Shade Match & Application Guide

Two minutes to read, fifteen minutes to use. Everything you need to pick the right shade and get even coverage from the first wash.

1. Pick your shade

Match your natural color, not your greys. Greys take the pigment and blend into the shade you chose.

• Black: naturally black or blue-black hair.
• Dark Brown: deep brunette hair, the most chosen shade.
• Light Brown: lighter brunette and chestnut tones.

When in doubt, go one shade lighter. The color builds up a little with each wash, so a lighter shade deepens over time. A darker shade cannot be lightened afterwards.

Got it wrong? Email us and we send you the right shade for free, no return needed.

2. Before you start

• Start on dry hair. Water dilutes the pigment.
• Gloves on, and an old towel nearby: the pigment does its job on hands and fabric too.
• If your scalp is sensitive, do a patch test on a small strand first, as with any hair product.
• Rinse your tub or basin right after: pigment washes off surfaces with water when you do not let it sit.

3. Application, step by step

• Pump into dry hair and work into a rich lather from roots to ends, with extra attention on the grey areas (temples, parting, crown).
• Wait 15 minutes. Coffee, podcast, inbox: the timer does the work.
• For stubborn or very white greys, leave on up to 25 minutes.
• Rinse until the water runs clear. Style as usual.

4. How long it lasts, and when to reapply

Coverage holds for roughly 2 to 4 weeks depending on how often you wash. It fades softly rather than growing out as a line. Reapply whenever you want the depth back: it layers cleanly, and coverage deepens over the first few washes.

5. Troubleshooting

• Too dark? Wash a few times with your regular shampoo, the shade softens. Next time, go one shade lighter or leave on a little less.
• Greys still showing? Leave on longer (up to 25 minutes) and make sure the hair was dry and fully lathered on the grey areas. Coverage builds over the next washes.
• Color on your hands or skin? Wipe promptly with warm water and soap. It rinses off when it is not left to sit.
• Wrong shade? One email, we send the right one free.

The Zelvea promise

Greys covered from the first wash, or your money back. 90 days, even on an opened bottle. One email, no forms.

Questions? Reply to your order confirmation or write to us through the contact page.