According to experts, how to dye your hair at home

Yes, that may be a necessary issue in recent years, but controlling your grown roots can be incredibly empowering. To make your next DIY coloring session as smooth as possible Luis Pacheco, Toronto-based Medulla & Co.Master color list and founder of salon and hair care brand TO112, and Brenen DemeroHair artist and expert at L’Oréal Paris, share tips and tricks on how to dye your hair at home.

What should I consider before coloring my hair?

First of all, can you meet an expert? “If you’re not completely familiar with your hair color, it’s not as easy as you might think to dye yourself,” Pacheco warns. Keep in mind that fixing a DIY dye job that didn’t work can be costly, time consuming, and harsh on your hair.There are fewer permanent options that can help Temporarily cover gray And the roots that have grown until your next salon visit.

If you decide to go ahead and color your hair, consider the end result you’re looking for. Do you want to retouch your roots? Would you like to refresh your color? Do you want to add shine? Do you cover your gray? “Once we have that, we can choose the right product for our needs,” says Demelo. Whether you’re looking for a root fix or a full-scale dyeing job, each coloring situation has its own product, so make sure you get the right one. What’s more, consider the number of boxes that need to cover your entire head so you don’t run out in the middle of the process. Unless your hair is very short, it’s a good idea to pick up at least two boxes.

Is there a coloring technique to do? no Can you try it at home?

Unless you know how to get around the bleach bottle, it’s best to leave the coloring techniques (barrage, ombre, highlighting, etc.), including lightening the hair, to a specialist. “Bleach can cause damage and breakage, so the application needs to be accurate. It takes years of training and practice to learn how to work safely,” says Pacheco. ..

If your lightened’do needs a fix, he recommends waiting for it until you can visit the salon. In the meantime, take in the dirty 90’s look and take advantage of this color change to provide the rock with a deeply conditioned TLC that’s highly needed.

How do I choose the right shade for my hair dye?

The best way to narrow things down is to focus on one brand and eliminate options based on the desired end result. Instead of looking at the model on the front of the box, look at the chart on the back to get a more accurate picture of what the dyed hair will look like.

If it’s your first foray into hair coloring, Demero recommends making it brighter or darker than your natural shade by two or less colors. Pacheco agrees and cites extreme migration as one of the most common mistakes people make when following a DIY route. “Hair color at home is made only to successfully lift up to two colors of hair. More than that, you need to consult a specialist,” he says.

When modifying the color of the salon, aim for the shade closest to the hair. “Always choose a shade that is lighter than you think You are, “adds Pacheco. “The brighter the color list, the darker it is and the easier it is to fix it.” It is worth asking the stylist about the shade selection. The stylist will guide you in the right direction and recommend shades and undertones that resemble professional colors.

What tools do I need to color my hair?

Most coloring kits include everything you need (dye, mixing bowl, applicator, gloves, and even deep conditioning treatments), but having a few additional items at hand simplifies the process. increase.

Hair coloring is a daunting business, so you’ll need an old button-up shirt that doesn’t care about dirt and an old towel to wipe off excess products. (Buttons are important. Pacheco warns that you’re trying to put on a tight T-shirt on your freshly dyed hair. Will It leads to stains. ) If you are worried about clear dye stains around your forehead, Demero recommends using Vaseline to protect your skin. If you don’t have one, you can also use the conditioner of the coloring kit. “Apply a little around your hairline, ears and neck to prevent dirt,” he says. Good combs and clips for cutting your hair are also useful.

Also, don’t forget to set the timer (like a cell phone timer). “Many people don’t pay attention to time and wash off colors too early or too late,” says Demero. “Timing actually affects the final result.”

How do I get ready to color my hair at home?

The best time to color your hair is when you haven’t washed it, but there is no product buildup. “Natural oils protect the scalp from hair color, especially for those who can be itchy,” says Demero. However, he insists that the hair should be free of product residues. “I often shampoo my hair very lightly [first].. I don’t want to scrub the scalp because it can be irritating, “he adds.

Different brands use different ingredients and new allergies can occur over time, so even if you have used hair dye before, patch test on a small area of ​​skin according to the instructions in the coloring kit It is also important to do.

How can I apply a hair dye?

Please read the explanation first. And read it again just in case. After preparing the dye and protecting the skin with petrolatum or conditioner, cut the hair. Pacheco recommends starting by splitting your hair as you normally would. This is the area you are most likely to notice. After creating the most visible part of the hair, focus on the hairline, roots and nape of the neck and move to length as needed.

When modifying roots, keep in mind that the process of coloring hair is dyed differently than virgin hair (hair that has never been colored, such as roots). Staining already colored hair can cause banding (a prominent boundary between the roots and previously colored hair), so to avoid overlapping, color the grown parts of the hair as accurately as possible. Must be applied. “The banding fix involves bleaching, which is time consuming and expensive,” says Pacheco. “To prevent the edges of the hair from being colored, apply a layer of conditioner to saturate the edges and act as a barrier. [while you’re dyeing the rest of your hair]”He adds.

If the edges look dull and faded, “First apply the color where you need it to get coverage, run the process within the time allotted in the procedure, and then what’s left. A bottle to combine and update the color to the end, “says Demero.

If you need to dye your entire head the first time you dye your hair, you don’t need to be precise in application or timing. “If you’ve never colored your hair before, apply it to all your hair,” says Pacheco. Cut it and apply the dye as instructed. But he says you need to make sure that the product you’re using is designed for the overall color, not the root fix.

Everyone is different when it comes to timing. The best bet is to follow the instructions in the kit. If you know your hair is pigment resistant, or if you are covering light gray hair, you may need to leave the product a little longer.

Once the color has healed, it’s time to rinse thoroughly. “Keep your eyes closed, tilt your head back and rinse as much as you can,” says Pacheco. Etvoilà — I was able to dye my hair well at home!

How do I care for colored hair?

Chemically treated hair needs moisture. If possible, take a break from the heated tool and enjoy a mask for hydration and strengthening ( TO112 Collagen Hair Mask From the Pacheco line). “When you’re wearing a mask, put it on the edge, not on your scalp,” he says. “The skin on the scalp is a continuation of the skin on the face, and the mask is heavier with oils and moisturizing ingredients.”

For a hassle-free treatment, Demero recommends making the most of your natural oils. “If you haven’t washed your hair and you have all these beautiful oils, brush your hair. It’s the natural remedy your hair produces — accept it.”

Also, if you haven’t done so already, switch to a color-safe product for your popular shampoo and conditioner. Both Pacheco and Demelo state that blonde locks tend to turn bright red quickly and require the most frequent maintenance. The key to keeping them looking fresh is to neutralize these brass tones.Instead of going to the salon for toning treatment, Demero recommends using a purple shampoo like this: L’Oreal Paris Color Radiance Purple ShampooOnce or twice a week, Pacheco tells the client to use the build-up remover shampoo. Unite the WeekenderHelps reduce brassiness due to exposure to high mineral content water.

I don’t want to dye my hair. What are my options for covering my grown-up roots at home?

“The first option is to change the hairstyle. It naturally hides the roots, so incorporate texture and volume,” says Pacheco. You can also try changing the parts, especially if you’re trying to hide gray and show more on one side.

Temporary root touch-up solutions have come a long way in recent years with great options for both light and dark hair available in drugstores.I love Demero L’Oréal Paris MagicRootCover UpAvailable in 8 shades, a quick spray-on solution that is washed off in the shower. “It’s a good way to trick your eyes and safely stretch the color until you can see the hair stylist,” he says. Pacheco Oribe Airbrush Root Touch Up SprayWorks the same and has 6 shades.

And if you are ready to accept gray hair Here are some tips to guide you through the migration..

Originally released in 2020. Updated in 2022