Each kit here is sold as permanent hair colour. We compared seven box kits from four brands on listing facts: shade, grey coverage, how long the colour is said to last, what is in the box and how many people have rated it. Ratings for a single shade are often thin, and we say so for each pick.
This page is about permanent colour. If you want a different, shorter lived product, read our semi permanent hair dye guide instead. Every kit here is one shade, so check the shade on the page is the one you want before you buy.
Best overall: Schwarzkopf Simply 1.0 Jet Black
Best overall: the Schwarzkopf Simply 1.0 Jet Black kit, because the listing says it is a permanent dye without ammonia or silicone, free from PPD and PTD, with up to 100% grey coverage.
The listing describes a dermatologist tested hair colour that it says was tested to be non irritating to the skin, made for all hair textures, with up to 100% grey coverage and colour that is even from root to tip. It suggests repeating the application every 4 to 6 weeks, and mentions a separate colour booster you mix into conditioner between colourings. The pack weighs 240 g. It is rated 4.4 stars from 2,571 ratings, and that count may be shared across other shades in the range.
It suits anyone who wants a true black and likes the short list of things left out: no ammonia, no silicone, no PPD and no PTD, all as the listing words it. The honest catch: this listing is one shade only, jet black, so it is no use for brown or red, and the rating count may belong to the whole Simply range rather than jet black alone.
Most rated kit: Nisha Creme Chocolate Brown
Most rated kit: the Nisha Creme Permanent Hair Dye in Chocolate Brown, because the box holds a developer bottle, colourant tube, conditioner sachet and gloves, and more people have rated it than any other kit here.
The listing describes a complete kit: one developer bottle, one colourant tube, a 6 ml conditioner sachet, a pair of gloves and an instruction leaflet. It says visible results come in approximately 30 minutes, with up to 100% grey coverage and rich colour for 8 weeks. The formula is described as enriched with henna, sunflower and avocado extracts, and the listing says it is for men and women. The pack weighs 120 g. It is rated 4.2 stars from 3,601 ratings, a count shared across the Nisha shades.
It suits a first go at home colouring where you want everything needed in one box, gloves included. The honest catch: 4.2 stars is the lowest rating of the seven kits here, and because the count is shared with the other Nisha shades, it says little about chocolate brown alone.
Best ammonia free: Garnier Olia 4.0 Dark Brown
Best ammonia free: the Garnier Olia Permanent Hair Colour Kit in 4.0 Dark Brown, because the listing describes a permanent colour cream without ammonia, powered by oils, with 100% grey coverage and colour that lasts 8 weeks.
The listing says you mix the developer and colour cream in the Olia Jar, apply from root to tip, massage it in, leave it for 30 minutes, then rinse thoroughly and use the included conditioner. It describes an ammonia free formula powered by oils that nourish hair as you colour, and the title names flower oils. It tells you to do an allergy test 48 hours before use. The pack weighs 176 g. It is rated 4.5 stars from 93 ratings. Schwarzkopf Simply is also described as ammonia free, but it is only offered here as jet black, so Olia is the choice for a natural dark brown.
It suits people who want an ammonia free permanent colour in dark brown. The honest catch: only 93 buyers have rated this shade, and the listing asks for an allergy test 48 hours before use, so it is not a same day job.
Best for grey coverage: L'Oreal Paris Excellence Creme 5 Natural Brown
Best for grey coverage: the L'Oreal Paris Excellence Creme in 5 Natural Brown, because the listing says up to 100% grey coverage and the box includes colouring cream, developer, shampoo, mask and a comb applicator.
The listing describes a Triple Care Colour Regime set: colouring cream and developer, a caring scalp shampoo, a light weight mask and a comb applicator. It says results in 30 minutes, colour for up to 8 weeks, and a non drip creme formula suitable for all hair types, enriched with Pro Keratin and Ceramide. It says to read the instructions and patch test 48 hours before use. The box weighs 261 g. It is rated 4.7 stars from 82 ratings.
It suits anyone whose main goal is covering grey in a natural brown, with a shampoo and mask already in the box. The honest catch: only 82 ratings so far, so 4.7 is a thin count to lean on, and the listing asks for a patch test 48 hours before use.
Best value: Garnier Nutrisse 3 Espresso Darkest Brown
Best value: the Garnier Nutrisse Hair Colour Creme in 3 Espresso Darkest Brown, because it is the lowest priced of the mainstream kits we checked and the listing says 100% grey coverage, enriched with avocado oil.
The listing is short: 100% grey coverage, deeply nourishing, enriched with avocado oil, long lasting colour and permanent. The pack weighs 224 g. It is rated 4.4 stars from 53 ratings.
It suits a very dark brown on a tight budget. The honest catch: the listing is brief, with no colour duration or box contents stated, and about 50 ratings is a thin count for one shade.
Best for reds: Schwarzkopf Brilliance L43 Smouldering Red
Best for reds: the Schwarzkopf Brilliance L43 Smouldering Red, because the listing describes lightening and colour in one step that works on dark hair, with colour intensity for up to 10 weeks.
The listing describes lightening and colour in 1 step, perfect grey coverage, a Diamond Gloss Sealer with keratin and apricot kernel oil, and colour intensity for up to 10 weeks, the longest claim on this page. It weighs 240 g. It is rated 4.6 stars from 50 ratings.
It suits anyone who wants this red shade, including on dark hair, going by the listing. The honest catch: this is one red shade, and about 50 ratings is a thin count.
Best blue black: Schwarzkopf LIVE 1-1 Blue Black
Best blue black: the Schwarzkopf LIVE 1-1 Blue Black, because the listing calls it a permanent hair colour with lively, vibrant colour and a nourishing conditioner using SalonPlex anti damage technology.
The listing describes permanent hair colour, lively vibrant colour, and intense care and luminous shine. It says the nourishing conditioner with SalonPlex anti damage technology restores broken hair bonds and repairs the hair from within. The pack weighs 160 g. It has 4.9 stars from 27 ratings.
It suits people who want blue black specifically, rather than the jet black above. The honest catch: only 27 buyers have rated it, the smallest count here, and the listing does not state grey coverage or how long the colour lasts.
How to choose a permanent hair dye
Listing specs side by side
| Kit | Shade | Grey coverage | Colour lasts | In the box | Rating |
|---|
| Schwarzkopf Simply | 1.0 Jet Black | Up to 100% | The listing does not say | The listing does not say | 4.4 from 2,571 |
| Nisha Creme | Chocolate Brown | Up to 100% | 8 weeks | Developer, colourant, 6 ml conditioner sachet, gloves, leaflet | 4.2 from 3,601 |
| Garnier Olia | 4.0 Dark Brown | 100% | 8 weeks | Colour cream, developer and included conditioner. Instructions mention an Olia Jar | 4.5 from 93 |
| L'Oreal Excellence | 5 Natural Brown | Up to 100% | Up to 8 weeks | Colouring cream, developer, shampoo, mask, comb applicator | 4.7 from 82 |
| Garnier Nutrisse | 3 Espresso Darkest Brown | 100% | The listing does not say | The listing does not say | 4.4 from 53 |
| Schwarzkopf Brilliance | L43 Smouldering Red | Perfect grey coverage | Up to 10 weeks | Diamond Gloss Sealer with keratin and apricot kernel oil named. The listing does not say what else | 4.6 from 50 |
| Schwarzkopf LIVE | 1-1 Blue Black | The listing does not say | The listing does not say | Nourishing SalonPlex conditioner named. The listing does not say what else | 4.9 from 27 |
Pick the shade and know your starting colour
Each listing here is one shade, so decide the colour first and the brand second. There is no blonde or light brown kit on this page: the browns are chocolate, dark, darkest and natural brown, the blacks are jet black and blue black, and the only red is Schwarzkopf Brilliance L43. The shade name and number on the page are the ones to match against the pack. Brilliance says it works on dark hair. The other listings do not specify results for different starting colours.
What grey coverage claims mean
Five listings say 100% grey coverage or up to 100%, and Brilliance says perfect grey coverage. The words "up to" set a ceiling, not a promise for every head of hair. The Schwarzkopf LIVE listing does not state grey coverage. Where grey is your main reason for colouring, L'Oreal Excellence, Nisha Creme and Garnier Olia state it clearly.
Ammonia free, silicone free and PPD free
Schwarzkopf Simply and Garnier Olia are described as ammonia free, and Simply is also described as silicone free and free from PPD and PTD. These are listing words, and none of the seven promises that hair will not be damaged. Several kits add conditioning extras, from the Excellence mask to the Nutrisse avocado oil. For colouring days and the weeks after, our hair mask guide covers masks.
How long the colour is said to last
Where the listings state a duration, it is 8 weeks for Nisha Creme and Garnier Olia, up to 8 weeks for L'Oreal Excellence, and up to 10 weeks for Schwarzkopf Brilliance. The Simply listing suggests repeating the application every 4 to 6 weeks. These durations are listing claims.
What is in the box
Nisha Creme explicitly includes gloves. The L'Oreal Excellence instructions say to use gloves but do not list them among the contents. Excellence lists shampoo, a mask and a comb applicator, Olia names an included conditioner, and Nisha lists a conditioner sachet. Olia's instructions mention mixing in an Olia Jar without saying it is supplied. Schwarzkopf LIVE names a nourishing conditioner and Schwarzkopf Brilliance a Diamond Gloss Sealer without saying what else is in the pack. The Simply and Nutrisse listings do not state the contents, so read the pack before you start.
Patch tests and allergy tests in the listings
Garnier Olia says to do an allergy test 48 hours before use, and L'Oreal Excellence says to read the instructions and patch test 48 hours before use. Nisha Creme includes an instruction leaflet. The other listings do not mention a test.
Permanent or semi permanent
Permanent colour is for covering grey and changing shade for weeks. If you only want a tint or a refresh, our semi permanent hair dye guide compares options, and our shampoo and conditioner guide helps with everyday washes afterwards.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best permanent hair dye in Australia?
For most people the Schwarzkopf Simply 1.0 Jet Black kit, because the listing describes a permanent dye without ammonia or silicone, free from PPD and PTD, with up to 100% grey coverage. It is one shade, so for browns choose Nisha Creme, Garnier Olia, L'Oreal Excellence or Garnier Nutrisse.
What is the best home hair dye to cover grey hair?
Six of the seven listings mention grey coverage, five of them as 100% or up to 100%. L'Oreal Excellence 5 Natural Brown is the pick for grey coverage here: the listing says up to 100% grey coverage, results in 30 minutes and a box with shampoo and mask. Match the shade to your hair first.
Why do hairdressers say not to use box dye?
The listings do not give a hairdresser's opinion on box dye. Schwarzkopf Brilliance L43 says its lightening and colour in one step works on dark hair. The other listings do not specify results for different starting colours. Compare the named shade and ask your own hairdresser about the colour you want.
What box dye do hair stylists recommend?
No listing here names a stylist, so judge the kits on what they state: shade, grey coverage, how long the colour lasts and what is in the box. L'Oreal Excellence packs shampoo, mask and a comb applicator, Garnier Olia is ammonia free, and Schwarzkopf Brilliance claims up to 10 weeks. Ask your own hairdresser about your hair.
What is the best permanent hair dye for dark or black hair?
For black, the Schwarzkopf Simply 1.0 Jet Black kit is the most rated black kit here and Schwarzkopf LIVE 1-1 Blue Black is the blue toned option. For dark brown, Garnier Olia 4.0 and Garnier Nutrisse 3 Espresso are the choices. Schwarzkopf Brilliance L43 says it lightens and colours in one step on dark hair.
Which permanent hair dye lasts the longest?
By the listings, Schwarzkopf Brilliance L43 Smouldering Red says colour intensity for up to 10 weeks, while Nisha Creme and Garnier Olia say 8 weeks and L'Oreal Excellence up to 8 weeks. The Schwarzkopf Simply listing suggests repeating the application every 4 to 6 weeks. These durations are listing claims.
Is there a permanent hair dye that does not damage hair?
No listing here promises zero damage. Schwarzkopf LIVE says its nourishing conditioner uses SalonPlex anti damage technology to restore broken hair bonds. Schwarzkopf Simply and Garnier Olia are described as ammonia free, and Simply is also silicone free. Olia specifies an allergy test and L'Oreal Excellence a patch test, both 48 hours before use.
What is the difference between permanent and semi permanent hair dye?
Every kit on this page is permanent, and the listings give colour for 8 to 10 weeks where they state it. Semi permanent dye is a different, shorter lived product that fades out gradually, and our semi permanent guide covers it. Nisha and Olia both list grey coverage and eight weeks of colour.
