Thinking Of A New ‘Do? Switch Things Up With A New Hair Color!
Professional Tips on How to Dye Your Hair
If you've decided to forgo the hair salon for the comfort and convenience of your own home, you'll need to put a bit of thought and research into how to dye your hair. Begin with the right type of dye: are you looking for superior gray coverage that's guaranteed to last? Perhaps you're more concerned with reducing environmental impact and potential scalp irritation? No hair dye is perfect, so you'll need to decide which compromises, if any, you're willing to make. However, when it comes to applying hair dye, you really don't want to make any compromises, so follow the guidelines and get some helpful advice for a safe application and an impressive result.
Choosing the Right Colors and Formulas
While permanent hair dye provides rich color that lasts for a long time, it can also be drying and irritating for the skin and scalp. Natural hair dye and temporary hair dye are healthier, safer alternatives to permanent dye. A temporary or semi-permanent color can last anywhere from 6 to 20 washes, while a natural hair dye, such as henna paste, can stick around for even longer depending on how long you leave it on your hair.
If you want to experiment with color, use a temporary or natural dye that will wash out soon after you use it and won't cause too much damage to your hair. If you have a hue in mind but are reluctant to cover your head with it, here's a helpful fashion tip to help with your decision: determine the undertones in your skin color, and opt for a cooler or warmer shade accordingly. An "ash" shade is appropriate for a cooler undertone (very fair, pink or light beige), while golden shades will highlight warmer skin tones (yellows, olives and browns).
How to Dye Your Hair Safely and Effectively
The instructions on the package should explain how to dye your hair with the product, but there are some other important points that the box may not mention. In order to get uniform coverage, you'll need to separate your hair into small sections, holding each apart with a clip. Apply the dye carefully to each section with latex gloves to avoid staining your skin, and clip it up.
You should know how to remove hair dye before you begin, in case you have any spills during the application. Wipe skin straight away with a damp cloth, using a bit of rubbing alcohol if needed, and dilute vinegar or ammonia with some water to lift the stain from fabric or clothing.
Save yourself frustration and effort by ensuring that your hair is prepared for the dye. The dye will adhere to each strand better if your hair is clean, but not freshly washed right before you apply the color. Dampen thoroughly and carry out a strand test before you go ahead with the whole head, which will show you the precise shade that you can expect from the dye. A bit of petroleum jelly or moisturizing cream around the ears, neck and hairline will make for easy cleanup and perfect coverage without skin stains.
