How to Color Your Hair at Home
You'll save a bundle using a coloring kit instead of heading to the salon every six weeks. Plus, dyeing your tresses at home has never been simpler.
Instructions
- : Hair dye can cause allergic reactions. Be sure to complete the allergy test as indicated in the coloring kit directions
- Step 1: Choose shade and product Choose a shade and product. Try to stay in the same basic color family as your current color.
- TIP: Permanent color can fade but it won't wash out. Semi-permanent color washes out after six to 12 shampoos.
- Step 2: Wear old clothes or use towel Colorants can stain. Wear old clothes, and use a towel you don't mind getting dirty. Wipe up any floor drips immediately; the solution can stain ceramic tiles.
- TIP: Wait at least one day after shampooing before coloring your hair, and always apply color to dry hair.
- Step 3: Mix colorant Put on the kit's plastic gloves, mix the colorant with the developing solution, and shake vigorously.
- TIP: If you have long hair, you may need to purchase two kits to ensure you have enough product.
- Step 4: Apply petroleum jelly along neck and hairline Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly along the neck and hairline before coloring to prevent skin from staining.
- Step 5: Apply color mixture Apply the color mixture according to package directions. Use smooth strokes and work from the front toward the back of the head.
- Step 6: Wait Leave the mixture on your hair for as long as the package directs. If re-coloring, apply color to the root area and wait 20 minutes. Then apply the remaining mixture to the rest of the hair, and let process for five minutes.
- Step 7: Rinse Rinse your hair thoroughly with cool or lukewarm water.
- Step 8: Apply conditioner Apply the conditioner that came with the coloring kit, and rinse according to directions.
- Step 9: Shampoo less To maintain your new color, limit shampooing to every three days and use cool water, which keeps hair cuticles smooth and locks in color.
- FACT: Assyrian hair dye recipes dating to 2177 B.C. included cassia, a member of the cinnamon family, and leeks.
You Will Need
- A hair coloring kit that includes:
- Colorant
- Developer
- Plastic gloves
- Conditioner
- Old clothes and a towel
- Petroleum jelly