More and more beauty brands are launching natural and lower chemical versions of their at home hair dyes to meet our increasing demand for less chemicals, and although they are still a little tricky to find, salons are also offering hair dyes that substitute natural ingredients for certain chemicals. We’ve done the research and found you four natural hair dyes you can try out at your next salon visit.


Essensity No ammonia, silicone, parabens, alcohol, artificial colours—it’s 90 per cent natural and boasts ingredients like natural ectoin that protects hair's natural keratin, aloe vera for added moisture, and ash tree bark for softening and anti-oxidant benefits to revitalize limp hair. For salons, visit schwarzkopf-professional.com/products/care/essensity/.


INOA This colour contains no ammonia—a major factor for damage to hair protein and breakage. Instead this hair colour is rich in oil and is said to maximize the efficiency of active colouring ingredients. Using gentler ingredients like oleo gel they say results in less damage for your hair and this dye job won’t leave your scalp burning or your nose from the smell (it’s odourless). Because it’s created by L’Oreal Professionnel you can find this colour at salons across Canada. For salons, visit inoa.ca.


Aveda This salon colour is 97 per cent naturally-derived (meaning plant-based). The company uses a process to oxidize the dye using green tea extract. They say the end result is a more natural looking colour and that their substitution of petrochemical solvents for lubricating plant oils means that the dye is less drying and your hair looks and feels healthier. For salons, visit aveda.com.


Eco Colors According to their website the dye contains 100 per cent organic flower essences and contains zero additives, gluten, sulfite, mineral oils or resorcinol; which Eco says makes their product friendly to allergy sufferer or those with sensitive scalps. Their lanolin is naturally derived from sheep’s wool (no sheep are harmed or tested on). The colour system is the brainchild of an Atlanta, Georgia salon and if flying in to get your roots done doesn't work for your schedule you can speak to your colourist about ordering and using this product.

How important is it for you to have natural products used on your hair? Would you switch salons to try one of these new, more natural dyes?