The Truth About Box Dye vs. Salon Colour

Let’s talk about box dye… and why it’s not your best friend.
We get it—life gets busy, and that box of colour on the supermarket shelf can seem like a quick fix. But while it may promise convenience, the truth is, it often costs more in the long run—especially for your hair’s health, tone, and longevity.

Box dye isn’t tailored to you.
Every head of hair is different. From the texture and natural base to previous colour history and even the water in your shower—these things all affect how colour holds. Salon colour is customised down to the gram. At Ame, we formulate every bowl with intention, balancing tone, depth, and condition. Box dye? It's one-size-fits-all. That usually means more pigment, more ammonia, and more unpredictable results.

Damage control—literally.
Most box dyes are packed with harsh chemicals to guarantee results across all hair types. But this blanket approach often leads to dry, brittle ends, uneven tones, or that dreaded patchy fade. Professional colour, on the other hand, is not only gentler but also supported with salon-only treatments that nourish while we colour.

The correction cost is real.
One of the most common services we offer at Ame? Colour correction—specifically from box dye mishaps. Uneven colour bands, green tones, over-darkened ends… we’ve seen it all. And while we love a good transformation, colour correction takes time (and often several appointments). It’s almost always more expensive than if you’d just visited us from the start.

Salon colour is an experience.
From your first sip of coffee to the relaxing head massage at the basin, colour appointments at Ame are about more than just hair. It’s self-care. It’s expert advice. It’s walking out the door with a colour that suits you—your skin tone, your lifestyle, your energy.

If you’re ready to break up with box dye…
We’re here. No judgement. Just support, beautiful hair, and a tailored plan to bring your colour dreams to life—safely, professionally, and beautifully.