Elena Rossi
Dyeing your hair at home can be intimidating, but it's a great way to save money and experiment with new hues. Before you begin, make sure you have the right tools, including a paintbrush, bowl, clips, and a rattail comb. It's also important to do a strand test to ensure you like the colour and determine how long to leave the dye on. When you're ready to begin, coat your hairline, ears, and neck with a conditioner or petroleum jelly to prevent staining. Then, follow the instructions on your chosen hair dye, making sure to set a timer so you don't lose track of time. After rinsing out the dye, apply conditioner to lock in colour and prevent fading. Finally, remember to care for your coloured hair with colour-safe shampoos and conditioners to keep it looking vibrant between touch-ups.
How to dye your hair with paint and conditioner
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preparation | Wash hair 24-48 hours before dyeing to allow natural oils to develop, aiding the dye to bind to hair more easily |
| Avoid conditioner when washing hair before dyeing, as this eliminates natural oils | |
| If hair is dry, condition every night for 5 minutes in a hot shower for a week before dyeing, then do not condition the night before | |
| Pick a colour that is no more than 2-3 shades lighter or darker than your natural colour | |
| Do a strand test to ensure you like the colour and to determine how long to leave the dye on | |
| Use a paintbrush, bowl, clips and a rattail comb to section and apply the dye | |
| Drape a towel over your shoulders to protect your clothes | |
| Dyeing | Keep hair loose to ensure even coverage |
| Apply dye to hairline, ears and neck to prevent staining | |
| Wear gloves to prevent dyeing your hands | |
| Mix the dye in a bowl or bottle, following the instructions on the box | |
| Set a timer to ensure the dye does not exceed the processing time | |
| Aftercare | Rinse hair with warm water until the water runs clear |
| Shampoo and condition hair, waiting at least an hour before shampooing to allow the dye to penetrate the hair shaft | |
| Use a conditioner for dyed hair to lock in colour and prevent fading | |
| Swap to a colour-safe shampoo and conditioner to gently cleanse and hydrate colour-treated hair | |
| Use a glossing treatment to deeply condition, boost shine and enhance hair colour |
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What You'll Learn
Prepare your tools: paintbrush, bowl, clips, comb, and conditioner
To dye your hair with paint and conditioner, you'll need to prepare your tools beforehand. Here's what you'll need and how to get set up:
Paintbrush
If your hair is short, you can use the bottle that comes with the dye. However, if your hair is longer, using a paintbrush will be easier. The ideal width for the brush is one and a half to two inches.
Bowl
You'll need a bowl to mix your paint and conditioner together. Most box dyes come with a bottle for mixing, but a bowl will be more convenient for this purpose.
Clips
Use clips to section off your hair and hold back the parts you aren't currently working on. This will help you focus on one section at a time and prevent the dye from getting on the rest of your hair.
Rattail Comb
The rattail comb has two functions: use the narrow, pointed handle to divide your hair into even sections, and use the comb to distribute the dye evenly throughout your hair.
Conditioner
Conditioning your hair before colouring is important, especially if your hair is dry. For extremely dry hair, condition every night for at least five minutes in a hot shower for a week before dyeing. However, do not condition the night before, as this can affect how well the dye takes to your hair. The natural oils in your hair help the dye bind more easily, so it's important to let them develop.
Once you've gathered and prepared all your tools, you'll be ready to start the dyeing process.
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Wash hair 24-48 hours before dyeing to allow natural oils to develop
When dyeing your hair at home, it is recommended to wash your hair 24 to 48 hours before dyeing. This allows the natural oils in your hair to develop, which helps the dye to bind to your hair more easily. The dye will blend more naturally with your hair, and this tends to make it last longer. If you have extremely dry hair, a good tip is to condition your hair every night for at least five minutes in a hot shower for a week before you plan to dye your hair. Then, do not condition your hair the night before dyeing it. This will prevent your hair from drying out after you dye it.
If you have oily hair, you should make sure you wash your hair within 24 hours of dyeing it. For normal-to-dry hair, you can wait up to three days between washing and dyeing your hair. However, if you are using a temporary, wash-out hair dye, it is best to apply it to freshly washed hair.
It is also important to note that you should always dye your hair when it is dry. If your hair is saturated with water, it won't absorb the dye as well.
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Conduct a strand test to determine processing time
Conducting a strand test before dyeing your hair is essential, as it allows you to determine the appropriate processing time and ensure an even colour or texture change throughout your hair. It is a quick and straightforward process that can prevent potential disasters like uneven colour, breakage, or over-processing of the hair.
To conduct a strand test, start by taking an unnoticeable strand of hair from the side of your head, clipping the rest of your hair out of the way. Dye a section of hair a quarter to half an inch wide, about a quarter of an inch above your ear. This will allow you to see the colour against your skin. Make sure the strand is underneath the top layer of your hair.
After applying the dye, wait for half of the designated processing time (for example, 15 minutes if the box recommends a processing time of 30 minutes). Then, wipe off the dye from the strand with a wet cloth. You can wrap the strand in tinfoil or plastic wrap to protect it and accelerate the dyeing process, resulting in a stronger colour.
Once the processing time has passed, rinse out the dye from the strand with warm water until the water runs clear. You can then blow-dry the strand or let it air dry. Avoid using shampoo right after the test, but you may use a small amount of conditioner if desired. Try to keep the strand isolated during rinsing and drying so you can accurately compare and determine the results.
Give the dye enough time to fully develop by waiting another 24 hours after the strand dries. During this period, test the condition of your hair by feeling its texture compared to your non-dyed hair and stretching out the strand to observe its behaviour. Damaged hair will feel dry or coarser than normal and will not resume its original shape or length after being pulled.
By conducting a strand test, you can ensure that you achieve the desired colour and texture while maintaining the health and integrity of your hair.
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Apply dye to dry hair, ensuring even coverage
When you are ready to start the dyeing process, make sure your hair is dry. If your hair is saturated with water, it won't absorb the dye as well.
To ensure even coverage, keep your hair loose once you've applied the dye. Divide your hair into even sections using a rattail comb. Use the narrow pointed handle of the comb to divide your hair, and then use the comb to distribute the dye.
If you are worried about your hair staining your clothes, wrap an old towel around your shoulders and down your back. Before applying the dye, you can also coat your hairline, ears, and neck with petroleum jelly, lip balm, or conditioner. This will make it easier to rinse off any dye that gets on your skin.
Make sure to wear gloves when applying the dye to avoid staining your hands. You can use normal rubber, vinyl, or latex gloves if gloves are not included in the dye kit.
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Rinse, shampoo, and condition with colour-safe products
Rinsing, shampooing, and conditioning your hair after dyeing it is an important step in the process of colouring your hair. It helps to lock in the colour and keep your hair healthy. Here is a detailed guide on how to do it:
Rinsing:
First, make sure you have allowed the dye to process for the recommended amount of time. Then, step into the shower or lean over a sink and rinse your hair with warm or cold water until the water runs clear. It is normal to see some colour run in the shower, so don't panic. If using temporary dye, be aware that the dye will continue to run each time you wash your hair until it is completely gone.
Shampooing:
Wait at least an hour after rinsing before shampooing your hair. This waiting period allows the dye to penetrate your hair shaft more thoroughly. When you do shampoo, use a colour-safe shampoo designed for dyed hair, as these contain fewer harsh detergents that can cause colour fading. If you have brunette hair, use a shampoo designed for deeper, richer brunette shades to seal in your colour. If you're a redhead, be aware that red hair is prone to fading, so use a colour-intensifying shampoo to keep your colour vibrant.
Conditioning:
After shampooing, apply conditioner to your hair. If you have used an at-home colour kit, it likely came with a conditioner. Use this to nourish and hydrate your hair. If not, use a colour-safe conditioner designed for dyed hair. Leave the conditioner on for a few minutes to allow it to absorb, then rinse thoroughly. Squeeze out any excess water and continue with your shower routine.
Post-Colour Care:
To maintain your colour between touch-ups, consider adding a glossing treatment to your regular routine. These treatments deeply condition, boost shine, and enhance your hair colour. For blonde hair, use a purple or violet-tinted gloss to keep your colour bright and vibrant.
Remember, always follow the instructions provided with your hair dye and be gentle with your hair, especially when wet, as it can become brittle and prone to breakage.
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Frequently asked questions
Wash your hair 24 to 48 hours before dyeing. This will allow the natural oils in your hair to develop, which will help the dye bind to your hair more easily. Avoid using conditioner, as this eliminates natural oils. If your hair is extremely dry, condition it every night for at least five minutes in a hot shower for a week before you plan to dye it.
It is important to wear gloves when applying hair dye. You can use the gloves that come with the dye kit or rubber, vinyl, or latex gloves. Coat your hairline, ears, and neck with a conditioner or petroleum jelly to prevent staining.
Use a bowl to mix the dye, following the instructions on the box. Use a paintbrush to apply the dye to your hair. Divide your hair into sections using a rattail comb and distribute the dye evenly.
Use a conditioner for dyed hair to lock in the colour and prevent it from fading. Shampoos and conditioners designed for dyed hair contain fewer harsh detergents and will help your colour last.
It is recommended to seek professional help from a hairdresser for drastic colour changes.
