Hello! You must be here because you (like
so many celebs) are ready to take the plunge and dye your hair at home. We salute you. You can do this.With salons slowly reopening around the country, it’s understandable that many might not feel ready, or be able to, head to an enclosed space for several hours in close proximity to other people just yet but a colour refresh is still absolutely doable, once you've read our handy tips and tricks.So what are you waiting for? Check out our first-timer's guide to dyeing your hair at home and get going on those revitalized locks.
Do ALL your shade research and then do a bit moreWhether you’re changing up your look or trying to refresh what you already have, it’s going to take research to know what’s right for you. Consider not only what you want your hair to look like, but what your hair looks like now. To play it safe, stay within one or two shades, lighter or darker, than your current colour. If you’re looking for a more drastic switch, it's definitely possible but considerably more challenging so keep that in mind.
Paulette Bonafonte told Elle Woods that the number one reason behind all bad hair decisions is love. We would add that the number two reason is not consulting someone you trust before committing to a shade. Your friends see your hair more than you do, and from angles you don’t, so don't waste a valuable resource.
Really, actually do a test strandHow many of us ignore the first instruction on many beauty products that strongly suggests to do a test swatch? Whether it’s spray tan or hair dye, we love to skip straight to the “slather it all on” stage. DON’T DO THIS. You’ve waited this long; you can do a strand test and can thank us later.
Keep your hair type in mind when following instructionsMost hair dye instructions will give special recommendations depending on hair type and whether or not you’re dyeing over notoriously-resistant greys. Pay attention to those instructions and you may want to do extra research (think online tutorials or reviews) for how to make the product work for you. If you have long or thick hair, you might need two boxes of product to do your whole head. If that’s the case, DO mix the two boxes together beforehand. Not all batches are going to turn out identical, so mixing the two together ensures even colour. However, DON’T mix two different shades to make a new in-between shade. You may think you’ve got a clever little hack there, but every hairdresser advises against it and they’re the ones who mix colour for a living, remember?
If all you need is a root touch-up, don’t dye your whole headNobody wants showy roots. If it’s just a touch-up you need, either target it with a small portion of regular dye or use a root-specific product like
L’Oréal Paris Magic Root Rescue, which is meant to specifically address in-between colourings and offer temporary relief so you don't have to be wary that a gust of wind will reveal your, ahem, true colour.
Don't dye freshly-washed hairThe best way to prep your hair is to let its natural oils do their thing for a couple days beforehand. The oils will create a natural barrier of protection for your hair to hold in moisture. Just make sure you don't have any other build-up from products like dry shampoo or beach spray that will prevent even colour coverage.
Make sure you have all your supplies laid out before you startYour (glove-covered) hands are going to be coated in dye for most of this process so you’re going to want all necessary clips, hair-ties, extra gloves, dye brushes, combs, towels, etc. within reach before you start. Speaking of, make sure to use a towel that you don't mind getting stained and while you're at it remove all fabric from the vicinity that you want to protect, including clothing. We suggest something with buttons if a smock isn't readily available.
Use petroleum jelly or lip balm on your hairline and earsWe sound like a broken record but DYE STAINS THINGS, including your skin, so create a barrier that will make removing the dye a cinch and help prevent staining of deeper pigments by applying liberally to your hairline, ears and nape of your neck.
Get help if you’re doing your whole head or use a hand-held mirrorYou’re naturally going to neglect the nape of your neck and roots at the very back of your head. Either have someone help, or if that’s not possible because of physical distancing, use a hand-held mirror to ensure you’re getting even coverage.
Start at the roots and work your way outThis is in the dye instructions but it bears repeating—the roots are going to take the longest to colour and are also the least-damaged part of your hair so they can handle having dye on them the longest. Start there first.
Use ALL the conditioner (and avoid shampoo for 24 hours)Once you’re washing the dye out, you’re going to want to massage your hair with a little water in a way similar to how you would shampoo. After that, skip straight to the conditioning step. Shampooing at this stage will damage both your brand new colour and your hair. Your hair is fragile and all it wants is some deep moisture. We recommend using more conditioner than you normally would and truly saturating your hair with that good moisture so the cuticle closes up, accepts the colour and ensures your hair doesn’t feel dried out.
Give it a few days to really assess if you like it or notYour hair won’t settle into what it will look like until after your next shower (remember, you didn’t even shampoo this time) and after you’ve styled it in a way you would on a regular day. Even the texture can feel slightly different so take some time to let it settle.
Use a colour-safe shampooThere has been endless internet space dedicated to how to care for colour-treated hair, so suffice it to say here: use a shampoo and conditioning combo that’s specifically formulated for coloured hair and to make your new look last as long as possible.
