From the horrible "How did I end up with orange hair!?" to the annoying "Aack! There's permanent dye on my bathroom counter!", there's a lot that can go wrong when you crack open a box of DIY hair color.
Here are several useful tips allowing you to avoid these disappointments.
KNOW WHAT COLOR YOU WANT
Approaching a seemingly endless aisle of hair color boxes can be intimidating, but approaching it not knowing the shade that will best suit you is terrifying. Before you head to the store, do a little research to find your perfect color. You could call your salon and ask your stylist which hair color(s) will look best on you (even if you're doing it at home she'll still likely help you out).
Or you can use a virtual hair color.
No matter what source you use to find your shade, remember the DIY colorist's credo: If you're coloring at home, stay within two shades of your natural hair color and ideally within the same color family. Save drastic color changes for a professional.
DECIPHER THE COLOR NAME
To find the best color, you need to understand the lingo. The codes on the box usually function on a scale of 1 (darkest) to 10 (lightest) and include the following letters: R=Red, G=Golden, A=Ash, W=Warm, N=Neutral, C=Cool, B=Beige. But use caution: Not every brand or line uses these the same way. If you're stumped, call the number on the side of the box to have an expert help you. Don't be shy. That's what they're there for.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT FORMULA
To determine whether or not to use permanent hair dye, ask yourself these two questions: What condition is your hair in, and how long do you want your new hair color to last?
If your hair is in great shape or you want to slightly lighten your color, you'll likely need a permanent formula. Permanent also lasts a long time, so it's a good option if you already know you love the shade and don't want to frequently touch up.
If your hair usually feels dry between colorings, you only want to enhance your color, or you want to go darker, try a gentler semi-permanent or demi-permanent formula. This is also a better option when trying a new shade -- if you hate it, it'll wash out more quickly than permanent dye.
Note: When a product says it will last through a certain number of shampoos, it means that the color will start to fade by then -- not that your hair will completely return to its pre-colored state. This is especially true if you're using a dark color.
PROTECT YOURSELF -- AND YOUR COUNTERTOP
It's tempting to skip these steps, but don't. They are vital for a smooth, fuss-free finish. A rushed, impulsive dye job is never a good idea.
Step 1: Plan ahead. Deep condition at least a week before, and don't shampoo a day or two before coloring so your natural oils can help protect your scalp from irritation.
Step 2: Don't skip the skin allergy test 48 hours before you color. The last thing you want is a nasty allergic reaction.
Step 3: Prevent stains. Wear gloves, a smock, and old clothes. Cover the floor and your countertop with plastic drop cloths or towels you don't mind staining. To protect your skin, dab petroleum jelly or a stain preventer on your ears, neck, and around your hairline. (Caveat: Put your hair up first. If this product gets on your hair pre-dye, it can keep the dye from penetrating your hair shaft.)
APPLY COLOR EVENLY
To keep color looking natural, not patchy:
Step 1: Dampen the ends of your hair with water. This will help keep your tips from looking darker than your roots.
Step 2: Using a comb, divide your hair into four sections: top left, top right, bottom left, and bottom right. Clip each section up. Then apply the color from root to tip, section by section. Start the timer when you're done with the last section.
Step 3: After you rinse, don't shampoo for at least 48 hours. Can't stand not to? Try conditioning and rinsing with cool or lukewarm water so your hair feels cleaner but you don't strip the dye. Keep in mind, your hair is like laundry; the hotter the water, the more likely the color is to fade.
AVOID FREAK-OUTS
If you're faced with any of the following scenarios, don't stress –here is the solution:
Problem: Your hair color is way darker or more intense than you expected.
Solution: Your hair color should gradually fade to what you envisioned. If you can't wait, wash it before the 48-hour waiting period is up. The more you wash it, the faster it will fade. (Avoid going overboard though, as your scalp could get irritated with too many washes.)
Problem: Your skin is stained.
Solution: As soon as you notice the stain, wipe it up with a damp cotton ball. If that doesn't work, dab a cotton ball with alcohol and rub it over the spot to dissolve the dye. The longer you wait, the more stubborn the stain will be.
Problem: Your tiles, floor, etc., are stained.
Solution: Wipe the stain immediately with cloth dipped in warm, soapy water. If that doesn't work, cover the stain with a cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol for a few minutes; then wipe with ammonia. (Note: Don't use ammonia on linoleum or vinyl tiles.) Afterward, wipe clean with soap and rinse with water. If this fails, call your local home improvement store for advice.
Problem: Your carpet or clothes are stained.
Solution: Try removing a carpet stain with a half-white-vinegar, half-warm-water mixture. For clothes and other fabrics, soak them in detergent, ammonia, and warm water if the label directions permit.
Approaching a seemingly endless aisle of hair color boxes can be intimidating, but approaching it not knowing the shade that will best suit you is terrifying. Before you head to the store, do a little research to find your perfect color. You could call your salon and ask your stylist which hair color(s) will look best on you (even if you're doing it at home she'll still likely help you out).
Or you can use a virtual hair color.
No matter what source you use to find your shade, remember the DIY colorist's credo: If you're coloring at home, stay within two shades of your natural hair color and ideally within the same color family. Save drastic color changes for a professional.
DECIPHER THE COLOR NAME
To find the best color, you need to understand the lingo. The codes on the box usually function on a scale of 1 (darkest) to 10 (lightest) and include the following letters: R=Red, G=Golden, A=Ash, W=Warm, N=Neutral, C=Cool, B=Beige. But use caution: Not every brand or line uses these the same way. If you're stumped, call the number on the side of the box to have an expert help you. Don't be shy. That's what they're there for.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT FORMULA
To determine whether or not to use permanent hair dye, ask yourself these two questions: What condition is your hair in, and how long do you want your new hair color to last?
If your hair is in great shape or you want to slightly lighten your color, you'll likely need a permanent formula. Permanent also lasts a long time, so it's a good option if you already know you love the shade and don't want to frequently touch up.
If your hair usually feels dry between colorings, you only want to enhance your color, or you want to go darker, try a gentler semi-permanent or demi-permanent formula. This is also a better option when trying a new shade -- if you hate it, it'll wash out more quickly than permanent dye.
Note: When a product says it will last through a certain number of shampoos, it means that the color will start to fade by then -- not that your hair will completely return to its pre-colored state. This is especially true if you're using a dark color.
PROTECT YOURSELF -- AND YOUR COUNTERTOP
It's tempting to skip these steps, but don't. They are vital for a smooth, fuss-free finish. A rushed, impulsive dye job is never a good idea.
Step 1: Plan ahead. Deep condition at least a week before, and don't shampoo a day or two before coloring so your natural oils can help protect your scalp from irritation.
Step 2: Don't skip the skin allergy test 48 hours before you color. The last thing you want is a nasty allergic reaction.
Step 3: Prevent stains. Wear gloves, a smock, and old clothes. Cover the floor and your countertop with plastic drop cloths or towels you don't mind staining. To protect your skin, dab petroleum jelly or a stain preventer on your ears, neck, and around your hairline. (Caveat: Put your hair up first. If this product gets on your hair pre-dye, it can keep the dye from penetrating your hair shaft.)
APPLY COLOR EVENLY
To keep color looking natural, not patchy:
Step 1: Dampen the ends of your hair with water. This will help keep your tips from looking darker than your roots.
Step 2: Using a comb, divide your hair into four sections: top left, top right, bottom left, and bottom right. Clip each section up. Then apply the color from root to tip, section by section. Start the timer when you're done with the last section.
Step 3: After you rinse, don't shampoo for at least 48 hours. Can't stand not to? Try conditioning and rinsing with cool or lukewarm water so your hair feels cleaner but you don't strip the dye. Keep in mind, your hair is like laundry; the hotter the water, the more likely the color is to fade.
AVOID FREAK-OUTS
If you're faced with any of the following scenarios, don't stress –here is the solution:
Problem: Your hair color is way darker or more intense than you expected.
Solution: Your hair color should gradually fade to what you envisioned. If you can't wait, wash it before the 48-hour waiting period is up. The more you wash it, the faster it will fade. (Avoid going overboard though, as your scalp could get irritated with too many washes.)
Problem: Your skin is stained.
Solution: As soon as you notice the stain, wipe it up with a damp cotton ball. If that doesn't work, dab a cotton ball with alcohol and rub it over the spot to dissolve the dye. The longer you wait, the more stubborn the stain will be.
Problem: Your tiles, floor, etc., are stained.
Solution: Wipe the stain immediately with cloth dipped in warm, soapy water. If that doesn't work, cover the stain with a cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol for a few minutes; then wipe with ammonia. (Note: Don't use ammonia on linoleum or vinyl tiles.) Afterward, wipe clean with soap and rinse with water. If this fails, call your local home improvement store for advice.
Problem: Your carpet or clothes are stained.
Solution: Try removing a carpet stain with a half-white-vinegar, half-warm-water mixture. For clothes and other fabrics, soak them in detergent, ammonia, and warm water if the label directions permit.
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