Hair dye for grey hair in Kenya: what to buy and how to use it safely

Grey hair comes to everyone, and on dark hair it shows early. Colouring it at home is simple, as long as you choose a sensible shade and do the allergy test every single time. Here are the hair colours we stock for grey hair, for men and women, and how to use them safely.

What to look for

• A shade close to your natural colour. Grey hair has no colour of its own, so dye often comes out lighter and brighter on grey than the picture on the box. If you want grey to blend in, stay close to your natural shade. For most dark brown and black hair, a dark brown or black looks the most natural.
• The right product for the right area. Hair colour is for the hair on your head. A beard or moustache needs a product whose pack says it is for beards. Never use hair dye on eyebrows or eyelashes.
• An original pack. The leaflet and allergy test are part of the product, so read it all first.

Our picks

For men: Just For Men H45 Dark Brown / Black

Just For Men H45 Dark Brown / Black is a hair colour made for men who want to cover grey. H45 is a dark brown to black, and this is the hair formula for the head. If you also want to colour your beard, choose a Just For Men product whose pack says it is for beards, and patch test that one too. Our skincare guide for men covers the rest of a simple grooming routine.

For a natural brown: Creme of Nature 7.3 Medium Warm Brown

Creme of Nature Exotic Shine 7.3 Medium Warm Brown is a warm medium brown with argan oil. On grey hair a brown gives a softer, lighter result than black,.

For a bold red: Creme of Nature 7.6 Intensive Red

Creme of Nature Exotic Shine 7.6 Intensive Red is for anyone who would rather turn grey into a feature than hide it. Grey hairs usually take red brightly.

For a deep wine shade: Creme of Nature 6.2 Burgundy Blaze

Creme of Nature Exotic Shine 6.2 Burgundy Blaze is a burgundy with argan oil. On grey it shows much more strongly than on dark hair, so do a strand test first.

For blonde: Creme of Nature 43 Light Blonde

Creme of Nature Liquid Hair Colour 43 Light Blonde suits hair that is already mostly grey or light. On dark hair the result depends on your starting colour, so always try it on a hidden strand first.

Shades sell out and come back, so message us on WhatsApp to check your shade before you plan your colour day.

Patch test first, every time

Hair dye can cause allergic reactions, even with a brand you have used for years. Every pack explains its own skin allergy test, usually done 48 hours before you colour. Follow it exactly:

• Mix a small amount as the leaflet says, and apply it to the small patch of skin it names, often behind the ear or inside the elbow.
• Leave it unwashed and uncovered for the full time on the leaflet.
• If you get itching, burning, redness, swelling or a rash, do not use the dye at all.

Then do a strand test: colour a small hidden section to see the shade on your own grey before you do your whole head.

How to colour grey hair at home

• Read the whole leaflet and follow the timing on the pack. Leaving it on longer can irritate the scalp.
• Wear the gloves in the pack, and put a thin line of petroleum jelly along your hairline and ears to stop staining.
• Only colour a healthy scalp. Not on scratches, sores or a scalp that is sore after a relaxer. Leave the gap between relaxing and colouring that your pack gives.
• Rinse until the water runs clear, then condition. Our guide to the best shampoo for natural hair lists gentle washes for afterwards.
• Touch up the roots as your hair grows, about one centimetre a month, following the pack’s advice on retouching.

Questions we get asked

Which hair dye is best for grey hair in Kenya?

For men, Just For Men H45 Dark Brown / Black is the simplest choice. For women who want grey to blend in, a brown such as Creme of Nature 7.3 Medium Warm Brown looks soft and natural. Whatever you choose, do the allergy test on the pack first.

How much is Just For Men hair dye in Kenya?

Our Just For Men H45 is around KSh 500, and the hair colours in this guide range from about KSh 500 to KSh 950. The live prices are in the list above.

How do I use Just For Men hair dye?

Do the skin allergy test in the leaflet, usually 48 hours before. Then mix the colour as the pack says, apply it to dry hair with the gloves on, leave it for exactly the time given, and rinse well. Never leave it on longer than the pack says.

Can I use Just For Men hair colour on my beard?

The H45 we stock is the hair formula for the head. For a beard, use a Just For Men product whose pack says it is made for beards, and patch test it the same way. Never use any hair dye on eyebrows or eyelashes.

How long does hair dye last on grey hair?

The colour on the lengths fades slowly with washing and sun, and new grey shows at the roots as your hair grows, about one centimetre a month. Most people touch up their roots every few weeks.

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See every shade in our hair colour range, the Just For Men page, and our guide to Creme of Nature products. Delivery across Kenya is KSh 150 and free from KSh 3,000, and you pay on delivery with M-Pesa or cash.