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Due to being in lockdown because of the global health crisis, many of us have been unable to safely go to our hairdressers. For those of you who are graying gracefully or have long hair and rarely go to the salon, you might not be feeling our pain.
But if your hair is anything like mine, you may be avoiding mirrors. Not only am I in desperate need of a haircut, my roots are long overdue for a touch up. If you’ve done all you can to extend your haircut and color, you may be considering ways to dye your hair safely at home with organic dyes. (If you accidentally stain your skin with hair dye, we’ve got you.)
Ways to dye your hair at home
There are different methods for coloring your hair, depending on your needs and comfort level with coloring your hair at home. “Your trusted drug store CVS, Walgreens, or anyone you prefer carry semi-permanent colors that have no ammonia in them at all,” hair and makeup stylist Susanna Stroberg explained to Mom.com. “Amazon carries a lot of the same products your local drug stores carry.”
Here are four types of hair color products you can choose from:
Permanent hair color
These dyes will permanently change the color of your hair and won’t fade over time. You’ll see a clear demarcation as your new hair growth comes in. You can use permanent colors to lighten, darken, or cover gray hair.
Demi-permanent hair color
While these will not lift, lighten, or cover grays, these low-ammonia formulas are usually combined with a low-volume developer (peroxide) and can darken your hair, change its tone, and add shine. The color will gradually fade over 12 to 24 shampoos without damaging your hair.
Semi-permanent hair color
Also known as a direct dye, semi-permanents will not lighten, change your hair color, or cover grays. They will, however, change or correct tone, add color to blond or lightened hair, add shine, and restore luster to damaged hair. Usually found in shampoos, conditioners, and masks, the color will last four to 12 shampoos.
Temporary hair color
Often found in powder, chalk or spray form, temporary hair color will immediately change your hair, though it will not alter your actual color in any way. It washes out in one shampoo and is not meant for long term.
Tips for coloring your hair at home
If you normally have a colorist, Stroberg recommended checking with your colorist first. Ask what color tones would best suit your skin and hair. “One of the most common mistakes newbie colorists make is choosing the wrong color tone. Another common mistake is choosing a color that does not look good with your skin tone,” continued the stylist of over two decades. “If your skin has a lot of pink in it, choosing a hair color with a lot of orange or red undertones can make the skin appear ruddy or uneven.”
Ask your stylist if they are making personalized color kits for their clients like Stroberg is providing for hers. Not only are they professionally curated so you don’t need to figure out what products to buy, but your hair person should already be familiar with your skin tone and your hair’s textures, tones and how it takes to color and bleach.
If you choose to do it all on your own, make sure to fully read the instructions on the box before you start — especially if you are bleaching your hair first. You may want to consider starting with a small section of your hair as a strand test before committing your entire head. Note that the finer your hair, the faster it will lighten.
“If you have to lighten your hair, for the love of God, follow all of the instructions for mixing your bleach,” advised blogger E. Felicia Howard to Mom.com. “And stay away from 40 volume developer if you’ve never done this before.”
The reason this matters is because the higher the developer number, the more peroxide and the better the lift. But depending on how dark or healthy your hair is, as well as how light you want your hair, you could accidentally ruin your hair.
Stroberg concurs. “The fastest way to get hair breakage is to over bleach. When touching up roots with bleach, it is very important not to bleach hair that has already been done.”
Additionally, use a barrier like petroleum jelly or skin protectant around the edges of your skin and hair to minimize skin irritation. Also remember to use towels or some sort of covering to protect surfaces — and your clothes — that could react to dyes and bleaches.
Finally, remember to read labels. Avoid the chemicals paraphenylenediamine (PPD) and ammonia, which are found in a lot of permanent hair colors. After prolonged exposure, many people develop allergic reactions, dermatitis, and eczema.
Best at-home hair color
“Madison Reed is an online company you can choose color from,” Stroberg recommended. “One of their selling points is that all their color is paraphenylenediamine (PPD) free.”
You can also try direct semi-permanent products like Manic Panic and Overtone. Neither have ammonia or peroxide in them. If your hair is naturally light or has been bleached, they can appear more vibrant.
Vogue magazine has a list of recommendations that go from drugstore favorites to pricey upscale brands, but it also recommend consulting with a stylist first to find out which types and methods would be best for your hair. Also, remember to take into consideration the effects of dyes and fumes if you are pregnant.
