When was the last time you went to the hairdresser to freshen up your hair color? We bet it's been quite a long time for many of you. To prevent the spread of COVID-19, most people adhere to social distancing and hair salons, restaurants, etc. should close their doors for several months. The last year has undoubtedly brought with it numerous challenges that we did not expect - including when it comes to skin and hair care. Sure, the world has much bigger problems at the moment, but a relaxed oneWellness day at homeThe day we paint our nails or color our own hair can help us regain a sense of control over our everyday lives and routines. If your mane is colored, then you know how annoying growing out hairlines or faded hair color can be. But with the large selection of products, color options and techniques, we quickly feel overwhelmed. Thanks to ourTips and tricksThe once tedious process of coloring your hair at home becomes child's play!
Simply apply hair color, let it work, rinse and you're done - coloring your hair sounds that easy, doesn't it? Anyone who has ever done it knows that it is quite tiring and a lot could go wrong. It's not for nothing that training to become a hairdresser takes 3 years and there's a reason why it's so expensive to get your hair colored in a salon. To become a real professional and use all the modern techniques likeOmbre and balayageTo master it, you still need years of experience. Desperate times call for desperate measures and sometimes we have no choice but to take matters into our own hands. It requires skill, basic knowledge and sufficient time. If you want to dye your hair yourself, the first thing you should do is make sure that you have everything you need, that you are not pressed for time, and that you feel comfortable and relaxed while doing it.
Is it safe to dye your hair at home and is the active ingredient ammonia harmful?
Yes, it is generally safe and there is nothing wrong with coloring your hair at home as long as you follow the instructions on the packaging and thecorrect tips and tricksknow. However, there are some cases where you should avoid it. If you have recently had a perm or keratin straightening treatment, it is recommended to wait at least 10 days before coloring your hair. The reason? These are two processes that put a bit of strain on the hair and coloring it soon afterward could cause split ends and breakage. In addition, it is important to know that recently treated hair absorbs the hair color much faster and you should shorten the exposure time slightly. Many women wonder whether the active ingredient ammonia is harmful. This is an alkalizing agent that increases the pH value of the hair so that the cuticle swells. The smell is quite intense and in some cases can cause irritation to the mucous membranes of the eyes and nose. If you have a sensitive scalp, it is better to use ammonia-free colors that are rich in nourishing oils.
Dye your hair yourself: You should know these tips and tricks for at home
- Choose the right shade –Don't make the mistake of going to the drugstore and just grabbing a box of hair dye. Since many women consider their starting color to be either too light or too dark, choosing the right hair color is the most important step. Even if you love the model's hair on the box, there's little chance the end result will be the same for you. If you are unsure about the base, experts recommend choosing a color that matches the lightest tone of your hair. If you want to dye your hair yourself, you should also avoid drastic changes and visit a hairdressing salon. In order to go from black to blonde or red or vice versa, the hair must first be bleached and if this is not done correctly, you will most likely end up with an orange or other weird color. And you don't want that, do you? It's best to choose a product that is no more than two shades lighter or darker than your current hair color. Otherwise, you may still need to go to a professional to fix the mess you've made.
Gather your supplies
That actually sounds logical, but it is still important to collect everything you need and always have it at hand. Here are all the things you will need to dye your hair at home:
- hair color– You don’t want to run out of hair color in the middle of the process. If your hair is shoulder length or longer, you may need two wraps depending on your hair thickness. Mix the second pack straight away so you don't waste any time afterwards. If there is any left over, you can just use it for next time.
- Coloring brushmake applying the hair color easier
- Comb and hair clipsmade of plastic are important for separating and fixing the individual strands.
- Disposable glovesso you don't stain your hands
- Old clothes and old towel,to avoid paint stains and to avoid ruining your new sweater.
- Timer –Use an alarm clock or cell phone alarm to precisely adhere to the exposure time
- Vaseline or other fatty cream –Apply a thick layer of petroleum jelly to the ears and facial contours to prevent discoloration on the skin. However, to avoid an uneven color result, you should ensure that the cream does not get into the hairlines.
Carry out the strand test and prepare the hair
- Strang-Test –Even though it seems like one of the less important steps, you shouldn't ignore the strand test. Especially if you are coloring your hair yourself for the first time, the strand test can help you determine the final color result. This way there will be no nasty surprises at the end and you can also test yourself for allergic reactions to the ingredients. To do this, mix around 1 teaspoon of hair color with 1.5 teaspoons of development cream and apply the mixture to a section of hair about 1 centimeter thick that is normally not visible. The section near the ear is perfect for this. After the specified exposure time, rinse the color with cold water and dry the strands. If you are happy with the result, then continue. And if not – then be grateful that you did the strand test.
- Riding the hair past –To ensure that hair coloring at home goes smoothly, it's worth doing a little prep work. Because the scalp's natural protective layer of sebum prevents the risk of irritation, hair color works best on dirty hair. Experts recommend not washing your hair for a day or two before dyeing.
- Consider your hair structure –Hair structure is just as important when coloring hair as it is when cutting it. Curly hair tends to absorb color much more quickly and you will need to adjust the exposure time accordingly.
- Use shampoo on the ends –If the ends of your hair are too dry, you should not dye them. Instead, add two squirts of shampoo to the dye about 5 minutes before rinsing off the hair dye and apply the mixture to the ends only. This means the dye won't be too harsh on the hair structure, but will still give you a touch of color and shine.
Do you have enough paint available and everything is ready to hand? Then you can finally get started!
- First, comb your hair well, divide it into thick strands and part it in the middle with a comb.
- Read the package instructions and mix the dye according to the instructions.
- Put on gloves and apply petroleum jelly to the ears, neck and hairline.
- Now apply the color with the brush strand by strand, starting at the roots and working your way to the tips.
- So that already colored hair doesn't get in your way and the color result is even, it is recommended to pin it to the side with hair clips.
- As soon as you have applied all the color, knead the hair well again - similar to washing your hair.
- Now set the alarm clock and let the color take effect.
- Then rinse the paint with lukewarm water until it becomes clear again.
- Lastly, use the conditioner provided in the package to seal in the hair color.
Refresh the color and dye the hairline yourself
We took the time and made an incredible effort to color our hair ourselves and after just a few weeks the hairline became noticeable. Since coloring your hair every 3-4 weeks can damage the hair structure and lead to split ends and breakage, it would be advisable to simply re-dye the hairline. It's that easy:
- Parting the hair –So that you only color the hairline yourself, you should first divide the hair into four areas. Part the hair in the middle and then use a tail comb to draw a horizontal line at the back of the head from ear to ear. Then divide another vertical line in the lower area up to the nape of the neck and secure the hair sections with hair clips.
- Mix the hair color according to instructions
- Dye your hairline –Loosen the bottom section of hair and pull it up at the ends. Color the entire roots and cover them completely, but only as far as they have grown out. Repeat this step with the other three sections and finally color the hairline on the forehead and neck.
- Leave to act and rinse off –After the exposure time has elapsed, spread the rest of the dye lightly through the hair and comb the hair well from the roots to the tips with a fine comb. This means that the lengths and tips also get some of the color and the end result is nice and even.
