The Do’s and Don’ts of hair dye

Coloring your own hair at home can be a more cost-effective way to achieve your dream hair color, but as with anything, doing it yourself can come with some risks. As someone who's been coloring their own hair for almost 6 years, I’ve had my fair share of not-so-glamorous results. Whether you want to enhance your natural shade or try out a vivid new color, achieving the best results requires lots of research and preparation.

With coloring your hair comes some do’s and some don'ts. Without the proper knowledge, you could end up with uneven color, unnecessary damage or even a costly fix at the salon. My favorite place to pick up hair color is Sally Beauty. They provide a wide range of colors and dye types as well as tools to make your color job easier.

Writer Taylor Slavens poses for selfie.Photo by Taylor Slavens

Do: Choose the right type of dye

The first “do” is choosing the right hair dye for the look you’re trying to achieve. The first hair dye type is a permanent dye. If you are looking for a long-lasting color that won’t wash out after a few shampoos, you should choose a permanent color. Permanent hair color penetrates your hair shaft, making it ideal for covering grays or achieving a lighter or darker color than your natural hair.

The next step down from permanent hair color is semi-permanent. This dye adds color to your natural hair without changing the pigment of your hair or chemically lightening it. It lasts for 4-8 weeks and will fade with each wash. It’s ideal if you want to try out different colors without causing as much damage to your hair.

Do: Obtain the proper tools

When coloring your own hair, making sure you have all the right tools is important. You’ll need a plastic or ceramic bowl and utensil for mixing. Make sure you DO NOT use a metal bowl or utensil to mix, as the metal can interact with the chemicals in the hair dye. A brush or applicator bottle, depending on the thickness of your dye, will allow you to apply the color to your hair a lot easier.

Some other tools needed are disposable gloves to protect your hands from stains and chemicals, paper towels, old clothes and towels you don’t care about staining, and a comb or brush to section your hair. Clips to secure your hair while you section it are helpful as well.

Do: Post-color maintenance

The aftercare for coloring your hair may not seem like a big deal, but it’s important for preserving your new color. One thing I always do after coloring my hair is use a color-sealing mask. My personal favorite is the After Color Treatment from the brand Ion. It helps to seal the cuticle of your hair after coloring, to lengthen the life of your color.

Some other great aftercare tips include avoiding hot water, like hot tubs and pools, and always washing your hair with cold water to prevent the color from stripping and retain your hair’s moisture. Also, always use a heat protectant when styling with heat tools, like your hair dryer or flat iron, to prevent damage to your hair.

Don’t: Use box dye from the grocery store

I know picking up a box of color from the grocery store can seem more cost-effective, but it’s actually the quickest way for your color job to go wrong. While affordable, they can contain harsh chemicals like ammonia and alcohol, which can permanently alter your hair’s texture and composition. It can also lead to an uneven color. To be safe, always use dye from a reputable beauty shop, not from your local grocer.

Don’t: Skip the strand test

Performing a strand test is critical when trying a new color. First, start by washing your hair and let it dry completely. Select a strand of hair from somewhere discrete and apply the color, keeping it separate from the rest of your hair. Let it sit for 15 minutes, and rinse and dry. This will allow you to see how the color looks on your hair and proceed with your color the way you’d like.

Don’t: Ignore the instructions

Please don’t ignore the instructions that come with your color! Following the directions is essential for achieving the color you want and preventing damage to your hair. Leaving the color on longer than recommended can cause over-processing, which can cause dryness, breakage or uneven color. To get the best results, always adhere to the directions provided.

Coloring your hair at home can be a fun and rewarding experience if done correctly. By choosing the right type of dye, having the proper tools and following the instructions provided, you can achieve the vibrant, long-lasting color of your dreams while minimizing the damage done to your hair. With a little preparation, you can confidently transform your hair at home!