparing your hair for events like swimming or being out in the sun can also potentially help protect the colour in your hair that little bit longer.
Adding any chemicals or solution to your hair that isn’t derived from natural ingredients can be damaging whether it’s an ox dye or salon job. Box dye is a progressive hair dye meaning it takes time to build up on the hair shaft, and continued use can cause the hair to become brittle and damaged. You can find ways to prevent any long term damage through additional hair care products, however speaking to a hair colourist or professional is always a good idea.
Dying your own hair at home can be a messy business especially if you don’t have an extra set of helping hands. The two best ways to remove hair dye from the skin is rubbing alcohol or soap. Understandably rubbing alcohol can be quite harsh so soap may be the best bet. A great way to avoid getting hair dye on your skin can be by applying a generous layer of vaseline or a similar product around the edge of the hairline to create a barrier between the skin and hair dye.
Box hair dye ranges in price from around $8 to upwards of $25 depending on the brand and specific type of hair dye you choose. Semi or demi-permanant hair dyes will generally be a little bit cheaper, with good quality permanent dyes costing more. Smaller touch up products will also be cheaper to help you hold on between the hair dying day marked in the calendar.
There are a few elements that come with choosing a hair colour. Ideally you should choose a colour that compliments your skin tone and hair type first and foremost. It’s then about choosing whether you want something more permanent or simply something more temporary and fun. The best way to get the desired results and choose the right colour is to speak to a coulourist or professional as they can help you navigate the best colours for your hair.
This report was written by Canstar Blue’s Home & Lifestyle Content Producer Kate King. Kate holds a Bachelor of Creative Industries from QUT majoring in Journalism and Media and Communications, and has written for a number of publications over the past five years.
Samantha Howse is Canstar Blue’s Consumer Research Specialist, coordinating the consumer research program behind our customer satisfaction awards across Canstar and Canstar Blue in Australia and New Zealand. Sam has earned a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) from Griffith University and, with seven years in market research and 2 years in marketing, she is experienced in survey design, implementation and analysis, coupled with an understanding of marketing principles and best practice.
Here are the previous winners of Canstar Blue’s hair dye review:
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