Dying your hair is a fun and easy way to switch up your look, so it’s not a huge surprise that many people choose to dye their hair at home. But with the huge array of hair products and shade options available, it can be hard to know when you get it right! Here are some tips on how to safely dye your hair.

Consider hair texture.

Hair texture plays a bigger role in the process of dying your hair than most people think. Curly and frizzy hair sucks up color faster and will become cooler-toned when you dye it, so it will look slightly ashier. Fine or medium hair textures don’t absorb color as easily, meaning your hair will have slightly orange or copper undertones. So what does this mean when you’re choosing a color? If your hair is frizzy or curly, opt for a warmer color. If you have straight hair, pick cooler shades that are slightly darker than your natural color. Celebrity colorist Kari Hill recommends staying “within two shades, lighter or darker, of your current hair color.”

Buy two boxes of hair dye.

You won’t want to run out of dye halfway through the process, especially if your hair is long and thick! Use two boxes of the same shade color to ensure full coverage and mix them in a plastic bowl, as a metal one will oxidize the dye and cause it to change color. If you have leftover dye, you can always use it next time.

Start from the top.

Since the roots of your hair need the most color and longest processing time, apply the dye there first and work your way down. “That way,” according to hair colorist Aura Friedman, “the dye is sitting on the back of your hair the longest, which is naturally darker than the front.” One tip hair professionals recommend is to dye your hair in sections to avoid patchiness. Work in four to six sections for maximum coverage.

Tweak the results.

After the dye is applied and your hair is dry, you can tweak it if you’re unhappy with the color. For example, you can mute the color by applying a deep conditioner to damp hair. From there, cover your hair with a hot, damp towel and shampoo it after 20 minutes. Of course, if you’re still not happy with your shade, you may want to book a trip to the hair salon.

Prevent color from fading.

There are many ways to keep your color as long as possible. Avoid long periods out in the sun to keep your hair from lightening. You may want to invest in a shampoo or conditioner specifically designed for color-treated hair, as it won’t strip away added color and can prolong your new shade for weeks. 

Hopefully with the help of these tips, dying your hair should be a simple and fun process!

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