Consider the base color of your hair after bleaching and the base color of the dye you are going to use. These might conflict and give you the wrong color. If your bleached hair is yellowish, and your dye has a blue base color, you might end up with greenish hair. Using a dye with a violet base color, however, will offset the yellow in your hair, giving you better results. Use a hair color wheel to select the right shade. [1] X Research source To figure out your dye’s base color, check the dye manufacturer’s website for a “palette list” or similar, which categorizes colors into warm, neutral and cool shades. You can also buy different components of a hair dye kit at a beauty supply store. These products will indicate their base color on their package (i. e. , blue, blue-violet, violet, violet-red, red, etc. ). [2] X Research source Paying attention to the color palette of hair dye will help reduce the risk of ending up with the wrong color in your hair. Look at your hair in childhood photos. This will help you determine how your hair will react to certain colors. If your hair was a warmer color (honey blonde or similar), your hair will likely react with a warmer color now. Similarly, if your hair was a cooler color (ash blonde, brunette), your hair will likely have cooler undertones when you dye it now. [3] X Research source Be sure to consider your work environment when choosing a color; many workplaces consider bright, unnatural hair color to be unprofessional. If you want to dye your hair a dark brown or black you may need to use a filler color to prevent your hair from becoming muddy or green.
Permanent dyes are long-lasting and can produce very natural-looking colors. They can also produce very strong or dramatic colors. Because they are very strong, however, they can damage your hair, since they need to be left on your hair for a longer period of time when dyeing. Demi-permanent dyes are a step down from permanent and typically last about 20-25 washes. These can dye your hair 1-2 shades darker and also can add striking highlights. Even shorter lasting temporary hair-color dyes are also available. Semi-permanent dyes are temporary, are more natural-looking, and typically last about 10 shampoos. They do not need to be pre-mixed and can instead be used straight out of the box. These dyes fade progressively, particularly with exposure to air and shampooing. They typically do not contain ammonia or peroxide and are therefore better to use on fragile or already-damaged hair. Temporary color dyes are useful for touch-ups and experimentation with different hair colors. These include rinses, mousses, sprays, chalks and hair color crayons. They typically coat the hair, rather than color the core of the hair strand. As a result, these types of dyes rinse out within 1-3 washes. [4] X Research source [5] X Research source You may experience an unwanted color in your hair after the temporary dye fades. For example, if you bleach your hair and use a temporary blue dye, you might get green hair after the blue fades.
To help adjust the color of your hair, add protein filler. For example, if you want to dye your hair from bleached blonde to a warm brown color, you need to have all three primary colors (red, yellow, blue) going into your hair color. Your bleached blonde hair, for example, provides the yellow color. Use a red protein filler along with an ash-toned brown color, which has blue undertones. Together, these will result in the correct color. [8] X Research source
Some dyes may even recommend a heated dryer to help the color process more effectively.
Stick with color-save shampoos and conditioners since they’ll help the dye last longer without bleeding.
For the most effective touch ups, apply dye to the new growth, stopping where it meets the pre-colored hair.
Take into consideration the color of your bleached hair. This will act as an additional color in your overall color mixture.
Use henna powder. Mix henna powder with chamomile or another lighter herb to scale back the color that it will give your hair. [19] X Research source Mix two parts henna powder with one part powdered chamomile into a nonmetal bowl. Add boiling water to make a thick paste. Then, stir in one tablespoon of vinegar and allow the mixture to cool. [20] X Research source Use teabags or loose leaf tea. Put 3-5 teabags (or the loose leaf equivalent) in 2 cups of water. Boil for 3-5 minutes and let it cool down. Put tea liquid in an empty applicator bottle. Use black walnut powder. To achieve very dark brown hair, mix ¼ cup black walnut powder in 3 cups of water overnight. Use this as a rinse on a daily basis to maintain a dark, rich color. [21] X Research source Search online for other mixtures. Search for “natural hair color recipes” to locate recipes that use other herbs such as marigold petals, calendula flowers, rosemary leaves, and so on.
Look at your hair in childhood photos. This will help you determine how your hair will react to certain colors. If your hair was a warmer color (honey blonde or similar), your hair will likely react with a warmer color now. Similarly, if your hair was a cooler color (ash blonde, brunette), your hair will likely have cooler undertones when you dye it now. [23] X Research source
Magazines, Pinterest and social media are all great places to look for photo inspiration.
