How to colour your hair at home with Holly Willoughby and Garnier Nutrisse

Backed by celebrities such as Holly Willoughby and Davina McCall, both of which seem to always have effortlessly stunning, full bodied, shiny locks, it’s no surprise that the Nutrisse Permanent Hair Dye by Garnier is a hair colour industry favourite and that it has become everybody’s go-to for at home hair dye whilst salons are closed. A deeply conditioning blend of oils, the dye nourishes hair whilst it colours and lasts an impressive eight weeks, making it no surprise that it’s the dye of choice for those in busy industries such as show business. Don’t believe it? Holly Willoughby herself posted a video on her Instagram channel dying her at home using the Nutrisse in shade 10.01 to keep her hair blonde and shiny in lock down, as as well as the expert step-by-step so that you can achieve the same camera ready tresses too.

Video credit: Instagram @hollywilloughby

How to find your perfect shade:

Have you ever wondered what the numbers on the front of the box? Turns out they’re not just a product code and we actually should be using them! The first number equates to how dark or light the colour will be. For example, blonde shades range from darker blondes at 7 to light blondes at 10, whereas brown shades start with darker colours at 4 and work up to your light browns at 6. The second number is a reference to whether the colour is neutral (o), cool (1 or 2), or warm (3-6). For example, if you’re trying to achieve Holly’s vibrant natural looking Baby Blonde, it’s 10.01.

Can’t decide between 2 shades? Always choose the lightest of the two. Hair Dye can only lighten your natural hair colour 1 to 2 levels so if you have dark hair and want to go blonde, you will need to bleach first.

How to dye your hair with Garnier Nutrisse:

Top Tips before you start

Apply moisturising cream or a clear lip balm to your hairline before dying your hair to avoid staining on the skin.
If you have long or thick hair, use two boxes of hair dye, the last thing you want is to run out half way through.
Use an old towel to wipe your skin and wear old clothing that you don’t mind getting a bit messy; hair colour can stain.

Step 1

First, always do a patch test by applying some colourant cream to your skin at least 48 hours before you use Nutrisse hair dye. Even if you have coloured your hair before, different dyes contain different chemicals that can react with the skin, so better safe than sorry!

Step 2

Next, open up your box and lay out all your equipment. You should have an instruction leaflet, some gloves, an application bottle with the developer cream, colourant cream and a nourishing 4 oils conditioner for afterwards. Having everything laid out will make the operation run much more smoothly and save you trying to open packets with dye covered hands.

You’ll also need to grab an old towel, a hair brush, a hair clip and some moisturising cream or clear lip balm (see above top tip).

Step 3

Apply the moisturising cream to your hairline, all around the face and neck, to avoid the dye staining your skin. Part the hair into 4 sections, ready for applying your dye.

Step 4

It’s time to put on your gloves and get mixing! Squeeze the colourant cream into the developer bottle and shake it so they combine. Then immediately remove the cap and begin applying to your hair in sections, starting with your roots and working through to the ends.

Step 5

Now get plenty of cream in your hands and work it through the rest of your hair, making sure you are spreading the cream evenly over all your hair, root to tip.

Step 6

Leave the dye to develop for 25-35 mins as stated on the instructions, depending on the result you wish to achieve. (The timer starts once you’ve completely finished your application).

Step 7

Rinse out the dye under warm water until the water runs clear. It’s important that you make sure that it is all out to ensure an even colour all over.

Step 8

Use the conditioner to keep your hair feeling soft and looking shiny.

Step 9

Rinse out your conditioner, again until the water runs clear, then style as normal.

After care

Although you are completely safe to carry on with your normal haircare routine after applying the Garnier Nutrisse, due to its ultra-nourishing formula, there are some tips and tricks to making your colour last that little bit longer:

Wash your hair less frequently, opt for a dry shampoo between washes to keep your colour vibrant.
Wash your hair with a shampoo and conditioner designed to protect coloured hair – for example Elvive Colour Protect.

Shop the full Garnier Nutrisse range on lookfantastic here.

Holly James

Beauty Writer

Working with brands at LOOKFANTASTIC for over two years I have developed my knowledge of all things beauty from key skincare concerns to niche makeup tricks and haircare hacks. I have a major passion for finding effective solutions that are easily accessible to everyone so that we can all achieve our best, glowing complexion.