Q&A for How to Mix Hair Dye

Always make sure that you're fully prepared with gloves, a bowl, a brush, and enough product to cover your whole head. Also, give yourself plenty of time—you never want to rush when you're coloring hair.

Yes, you can do that, but it might make it harder for a stylist to replicate your formula later.

Mix the color with the developer until the mixture is smooth and free of swirls.

First, mix the powder with a little water until it has a liquid consistency—but not too watery. Then, you can apply it.

For black hair, use a 2:4 ratio of red to achieve a dark mahogany red, and a 1:4 ratio for cherry red.

Use a toner with blue tones, or try purple shampoo. You can find these at Sally's, Meijer, or even Walmart.

Yes, semi-permanent color sits on the hair shaft's surface, while demi-permanent penetrates slightly. Both are generally safe to switch between without causing damage.

To create gray, you can mix black and white together. For specific shades, you can mix complementary colors (like orange and blue) or combine primary colors (red, blue, and yellow) in equal parts. Adjust the proportions to achieve the desired shade.

Use mostly orange dye and gradually add small amounts of brown until you achieve the desired shade of ginger.

To achieve a yellow-blond hair color, you typically don't need to add yellow directly to your hair. Instead, try using shades with warm and golden tones like golden blonde, honey blonde, buttery blonde, or sun-kissed blonde.

Yes, mix the hair dye with developer in a plastic bowl using the ratio specified on the hair dye package. Be sure to wear latex gloves.

In my experience, you should use equal parts of each dye, and match the amount of developer to the total amount of dye used. If you use 4 oz of 6N, use 4 oz of developer.

You typically do not need to bleach your hair before coloring. However, if you do need to bleach, ensure your hair can handle the process.

It is generally not recommended to mix different box color products or use different ratios of color and developer than what is specified in the instructions. Box color products are formulated to work with specific ratios for optimal results. Altering these ratios or mixing different colors can lead to unpredictable outcomes, such as uneven color or damage to the hair. It is best to follow the instructions provided with the specific box color product you are using.

Start with cardinal red or scarlet red, add a deep dye like dark brown, charcoal gray or black, then use a dark plum or purple dye.

Use a level 10 developer on your new growth to prevent hot roots, as it will only deposit color without lifting.

Buy a developer (volume 10 to 40 depending on the lift needed), a mixing bowl, a cape, gloves, and a tint brush for application. Volume 10 is for light lift, suitable for lighter hair; volume 20 for medium light lift; volume 30 for medium lift; and volume 40 for dark hair or extreme lift. Consider a developer for sensitive scalps and do a strand test before dyeing. If you bleach, you may need a blue or purple toning shampoo to remove brass tones.

Yes.

Yes, but the results may not last long.

Use a non-metallic bowl and a dye brush. Squeeze equal amounts of each dye into the bowl, mix thoroughly with the brush, and apply to your hair. Leave it on for 25 minutes before rinsing.

Mix it with a small amount of light brown or blonde dye with similar warm undertones. This will dilute the original color slightly, making it lighter while maintaining the desired tone. Blend the colors well before application to achieve an even and consistent result.

Neutralize the unwanted shades and then apply the desired brown color.

Mixing a bleach/whitener with a medium brown shade will lighten the brown color.

Yes.

Mix white and pink hair dye together. Then bleach your hair before applying the mixture.

Yes. That will create a custom hair color, but be sure the products are compatible, use the same type and volume of developer if needed, and do a strand test first. Check for consistency and pH alignment, as mismatched formulas can affect the outcome. Follow product instructions and consult a professional if uncertain. Mixing can yield unique shades, but testing is crucial to avoid surprises. Keep your hair healthy for even color absorption, and monitor processing time for the best results.

Typically, professional and over-the-counter hair colors are mixed using a 1:1 ratio for depositing color and a 1:2 ratio for lifting.

Make sure all the packets are sealed securely and stored in a cool, safe area.

Yes, because if you shake it too hard, the top might pop off and spill the dye everywhere, so be careful.

Brown-black touch-up colors may not be widely available because manufacturers usually focus on more common shades like black or dark brown. There's often less demand for brown-black specifically, as it's a blend of two popular colors. Some people mix dark brown and black to achieve this shade. Brands may also prioritize simplicity in their product lines, and brown-black is seen as a niche shade, which may not appeal to enough customers to justify a dedicated product.