The Shade

Stubborn greys winning the war on your roots? Here's how to fight back. 🩶

If your greys keep grinning through every colour, you're not imagining it — colour-resistant greys are a real thing. Grey hair is structurally different: the cuticle is often coarser and more tightly packed, which makes it harder for colour to absorb and hold.

The good news? With the right technique (and the right developer), you can achieve complete, beautiful grey coverage at home. Here are our 6 colourist-approved tips:

🎨 1. Strategic placement — Use our Colour Perfection approach: permanent colour on roots only, semi/toner through lengths. Less processing, better condition, better colour.

💪 2. 27 vol developer — Specifically formulated to lift the cuticle on stubborn greys and lock colour in where it counts.

⏱️ 3. Less colour, more often — A single colour session every 8 weeks won't outpace fast regrowth. Try half a tube + half a sachet every 2 weeks for ongoing coverage.

🔥 4. Add heat — Blast your roots with a hairdryer for 1–2 minutes, pop on a shower cap and let the warmth boost colour absorption.

⏳ 5. Extra processing time — Add an extra 10 minutes for stubborn greys (45 mins total is your sweet spot).

🎯 6. Ask a colourist — Warm + neutral blends often deliver the most balanced, natural-looking coverage over greys. Our colourists can help you nail your perfect mix — for free.

Are your greys cooperative or are they full rebellion? Tell us in the comments 👇

Read the full guide 👉 https://theshade.com.au/5-tips-colouring-grey-hair-regrowth/

The colouring secret your hairdresser already knows. ✨

Great colour starts with healthy hair. But here's the problem: every time you colour your full head, your lengths get processed again — leading to dullness, dryness, darker build-up and over-porous ends that leak colour like a sieve.

The fix? Our Colour Perfection approach — a gentler, smarter, 2-step routine that gives you salon-quality results while protecting your hair's health.

Here's how it works:

🎨 Step 1 — Permanent colour on your roots only
Cover your regrowth and greys with permanent colour (paired with a 20 vol developer — or 27 vol for stubborn greys). This step is applied to your roots only, so your lengths aren't exposed to unnecessary processing.

✨ Step 2 — Semi, demi or toner through your lengths
Refresh your mid-lengths and ends with a gentle, deposit-only colour or toner. It boosts shine, balances tone, and lets you experiment with different shades 1–2 levels lighter for a beautiful multi-dimensional finish.

The result?

✔ Perfectly covered greys
✔ Fresh, glossy, balanced colour through your lengths
✔ Highlights and balayage protected and refreshed
✔ Hair that stays strong, soft and shiny — wash after wash

It's the gentlest way to colour at home, and it works for every shade and hair type.

Are you a one-and-done colourer, or do you already split your roots and lengths?
Tell us in the comments 👇

Read the full guide 👉 https://theshade.com.au/colour-perfection-the-gentlest-colouring-routine-ever/

Sugar, spice and everything copper-golden-nice. 🍂

Pumpkin spice hair is the modern classic your colour has been waiting for — a beautiful, elegant blend of warm copper and deep golden tones infused through a rich brown base. Think old-Hollywood glamour with a fresh, flattering finish.

Our hero pumpkin spice shade is Portofino Copper Golden Brown 5.43 — a Level 5 brown with copper and golden tones that capture all the amber and russet beauty of falling autumn leaves. 🍁

Could it work for you? If your current colour sits between Levels 5–7, Portofino 5.43 is likely to suit you beautifully. Our colour can lighten natural, uncoloured hair by up to two levels, or add fresh tone to previously coloured hair up to two levels.

The bonus? Our formula is PPD and ammonia free — so it's accessible for sensitive scalps — and infused with a nourishing botanical blend that protects and conditions your hair while it colours.

Would you wear pumpkin spice all year round, or save it for autumn? Tell us in the comments 👇

Read the full guide 👉 https://theshade.com.au/everything-nice-about-pumpkin-spice/

Dry, dull, damaged? Your hair's about to fall in love again. 💚

Our Repair range is formulated with 99.5% ingredients of natural origin and packed with organic botanicals to deeply nourish, strengthen and restore shine to fragile, dry or damaged hair.

Here's what each hero does:

🧖‍♀️ Repair Mask — A silicone-free, buttery crème conditioner with organic quinoa and argan oil that strengthens, rebuilds bonds and leaves hair instantly softer and shinier.

💦 Repair Spray — Lightweight and non-greasy, packed with vitamins and minerals to make breakage a thing of the past. Perfect for boosting softness in dry or damaged lengths.

✨ Split End Serum — Seals, smooths and rebuilds frayed ends with organic coconut and argan oil, Marshmallow Root and Arnica. Silky, shiny, easy-to-manage hair — sorted.

All three are vegan, cruelty-free, made in Australia, and free from sulfates, silicones, parabens and nasties.

Want the full ritual? The Repair Bundle brings all three heroes together — everything you need to rebuild healthy, shiny, beautiful hair.

What's your hair's biggest struggle right now — dryness, breakage, or split ends? Tell us in the comments and we'll point you to the right hero 👇

Read the full guide 👉 https://theshade.com.au/repair-your-hair-love-your-hair/

Is your hair craving a caffeine hit? ☕

Espresso hair colour is rich, deep and utterly delicious — think dark brown and black base tones, with the option of a smokey latte balayage woven through the lengths for extra dimension.

Perfect for naturally darker bases, our espresso shades range from Bologna 1 Black through to Como 4 Dark Brown — plus cool-toned options like Salento 3.1 Darkest Ash Brown and Toscano 4.1 Dark Ash Brown to keep unwanted warmth at bay.

Want to lighten things up without committing to all-over highlights? A whisper of latte babylage through the ends and around the face will soften your silhouette and brighten your finish — while keeping your hair healthier and shinier. ✨

And the secret to taking espresso tones from drab to fab? High-shine condition. Pair your colour with our Repair Mask or Tsubaki Oil for hair that's deeply nourished and glossy.

How do you take your espresso — black, with a splash of latte, or somewhere in between? Tell us in the comments 👇

Read the full guide 👉 https://theshade.com.au/espresso-coffee/

Thinking about going red? Here’s your sign. 🔥

From classic copper blondes to deep, sultry mahoganies — there’s a red-toned shade for every complexion and every vibe. ✨

Whether you’re a lighter brunette looking for that sun-kissed copper glow (hello, Palermo ☕) or you want to add rich, warm dimension to a darker base with mahogany highlights — we’ve got you covered.

🎨 Not sure which red is your red? Our colourists can help you find the perfect shade or custom blend — from the comfort of your couch. 🛋️

👇 Read the full guide on our blog or book a free colour consultation to get started.

🔗 theshade.com.au/red-colour-hair-ideas

ASH vs INTENSE ASH — What's the difference? 🤔

If you've ever wondered which ash tone is right for you, this one's for you.
Both our Ash and Intense Ash colours are designed to neutralise unwanted warmth — think brassiness, copper and orange tones — leaving you with a cool, sleek, balanced finish. ❄️

So what's the difference?

✨ Ash tones (.1) contain cool blue, green and violet pigments that counteract warmth and create a beautifully muted, icy result. They're our go-to recommendation if you're looking to cool down your colour.
✨ Intense Ash tones (.11) have double the ash pigment, making them more powerful at reducing stubborn warmth. Perfect when a regular ash isn't quite cutting it.

Our tip? Start with a regular Ash shade first. If you still see warmth coming through, level up to an Intense Ash. And if you're colouring bleached or porous hair, mixing your Intense Ash with a neutral colour can help avoid any unwanted green or grey cast.

Not sure which is right for you? Our colourists are always here to help with free personalised advice 💬

📖 Read the full post → https://theshade.com.au/ash-vs-intense-ash-tones/

Postpartum hair loss is one of the most common — and most distressing — things new mums experience. 💛

Our Restore range was designed specifically for this. 100% plant-based, chemical-free, and backed by research showing botanicals can be MORE effective than prescription medications for hair growth.

Team member Kaisen used our Scalp Therapy Spray and Scalp & Hair Therapy Oil for 6 months — and the results speak for themselves.

Read her full story on the blog and shop the Restore range via the link below 👇

https://theshade.com.au/postpartum-hair-loss-recovery/

We are delighted to know you had a great experience with us. Looking forward to seeing you again!

theshade.com.au
30% off your first order.

Como 4 is a natural medium brown with neutral undertones, offering a smooth, even tone that’s both classic and effortlessly polished. Chat with our colourists for personalised hair colour advice.

theshade.com.au
30% off your first order.