Changing your hair color can be a fun and exciting adventure. Whether you want to find out if blondes really do have more fun, go dark and exotic or simply cover the gray, you want to be happy with the results so you do not have to immediately put more chemicals on to cover a mistake.
Step 1
Choose whether you are going to use a permanent or a temporary hair color. Permanent coloring changes the actual pigmentation of each hair shaft, while temporary coloring covers the shaft with a shade that will eventually wash out during regular shampooing.
Step 2
Select the color you want your hair to be. Select the shade of that color that you desire. If you are going blonde, decide if you will be a platinum blonde or if you will use a more natural-looking, subdued blonde color.
Step 3
Use a hair swatch book to determine your current hair color. Trusting your visual inspection can be misleading. Swatch books are available in many of the same stores that sell hair care products. Once you determine your true current hair color, you can look on the back of hair dye boxes to determine which one you need to purchase to get your current hair color to your desired color. Purchase the kit that will provide the desired results, based on your current hair color.
Step 4
Perform a strand test to be sure your hair will accept the product and change to the color you are looking for. A strand test is done by mixing the product, applying it to a small bit of hair in an inconspicuous place. This also allows you to determine before covering your head with the product if you will have a reaction to it.
Step 5
Gather together all the needed materials, including towels and hair dye kit. Hair dye can be messy, so be sure you clear the counter near the sink you will be using. Place towels over the counters and on the floor in front of the sink.
Step 6
Follow the directions on the box of the hair dye kit. Set the timer when the product has been applied. Forgetting you are waiting to take the dye out of your hair can create a hair color disaster, so always use a timer.
Step 7
Wash your hair 72 hours after completing the hair color change. The kit might instruct you to wash directly following the procedure, which you should do. Wait 72 hours, however, before washing again to give your color the time it needs to set.
Photo Credit
- playing with hair image by Alexandra Gnatush-Kostenko from Fotolia.com
