FAQ

1. Product & Colour Questions

Q. What is the MIIROKO Hair Colour kit and how does it work?

A. The MIIROKO kit includes everything you need to colour your hair with ease at home, including colour + developer, bowl, brush, clips, cape and gloves. These tools are commonly used in-salon, but MIIROKO has designed them for you to comfortably use and store in your bathroom. The formula is a demi-permanent hybrid, meaning it behaves like permanent colour in application but begins to fade after ~4-6 weeks and is free of harsh chemicals such as ammonia, PPD and resorcinol. MIIROKO’s colour is designed to refresh your existing colour, cover greys or enrich your natural tone — not to dramatically lighten or make major colour changes to your hair.

Q. Can MIIROKO’s hair colour cover grey hair?

A. Yes — MIIROKO says their colour offers up to ~90% grey coverage when using their “Grey Coverage” mix and does not leave any harsh regrowth lines due to the six natural shades that MIIROKO offers in their range. MIIROKO provides detailed guidance for how to mix and apply their colour and developer when targeting greys, including the processing time and root application techniques for the best results that suit your needs. To cover grey hair in an easy and mess-free manner, MIIROKO recommends that you use their Starter Kit and mix the colour tube and developer at a 1:1 ratio (50g colour and 50g developer) using their reusable, high-quality tools and allow the colour to process for 30 minutes. For stubborn greys, you can leave the colour on for up to 1 hour at the roots to allow more time for the colour to develop. For the best grey coverage results, use a colour within 1-2 shades of your natural roots colour. However, if you have very light hair, a lot of greys or want to lighten your base significantly, you may still benefit from professional advice. The brand emphasises its formula does not bleach or significantly lift dark-hair to blonde.

Q. Is MIIROKO’s colour permanent or semi-permanent? How long will it last?

A. MIIROKO describes the formula as technically demi-permanent, which means the product is a hybrid between semi-permanent and permanent. It behaves like permanent dye in its colour deposit, but it begins to fade more like a semi-permanent dye after around the 4-6-week mark, depending on your hair type, condition, aftercare and exposure. If you find your colour fading faster than you’d like, MIIROKO suggests scheduling a refill every 4 weeks via their subscription to have their colour delivered straight to your door before you even realise you need it. This way, your hair will look its best no matter how hectic life can get.

Q. Are there any lightening (bleach) effects? Can I go lighter with MIIROKO colour?

A. MIIROKO wants to ensure you improve the inner and outer health of your hair while achieving salon-grade results when using their at-home hair colour. That’s why MIIROKO colour is formulated without bleach or strong levels of hydrogen peroxide but does mean you will not be able to lighten your colour by much. It is intended for same-level or darker shades and maintaining your current hair colour, not major colour transformations. If you want to lighten the shade of your hair significantly, MIIROKO recommends consulting a salon first, then maintaining your beautiful natural tone between salon visits with MIIROKO’s products in the comfort of your own home.

Q. Do you have any red colours available?

A. Unfortunately, MIIROKO doesn’t have any red, auburn or copper shades available at this point in time, but it’s definitely a work in progress!

Q. What shades are available in the colour range?

A. The range currently offers six natural-tone shades:

• • 04 Very Dark Brown- This beautiful Very Dark Brown shade is perfect for anyone wanting a rich dark colour. The colour is almost black with a soft edge that makes it very wearable. Whether you are covering greys or looking to freshen up old tone, this colour will give you great results with high shine.
  • 05 Dark Brown- This beautiful Dark Brown shade is perfect for anyone wanting to add depth and richness to their colour. Whether you are covering greys or refreshing your natural hair colour, this shade will give you amazing results with high shine.
  • 06 Brown- This beautiful Brown shade is perfect for anyone wanting a natural mid-brown colour with a high shine finish. Whether you are covering greys or just refreshing old colour, this colour gives a rich result with a soft fade.
  • 07 Light Brown- This Light Brown shade offers a deep brunette richness without being too dark. MIIROKO recommends you use this shade for your roots alongside 08 Dark Blonde to achieve a very subtle balayage look. 
  • 08 Dark Blonde- This Dark Blonde has a beautiful warm strawberry blonde finish when blending regrowth. We recommend it for people wanting to refresh the colour of their ends with a natural finish and for those with almost all greys that are looking for grey coverage. MIIROKO recommends that a great combination is the 06-Brown on the roots and the 08-Dark Blonde on pre-lightened ends.
  • 09 Blonde- This soft natural Blonde shade is perfect for anyone wanting to add depth to their blonde hair, blend their regrowth with their highlighted ends, or cover greys (particularly for those with almost all greys). This shade also works well as a toner for pre-lightened hair.

MIIROKO’s carefully crafted range has been made to emulate your natural hair colour, covering the most common natural hair shades and touch-up shades rather than vibrant colours. However, MIIROKO is considering red/copper shades to be a part of the range in the future! MIIROKO would love if you reach out to them regarding more shades and the team will let you know when they might be released.

Q. Is this product vegan, cruelty-free or eco-friendly?

A. Yes, MIIROKO’s products are both vegan and cruelty-free, which are claims MIIROKO is proud to own. Their formula is also free from ammonia, PPD and resorcinol, and the kits include reusable tools made from recycled materials, as MIIROKO is not only better for your hair, but for the planet too. 

2. Ordering, Subscription & Shipping

Q. How do I select the correct shade for me?

A. MIIROKO offers their comprehensive colour quiz to help you find your perfect match and receive personalised instructions based on the condition of your hair and goals. If you’re still unsure on what your shade is, how to apply the product or any additional questions, you can consult with one of MIIROKO’s expert team members via chat on their site. MIIROKO also provides detailed video tutorials alongside easy to follow step-by-step instructions for mixing, application and root coverage on their website.

Q. What’s the subscription/refill model?

A. After purchasing the initial full kit (consisting of the colour + tools), you can order the colour refills alone. However, MIIROKO recommends that you set up a subscription to have refills delivered straight to your doorstep at your preferred interval (such as every 4-6 weeks) and you can change, skip or cancel at any time. By joining MIIROKO’s subscription program, you’ll also receive free shipping, and your hair will always look like it was done at the salon but without the hassle of leaving the house.

Q. Shipping & delivery – what do I need to know?

A. MIIROKO is Australian-based and shipping across Australia (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, etc.). If you live out of Australia, check whether international shipping is supported (the website will specify). MIIROKO recommends that you order ahead of time for root coverage or if you’re colouring your hair for a specific event.

Q. What is the returns, exchanges or refund policy?

A. Refer to the website’s “Terms & Conditions” page for the full details for returning MIIROKO’s product. The brand does provide a Money Back Guarantee so that if you purchase any of MIIROKO’s products and the results do not align with our promise (under reasonable circumstances), MIIROKO is happy to offer you a full refund of the fees paid for the product, on the following conditions:

(a) You contact us via our website within 30 days of payment; and

(b) You provide reasons as to why you are not satisfied with the product or any of our related services, so we can review your feedback and improve our offering to other customers.

3. Application, Safety & Aftercare

Q. What if it’s my first time doing colour at home?

A. The kit includes detailed instructions and video guidance from Claire Saito, the founder of MIIROKO, to support “clients who didn’t have expert advice” when doing at-home colour. 

MIIROKO’s tips for using their colour include:

• • Performing a patch test 48 hours before full application if you’ve not used colour or have a sensitive scalp.
  • Using the bowl + brush tools provided in the starter kit (make sure not to use your kitchenware!).
  • Following the recommended mixing ratio (e.g., 1:1 colour: developer when using grey coverage) and timing provided in your personalised guide.
  • Making sure your hair is in good condition and follow the “How-To” videos for root or full-head application.
  • Working in a well-ventilated area and wearing the protective gloves that MIIROKO provides in their starter kit.

Q. What after-care is recommended to maintain colour & hair health?

A. To extend your colour and maintain the health of your hair:

• • Use colour-safe or hydrating shampoo/conditioner 2-3 days after colouring your hair.
  • Minimise exposure to excessive heat styling, frequent washing, strong sunlight/UV and chlorine.
  • Use a weekly hair mask or treatment to keep your hair extra nourished, however rest assured that MIIROKO’s colour formula includes care-ingredients like almond oil, jojoba, green tea and more. If you don’t have a hair treatment, MIIROKO’s Ultimate Hair Booster which will give your hair an instant boost of strength and vitality. The Ultimate Booster Treatment is made from 100% sustainable New Zealand keratin wool and the patent-protected bioactive keratin to significantly strengthen the hair after just one use, with benefits lasting up to 3-4 weeks.
  • Touch-up roots on schedule (don’t leave major regrowth for too long) to avoid heavy contrast.

Q. Are there any hair or scalp types that MIIROKO’s colour is not recommended for?

A. MIIROKO’s colour is not a lightening/bleaching product, so if you have very dark hair and want to go lighter, or if you’ve had extensive chemical processing done to your hair (e.g. bleach, multi-toner layers etc.), MIIROKO recommends that you consult the salon. If you have a sensitive scalp, broken skin or have been allergic to hair colour in the past, you should consult a professional and always perform a patch test.

Q. How long do I leave MIIROKO’s colour on for?

A. It depends on your hair type, the colour you want and the result you hope to achieve, but typically MIIROKO recommends leaving on their colour for 10-30 minutes or up to an hour at the roots for stubborn greys.

• • To refresh your current colour or as a toner, MIIROKO recommends leaving their colour on for 10 minutes, and up to 15 minutes depending on the intensity you’re looking to achieve. MIIROKO reminds you to avoid washing your hair 2-3 days after having your hair done with MIIROKO’s colour so that the colour lasts to its full potential. To make sure your hair is always looking its freshest and like you just got your hair done at the salon every time you step out of the house, MIIROKO suggests that you re-apply their colour every 2-4 weeks.
  • To cover regrowth, MIIROKO recommends leaving the colour on for 20 minutes, and up to 45 minutes for a more intense result. MIIROKO reminds you to avoid washing your hair 2-3 days after colouring your hair so that the results last to its full potential.
  • To cover greys, MIIROKO recommends leaving the colour on for 30 minutes, and up to 1 hour to cover any stubborn greys. To achieve the best grey coverage results, use a colour within 1-2 shades of your natural roots colour. To ensure the colour lasts to its full potential, MIIROKO reminds you to avoid washing your hair 2-3 days after colouring your hair.

Q. Can I reuse the MIIROKO colour?

A. You absolutely can. You will be able to get 2 applications out of one kit for root touch-ups, possibly more if you have fine hair. The colour has an expiration date of 5 years, so you can use the remaining colour well after it’s been opened. If you intend to use MIIROKO’s colour to dye your whole head of hair, you may have to use all the colour in one session for the best results. 

Q. What ingredients should I avoid in hair colouring products?

A. The common culprits for irritation of a sensitive scalp are ammonia, PPD, PTD and resorcinol, all of which are ingredients MIIROKO has intentionally left out of their product formulas. This is because MIIROKO wants your hair to look its best with their colour without harming the health of your hair and scalp. However, box dyes that are currently on the market and other at-home hair colouring products often contain these ingredients. So, choosing MIIROKO ensures you get the best result all while improving the condition of your hair – achieving the best of both worlds. 

Q. What is ammonia and why doesn’t MIIROKO include this ingredient in their products?

A. Ammonia is the alkaline component used in hair colour to open the cuticle so that the dye pigments can penetrate the hair. Due to its strong alkaline pH, it is harsh on the hair and scalp and often causes an itchy or stingy sensation. MIIROKO does not use ammonia in their colours because they want you to be able to achieve the salon-grade result you aspire to have without using irritants that will harm the health of your hair and scalp and cause future issues. MIIROKO firmly believes that you can have healthy looking hair when colouring at home, which is exactly why ammonia is not included in their formulas.

Q. Can I use MIIROKO hair colour while pregnant or breastfeeding?

A. MIIROKO hears your concerns around hair colour and pregnancy/breastfeeding, and the answer is it really depends on your risk profile while pregnant. For example, many hairdressers work everyday and colour their hair while pregnant and never have any issues. However some people like to reduce the exposure to chemicals during pregnancy/breastfeeding.

The main risk is an allergic reaction to colour pigments, have you ever had an allergic reaction to hair colour pigments before? Or any other pigments – such as eyeshadow / make-up etc? If yes, MIIROKO would strongly advise to avoid all hair colour and henna colours.

Our colours are super gentle when it comes to permanent hair colour, they are ammonia free, PPD free, resorcinol free and fragrance free. However, they are still mixed with 3% hydrogen peroxide, which some people like to avoid. With all of this information, at the end of the day it is your decision.

Q. Can cancer patients use MIIROKO hair colour?

A. You are very strong for going through Chemo and it’s great to hear you’re ready to colour your hair. About our colour, they are salon formulated and give professional looking and feeling results. It uses a gentle peroxide (3%) that lowers the possibility of damage to the hair. Our colours contain;

• NO Ammonia
• NO PPD
• NO Resorcinol

Before you use our colour, please check with your doctor if MIIROKO is safe to use.

Q. Can I use MIIROKO hair colour after nanoplasty or other chemical treatments?

A. That’s a great question. We can’t comment on the nanoplasty formulators specific recommendations, however we can give you some general advice on colouring chemically treated hair.

It’s generally recommended that you wait at least two weeks after most chemical hair treatments before colouring your hair to allow the bonds in your hair to properly reform. This allows you to get the most out of your treatment (colouring can reduce the effectiveness of your treatment), and limit hair damage.

On the flip side, chemical hair treatments can sometimes lift colour from your hair, so it is usually recommended to colour afterwards rather than right before to limit unwanted lightening.

4. Brand, Sustainability & Values

Q. Who founded MIIROKO and what’s their story?

A. The brand is founded by ex-hairdresser ,Claire Saito, after noticing that many of her clients attempting DIY colour at home lacked the right tools, guidance and a safe-quality formula. Based in Canberra (Australia), they spent years developing the formula (including time in Tokyo), and the mission was to bring “salon-grade home hair colour” to those who don’t have the time or money to get their hair done at a salon on a regular basis, particularly for root-touch ups, covering greys and colour refresh.

Q. What sustainability or ethical initiatives does the brand follow?

A. MIIROKO aims to not only better your hair, but also better the planet at the same time. They are able to achieve this with their vegan and cruelty-free formula that is also free from ammonia, PPD, and resorcinol. To cut down on waste, MIIROKO allows customers to buy refills only, with the starter kit featuring reusable tools and recyclable packaging made from recycled materials.

5. Miscellaneous / Troubleshooting

Q. My result came out darker or redder than expected — what could have happened?

A. Some possible causes:

• • Your starting colour/hair condition may have affected the result (e.g. previously dyed, underlying warm tones)
  • The MIIROKO hair colour you’re using is lighter than your root colour (e.g. using a blonde shade over a brown base) – Our colours are very gentle and use a low volume developer at 3%, this means they have very little lifting or lightening power and will not be able to lift a slightly darker root colour in the same way that a bleach would, we would usually find that if you were to use the lighter colour over your darker base this will throw some warmth as this colour attempts to lift your naturally darker roots and reveals the underlying pigment. For the best results we would usually recommend using a colour within 1-2 shades of your natural colour. 
  • Colour build-up through the ends – This can cause your ends to appear darker. To avoid darkening of the ends of your hair with any colour build up, when applying colour through your mid and ends, make sure to keep the colour through your more porous ends for only 5- 10mins processing time and allow the colour to fade from your ends before reapplying (usually you would only need to refresh ends every 8 weeks depending on the previous colour used. 
  • If your hair had a lot of brass or previous colour, the chosen shade may deposit differently.
  • Not mixing enough or processing time was incorrect.

Tip: Consult MIIROKO’s “How-To” videos and colour quiz or you can contact MIIROKO’s expert team through the live chat feature.

Q. I have highlights or multiple tones — can I still use the kit?

A. Yes — MIIROKO states their colour works for blends, toner refreshes, root regrowth and enriching your hair with shine by using one or more shades. However, if you have multi-dimensional blonde, balayage or heavy highlights and you’re trying to match an exact salon tone, you might consider consulting a professional first.

Q. Can I go darker with MIIROKO hair colour over a pre-lightened base?

A. Be extra careful when going darker at home if your hair has been previously pre-lightened. The tricky part about changing your hair colour from blonde to brown, for example, is that you would need to do it in stages as there is a risk of the colour going a green-like tinge. Before you give this a try, MIIROKO recommends that you contact their expert team through the live chat feature for advice.

Q. What happens if I change my mind or make a mistake?

A. If the product is faulty, MIIROKO encourages you to contact their expert hair team. For application errors, you may need to seek professional help (especially with colour correction). Always keep the original packaging/receipt in case you’d like to make a return. Because hair colour is a chemical process, many at-home kits have limited return/change options once opened, so the brand advises that you check the brand’s Terms & Conditions.

Q. Why should I choose MIIROKO over box-dyes and other at home hair colour brands?

A. MIIROKO’s hair colour has been formulated by an ex-hairdresser, Claire Saito, to be gentler on your hair and scalp than any other box dyes and at-home hair colour products currently available on the market. Even though MIIROKO’s products are gentler, the result is still just as incredible, if not even better than what box dyes and other at-home hair colouring products can achieve — offering up to 90% grey coverage and giving your hair a natural, glossy and healthy look and feel. Ultimately, MIIROKO’s colour contains ingredients such as green tea, almond oil, aloe extract, A2 ceramide, jojoba oil, bisabolol, vanilla extract and wheat amino acids to condition, protect and strengthen your beautiful head of hair that you already have. MIIROKO’s starter kit also contains tools that are made-to-last and therefore reusable to not only reduce waste but ensure you can achieve salon-grade hair results without it being a messy, overwhelming experience.