How to use the Wella Koleston perfect?

When you say you have grown our your natural hair, I'm assuming that you mean your current hair is all the same and has had no dye on it. The application directions are different if not.

Koleston perfect is a professional dye, they do tend to be better quality than box dyes but there are more variables you need to control. You need to follow the directions on the product exactly. The dye and peroxide are mixed together, you should weigh it to get a precise 1:1 ratio.

The first suggestion I would make is to use the 8/1 rather than your selected shades since the peroxide will reveal underlying warmth when you lift the hair and you need ash tones to neutralise it. Whether the result ends up closer to the swatch for 8/0 or 8/3 depends on how much warmth you have in the hair naturally.

If you are not sure about developer strength, it is best to strand test with both to see what result you like more. If it's the first time you're doing it and your hair is not that dark the lower strength is suggested.

Since the roots will lift faster, you should apply the product to the midlengths and ends first, and then do the roots afterwards. This will help to avoid "hot roots" where the roots are brighter than the ends. The processing directions on the Wella website I'm seeing say to process for 20 minutes on midlengths and ends, then another 30-40 minutes after the roots have been covered too. Processing time depends on the coarseness and resistance of your hair. Koleston tends to need the full processing time to work properly, so expect 40-60 minutes.

Since it's the first time no one can really be sure of the result, so the best thing is to strand test before you do your whole head, otherwise you might not have the exact result you want. It takes a few tries for most people before they get the final colour they want, strand testing can reduce the number of times it takes. Expert colourists have lots of experience so they don't need the trial and error and can get it right the first time 🙂

Also don't forget coconut oil or olaplex to protect your hair from peroxide damage.

When you say you have grown our your natural hair, I'm assuming that you mean your current hair is all the same and has had no dye on it. The application directions are different if not.

Koleston perfect is a professional dye, they do tend to be better quality than box dyes but there are more variables you need to control. You need to follow the directions on the product exactly. The dye and peroxide are mixed together, you should weigh it to get a precise 1:1 ratio.

The first suggestion I would make is to use the 8/1 rather than your selected shades since the peroxide will reveal underlying warmth when you lift the hair and you need ash tones to neutralise it. Whether the result ends up closer to the swatch for 8/0 or 8/3 depends on how much warmth you have in the hair naturally.

If you are not sure about developer strength, it is best to strand test with both to see what result you like more. If it's the first time you're doing it and your hair is not that dark the lower strength is suggested.

Since the roots will lift faster, you should apply the product to the midlengths and ends first, and then do the roots afterwards. This will help to avoid "hot roots" where the roots are brighter than the ends. The processing directions on the Wella website I'm seeing say to process for 20 minutes on midlengths and ends, then another 30-40 minutes after the roots have been covered too. Processing time depends on the coarseness and resistance of your hair. Koleston tends to need the full processing time to work properly, so expect 40-60 minutes.

Since it's the first time no one can really be sure of the result, so the best thing is to strand test before you do your whole head, otherwise you might not have the exact result you want. It takes a few tries for most people before they get the final colour they want, strand testing can reduce the number of times it takes. Expert colourists have lots of experience so they don't need the trial and error and can get it right the first time 🙂

Also don't forget coconut oil or olaplex to protect your hair from peroxide damage.

Thank you. Because I am going lighter do I need to bleach my hair first to get my desired shade? Or can I go lighter with just this color and the developer?
Do I apply the coconut oil just on the roots or the ends?

Because I am going lighter do I need to bleach my hair first to get my desired shade?

No. As you said in your first post, the amount of lift needed dictates the strength of the peroxide, indicating the dye lifts as it's dying.

Do I apply the coconut oil just on the roots or the ends?

From root to tip!

Hi I have a similar question and have the wella koleston 8/1 I have highlighted hair and asked for the ballyage but my roots are too reddish and my ends area dark bloned - I don't like the red roots so should I just use the 8/1 mixed 1:1 on my roots?

Thank you