Be your own colorist. How to color your hair at home if you can't get to a professional?

In spring, we all want to look stunning, to be lifted by our reflection in the mirror. The desire for a makeover usually strikes suddenly. You end up with your phone in one hand and your hairstylist's business card in the other. But after calling, you find out there are no openings. Waiting a whole week to get your hair dyed isn't an option. So, you decide to pick up a color at the store and do it yourself.

Basic rules for self-dyeing

If a woman wants something, nothing will stop her. Yes, sometimes we act like children. The same goes for dyeing your hair. Do you really want this? Think twice before rushing to the store to buy dye.

Sometimes the desire to change your hair color stems not only from dissatisfaction with your appearance but also from psychological issues. And when everything in life is improving, a woman looks in the mirror and tearfully whispers, “Oh my God, what have I done to myself? I just dyed my wheat-blond hair red, which doesn't suit me at all!”

But if you just want to freshen up your look or transform yourself to impress your friends and ex, go ahead and achieve your goal!

We walk into the store and see a display case with the coveted boxes. We choose a permanent hair dye or a tinting mousse in the desired shade. Then we pay at the checkout and run home, where a transformation awaits!

What a pleasant feeling it is – the anticipation of something new… But the fear of ruining your hair with dye is still present, especially if you've had a negative experience before.

Now pay attention !

To enjoy coloring your hair, first do a patch test to detect any allergic reactions . To do this, mix a small amount of dye and apply it to the inside of your elbow. If you experience a burning sensation, redness, or a rash, it's best to discard the dye and take an antihistamine.

You need to test the color of the mixture . Use a ponytail comb and separate a thin strand of hair from the temple area. Then apply a small amount of dye to it and wait the time specified in the instructions. Afterward, rinse the mixture with water and dry the strand. Evaluate the result by looking in a mirror under different lighting conditions.

Expectation vs. reality

We usually compare our desired hair color with the model's image on the dye packaging. However, there's no guarantee the shade will be exactly the same. The coloring result is influenced not only by natural hair color but also by hair structure.

Porous hair absorbs more pigment, which can result in a darker color than desired. In this case, it's recommended to reduce the coloring time by 5-7 minutes.

Thick and coarse hair is more difficult to color. You'll need to leave the mixture on your hair for 2-3 minutes longer than the instructions say.

Hair coloring

Toning is a simple procedure that allows you to quickly color your hair at home without any assistance. The gentle formula adds shine. Toning products are ammonia-free, making it virtually impossible to damage your hair. Choose mousse or foam: their airy texture allows the product to spread easily.

For long-lasting color, use a chemically treated hair dye . It's made with hydrogen peroxide. This ingredient allows the dye to penetrate deep into the hair and not be completely washed out with shampoo. This is especially true for dark shades, which require a color remover.

If you're considering a radical change, remember to ensure your hair color complements your skin, eye, and eyebrow color. Imagine a brunette with dark skin and brown eyes who dyes her hair blonde at home and ends up with a “chicken” color.

Permanent dyes can damage hair, so they often require treatments including restorative masks. However, these dyes can completely cover gray hair.

Step-by-step actions

Before dyeing your hair a permanent color at home, prepare the following in advance:

• wide brush;
• a wide-tooth comb;
• plastic bowl;
• gloves; clamps;
• an old T-shirt and a towel.

Important! Do not wash your hair 1-2 days before coloring with harsh ammonia-based dyes. The exception is toning mousses, which are applied to clean hair.

Then proceed directly to coloring:

Read the instructions for using the paint.

Place all the tubes in front of you.

Put on an old T-shirt or cover your shoulders with a towel.

Comb dry hair in different directions.

Separate the occipital, temporal and parietal areas and secure the hair with clips.

Prepare the paint.

Put on gloves and get started immediately.

The tricky part is to color the hair at the back of your head, otherwise the color will be uneven. Start at the base of your neck and work your way up. If you have gray hair near your face, start there.

Modern dyes react instantly with hair, so a warming cap is not required. Rinse your hair thoroughly with water after the time specified in the instructions (usually 30 minutes). Towel-dry your hair and apply a conditioner or nourishing mask. A hair care product is often included with the dye manufacturer.

Any dye dries out hair, so moisturizing masks are needed to make combing easier. If you prefer, you can turn to folk remedies. However, masks made with natural ingredients (honey, egg yolk, olive oil) take time to see results. In principle, you can always have your hair treated by a professional.