11 Simple Steps To Dye Your Hair At Home Like A Pro
Save on salon trips and learn how to give your hair a color transformation by yourself.
Madison Dufour is a licensed and practicing barber and cosmetologist with 10 years of experience, as well as an entrepreneur running several hair businesses, including MadisonD Barbering and The Exquisite Find Hair Blog. After working behind the chair for several years, she felt the calling to start the non-profit Barber in a Bag that teaches basic hair cutting skills in street and slum communities in South America.
Read full bio of Madison Dufour
Experience: 8 yearsArshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.
Read full bio of Arshiya Syeda
Experience: 3 yearsAsmita De is an associate editor with over three years of experience. She graduated in English Literature from the University of Calcutta. She has collaborated with several digital companies and reputed publishing houses as an editor.
Read full bio of Asmita De
Experience: 2.5 yearsBhumika is a content writer with 2.5 years of expertise in crafting articles across diverse genres. She graduated from the University of Delhi and completed her post-graduation from Indira Gandhi National Open University, Delhi.
Read full bio of Bhumika Daga
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You have come to the right site if you’re looking for tips on how to dye your hair at home.
The best color in this whole world is the one that looks good on you. – Coco Chanel
Many of you will agree that sitting at a beauty parlor for four hours and spending so much money can be tedious and costly. Therefore, dyeing your hair at home is an excellent and cost-effective way to solve the problem, which is a popular trend these days in the fashion and beauty industry. It provides convenience and the freedom to do it at your own pace. It is enjoyable to spend some time deciding on the correct color, searching for hair coloring tools, and looking for a trendy yet affordable brand. It may initially appear not easy, but you will gradually come to enjoy it. The simple steps for dying your hair at home are outlined below. Keep scrolling!
Before jumping into the article, let’s take a quick glance at the global market value of hair dyes. The graph below represents the total market value of hair dyes and provides a forecast for upcoming years as well. The sales of hair colors have gradually increased and are estimated to reach 36.2 billion US dollars by 2027.
Global Market Representation Of Hair Dyes And Future Predictions
Source: StatistaIn This Article
How To Dye Your Hair At Home
A. Getting Ready
1. Wash Your Hair Before Dyeing
It is essential to wash your hair 24 to 48 hours before dyeing. This allows the natural oils that are secreted during this time to act as a barrier against irritation and helps in binding the color to the hair strands efficiently. It is best not to condition your hair as it could obstruct the process of color binding.
2. Pick A Color
This is probably the most stressful step in this process. Picking the perfect shade from the vast spectrum of colors can be overwhelming. So, unless you are a regular experimenter, it is best to go for a color not more than two shades darker or lighter than your original hair color.
Your hair color should also complement your skin tone. For instance, if you are fair skinned, avoid dark raven colors and opt for honey blonde or auburn shades instead. Similarly, if you have a dark skin tone, avoid going for light hair colors all over your head and opt for deep honey or cinnamon highlights.
Note: It is best to go for a semi-permanent dye as it lasts for about 20-26 washes and does not damage your tresses as much as a permanent dye.
Janine, a blogger, shares her experience of dyeing her hair black from the comfort of her home. She mentions how long she keeps the dye and the overall maintenance in her blog post. “I use demi-permanent, (not semi-permanent or permanent dye). I didn’t use semi-permanent, because I didn’t want it to wash out quickly. I don’t use permanent, because the dye penetrates more layers of your hair and is therefore more damaging (i).”
3. Cover Yourself With A Color Cape
Dyeing your hair at home can get messy. So, purchase a dark-colored cape to catch those spills and protect your skin and clothes. You can wrap the cape around your shoulders before beginning the coloring process.
4. You Need To Brush Your Hair
Knots and tangles prevent the dye from spreading evenly, resulting in patchy hair color. To get rid of all knots and tangles, brush or comb your hair thoroughly.
5. Coat Your Hairline, Ears, And Neck With Vaseline
Apply Vaseline (or any petroleum jelly) along your hairline to prevent staining your skin. This step is essential as the dye can stay on your skin for weeks despite several washes.
6. Put On Some Rubber/Plastic Gloves
If the hair color kit does not include gloves, buy a pair from a local drug store. Make sure you wear gloves while coloring your hair as they protect your hands from getting stained and keep your sleeves clean.
If you plan on coloring your roots, it is recommended to do a patch test to check for any possible allergic reactions. Test the dye on a small part of your skin, on the forearm or back of your neck, at least 48 hours before you plan to color your hair to make sure that the dye is safe to use on your hair. It is also recommended to color a small section of your hair, like a few tip ends of some strands, to check how the dye looks on your current hair color.
Done prepping your hair? Now it’s time to gather all your hair coloring equipment and jump right into it !
B. Things Needed And How To Apply Hair Color
1. Use A Bowl To Mix The Dye
Using a mixing bowl is a better choice than using the bottle that is usually included in hair coloring kits. With the help of a dyeing brush, you can mix the dye effectively and apply it to your hair much more easily.
2. Use A Hair Developer
If you are unaware of the purpose of hair developer, let me enlighten you. A developer is primarily made of hydrogen peroxide, which helps in opening up the hair shafts and binding the color to the hair cuticles. This makes the dyeing process more effective as the color seeps in and stays on for a longer period.
Developers come in different volumes. The most common type is 20 volume developer. If you are a first-timer, you can use this as it contains 6% hydrogen peroxide, which is safe to use on any hair type.
However, be cautious when using a developer as it chemically lifts the cuticles. Therefore, even a 20-volume developer can damage the hair.
3. Section Your Hair Using A Comb
Separating your hair into sections will help you cover every hair strand without leaving any patches. Ideally, you should divide your hair into four sections. It is best to begin dyeing the front sections first as they are the largest and need extra processing time. Using long hairdresser clips will be helpful in holding your hair.
4. Apply The Dye
Always start from the roots. Apply the dye from the roots to the tips and brush the length of your hair using a wide-toothed comb. While combing, make sure to drag it down till the end to remove excess dye. This helps in distributing the product evenly. Once you are done with this section, you can roll it up and fasten it to your head with a clip. Continue this process until the first section is fully saturated. Move on to the next section and repeat the process.
5. Set A Timer
Setting a timer enables you to leave the color on for the instructed amount of time. Follow the instructions carefully and do not rinse off before the minimum time or go past the maximum time allotted.
Tip: You can use some heat (i.e., use a blow dryer) to help the color penetrate your hair.
You can wash your hair after the recommended wait time. Once you wash off the dye, it is recommended to not wash your hair for at least 2 days. This gives the time to settle into your locks.
Quick TipHow To Highlight Your Hair
This might come as a surprise, but if you need subtle highlights, you can use a clean mascara brush. Highlighting your hair follows a similar process as dyeing. You need to blow dry your hair and brush it. Section your hair and start highlighting the bottom layers first. Try not to follow a particular pattern of application. The best highlights are always messy and asymmetrical. Leave the color in for the indicated amount of time before rinsing it off.
Tip: Finish off by applying clear hair gloss to help boost the highlights.
Quick TipHow To Dye Your Hair Blonde
A word of advice! If you are planning to go blonde, it is recommended to get it done professionally. It is a risky game, and you might end up damaging your hair. Moreover, dye stains the hair, while color deposits artificial pigments into the hair. Many professionals avoid using dyes as they contain metallic materials that may cause a bad chemical reaction and damage your hair when you try to remove them afterward.
However, if your hair is naturally light, you can go for it. Start by applying the color from behind the crown and away from the roots. Massage until every hair strand is soaked in the solution. Wait for 30 minutes. Check how much your hair has lightened and start applying the solution to the roots. Once you are done with all the sections, you can let it sit for 30 minutes. Rinse the color off with warm water and shampoo and condition your hair.
How To Dye Your Hair Silver
The first step in dyeing your hair silver is bleaching it. Follow it up with the application of purple toner to remove any brassiness. The steps involved are similar to that of hair dyeing. You can apply the color in a structured manner, working through the sections. Let the color sit for the indicated time and rinse off with warm water.
Tip: Use a sulfate-free shampoo.
How you rinse off the hair dye is just as important as how you apply it. Here are a few simple steps you need to follow when washing off your hair color.
C. Time For Rinsing
1. Use A Towel To Wipe Off Dye From Your Skin
Wipe off the dye stains from your forehead, neck, and ears with a wet cloth, or towel dipped in rubbing alcohol. Cover your hair with a shower cap to retain the moisture and heat. This will help the color bind to your hair much more effectively.
2. Wait Until The Time Is Up
Rinse the color off your hair using warm water. Do not use shampoo. Massage the roots with your fingertips and keep rinsing until the water runs clear. Finish off with a sulfate-free conditioner.
3. Shampoo And Condition Your Hair
After rinsing off the hair dye, wait for at least an hour before shampooing your hair. This helps the hair color get absorbed into the hair shafts. You can then go ahead and shampoo and condition your hair.
4. Dry Your Hair
You can either use a dryer or let your hair dry naturally. If you are using a blow dryer, make sure you use it on the lowest heat setting. After your hair has dried completely, you can go ahead and style your hair to your heart’s content.
Lastly, in case you are unhappy with your new hair color and want to get rid of it, use a color remover, wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo, or head on to a professional salon.
While we have looked at several ways to dye your hair, we are yet to discuss how to care for dyed hair. Let us look at it below.
How To Care For Dyed Hair
After dyeing your hair with your choice of color, it is time to maintain it. Colored hair needs extra T.L.C. than your normal tresses. Here are a few ways to care for them:
- Wash your hair 2-3 times a week.
- Use dry shampoo on days you are not washing your hair.
- Use only color-safe and sulfate-free shampoos.
- Give your hair a deep oil treatment once a month before shampooing it.
- Use heat protectants before styling your hair.
- Apply DIY hair masks 1-2 times a week to repair damage and nourish the strands.
- Let the hair air dry after a shower.
Infographic: Tips To Choose Hair Dye According To Your Eye Color
Now that you know how to dye your hair easily at home, let’s talk about picking the right hair color. While everyone knows that they have to consider their skin tone when picking a hair color, not many realize that matching your hair to your eye color is equally important. The right hair color can make your eyes pop!
Check out the infographic below to learn how you can select the right hair dye based on your gorgeous eye color. Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
Coloring your hair at home may look intimidating initially. While it requires skill, you can acquire it by following some tips to dye hair. Read all the instructions carefully and check how long it will take to dye hair. It is essential to wash your hair one to two days before dying, as this acts as a barrier against irritation. More importantly, don’t get disheartened if your first coloring experience did not go well. Take your time and try once again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you dye hair wet or dry?
This depends on how deep you want the coloring to be. You can dye your hair while it’s dry if you want deeper and more visible colors. If you want to go more subtle, you can dye your hair while it’s damp. However, if the hair soaks too much dye, there might not be enough room in the strands for the color to be deposited alongside the natural color molecules.
What happens if you leave on hair dye too long?
Leaving hair dye on your hair for too long can strip your hair of moisture, leaving it dry and prone to breakage. Ensure that you make the color darker. Color and dye both work when exposed to oxygen. The longer it sits on the hair exposed to air, the darker it will become.
What should I not do before dyeing my hair?
You should not shampoo the day you are coloring your hair, choose the wrong hair color, or use the wrong developer and tools to dye your hair. This will help prevent small scratches on your scalp. Ensure that you spend time researching and understanding how it is done before you dye hair.
How often can you dye your hair at home?
Dyeing your hair at home can be a fun way to change your look, but just make sure you are doing it safely. You should check the health of your hair and the type of dye you are using. If your hair is healthy, you can color as frequently as once every 2 months. If your hair is unhealthy, it is recommended to first nourish your locks before trying at coloring or processing treatment. Avoid using permanent hair color containing ammonia too often. Opt for semi or demi permanent and vegan hair colors instead. For a full hair color, you can dye your hair every 4 to 6 weeks, allowing for some recovery time in between. If you’re just touching up roots, you can do it every 10 to 14 days.
What should I do if I don’t like the color?
If you do not like the color of your hair dye, the first thing is to not panic. You could try rinsing your hair with clarifying shampoo. This product often removes some of the color from the hair and could lighten up the shade a little bit. If the tone is too yellow or orange, consider using a toner. If you feel the color is too dark, a color remover or a professional salon treatment can be done as well. If nothing works you may seek the advice of a professional stylist who can give you solutions appropriate to your needs.
Key Takeaways
- Cleanse your hair a day or two prior to dying it, and select a color that suits your skin tone.
- Before starting the coloring procedure, comb your hair to remove all the knots.
- Apply the color uniformly, beginning at the roots and moving towards the ends, as directed on the hair color packet.
- Keep it on for 30 minutes, then wash off with warm water and as usual shampoo and condition your hair.
Illustration: Simple Steps To Dye Your Hair At Home Like A Pro
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team
Dye your hair at home by watching this detailed video tutorial! Follow the step-by-step instructions and achieve the perfect color without leaving the comfort of your house.
Personal Experience: Source
StyleCraze's articles are interwoven with authentic personal narratives that provide depth and resonance to our content. Below are the sources of the personal accounts referenced in this article.
i. My Experience: Dyeing and Maintaining Black Hairhttps://theeverydayalternative.wordpress.com/2018/02/27/my-experience-dyeing-and-maintaining-black-hair/
Read full bio of Madison Dufour
Read full bio of Arshiya Syeda
Read full bio of Asmita De
Read full bio of Bhumika Daga
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