Dyeing your hair is one of the quickest ways to change your look. If you are tired of having the same style, hair color can be a quick fix! These ten expert tips will help make sure that you get the perfect shade for you and choose a product that is safe for your hair type.
Pick the Correct Product for your Hair Type.
Every hair type can be colored! The trick is finding the product that works best for your specific kind of hair. Here are some popular types and which products work best:
Hair dye comes in three types: temporary, semi-permanent, and permanent.
Temporary dyes are used to refresh your look between salon visits, while semi-permanent dyes add some color and last about 10 – 20 shampoos. If you want to completely change your hair color, permanent dyes will deposit the color on the outside of your hair and gradually fade over time.
Wavy/Curly Hair: choose a dye that is free from ammonia and without any harsh chemicals; this will help keep your waves looking their best. One option is to pick a demi-permanent color that won’t damage your hair as much but still provides you with color.
Oily or Greasy Hair: go for an oil-based dye instead of the regular water-based one; these tend to last longer on oily locks because they don’t wash out so easily. Another tip would be to use dry shampoo to soak up excess oil.
Straight Hair: try a dye that has some shine and isn’t too dark. This type of hair won’t work well with colors that are too vivid and will need to be read more on the deeper, richer tones. If you want to add shine, use a product like gloss or serum before applying your color.
Dry hair: it is important to stay away from strong ammonia-based dyes! This will strip any moisture from your hair and can even cause breakage. When choosing a cosmetic for your tresses, look for one that has hydrating properties or contains oils that can help rejuvenate dry strands.
Long Thin Hair: If you want to wear your hair down and sleek, you’ll need to use a stylist-approved dye with a semi-permanent formula. This will provide you with enough coverage without altering the texture of your locks too much. Specialized dyes are also available at the drugstore for less than $5!
Do a Patch Test.
If you’ve never dyed your hair before or if you want to try a different shade, it is important to do a patch test in advance. This way, you can spot any skin irritation that might occur and not risk changing the color drastically when dyeing your whole head (especially with darker colors). Patch tests should be done on the inside of your wrist. If there’s no reaction in 24 hours, proceed with coloring!
Use an Oil-Based Moisturizer Before Coloring.
Hair dyes come with tons of benefits, like hydration and color, but they also strip away moisture from your locks even more than shampoo does!
A lot of dyes can dry out some parts of your hair, leaving them more susceptible to damage and breakage. To avoid this, it is a good idea to apply an oil-based moisturizer to the areas that will be colored. This will help keep your hair nourished and healthy after coloring and act as a barrier between your strands and the dye, locking in any moisture that you already have in there.
Follow the instructions on the Box Carefully if you Dye your Hair at Home.
Many people make the mistake of thinking that they can skip steps like sectioning or combing their hair after applying dye. You should always read and follow the instructions on the box carefully to make sure you don’t mess up. If you’re nervous about doing it alone, recruit someone else for extra support!
Following the instructions is very important because some dyes require you to mix two components – developer (the chemical) and color (the dye). If these are not mixed in the right proportions, your hair may turn out uneven or even change colors!
Also, make sure you apply the product to all of your hair evenly. It’s best to use a tint brush for more precision and less mess. Also, don’t forget to wear gloves when applying the dye! You can find them at any beauty store or drugstore.
Use a Dye Barrier Spray Before Coloring.
If you have sensitive skin, this will help keep the dye from staining it and make cleaning up a lot easier!
It is important to put on protective clothing or an old t-shirt before applying dye to avoid staining. It may be a good idea to cover your furniture, flooring, and any other belongings in the area with newspaper if you aren’t going to rinse it out immediately.
At the very least, make sure you have all of your tools together before starting. You’ll also need a towel, disposable applicator brush, petroleum jelly, cotton swabs, and a bowl that’s at least three times larger than your head when wet. Rinse out any excess dye from your hair before starting.
Use a Shampoo Designed for Color-Treated Hair After Coloring.
Rinse your hair with water, and then use a sulfate-free shampoo to get rid of the dye. If you want the color to last, you’ll need to condition your hair too!
If you want to maintain the health of your hair after coloring, it’s important to invest in a shampoo and conditioner that is designed for color-treated locks.
Choose one that will help protect your color and make it last longer. Also, make sure you use a clarifying shampoo once every two weeks (if needed) to get rid of any residue on your scalp and strands before coloring again!
Mix Two Colors Together to Create a Unique Shade.
Hair dye is available in a variety of colors, including some that may look similar to each other.
If you’re looking for a new style, mix two different hair dyes together to create a unique color that is perfect for you. If you want something even more bold and fun, use Manic Panic dye! This semi-permanent dye will last about 30 washes, so it’s perfect if you only plan on changing your look every now and then.
Choose the Right Shade for your Skin Tone and Personality.
Choosing the right shade to wear depends on 2 things:
Your skin tone.
Your skin tone can be determined by the undertone, which you will find to be either cool or warm. There are many colors that both cool and warm tones can wear. Some of these include punk, rich browns, burgundy, deep purples, bronze, taupe, tangerine, lilac, and emerald green.
Those with a cooler skin tone looking for a color to match their pink/gold-toned complexion may want to try coral tones to dress up their face! Those with warmer tones should wear greens, pinks, or blues.
Your personality.
When trying to determine the best shade for your personality, think about what’s most flattering to your face shape and skin tone! It may be helpful to bring pictures of people that are around your age or older that exemplify the look you’re going for in the salon with you when asking for advice on which colors will work best for you.
Or, try bringing in images printed from an online search to share with your stylist. He or she may be able to better help you choose colors after hearing about who they are meant for and studying their features closer!
Always choose less ammonia.
Less ammonia means that the hair will not be as damaged and dry when it is dyed. Choosing less ammonia can help keep your hair in better condition longer.
If you have previously colored your hair with a box dye, it is best to choose a semi-permanent color. Hair that has been significantly bleached from using chemicals from home dyes will most likely become dry and brittle if you use traditional permanent dyes.
Using less ammonia means less damage, and your hair will stay healthy and shiny!
Blend Your Hair Color Gradually.
If you’re used to wearing your hair in its natural color, it’s important that you gradually transition into coloring your hair. If you have dyed your locks dark brown or black for years, this will be more dramatic of a change than someone who has made subtle highlights throughout their head for the past 10 years.
In the case you decide to dye your entire head after growing it out for some time, try using semi-permanent dyes instead of permanent ones, as they wash out over time and won’t damage as much as regular dyes. This makes it easier for those trying to return to their old hair color – just don’t forget to use a shampoo specifically designed for color-treated hair!
Bleaching Hair is Out of the Question: Some dyes contain bleach which can damage hair. If your hair is dark brown or black, you may want to avoid bleaching because it will only give you orange or yellow hair. Instead, use a purple dye on top of darker shades for more depth!
Those with blonde/lightened hair looking to dye their locks a different shade altogether should consider using toner on their lighter strands before re-dying them completely. This will give them an idea of what they’ll look like before taking any decision.
Look for one Permanent Dye that has Good Reviews Online.
You can ask your hairstylist for advice on which one will work best. Remember that not all permanent dyes are equal, so consider looking for reviews online before deciding what to buy. A little bit of research can go a long way when it comes to achieving the perfect hair color!
You can also ask your friends who have colored their hair what brands they use, and try testing out a color to see what you think before dyeing your whole head.
Many variables go into choosing the best shade of dye for someone, so always ask questions about what kind of result you can expect! Remember to check if bleaching is necessary. If not, semi-permanent dyes may be an option.
When you’re planning to dye your hair at home, make sure that it’s a day when you won’t have any distractions or things planned because it takes time for the color to develop on your locks.
It can take anywhere from 30 minutes up to 3 hours for the color to set in, depending on the density of your hair! The more porous the strand, the longer it’ll take for the dye to sink into each strand. For example, people with thick curly hair may want to give themselves more than 2 hours before washing their tresses again!
Conclusion.
I really enjoy changing my hair all the time. I hope you found this list of ten tips on how to dye your hair helpful. Now, go out there and get creative with it!
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Edited By: Lenny Terra
Fact Checked By: Gabrielle J. Smith
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