Complete Guide - How to Dye Your Hair at Home

By Upasana KakatiSep 12, 2024 6 mins

Coloring Hair at Home - What You Need to Know?

Steps to follow for coloring hair

Caring for dyed hair - How can you keep it vibrant for a long time?

References

Dyeing your hair and leveling up the haircare game is always exciting. However, the expensive salon visits keep many people from frequently experimenting with colors. Whether you wish to switch from warm blondes to platinum or settle for a few highlights, dyeing your hair at home is relatively easy - if you tread carefully and do it correctly.

Consulting a professional or booking a salon appointment is prudent for a full-blown hair color change. As told by Kari Hill, Meche Salon, Los Angeles, to Good Housekeeping - “When dyeing your hair yourself, stay within two shades, lighter or darker, of your current color.” Drastic changes of color and shade should be best left to experts to assess tone and color strands with minimum damage. Nevertheless, if you love experimenting with hair color at home, this guide details everything you need to know.

Also Read: Step-by-Step Guide: How to Remove Hair Dye from Skin

Coloring Hair at Home - What You Need to Know?

Before diving into the DIY hair dyeing option, you must arm yourself with the appropriate color type, shade, and the necessities. Read on to learn more about how to dye your hair at home -

Choosing the correct type of hair dye

Apart from the variations in shades, there are different types of hair dyes, and the first step is to figure out how long you want the dye to last. Here are the hair dyes to choose from:

Semi-permanent hair dyes - These are temporary hair colors that wash off in a couple of days. Such dyes are usually bold, vivid, vibrant, and perfect for experimenting with new looks. As such colors are free of ammonia, the pigments do not penetrate the shaft but deposit on the strands. Hence, they are an ideal choice if you are looking for a short-term change and an excellent DIY option.
Demi-permanent hair dyes - These types of hair color are also suitable for use as at-home dyes as they last slightly longer than semi-permanent dyes but wash off faster than temporary shades. Often, they are free of ammonia but need to be mixed with a low level of peroxide for color molecule penetration into strands.
Permanent hair dyes - Of all the options, permanent colors are long-lasting. Most colors have ammonia, and when mixed with bleach and hydrogen peroxide, it opens the cuticles for color molecule penetration. As this locks in the color, it helps cover grays and is long-lasting.

Picking the appropriate shade

Once you have decided on the type of hair dye you want to opt for, next is choosing the right kind of shade. It is best to avoid drastic color changes for DIY hair coloring - like going all silver from blonde or vice versa. It is recommended to pick a shade considering your skin tone and existing hair color. If you are unsure or perhaps trying coloring hair at home for the first time, choose one or two shades lighter or darker than the current color. Preferably, find a close match so that it doesn’t end up with unwanted results.

Gather necessary supplies for coloring

Before starting with the hair color, you must keep everything handy for convenience. Here are the things you can collect for an effortless coloring experience:

Hair_coloring_kit_to_dye_your_hair_at_home

Clarifying Shampoo - Before coloring your hair, it is best to wash off with a clarifying shampoo to eliminate dust, dirt and remove all the product buildup. You can try Moehair Clarifying Shampoo to thoroughly reset your hair and scalp.
Bleach/Lightener - If you already have a hair color, using bleach or lightener helps remove the existing color first. This helps remove the pigment and ensures color penetration.
Developer - When mixed with dye, it activates the color molecules and opens the cuticles. This helps in color penetration and locks the molecules for a prolonged time.
Coloring Accessories - Arm yourself with the necessary supplies like a coloring brush, apron, an old T-shirt, bowl, mirror, gloves, clips, comb, etc.

Prepare your hair and protect your skin

Make sure to prepare your hair before applying the color for best results. Start cleansing your hair with a clarifying shampoo, which cleans off dirt, dust and eliminates buildup. The process might be messy, so wear a robe or an old T-shirt to avoid staining. Wear gloves to prevent staining of the hands. To prevent the skin from staining, apply petroleum jelly, preferably around the hairline, neck, and ears.

Note: Before trying a new shade, take a strand test before committing to the color.

Steps to follow for coloring hair

Now that you are all set and know how to dye your hair, let’s begin the process.

Section your hair- After washing and drying, apply the hair color. Divide the hair into sections as it helps in even and uniform color application.

Mix the color and developer - You can skip using a developer for semi-permanent color. However, use a developer for demi-permanent and permanent colors. Use a bowl to mix hair color and developer for application.

Start with the roots - Begin applying hair dye at the roots, as this is the part where regrowth first starts. New growth towards roots is less porous and requires more processing time than previously colored hair. Hair closer to roots is less porous, which means it has a smoother cuticle and doesn’t allow easy absorption or moisture through the hair shaft.

Let the color process - After coloring your hair, let it process for the desired time (read the instructions on the label). Follow the information on the label so you don’t overprocess hair.

Rinse off hair - Once you have let the hair color process, rinse it off with water. Avoid shampooing as it might strip off the color. Condition if required. Finish up by drying (preferably air drying).

Caring for dyed hair - How can you keep it vibrant for a long time?

Now that you know how to dye your hair at home, and once it is done, it is time to protect and care for your colored tresses. Here are some tips and tricks for doing so:

Wait up to 72 hours at least before shampooing your hair. This will give your hair more time to lock the color pigment.
Always use color-safe products like shampoo, conditioner, and hair mask to prevent the color from fading. We recommend using Moehair Color Alive Shampoo and Color Alive Conditioner and weekly use of Moehair Luxx Violet Deep Moisturizing Hair Mask.
Use a hair toner once or twice a month to eliminate unwanted brassiness. For a cool-toned color, you can try the Moehair Color Infuse Silver Toner; we recommend the Moehair Color Infuse Blonde Toner for warm color.
While stepping out under the sun, always wear a hat to protect your hair. The sun might cause the hair color to fade.
Limit heat styling as it tends to strip off the color. Make sure to always use heat protectant spray before using hot styling tools.

Also Read: DIY: How to Remove Hair Color at Home?

Now that you know how to dye your hair at home, prepare to spice up things and flaunt your freshly colored hair. Arm up with the essentials and start painting your hair with trending colors.