The Best Hair Colour Melbourne: Shades That Work Beautifully on Asian Hair

Choosing a hair colour in Melbourne can feel overwhelming with hundreds of shade names. For Asian hair, the challenge is not just the colour itself — it's how that colour interacts with your natural undertones and the texture of your hair. This guide focuses on colours that fade gracefully and require less maintenance.

At LUXM Salons, colour is one of their most booked services. The team uses L'Oréal Professionnel, Shiseido, and Kerastase colour lines, all of which have specific formulas for resistant Asian hair.

Understanding your base colour

Most Asian hair is a natural level 2 (darkest brown) or level 1 (black). Any colour you apply will need to lift the natural pigment first, unless you're going darker. Permanent colour lifts 2‑3 levels; high‑lift colour lifts 4‑5 levels but can be harsh.

Low‑maintenance colours for Asian hair

Colour gloss / demi‑permanent – Deposits colour without ammonia. Lasts 4‑6 weeks and fades without a harsh line. Great for adding richness or trying a fashion shade like plum or wine. LUXM offers this as a "gloss refresh" service.

Rooty brown – Keep your natural roots and apply a warm or cool brown to the mid‑lengths and ends. Grows out seamlessly.

Sombre (soft ombre) – A subtle gradient from dark roots to a lighter brown or caramel end. Less stark than traditional ombre.

Ecaille (tortoiseshell) – Interwoven warm brown, caramel, and honey highlights. Looks expensive but grows out softly.

Colours to avoid on natural Asian hair

Bright copper – Fades quickly to orange and clashes with yellow skin undertones.

Pastel pink/lavender – Requires bleaching to level 10, which is extremely damaging on coarse Asian hair.

Jet black box dye – Often contains metallic salts that react violently with professional colour later.

Professional colour brands used at LUXM

Schwarzkopf Igora, L'Oréal Majirel, Shiseido Professional, and Kerastase. These have dedicated ranges for resistant grey or dark hair.

What to ask your LUXM colourist

"Will you use a filler on my hair?" – A filler replaces missing warm tones before going darker or cooler, preventing a "muddy" result.

"What volume developer will you use?" – 20 vol for deposit, 30‑40 vol for lift on Asian hair.

"Do you include a bond builder in the colour?" – Yes, Kerastase Premiere is included in all lightening services.

Aftercare for coloured Asian hair

Wash with cold water to seal the cuticle.

Use a colour‑depositing mask (e.g., brunette or red) once a week to refresh.

Avoid clarifying shampoos — they strip colour fast.

FAQ

How long does permanent colour last on Asian hair?

The colour molecules stay in the hair, but new growth appears after 4 weeks. The colour itself may fade by 20‑30% after 8 washes.

Can I go from black to light brown without bleach?

Yes, using a high‑lift colour (e.g., L'Oréal Majirel High Lift) with 40 vol developer. However, the result will have warm undertones (gold/copper). For a cool light brown, bleach is required.

Is it safe to colour permed Asian hair?

Wait at least 2 weeks after a perm. Colour after a perm tends to grab darker and fade faster. Do a strand test first.