How to dye your hair at home (and avoid a disaster)
How to color your hair – tips and tricks to ensure it looks like you just came from the salon, every time
Not everyone has time to go to a hair salon, sit in a stylist’s chair for two or three hours to color your hair. Sometimes box color is the only option, so it is very important to know how to color hair at home properly.
You may not be able to expertly dip dye, ombre hair, or create balayage yourself, but there are rules to follow when doing your roots or going for a brand new color.
There’s a reason being a ‘hair colourist’ is a real profession – it’s all about getting the right formula to get the exact shade you want. So if you’re thinking of changing your color drastically, we’d recommend visiting an expert with some hair color ideas in hand.
But, if you’re looking to cover up your grays, go darker or add golden highlights to frame your face, here are some tips and tricks to help you achieve salon results at home.
How to dye your hair at home
1. Buy two boxes
Imagine getting halfway through and realizing you’re finished. If your hair is past your shoulders, or short and thick, we recommend that you will need two boxes to cover your entire head.
2. Do a patch test
You never know if your skin is going to react to the chemicals from the hair dye, so you should always do a patch test. Better to find out now, rather than later…
3. Do a STrend test
We know you’re excited about change, but you need to do it right. You need to check that your current hair color reacts well with the formula, because if the change is something like swamp water, you won’t be so happy. (Keep scrolling for our tips on how to do both patch and strand tests.)
3. Keep your hair clean
Swipe some lip balm along your hairline where you don’t want any dye. This will prevent it from dying your skin, which can take days to remove. This is one of the greatest tips for coloring your own hair.
4. Comb your hair
Make sure your hair is untangled before you start, even a small knot can cause a big problem.
5. Section your hair
Professionals always part the hair into four sections – down the middle, and then across the crown from ear to ear. Paint the front sections first as they are the most visible, requiring the full processing time.
6. Do not use the bottle
Yes, this is what is usually provided in the box, but squeezing the color directly into your hair will not give you a salon finish. Instead, play colorist and use a mixing bowl and a paint brush to apply the dye.
7. Use a toothbrush
If you want to add some highlights, use a clean toothbrush or mascara wand and apply where the sun would normally lighten your hair (ie, around your face and at the tips). This will give you natural looking highlights.
8. Start from the top
When dyeing your entire head a different color always start at your roots – this area will need longer to develop the color – then comb through to the ends.
9. Wash your hair thoroughly
Don’t shampoo your hair immediately after coloring, just rinse with water first. When you shampoo your hair, make sure it’s sulfate-free. Sulfates cause your hair shaft to swell and encourage color to break out.
The best hair color at home
Hair expert Josh Wood released his own line of professional hair care for consumers to use at home for hair coloring. The range includes shampoo, conditioner, root touch-up brush and a ‘Colour Shot’ toning mask.
The hair dye is exceptional, blending effortlessly throughout your entire head of hair to cover all grown-out roots without laboriously combing through paper-thin layers. It’s easy to use, with the same results you’d get in a chair.
Taking it a step further, you can pop over to her website, answer a few questions about your hair needs and you’ll be directed to the products you need. And You can pop over to YouTube for additional tips and tricks from the man himself.
The first home paint with ‘OmegaPlex’ anti-breakage technology. Complete with Serum Shot, Repair Sealer and Repair Reviver, this Schwarzkopf product is designed to protect hair bonds, seal in color and repair hair after three weeks. Think less broken and choose from 15 shades of vibrant color, from blonde to black.
Bleach London
If you’re feeling adventurous and, instead of a muted brunette, you’d prefer bright yellow or punchy blue hues, there’s really no other brand to consider.
Bleach London are the kings and queens of alternative colors and their fully vegan range is available in Boots, starting at the deliciously low price of £6. Incidentally, these are the colors that are also used in their salons.
With names like Awkward Peach, The Big Pink and Washed Up Mermaid, these colors aren’t for the faint of heart, but once you take a look at their Instagram you might just be tempted…
How to patch test
Here are Josh Wood’s tips on how to patch test:
1. Mix a coin-sized amount of color activator and color in a bowl.
2. Use a cotton bud to apply a small amount behind your ear.
3. Leave it for 48 hours, you shouldn’t even notice it’s there. Try not to wash it within this time frame.
4. Tip: It is very important to tighten the caps on the bottles after opening for the patch test. If you don’t, the product can oxidize, and the active ingredients won’t work.
5. If you have any signs of a patch test reaction, wash it off immediately and do not use the dye.
6. If you show no signs of reaction to the dye, go ahead and use the dye as directed.
How to do a strand test
You may have heard of a strand test, but are still asking yourself, what is it? A strand test is an initial test of hair. This determines its suitability for processing, aka dyeing. Here’s how to do a strand test:
To see if your hair will take the color you’re aiming for, do a strand test on a section of hair about 1/4 inch thick (choose from below so you can hide it).
1. Wear protective gloves.
2. Select a strand of hair to test.
3. Separate the rest of your hair using plastic clips so that the strands do not touch the rest of the hair after the hair color is applied. Then dye that strand.
4. Wait 24 hours to make sure you are happy with the hair color results.
5. If you are happy with the color, go ahead and dye.
How to dye your hair blonde
It’s much easier to go darker because you’re adding pigment to your hair; If you want to dye your hair blonde, it’s more difficult because you’re stripping out the pigment. First of all, you should have an idea about the blonde hairstyle that you like. Second, read everything you need to know about being blonde.
The key to achieving a great blonde shade is to work with the natural color on the parting to allow for an organic texture that doesn’t look streaky. If your hair is naturally more ash tone, go for an ash blonde. Similarly if you have redness in your roots, go for champagne color.
And remember, you may have to dye your hair more than once to achieve the blonde color you want. The best thing you can do for your hair is an Olplex hair treatment between these sessions to improve the quality of the hair, as this will prevent it from becoming brittle, and a good purple shampoo when you wash your hair. to use Brassiness at bay.
How to dye your hair silver
Many of the same rules apply to dyeing your hair silver, or other lighter colors like pink and blue. The key is to make sure your hair is pre-bleached. Once this is done, you can apply your silver rinse.
First, don’t wash your hair for 48 hours. The natural oils will help protect your scalp from any bleaching irritation. Apply a purple toner first to get the yellow out of your bleached hair. Then, apply your shade as per the steps above. Once you have the desired color, maintain it by shampooing with a good sulfate-free shampoo.
And there you have it, the complete guide on how to dye your hair at home.
Take your time, follow our instructions and your hair will be looking as good as new in no time.
