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While dyeing your hair is usually recommended to be done at the hair salon to ensure that you get the best possible results, if you’re in need of a quick fix and want to color your hair at home, here are 10 hair color tips and tricks to help you get the salon-quality hair dye:
Leave your hair unwashed for two days prior to dyeing
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Dirty hair is the best type of hair for dyeing. Unwashed hair means that the scalp will be filled with natural oils that can act as a barrier against irritation.
Do a patch test
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Before you dye your entire hair, it is essential to do a patch test on a strand of hair, especially if you’re trying a new shade or color. Choose a strand of hair that is hidden and test out the color first to make sure you’re happy with the results before you commit.
Buy two packs of hair dye
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Especially if you have shoulder-length hair or longer. You don’t want to be halfway through dyeing your hair only to find out you’ve run out of hair dye. Mix the content of both hair dyes together in a plastic or glass bowl to ensure you get an even tone.
Choose the correct shade
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The hair color on the box isn’t always the right indication for the result. But, it depends on what type of hair dye you’re going for.
- For permanent dye, choose a shade darker than the color you want.
- For semipermanent dye, choose a shade lighter than the color you’re opting for.
Consider your hair texture
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- Curly or frizzy hair absorbs color faster and will become cooler-toned when you dye it, looking more ash or slightly bluish.
- Fine to medium hair textures don’t hold the dye as easily and will give you a warmer tone which could result in orange, red, or copper undertones.
This will help you in making the right decision based on the following conclusion:
- If you have frizzy or curly hair, pick a shade that’s lighter than your natural hair, but a warm color such as golden, copper, or bronze.
- If you have fine or straight hair, pick a cooler shade such as champagne or beige that is slightly darker than your natural hair.
Even-color tip
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The heat from your head makes the color develop faster at the root. In order to get an even color throughout your hair length, you should follow the following rule:
- Apply the dye away from the scalp by half an inch and continue downwards.
- When you reach halfway through the processing time, go back and start covering the roots.
- Use a color brush to get precise results.
Add shampoo to your hair tips
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If you already have dry hair, coloring it can cause even more dryness. To help make the process smoother, it is best to avoid adding dye to your hair ends. Three minutes before you rinse your hair from the dye, add a couple of squirts of shampoo to the hair dye left in the bottle, shake it well and apply the mixture to your hair ends. This will add a pinch of color but will prevent it from causing damage to your dry hair.
Add water
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Before rinsing out the dye, add a bit of water to your hair and massage it into the hair dye for a few seconds. This allows the dye to move around and make sure that it’s all evened out without ending up with lines or streaks.
Add Heat
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Because some hair is more resistant to color than others, you may need heat to improve the dye penetration especially if you have thick hair or you’re going lighter than your natural hair color.
