Hair Colour Change

What is a hair colour change?

Ready for a completely different hair colour? A hair colour change is designed for more than simply refreshing your existing shade. Whether you want to go from dark to light, light to dark, change your overall tone or embrace a completely new colour, your BACKSTAGE colourist will create a personalised approach to achieve your desired result.

Every transformation begins with a detailed assessment of your current colour, previous colour history and hair condition. Your colourist will then determine the most appropriate colouring or lightening technique, with toning used where needed to refine the final shade and create a polished, natural-looking finish.

If you’re not looking for a complete change, there are several other options depending on the result you want. T-Section Colouring is a more targeted way to add colour or lightness, while Roots + Hair Toning + Blow Dry  can refresh your roots and overall shade without changing your colour completely. If your colour simply needs a tonal refresh, Hair Toning + Blow Dry can help bring back shine and improve the tone without further colouring.

For a lighter, more dimensional look, Full Head Highlights Balayage, Half Head Lightening or AIR TOUCH can create softer, multi-tonal colour rather than changing the entire base. And if you are specifically looking to move from black hair to a lighter colour, Out of Black has been designed for this type of transformation.

Who is a colour change service for?

A colour change is ideal if you feel ready for a different look and want more than a small adjustment to your existing shade. Perhaps you have had the same colour for years and want a complete change, or you are ready to move from dark hair to light, or from light hair to a deeper shade.

It can also be a great way to mark a change in season, prepare for a special occasion or simply give yourself a fresh start. Sometimes you know exactly what colour you want; other times, you know that you want something different but are not sure what will work best. A consultation with your colourist can help you explore the options and choose a shade that suits your hair, complexion and lifestyle.

The starting point is particularly important with a colour change. Your colourist will look at your existing colour, any previous colour treatments and the condition of your hair before deciding how best to achieve your desired result. If you are making a significant change, the colour may need to be built up over more than one appointment.

How long does a colour change last?

There is no set length of time that a colour change will look exactly the same. How long your colour stays fresh depends on the shade you choose, how dramatic the change is and how quickly your hair grows.

Your hair will naturally continue to grow, so regrowth can become visible, particularly where there is a strong contrast between your natural colour and your new shade. Colour can also gradually fade or change in tone with washing and everyday exposure.

How you care for your hair at home can make a real difference to how long your colour stays fresh and vibrant. Frequent washing can cause colour to fade more quickly, while using professional products formulated for colour-treated hair can help protect the shade and maintain its condition. Your stylist can recommend the right products for your hair type and colour. Heat styling, sun exposure and the overall condition of your hair can also influence how your colour looks over time, so protecting and nourishing your hair between salon visits is key.

In some cases, you will not need another full colour appointment straight away. A toner can be a simple way of refreshing the shade, bringing back shine or correcting unwanted warmth between colour changes. Your colourist will be able to advise you on how often your colour is likely to need refreshing and what will work best for your particular shade.

What affects the price of a colour change?

The cost of a colour change depends on a number of factors, including hair length, your existing colour and hair condition, the result you want to achieve, the complexity of the transformation, the products and processes required, and the category of your chosen colour specialist. Colour change services range from £475–£590.

Hair length is one factor, with pricing based on whether your hair is short, above shoulder-length, shoulder blade-length or waist-length. However, the amount of work involved can vary significantly from one colour change to another. For example, moving from a dark colour to a much lighter shade may require several stages of lightening and toning, while a more complex transformation, such as changing from red to green or working with a bold permanent colour, may require multiple processes to safely achieve the desired result.

The category of your chosen colour specialist will also affect the price. The service includes an Olaplex bonding treatment to help support the condition and strength of the hair during a colour transformation. Depending on your existing colour and the result you want to achieve, additional toning or other colour processes may also be required.

Because every colour change starts from a different point, the best way to understand what is involved and the likely cost is to speak to your colourist before your appointment. They can assess your hair, discuss your desired result and explain the most suitable approach.