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Changing your hair color can make you feel like an entirely new person, but going to the salon can get costly and time-consuming. As a less expensive alternative, you can dye your hair at home using a boxed dye kit. Using a dye kit for the first time might be a little intimidating, but it’s easy to do if you prepare your tools and follow your kit’s instructions. You’ll get a professional salon look for less!
Steps
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1Choose between a permanent, semi-permanent, or demi-permanent dye. Permanent dye will last the longest and can cover gray hairs and roots. Semi-permanent dye can only darken hair, and will last up to 8 washes. Demi-permanent dye can slightly lift your hair color, and will last up to 25 washes.
- If you’re using permanent dye, apply it to your hair when it’s dry. For semi-permanent dye, shampoo your hair and dye it while it’s still slightly damp. [1] X Research source
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2Go with a dye 2 to 3 shades lighter or darker than your current color. When deciding between 2 colors, stick with the color that is closer to your natural color. Making a big change, like bleaching dark hair, is best done with a professional salon colorist. [2] X Research source
- If your hair is longer than shoulder-length, buy at least 2 boxes of dye in case you run out during the process. You should only need 1 box if your hair is shoulder-length or shorter.
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3Leave your hair unwashed for 2 days before you dye it. Your scalp will have built up enough natural oils to protect your skin from irritation. Washing your hair removes those natural oils, so it’s best to wait 2 days before dyeing. [3] X Research source
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4Wear an old button-front shirt or robe to avoid stains. If you pick an old shirt or robe that closes in the front, you won’t have to lift anything over your head when it’s time to rinse out your dye. You can also wrap an old towel around your shoulders and fasten the ends together for an extra layer of protection.
- You can also lay down newspaper or garbage bags to protect floors and surfaces from dye stains. [4] X Research source
- Work in a room with natural light if possible, so you can accurately check your new hair color. [5] X Research source
- The bathroom is generally the best place to work, especially if you have a window that lets in natural light. You can use the mirror to check up on your progress, use the countertops as a workspace, and the sink and shower are readily available in case you need to rinse off.
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5Test dye on a small section of your hair before dyeing the rest. If your dye doesn’t have instructions for a strand test , mix 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) of color and 1.5 teaspoons (7.4 mL) of developing cream. Using disposable gloves, apply the dye to a 1 inch (2.5 cm) section of your hair. [6] X Research source
- Not all kits have the same mixing ratio (for example, some might require a 1:1 mixture of color and developing cream for the strand test), so check the instructions before you start mixing the dye.
- If you’ve dyed your hair before, work the dye from root to tip, taking care not to get dye on your scalp.
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6Rinse and dry your test strands to check the color. After the instructed time has passed, which is usually 20 to 30 minutes, rinse your test strands with lukewarm water. Dry it with a blow dryer, and then check the color. If you’re happy with it, you’re ready to dye the rest of your hair.
- If you’re not happy with your test strand’s color, you can try a new color on a different strand of hair.
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Quiz
wikiHow Quiz: What Color Should I Dye My Hair?
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1Smooth Vaseline or lip balm along your hairline, ears, and neck. This trick will protect your skin from the dye and prevent stains, which can be tough to remove. You can also use a thick lotion or moisturizer to create a protective barrier. [7] X Research source
- Remember to remove any jewelry you don’t want to get dye on, like earrings or rings.
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2Divide your brushed hair into 4 gridlike sections. Use a comb to part your hair down the middle. Then part both sections in half horizontally from ear to ear, creating a grid of 4 sections. This will keep any hair you’re not working on out of the way. [8] X Research source
- If you have very thick hair, you can divide your hair into 6 sections.
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3Clip back all the sections except for 1 top section near your face. This is the section you’ll start applying dye to first. Make sure your hair is brushed and free of tangles to make applying dye easy. [9] X Research source
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4Mix together hair dye and developer in a disposable bowl. Follow the instructions that come with your kit, and mix the dye with the developer in a disposable bowl. Your kit might come with a squeeze bottle for applying the dye, but using an applicator brush and bowl will make your dye job look more professional. [10] X Research source
- You can find bowls and brushes for hair dye at supermarkets or beauty supply stores.
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5Apply the dye to 1 inch (2.5 cm) sections using an applicator brush. Saturate your brush with the dye and start applying it to your hairline in sections, working your way down your strands to the tip. Make sure all strands in this section of hair are covered with dye. [11] X Research source
- Your roots need the most color and processing time, so it’s best to apply dye there first, and work your way downwards.
- Ask a friend to help you apply dye. Certain areas, like the back of your head, can be tricky to do on your own.
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6Use a wide-tooth comb to distribute dye through each section of hair. After you’ve applied dye to one section of hair, comb through it using a wide-tooth comb. This will make sure all your hair is coated with dye, and evens out the amount of dye. Once you’re finished, clip and hold this completed section of hair. [12] X Research source
- Dye and comb the remaining sections until you’ve applied dye to all your hair.
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7Release all your hair to give your hair a quick massage. Gently massage your scalp to generate heat. Quickly run your fingers through your hair from root to tip to make sure the dye is distributed evenly throughout each section. Then gather your hair up and clip it. [13] X Research source
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8Cover your hair with a shower cap. While waiting for the dye to set, you can cover your hair with a shower cap to trap in heat. It’ll also keep hair dye from getting onto your furniture or belongings at home. [14] X Research source
- You can even use a plastic shopping bag to cover your hair. Wrap it around your head and clip it in place so that it stays put. [15] X Research source
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9Set a timer for the recommended time to leave in your hair dye. It’s very important to leave in the dye only for the instructed amount of time on the box. Leaving it in too long or washing it out too early can affect the color. Most dyes take 20 to 30 minutes. [16] X Research source
- Take off the disposable gloves you used to apply the dye, and use a fresh pair of gloves for washing it out. [17] X Research source
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1Rinse your hair with lukewarm water. Once the instructed time has passed, release your hair and rinse it with lukewarm water. You can hop in the shower and do this, or use a shower hose to spray your hair. Rinse your hair until the water runs clean and free of dye. [18] X Research source
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2Apply the included conditioner to your rinsed hair. Comb your hair and squeeze out any excess water, then apply the conditioner that comes with your kit. Leave the conditioner on for the recommended time before rinsing it out. [19] X Research source
- The conditioner that comes in dye kits is specially formulated for color-treated hair.
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3Dry your hair with a blow dryer to make sure you’re happy with the color. Examine your hair under natural light to check your hair color. Your hair can also look quite different when it’s wet, so you’ll get a good idea of the color after you’ve dried it. [20] X Research source
- Your hair will likely look significantly darker while it’s wet, then brighten up when it dries.
- If you’re not happy with your hair color, it’s best to see a salon colorist who can help you fix it.
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1Use a color-preserving shampoo and conditioner. Shampoo and conditioner for color-treated hair is usually gentler than regular shampoo. Dye can dry out your hair, and color-preserving shampoo and conditioner often have vitamin A and vitamin E to help lock in moisture. [21] X Expert Source Christine George
Master Hair Stylist & Colorist Expert Interview. 10 January 2020. -
2Shampoo your hair every other day at most to make color last. [22] X Expert Source Christine George
Master Hair Stylist & Colorist Expert Interview. 10 January 2020. By washing your hair with shampoo every other day at most, you’ll maintain color in your hair longer. [23] X Research source- Use dry shampoo in place of liquid shampoo to help maintain color even more. [24] X Research source
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3Apply tinted hair gloss every other week to boost color. A lightweight hair gloss can add a little life to your dyed hair. It will improve shine, reduce brassiness, and smooth your strands, making it look fresh. Choose a hair gloss that best matches your current color. [25] X Research source
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4Protect your hair from the sun’s UV rays with a hat or spray. The sun can bleach your hair color. If you plan to spend time outside, wear a hat with a brim or rim to cover your hair. Or, spritz your hair from root to tip with a color-protecting spray. These formulas also help prevent dryness and breakage. [26] X Research sourceJen Atkin, Celebrity Hairstylist
Find an effective multi-purpose hairspray. "For gorgeous hair, you want to avoid drying it out with too many products. That’s why it’s important to have one multi-tasking spray in your kit. It’s a great product to use year round, since it provides UV protection that reduces color fading and breakage. It’s basically the wonder woman of styling products."
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5Touch up your roots every 4 to 8 weeks as needed. Touching up your roots with dye is very similar to dyeing your hair, but you’ll apply dye only to your roots. Work in sections, and brush dye onto your roots. Be careful not to dye hair that’s already colored, which can cause a discolored line.
- Rinse and condition all of your hair after you’ve let your hair dye develop in your roots.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionI'm planning on having my hair dyed a light brown for my birthday and have never done it before. Do I need to do a patch test first?Community AnswerIt's always good to test before; otherwise, you could have a bad reaction that you weren't aware of before testing.
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QuestionWhat will happen if I have black hair and spray lemon in my hair?Community AnswerIt will gradually become lighter, usually a dark chocolate brown color. Leave it on for around 15-20 minutes and, if you're happy with the color, rinse it off. Otherwise, leave it in longer. Lemons can often make your hair really dry, so make sure you condition your hair afterward.
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QuestionIs henna leaf powder harmful to the hair?Unicorn FangirlCommunity AnswerNot at all! Henna is great for your hair. It is a natural, herbal conditioner, and it promotes growth.
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Tips
- Lay out all of your tools and supplies before you start applying dye to your hair.Thanks
- Always do a strand test before dyeing all of your hair at once. The strand test will help you determine how long to leave the dye in your hair to get the desired shade, and will also give you an idea of what the final color result will look like.Thanks
- Read the instructions on your dye kit before starting.Thanks
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Things You'll Need
- Boxed hair dye
- Disposable gloves
- Disposable bowl
- Applicator brush
- Old shirt or robe
- Vaseline or lip balm
- Hair clips
- Wide-tooth comb
- Shower cap
- Timer or clock
References
- ↑ https://www.oprah.com/style/how-to-dye-hair-at-home/all
- ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/hair/g2754/haircolor-hacks-at-home/?slide=2
- ↑ https://www.glamour.com/story/how-to-color-your-hair-at-home?verso=true
- ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/hair/g2754/haircolor-hacks-at-home/?slide=5
- ↑ https://www.oprah.com/style/how-to-dye-hair-at-home/all
- ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/hair/g2754/haircolor-hacks-at-home/?slide=4
- ↑ https://www.oprah.com/style/how-to-dye-hair-at-home/all
- ↑ https://www.marieclaire.co.uk/beauty/how-to/how-to-dye-your-own-hair-6656
- ↑ https://www.marieclaire.co.uk/beauty/how-to/how-to-dye-your-own-hair-6656
- ↑ https://youtu.be/wpFDCsso-pQ?t=136
- ↑ https://youtu.be/wpFDCsso-pQ
- ↑ https://youtu.be/wpFDCsso-pQ?t=206
- ↑ https://youtu.be/wpFDCsso-pQ?t=247
- ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/hair/g2754/haircolor-hacks-at-home/?slide=13
- ↑ https://youtu.be/wpFDCsso-pQ?t=263
- ↑ https://www.oprah.com/style/how-to-dye-hair-at-home/all
- ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/hair/g2754/haircolor-hacks-at-home/?slide=14
- ↑ https://youtu.be/J5xNIJlfBAw
- ↑ https://youtu.be/J5xNIJlfBAw
- ↑ https://youtu.be/J5xNIJlfBAw?t=288
- ↑ Christine George. Master Hair Stylist & Colorist. Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.
- ↑ Christine George. Master Hair Stylist & Colorist. Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.
- ↑ https://www.glamour.com/story/how-to-color-your-hair-at-home?verso=true
- ↑ https://www.glamour.com/story/how-to-color-your-hair-at-home?verso=true
- ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/hair/g2754/haircolor-hacks-at-home/?slide=17
- ↑ https://www.glamour.com/story/how-to-color-your-hair-at-home?verso=true
About This Article
Article Summary
X
To dye your hair at home, start by mixing the hair dye and developer that came with your kit. Then, apply the dye to 1-inch sections of your hair, working from the roots to the tips. After you apply dye to a section of your hair, brush through it with a wide-tooth comb to evenly distribute the dye. Once you've applied the dye to all of your hair, cover your head with a shower cap or a plastic bag, and wait about 20-30 minutes. Finally, rinse the dye out in the shower using lukewarm water. To learn how to choose the right hair dye, keep reading!
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