The gloves are on.

Every December, I find myself in the predicament of having not booked a salon appointment before the holiday rush. I’m well overdue for a trim, the greys are coming through with a vengeance and more than anything, my mousey-brown hair just needs a refresh.

With an appointment at my usual salon not available until January, I’m falling back on what I do best – a DIY job. Being terribly organised means I’ve taught myself how to take matters into my own hands and I don’t mean supermarket box dye, either.

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From semi-permanent glosses to colour-depositing masks, the at-home hair colouring options just keep getting better, and I’ve tried all of them. Unless you’re a bottle blonde (in which case, wait it out to see a professional), here’s what I’d recommend for a festive season refresh.

Done Ultimate Root Retouch Kit

Best for: Covering greys quickly

Done is a new Australian-owned brand I recently tried after hearing a friend rave about it. Perfect for between salon visits, the retouch kit is a salon-grade formula that promises 100 per cent grey coverage in just 10 minutes (developing time). What I like most about it is that the shades are all very natural (I’m a 6N Dusk – Medium Brown for reference) so unlike navigating the supermarket aisle, it’s hard to go wrong.

I was impressed by how well it covered my stubborn greys and there was no ‘banding’ or obvious colour difference. Available online only, you can follow the guide here to find your perfect colour and get the kit delivered to your doorstep – there’s even a subscription service.

Get it here.

Wella Colour Fresh Mask in Cool Espresso

Best for: All-over colour refresh and gloss with no damage

I’ve been using this bad boy for a few years now and it never does me wrong. It’s basically a hair mask that has a small amount of dye in it. The Cool Espresso colour is great if you want to tone down redness in brown hair, but it comes in a range of shades including ones for copper tones, pearly blondes and even lilac locks.

It’s relatively easy to use and feels way less scary than permanent box dye. I use it every three weeks or whenever my colour is feeling dull and I want a more glossy, expensive-looking brunette. After shampooing, apply it like a hair mask (generously) and comb it through, then leave it in for 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing in the shower. You do have to wear gloves though, otherwise it can stain your nails.

Get it here.

Josh Wood Colour Hair Gloss in Smoky Brunette

Best for: Long-lasting colour refresh

I cheated on my beloved Wella gloss recently, only because I was excited to try Josh Wood, the colour range available at the new hair salon in Mecca Bourke Street. The brand is founded by a world-leading colourist, so I’d recommend popping into the salon and asking for advice from the stylists, they’ll help you choose the perfect shade. I’ve yet to try the permanent colour range but I was impressed by this hair gloss, which comes in eight shades.

It’s easy enough to do at home and it made my hair noticeably shiny, it even disguised my sneaky greys before I went on holiday. I received so many compliments, it really made my hair look as fresh as it does after a salon visit. The results lasted longer than the Wella gloss I usually use, but word of warning – don’t leave it on a minute longer than the recommended time. I pushed it too far and it dyed my scalp blue, whoops!

Get it here.

Delorenzo Novafusion Intense Brunette Shampoo

Best for: Low-effort, weekly maintenance

I actually ordered this product after going down a Reddit rabbit hole and reading so many good reviews about it. At $32, it’s certainly not the cheapest shampoo but I can attest to its shine-giving abilities. While it won’t have the same colour-depositing effects as the above products, it still works well as a gentle toner to keep brunette hair looking fresh.

Get it here.

For more advice on at-home hair colouring, try this.Â