How often you colour depends on the service: a root retouch or global colour every 4–6 weeks, foils every 8–12 weeks, and balayage every 12–16 weeks. The bigger the contrast between your natural base and your colour, the more often you’ll see regrowth — which is exactly why low-maintenance techniques like balayage exist. Here’s the full breakdown.
Colour frequency by service
| Service | Typical refresh | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Root retouch / regrowth | 4–6 weeks | Roots grow ~1–1.5 cm a month; high contrast shows fastest |
| All-over / global colour | 4–6 weeks | Same regrowth line as a retouch |
| Foils / highlights | 8–12 weeks | Blended regrowth is softer than a solid root |
| Balayage | 12–16 weeks | Hand-painted, root-shadowed; grows out gracefully |
| Toner / gloss refresh | 6–8 weeks | Tops up tone between bigger appointments |
What changes your timeline
- Contrast. A dark base going platinum needs more frequent roots than a soft, lived-in blonde.
- Hair growth rate. Faster growers see regrowth sooner — genetics, age and season all play a part.
- Grey coverage. Resistant greys usually want a tighter 4-week cycle for seamless coverage.
- Your lifestyle. Sun, swimming and heat styling fade tone faster (very relevant in a Queenstown summer or ski season).
How to stretch the time between appointments
Booking a quick toner or gloss between full colours keeps brassiness at bay and refreshes shine for a fraction of the time and cost. At home, a colour-safe, sulphate-free shampoo, a weekly mask and heat protection make a real difference — we go deeper in our guide to making salon colour last longer. And if you want to genuinely reduce your visits, ask us about moving toward a balayage or foil placement built for low maintenance.
The honest answer
There’s no single “right” number — the best schedule is the one that keeps your hair healthy and your colour looking intentional, not stretched. The fastest way to find yours is a colour consultation, where we map a plan around your base, your goal and your routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I colour my hair?
As a guide: roots and global colour every 4–6 weeks, foils every 8–12 weeks, and balayage every 12–16 weeks. Your exact timing depends on contrast, growth rate and grey coverage.
Is it bad to colour your hair too often?
Over-colouring the same lengths can stress the hair. A good colourist refreshes regrowth and tone while protecting previously coloured hair with bond treatments like Olaplex.
What’s the lowest-maintenance hair colour?
Balayage. Because it’s hand-painted and softened at the root, it grows out without a harsh line — most clients stretch to 12–16 weeks.
How can I make my colour last longer between visits?
Use a sulphate-free, colour-safe shampoo, add a weekly mask, protect against heat and UV, and book a toner refresh halfway through.
Not sure what your hair needs? Book a colour consultation with Iron + Ivy →
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