Color Hair

There are many different ways to color your hair, ranging from more traditional techniques like commercial hair dye and henna to more experimental methods like using washable markers and Kool-Aid powder. Commercial hair dye is the strongest and longest lasting color. Commercial dyes offer the widest range of natural shades and can produce the most drastic results. If you'd prefer to avoid harsh chemicals, henna is a great substitute. Other techniques, such as using washable markers, chalk, spray-on color and Kool-Aid, are temporary and offer the widest range of unnatural colors. These options are great when you want to have a bit of fun or simply experiment with wild color.

Steps

Coloring with Commercial Hair Dye

1. Choose the right formula. Boxed hair dyes have evolved in recent years and the traditional liquid formulas are no longer your only options. Now there are foam, mousse and crème formulas, too. If your goal is to cover grays, a crème formula is the best option. Mousse formulas are best for touch-ups and foam formulas are ideal for those who want all-over color, but don’t dye their hair often. The traditional liquid formulas work well for everyone.
   • A mousse formula is a great option for someone with sensitive skin. It doesn’t drip as much as liquid formulas do.
   • If you have very thick and/or curly hair, opt for a liquid formula.
2. Find the right shade for you. Use the hair color chart provided on the box of dye to determine what level and shade your current hair color is. Then choose a box of color that is within two levels of that – either two levels lighter or two levels darker. Anything more drastic is best left to a professional. Keep your skin tone in mind, as well, and choose a color that flatters it.
   • Cool skin tones look best in neutral shades.
   • Warm skin tones should choose tones like golden, honey and chestnut.
   • If you are a blonde or brunette with cool tones, choose an “ash” shade.
3. Avoid washing your hair 24 to 48 hours before coloring it. Unwashed hair will have plenty of natural oils in it, and these oils can protect your scalp and roots from irritation. Even better, the dye will be able to penetrate the hair shaft better if it’s a little dirty. Unwashed hair is easier to work with when it comes to sectioning it before the actual dyeing takes place, as well.
4. Section your hair. Properly sectioning your hair before you begin will help you get the most even coverage. Divide your hair into four even sections. Use a hair clip to pin up each of these sections. Keep several additional hair clips nearby, especially if you have very thick hair. You may need a little extra reinforcement once the dye is applied and your hair becomes heavier.
   • Unless your dye brand instructed otherwise, your hair should be dry when you dye it.
5. Read the instructions carefully and prepare the dye. Before you start mixing up the dye, go over the instructions. Every brand will have slightly different directions and processing times, so it’s important to review this information before you get started. Put on the provided gloves and follow the instructions for mixing and developing the dye.
   • Secure an old towel around your shoulders to protect your skin.
   • Apply a layer of petroleum jelly or coconut oil around your hairline to protect the dye from staining your face.
6. Apply the color to your hair. Unclip one of the four sections of hair. Use an applicator brush to apply the dye to the first section. Paint the dye onto your hair and make sure you saturate it from root to tip. Use a hand mirror to help you see the roots at the back of your head. Once you’ve completed the first section, carefully clip the hair back into place.
   • Unclip the next section and repeat the same process. Continue in this manner until you’ve finished all four sections.
   • Try to work quickly but make sure you're not leaving anything out.
7. Wait the recommended amount of time. As soon as you’ve completed the application process, set a timer for the manufacturer’s recommended processing time. Keep a towel around your shoulders as you wait to protect your skin from drips. This is a good time to clean up and dispose of your dyeing materials. If you’ve dripped any dye on your counter or floor, clean it up now to prevent permanent staining.
8. Rinse out the dye with lukewarm water. Keep rinsing until the water runs clear. Most boxed dyes will come with a tube of conditioner meant to be used after the rinse-out. Apply the conditioner generously to your hair from root to tip. Run a wide-toothed comb through your hair to ensure even distribution of the conditioner. Give the conditioner at least two minutes to really penetrate your hair, then rinse.
   • For future washings, make sure you use a color-safe shampoo and conditioner.

Coloring Naturally with Henna

1. Choose your henna shade. Henna is an all-natural hair dye with none of the harsh chemicals that commercial dyes have. Since henna is natural, there isn’t a vast shade selection to choose from. Essentially, henna makes it possible to achieve various shades of red through very dark brown to black. Each brand’s line is different, but generally there is a dark brown option, an auburn option, a chestnut brown option and a near-black option.
   • Brunettes and dark blondes will get the best results from henna.
   • Do not use henna on your hair if you’ve used commercial hair dye in the last two months.
2. Be aware of what henna cannot do. Unfortunately, henna cannot lighten your hair or lift color. It can only add pigment. For instance, you can’t use henna to go from brunette to blonde. Henna also can’t even out your current hair color. If you currently have roots or two-toned highlights, these will still be visible after you color your hair with henna.
   • The henna will alter the color of these lighter sections, but overall the darkest hair will still be darker than the highlights.
3. Protect your skin, clothing and work area. Henna is very messy and it will stain everything, including your skin. Wear an old t-shirt and keep several old towels nearby. Cover all work surfaces and the floor with newspaper. You must wear gloves or you will end up with stained hands and nails for several days.
   • Apply Ultra balm or petroleum jelly around your hairline, on the back of your neck and around your ears to protect these areas from accidental staining.
4. Section your hair. Sectioning your hair into manageable bunches will ensure that you get even coverage during the application process. Divide your hair into four or more sections. Use a hair clip to pin up each of these sections. Make sure the clip is secure. Keep several additional hair clips nearby, in case you need additional ones after you begin.
5. Read the instructions and mix up the henna paste. Your product will come with instructions – read them carefully. If your henna is in block form, break it into chunks and put it into a bain-marie or heatproof bowl situated over a saucepan of hot water. For best results, you’ll need to keep the henna warm throughout the entire process.
   • Boil the recommended amount of water and pour it over the henna.
   • Stir the mixture. It will have the consistency of melted chocolate or mud.
6. Apply the henna paste to clean, dry hair. Start with the sections at the back of your head and work your way toward the front. Release one section at a time and apply the paste to your hair. Start at your roots and work down to the tips. Be sure to saturate your hair completely with the paste. Clip the completed section back up and move on to the next section.
   • Continue until you’ve finished all of the sections.
   • Be sure to keep your henna paste hot throughout the process.
7. Wrap your hair with plastic wrap or a plastic bag. A shower cap will work, too. Make sure all of your hair is covered securely with your chosen kind of wrap. For extra security, wrap a towel around everything, on top of the plastic. If you like, you can use a heated towel, since henna works best when kept warm.
8. Wait at least one hour and then rinse out the paste. Try to make it up to two hours, if you can. Since henna is chemical-free, the processing time is going to be much longer than that of a commercial hair dye. One hour is usually the minimum. When you’re ready, rinse the paste out of your hair with lukewarm water.
   • If you’re having trouble getting it all out, use a very small amount of shampoo to help you complete the job.
   • Results should last four to six weeks. At that point, you may need to touch some areas up with a new application.

Experimenting with Other Techniques

1. Try Dye-Hair-With-Kool-Aid. This is an extremely inexpensive method to try and, since it’s chemical-free, it’s also is safe for you and the environment. Depending on your current hair color and the shade of Kool-aid you choose, this color can last up to a couple of weeks.
   • The Kool-Aid powder is dissolved in water before applying.
   • The rest of the application process is very similar to that of commercial hair dye.
2. Use hair chalk. You can buy hair chalk at most beauty supply stores and sometimes costume shops, as well. You can even buy high quality pastel chalk from an art supply store and use that. Chalk color will be temporary – it will probably only last one day. If you have light blonde hair, it may last a few days. This is a fun way to try out wild colors or see what streaks of color look like on you before dyeing your hair permanently.
   • Application is simple – saturate small sections of hair with water and then rub the chalk directly onto your hair.
   • Allow the chalk to dry in your hair and then style as usual.
3. Buy a temporary spray-on hair color. You can get spray on color at beauty supply stores. These products come in all kinds of bright colors. They are fun to experiment with, especially because they’re commitment-free. Spray-on color usually washes out after one or two shampoos. If you’re light blonde, it may last a few additional days.
   • To apply, simply spray the product wherever you want to add color in your hair.You should protect your work area with newspaper or towels first.
4. Add color with Dye-Your-Hair-With-Washable-Markers. Washable markers offer a fast and easy way to temporarily dye your hair. There are different methods of application, with the easiest being coloring directly onto your hair with the marker ink. You can also create a liquid dye from the marker ink. Washable markers will be temporary and relatively commitment free.
   • The color from washable markers can last anywhere from one week to one month in your hair.

Related Articles

• Avoid Keeping Hair Dye in Too Long
• Go from Black Hair to Bright Blonde
• Bleach Your Hair With Hydrogen Peroxide

Sources and Citations

• Videos provided by Glamrs.com

See also

• Do Ecaille Hair Color
• Dip Dye Dark Hair
• Lowlight Gray Hair
• Lowlight Blonde Hair
• Bleach Hair Blonde
• Prepare Your Hair for Bleaching
• Color Hair With Food Coloring
• Dye Hair
• Dye Your Hair Brown After It Has Been Dyed Black
• Dye Hair Two Colors

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