Dare To Be Different with Crazy Color

We meet some of the DIY dyers involved in Crazy Color's Dye to Defy campaign and find out why self-expression through hair colour is so important to them

Advertorial by Tallah Brash | 09 Sep 2024
  • Crazy Color
Crazy Color
Promoted Content

Obsessed with the fiery red highlights in Saffron from Republica’s hair, I started dyeing my hair in the 90s. Initially it was just a few streaks in the front of my messy bob. But then I started uni and it wasn’t long before my whole head was that same shade of eye-catching red. Of course, it was Crazy Color’s Fire in iconic pillarbox red, a colour that’s been part of their collection since they launched in 1977 during the UK’s punk-rock explosion.

Dyeing my hair gave me confidence and quickly became an obsession, a part of my personality. And just like Kate Winslet’s character Clementine in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, as my mood changed so too did the colour of my hair. My hair has been myriad shades of red, pink, purple, orange, blue and green, sometimes multiple colours at the same time. I’ve had periods of loyalty to one colour, and moments of spontaneity where I’ve last-minute changed the colour of my hair to match a dress I was wearing to a wedding. Being able to dye my hair is like having a super power.

Crazy Color’s Dye to Defy campaign dares you to be different, and 40 years on, as a brand their ethos remains the same: they want to inspire you to explore your creative side. Across a full spectrum of vibrant colours with names like Lime Twist, Marshmallow, Canary Yellow, Pine Green, Sky Blue, Fire and Candy Floss, Crazy Color allows you to express yourself so you can stand out and wear your individuality with pride, whatever your mood.

With community at the heart of everything they do, for Crazy Color's Dye to Defy launch in July they invited 11 DIY dyers with exceptional at-home dyeing skills to take part in a Crazy Color CASA photoshoot at Manchester’s Projekt Skatepark – today, we meet some of them.

Photo of a model with dyed red hair, wearing a leather jacket and leopard print skirt.

OLIVIA
I first dyed my naturally VERY dark hair red when I was around 15 and haven't looked back since! I've been every colour of the rainbow over the years, but I've fallen in love with being bright orange! Orange is definitely associated with me now – even my suitcases match my hair! 

I've never wanted to look 'the same' as everyone else, and part of doing that is changing from my natural colour. It gives me so much confidence to be different, and I love brightening up people's days with my neon hair! Plus – you'll never lose me at a concert!

Photo of a Black model wearing a green top and black motorcycle jacket, with short dyed green hair and eyebrows.

DOMINIQUE
Colouring my hair has allowed me to explore my sense of self – my current favourite shade is peppermint! I have gone through many phases in my hair journey: braids, weaves, relaxers, extensions. You name it, I've had it!

In 2019, I decided to shave my head completely, simply because I wanted to! When I shaved my head I looked in the mirror and I felt like myself, like I recognised the woman staring back at me. I began colouring my hair at the same time and that's when I really felt I stepped into my own. I love to switch it up and make a bold statement with my hair and Crazy Color has allowed me to do that and then some!

Photo of a model with short lilac hair wearing a yellow t-shirt, a red and white jacket and a plaid kilt.

AARON
I’m a professional model, photographer and coffee educator and I’m obsessed with Crazy Color and wearing just that – crazy colours! I started dyeing my hair as a kid around 12/13 and became obsessed... I love it in crazy combos and styles. It's all thanks to Crazy Color for giving me that boost and confidence to know it's okay to be my authentic self. I’m really settled with my current shade of Silver, with a drop of Sky Blue and Black to add a cool smokiness, with a Rebel UV/Cyclamen mix in my fringe accent. I just want to radiate the love I feel for people in the brightest way, and just try to be a colourful beacon for those who can't really find their way out of the dark.

SHANNON
By day, I'm a mother and I work part-time in retail. By night, I'm an alternative fashion vlogger. I love empowering women, encouraging people to feel good in their own skin, as well as embrace their individuality. I shop second hand, I DIY my clothes, and I try to show people how to work with what they have, especially in today's economy. 

My current shades are Graphite and Marshmallow but my favourite shade of all is Canary Yellow with a drop of Orange to make the most beautiful mustard! Life's so much more magical when you're happy and that's what colouring my hair helps me do.

A photo of two models with dyed hair in a skatepark.
Chantelle (L) and Shannon (R). Photo: Reuben Paris

CHANTELLE
I’m a small business owner and mum. I’ve been using Crazy Color products for over 14 years, I’ve quite literally had all the colours of the rainbow in my hair but I have found THE ONE – CYCLAMEN!! It’s my ride or die colour. 

I’ve had so many lovely compliments on my hair, I absolutely love that people of all ages go out of their way to tell me they love my hair! It’s been so many conversation starters and it’s inspired others to take the step to try vivid colours! 

A photo of a model with dyed red hair, wearing a green top and green shorts.

LOUISE
I'm a wedding celebrant and having orange hair has become my entire personality – I am fully committed to being a full-time tangerine. I love how bright and different it is. It fades to a nice peachy colour, which people always compliment, but I prefer when it's at its brightest and boldest, so I keep it topped up as often as I can.

I see colouring my hair as a way to express myself. It really has become part of my identity, and I can't imagine having 'normal' coloured hair again. I'm determined to be that weird old lady still rocking bright hair and eccentric clothing into my nineties!

A photo of a model with multicoloured hair, wearing a gingham dress.

KRYSTLE
I started experimenting with colouring my hair when I was about 14. The first time I finally went full vivid was 2009 with a bright pillarbox red and I’ve had pretty much every colour you can imagine since then. My current shade is rainbow with a strong focus on yellow which takes centre stage as the top section with the other colours layered beneath.

Colouring my hair is super important to me, I love expressing my personality but hate buying clothing I might not want to re-wear so I express myself through my body art – piercings, tattoos and coloured hair are my self expression.

Photo of a model with dyed purple hair and black glasses.

SILVIA
Ever since I was a teen I wanted to dye my hair with vibrant colours. Until recently I always stuck with natural looks to fit in, but I felt I wasn't being my true self. I decided to step out of my comfort zone and dye my hair Pinkissimo – I LOVED IT! Since then I haven't stopped experimenting with Crazy Color and exploring different refreshing looks! I'm currently enjoying a mix of Hot Purple and Bordeaux.

Now, I dye my hair to express myself freely and have fun while boosting my confidence. Colouring my hair is more than just changing my look – it's a powerful way to show who I am and bring out my creative side. I love how it allows me to embrace change and at the end is all about celebrating individuality and uniqueness.

Photo of a model with dyed red hair, wearing a leather jacket and red leopard print trousers.

JESS
I’m a writer, part-time model, and a singer and I adore having colourful hair! I’m currently sporting half and half pink and orange using Cyclamen and Pinkissimo, and Anarchy UV and Orange respectively. I’m obsessed with the deeper tones in Cyclamen! 

Colouring my hair means so much to me because it’s an extension of who I am. I can choose which vibe I want to show the world. I can use it to reflect what’s going on in my life, I can dye it to celebrate a holiday, cheer myself up, or even just because I need a creative outlet! I’ll ALWAYS feel my most confident with shiny, freshly coloured hair. One dye job is all I need to take on the world!

NEYA
I’m a MUA, model and content creator. As somebody who grew up quite insecure due to having acne in my teenage years, I started using makeup as a form of self-expression. Three years ago now I made the bold choice of shaving my head, which is when I discovered the world of hair dye – a whole new special way of expressing my creativity and individuality!

Since then, I have dyed my hair every single colour you can think of, bolds, pastels etc. Funnily enough, my first ever hair colour was BRIGHT neon green (Toxic) by Crazy Color. In a society that wants us all to be the same, there is so much beauty in daring to be different.


Find out more about Crazy Color at crazycolor.co.uk
Learn more about Dye to Defy's 11 DIY dyers on Instagram @crazycolorcasa

Photos by Reuben Paris