Overview
The IGK V Astro Babe Hair Color Kit is IGK's answer to growing demand for at-home color that doesn't compromise on results or hair health. Unlike most permanent dyes, this one skips ammonia entirely — a real draw for anyone who's sat through the sting and smell of a traditional box dye. The shade, light cool lavender, is genuinely pretty, but it comes with an important caveat: it works best on light or pre-lightened hair. If your base is dark and unbleached, the lavender payoff will be minimal. This at-home dye sits at a premium price point, so buyers are expecting more than color alone — they want a conditioning experience to match.
Features & Benefits
The formula behind this lavender color kit is built around three key ingredients: Squalane for moisture replenishment, Orchid Extract for softness, and Bamboo Extract to support strand resilience. IGK also reports some bold numbers — 15x more shine, 40% less breakage, and 88% softer strands — though it's worth noting these are brand-reported figures, not independently verified findings. The cream applies smoothly, and the colorist-developed system is designed to cut down on guesswork for at-home users. Gray coverage is solid, but you'll want to leave it on for the full 45-minute processing time to get the most out of it. The ammonia-free formula also noticeably reduces that sharp chemical smell during application.
Best For
This at-home dye is a genuinely good fit for people with light or bleached hair who want to try a cool lavender tone without committing to a full salon visit. It's also worth considering if you're managing gray roots and want a color treatment that doubles as a conditioning step — not just a pigment deposit. Anyone sensitive to ammonia or prone to scalp irritation with standard box dyes will appreciate the gentler approach. That said, if your hair is naturally dark and you haven't pre-lightened, don't expect vivid lavender. The IGK color kit can deepen or match your existing shade, but it won't lift color — that step needs to happen separately beforehand.
User Feedback
Buyers consistently praise how soft and nourished their hair feels after using this lavender color kit — that part of the formula seems to genuinely deliver. Gray coverage also earns solid marks, particularly from those who leave it on for the full recommended time. Where things get mixed is color vibrancy: users with darker bases frequently report the lavender barely registers, which is a recurring and legitimate complaint. A few reviewers also note the shade fades within four to six weeks, especially with frequent washing. On the application side, the included tools get the job done, though some find the mixing system slightly fiddly. Scent is almost universally seen as a win over traditional ammonia-based dyes.
Pros
- Ammonia-free formula significantly reduces scalp irritation and that sharp chemical smell during application.
- Hair genuinely feels softer and more nourished after coloring, not stripped or rough.
- Gray coverage is reliable, especially when the full 45-minute processing time is respected.
- Works well on color-treated or chemically processed hair without causing excessive additional damage.
- The application system is designed for at-home use and helps reduce mess and guesswork.
- Key ingredients like Squalane and Orchid Extract give the formula a conditioning edge over standard box dyes.
- The lavender shade reads as a cool, sophisticated tone on light hair — not garish or artificial-looking.
- Comes from a professional salon brand, so the formulation has real expertise behind it.
Cons
- Lavender payoff is minimal to nonexistent on medium or dark hair that hasn't been pre-lightened first.
- Color longevity is limited — many users report noticeable fading within four to six weeks, especially with frequent washing.
- The price point is hard to justify if the shade doesn't show up on your specific hair color.
- Clinical performance stats are brand-reported and not independently verified, so take them with some skepticism.
- Pre-lightening is an unspoken prerequisite for vivid results, which adds time, cost, and potential damage.
- The included mixing tools work, but some users find the process slightly more fiddly than a standard box dye.
- This at-home dye cannot lift or deepen color beyond your current base — versatility is limited by design.
- Results vary enough between hair types that the outcome can feel unpredictable for first-time users.
Ratings
The scores below for the IGK V Astro Babe Hair Color Kit were generated by our AI system after analyzing thousands of verified global buyer reviews, with spam, bot activity, and incentivized feedback actively filtered out. Each category reflects the honest spread of real user experiences — not just the highlights — so both where this kit shines and where it falls short are transparently represented.
Color Vibrancy
Gray Coverage
Formula Gentleness
Hair Conditioning Effect
Color Longevity
Ease of Application
Scent During Application
Ingredient Quality
Value for Money
Packaging & Kit Contents
Shade Accuracy
Scalp Comfort
Instructions Clarity
Suitable for:
The IGK V Astro Babe Hair Color Kit is a strong pick for anyone with naturally light, blonde, or previously bleached hair who wants to experiment with a cool lavender tone at home without booking a salon appointment. It's particularly well-suited to people who have had bad experiences with ammonia-based dyes — whether that's scalp sensitivity, harsh smell, or the post-color dryness that comes with more aggressive formulas. If you're dealing with gray coverage and want a dye that conditions while it colors rather than leaving your strands feeling stripped, this lavender color kit addresses both concerns in a single step. Color-treated or chemically processed hair is not a dealbreaker here — the formula is designed to work on previously processed strands, which is genuinely useful for anyone maintaining an existing color routine. At-home colorists who want a more professional application experience, with a developer system that's been designed to minimize mistakes, will also find this kit more approachable than generic drugstore options.
Not suitable for:
The IGK V Astro Babe Hair Color Kit has a hard limitation that's worth being completely upfront about: it cannot lift or lighten hair. If your natural base is medium brown or darker and you haven't pre-lightened, the lavender pigment in this at-home dye simply won't show up in any meaningful way — and that's a common source of frustration in buyer reviews. People hoping for a vivid, punchy lavender result on darker hair should look elsewhere or budget for a bleaching step first, which adds both cost and effort to the process. This kit also isn't the right call for budget-conscious shoppers; the price is firmly in premium territory, and if the lavender doesn't show on your base color, that cost is hard to justify. Those expecting a dramatic color transformation on a single application — without the prep work — are likely to be disappointed by the more subtle, conditioning-forward approach this product takes.
Specifications
- Shade: The color is Light Cool Lavender, a soft, muted purple tone designed for use on light or pre-lightened hair.
- Color Type: This is a permanent hair color, meaning it bonds to the hair shaft and will not wash out like a semi-permanent or temporary dye.
- Formula: The dye uses an ammonia-free cream formula, making it gentler on the scalp and less harsh-smelling than conventional permanent color.
- Gray Coverage: The kit is formulated to deliver full, 100% gray coverage when applied correctly and processed for the recommended time.
- Processing Time: IGK recommends a processing time of 45 minutes for maximum gray coverage and optimal color deposit.
- Key Ingredients: The formula contains Squalane for moisture, Orchid Extract for softness, and Bamboo Extract to support strand strength and resilience.
- Shine Claim: IGK reports a brand-tested improvement of 15x more shine compared to uncolored hair, though this figure is not independently verified.
- Breakage Claim: The brand reports 40% less breakage after coloring compared to a baseline, based on their own internal testing.
- Softness Claim: IGK also reports that strands are 88% softer and smoother after use, again based on brand-conducted clinical assessment.
- Hair Compatibility: The formula is suitable for all hair types and textures, including chemically processed, color-treated, and natural hair.
- Lightening Ability: This kit cannot lift or lighten hair — it is designed only to match or deepen existing color tone, not to bleach.
- Item Form: The product is packaged as a cream, which typically allows for more controlled, even application compared to liquid formulas.
- Package Format: The product ships as a complete box kit containing the color components and application tools needed for a single coloring session.
- Item Weight: The full kit weighs 8.16 oz, making it a compact and easy-to-handle package for at-home use.
- Dimensions: The box measures 4 x 2.38 x 7.56 inches, fitting easily in a bathroom cabinet or drawer for storage.
- Brand Tier: IGK is a professional salon-origin brand with a presence in upscale salons, positioning this kit above standard drugstore color products.
- UPC: The product's Universal Product Code is 810021402772, which can be used to verify authenticity at point of purchase.
- Manufacturer: The product is manufactured by IGK, a brand known for its salon-professional hair care and color lines.
Related Reviews
IGK 9NA Permanent Hair Color Kit
IGK Permanent Hair Dye Color Kit Set of Two | 5N Back To Brown
eSalon Personal Colorist Permanent Hair Color Kit
IGK Color Bright One Step Bleach & Color Kit ICE BREAKER - Cool Blonde, 4 Oz
Simpler Hair Color Brown Black Foam Dye
Madison Reed Radiant Hair Color Kit 5RV Rimini Garnet
Godefroy Hair Color Tint Kit, Medium Brown, 20 Applications
Madison Reed Radiant Hair Color Kit
IGK Hair Gloss Toner & Color Depositing Mask Pink 2000