Men! Here’s how to dye your hair on the downlow…

Keep it natural (at first)

As a man, there’s a common misconception that if you dye your hair, no matter how subtly, everyone is going to notice. And the idea that something might go wrong, or worse you’ll end up looking like a member from a 90’s boy band is enough to deter most men from stepping into the stylist’s chair. According to Anna, this definitely isn’t the case, and there’s a host of different colour techniques men can use to add dimension to their natural colour without packing too much of a punch. ‘Men's hair is naturally ashier than women's,’ explains Anna, ‘so keeping the colour on the cooler side will help give the most natural result. Before I start with a client, I always check first whether there is enough length to work with, plus leaving a large amount of their natural colour allows for a much softer regrowth.’ Highlights or lowlights always give the most natural look, so if you’re going for a ‘has he or hasn’t he?’ vibe, be sure to give these a spin before dying your hair one block colour. Another pro tip from Anna? ‘Do not stretch the time between appointments too long, in order to keep the roots to a minimum. And for shorter styles, it's best to cut the hair before colour since cutting afterwards can at times leave a patchy result.’

Do it in stages

Getting overzealous during your first colour session may have you cursing off any future dye jobs for good! When it comes to dying your hair on the downlow, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that less is more. Just because you’re finally ready to commit, doesn’t mean you should overdo it. ‘I like my hair to look as though I’ve just come back from a summer holiday,’ explains Jack; ‘I mostly just stick to natural ‘sun-kissed’ highlights, as it gives my hair that ‘just-came-back-from-holiday’ look all year around.’ Though if you’ve decided you want a more drastic change, Jack’s best piece of advice is to take your time. ‘The first time I got my hair professionally dyed it wasn’t actually as light as I had wanted, so I kept going back and gradually got it lighter until I found my perfect shade.’ Don’t rush through it, and bare in mind that the look you’re trying to achieve may not be possible in just one trip to the salon. ‘Think carefully about which colour you choose – it may be that you want something bold and drastic but the lighter you go, the longer the waiting period is for getting it back to its original state.’

Rep it with confidence

The third and arguably most important rule to take on board for your first foray into the world of hair colouring is to rep your look with confidence. The male grooming industry is booming, and it’s quickly becoming the norm for men to take greater care in their appearance: ‘I think it’s totally acceptable! In fact, I remember when I was first thinking about dying my hair, it was actually my mates who convinced me to do it,’ explained Jack. ‘Nowadays as a man there’s no shame in taking care of your appearance and that includes getting your hair dyed. I love how it looks and so do my friends – there’s nothing to be embarrassed about, and I certainly wouldn’t hide the fact that I dye my hair.’ So there you have it – whether you choose to do it on the downlow or rep your newly dyed hair with pride, today’s modern man has so many new and exciting options when it comes to their hair beauty regime that you’d be silly not to get involved. Afterall, why should women have all the fun?!

Anna's need-to-knows

• Try combining your first dye job with a killer haircut, as post-dye trims can leave your colour looking patchy 

• If covering greys, go for a vegetable colour. It's ammonia free – not mixed with peroxide – and gives a blended result rather than a solid coverage. It also fades off the hair gradually, so you won't get harsh regrowth lines

• Good home care is essential. Most men forgo conditioner, but with colour treated hair it's a must! Lait Vital by Kerastase is a great everyday conditioner, but regular toners will also help maintain the look

• Keep an open mind during the colouring process. Healthy hair always looks better than hair that has been damaged, so it may be better to achieve the desired look gradually rather than compromising the condition