Best Professional Hair Colour Brands in Australia 2026
From salon-grade permanent dye systems to easy at-home colour, here are Australia’s most trusted hair colour brands — with our pick for fast, fuss-free grey coverage. Find the right option for your hair type, shade and lifestyle.
For salon-grade permanent colour, the most trusted professional brands in Australia are L’Oréal Professionnel, Wella Professionals and Schwarzkopf Professional, with Garnier and Revlon popular for gentle at-home grey coverage. If you want the easiest, fastest at-home option, a colour-deposit colouring shampoo covers grey in around 7–8 minutes with no mixing.
The trusted professional brands
If you’re after salon-quality permanent colour — rich, long-lasting shades with strong grey coverage — these are the names salons and colourists rely on across Australia:
| Brand | Known for | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| L’Oréal Professionnel | Wide shade range, advanced technology | Dark hair, grey coverage, shine |
| Wella Professionals | Vibrant, long-lasting colour (Koleston) | Permanent results, coverage |
| Schwarzkopf Professional | Excellent grey coverage | Grey hair, natural tones |
| Redken | Fade-resistant, nourishing colour | Long-lasting vibrancy |
| Joico & Pravana | Colour longevity | Fewer touch-ups, bold shades |
For gentle, non-bleach at-home colour, Garnier Olia (ammonia-free), Revlon ColorSilk (argan-infused) and L’Oréal Paris Excellence (ceramide formula) are reliable, well-conditioning choices with broad shade ranges.
A quick word on category: this is a colour-deposit colouring shampoo, not a permanent salon dye system — so it’s the easiest, lowest-commitment way to refresh colour and cover grey at home, rather than a like-for-like swap for professional permanent dye. If you want fuss-free results without mixing, developer or a salon visit, it’s our top pick: ammonia-free, gentle enough for regular use, and it covers grey in just 7–8 minutes while cleansing in the same step. Available in shades from Natural Black to Chestnut Brown.
Best options for dark hair
Dark hair has plenty of choice. For permanent depth and shine, L’Oréal Professionnel (DiaLight) and Wella Professionals (Koleston) lead, with Redken Color Extend offering long-lasting, nourishing colour. For an easy at-home refresh or grey touch-up on dark shades, a colouring shampoo gives rich tone and cleanses in one step.
Best for covering grey
Grey coverage is where brand choice matters most. Permanent colour penetrates the hair shaft, so it lasts longer as hair grows — L’Oréal Professionnel and Schwarzkopf Professional are go-to permanent options. Prefer to skip bleach and ammonia? Garnier Olia and Revlon ColorSilk are gentle, well-conditioning choices. And for the quickest at-home fix, a colouring shampoo covers grey in around 7–8 minutes.
Permanent vs colouring shampoo: which suits you?
| Permanent salon colour | Colouring shampoo | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | Highest, all-over grey | Good, builds with use |
| Longevity | Up to ~8 weeks | Refreshes each wash |
| Ease | Mixing & developer needed | One simple step, no mixing |
| Commitment | Higher | Low — great to try colour |
| Time | 30–45 min | 7–8 min |
Colouring at home: get it right
- Match your hair type & goalChoose a product suited to your hair type and how much grey you want to cover.
- Always do a strand testTest on a small section first to check the colour result and that your hair reacts well.
- Follow the instructions closelyTiming and application matter — don’t leave colour on longer than directed.
- Aftercare keeps colour brightUse a colour-safe shampoo and conditioner, and wash in cool water to slow fading.
Which lasts longest?
For the most fade-resistant results, Joico (Vero K-Pak) and Pravana are praised for keeping colour rich for longer, reducing the need for touch-ups. Whatever you choose, longevity also depends on aftercare — a gentle, colour-safe shampoo and cool-water washing make a real difference. For brown hair specifically, L’Oréal Professionnel and Garnier offer shades that make natural brown pop and hold well.
Frequently asked questions
What are the top professional hair colour brands in Australia? +
Salons commonly rate L’Oréal Professionnel, Wella Professionals and Schwarzkopf Professional highly, with Garnier and Redken also popular. They’re known for quality, shade range and long-lasting results.
Which hair colour brand is best for dark hair? +
For dark hair, L’Oréal Professionnel and Wella Professionals are popular picks, offering a wide range of shades and long-lasting colour. For easy at-home grey coverage on dark shades, a colouring shampoo is a simple alternative.
What is the best option for grey hair coverage? +
L’Oréal Professionnel and Schwarzkopf Professional are well regarded permanent options for grey coverage. For fast, low-commitment grey coverage at home, an ammonia-free colouring shampoo such as Lover’s Hair Salon can cover grey in around 7 to 8 minutes.
Can I colour grey hair without bleach? +
Yes. Many ammonia-free permanent colours and colour-deposit shampoos cover grey gently without bleach, and several also help condition the hair while colouring.
What is the easiest way to cover grey at home? +
A colour-deposit colouring shampoo is one of the easiest at-home options. It colours and cleanses in one step and can cover grey in around 7 to 8 minutes, with no mixing or separate developer needed. Always do a strand test first.
Which brands are best for long-lasting colour? +
Joico and Pravana are often praised for fade-resistant, long-lasting colour, alongside Wella Professionals and Redken. Long-lasting results also depend on a colour-safe shampoo and good aftercare.
How do I choose the right hair colour brand for my hair type? +
Consider your hair type, how much grey you want to cover, and the result you want, then compare each brand’s shade range and conditioning. If you’re unsure, a strand test and advice from a professional stylist help avoid surprises.