Are you ready to transform your look with a fresh splash of colour? Dyeing your hair for the first time can be an exciting, yet nerve-wracking experience. A hair colour transformation offers the perfect opportunity to express yourself, try out a new style, and step out of your comfort zone. Whether you’re going for a subtle change or a bold makeover, your hair colour should reflect your personal style, making it essential to get it right.
To help make this transition smooth and avoid any hair disasters, here are some crucial dos and don’ts to keep in mind:
Do’s:
- Patch Test: Before applying the colour to your entire head, it’s important to conduct a patch test on a small section of your hair or skin, typically behind your ear. This helps you check for any potential allergic reactions or colour discrepancies. Wait 24-48 hours after the test to see if there’s any irritation or unexpected results.
- Consider Your Skin Tone: Understanding your skin tone is key to selecting the ideal hair colour that complements your complexion. The right shade can enhance your overall look and bring out your natural glow. To determine your skin tone, check the veins on the inside of your wrist. If your veins appear green, you likely have a warm undertone, which suits colours like golden blonde, caramel, or copper. If your veins are blue, you have a cool undertone, making shades like ash blonde, platinum, or cool browns more flattering for your new look.
- Prepare Your Hair: Your hair must be clean and dry before applying the dye. Avoid washing it for a few days prior to dyeing to maintain natural oils.
- Bleach your hair twice: Apply bleach to the strands twice to get the lightest blonde effect and create a platinum base for a long-lasting stay. Then, tone it with your colour base for a shining and vibrant outcome.
- Use Cold Water: Applying warm water right after colouring your hair would bleed and fade the colour faster. Hence, you should opt for cold water for every wash after your hair colour if possible to get a permanent and long-lasting effect.
- Use Gloves and Protective Gear: The most important thing to keep in mind is to wear gloves to protect your skin and clothes, as well as use a cape or towel to prevent stains.
Don’ts:
Research is important: Spend time researching different hair dyes, colours and techniques to find the perfect match for your desired look and hair type. Also, research more about your scalp and then start the process.
- Dyeing on damp hair: Hair colourists always recommend dyeing your hair when it is completely dry. Applying colour to dry hair helps you to take a look at the patches and spots that do not have enough colours and create a uniform application.
- Bleach Damaged Hair: If your tresses are already damaged, avoid bleaching them, as this can further weaken the strands.
- Over-Dye: Don’t apply too much dye, as this can lead to uneven colour or damage. Follow the instructions on the dye package carefully.
- Wash Hair Immediately After Dyeing: If you have applied colour to your hair, wait a few days before washing your hair to allow the colour to set. It is recommended to avoid applying shampoo to it for 72 hours.
- Avoid conditioning before dyeing: If you condition your hair, it will close the pores and make your hair smooth, which becomes a barrier to the hair colour. Therefore, shampoo or condition your hair a night prior to the day you are colouring your hair.
Other than this, an important tip to follow is to abstain from using heating tools like a straightener or curler after using the hair colour, as it can fade the colour. Moreover, wear a cap or scarf while going out to protect the hair from sun rays.
