Whether you dye hair to hide gray hair, blend gray hair, change your hair color, get highlights, or for any other reason, it doesn’t always go as you want due to some common mistakes that we all can make. Although there are hair color correction hair salons for help, you can save money by knowing what not to do when coloring your hair.
Hair Coloring Mistakes To Avoid
- Choosing the wrong hair color
- Forgetting to read the instructions
- Switching brands for no reason
- Getting only one bottle of color
- Using the wrong developer
- Conditioning hair right before coloring
- Not protecting your skin from the dye
- Skipping a patch test
- Going too dark or light
- Not applying the dye right after mixing
- Dyeing hair without using a second mirror
- Not applying the color properly
- Letting the dye sit for too short or too long
- Coloring all of the hair every time
- Rinsing with hot water
- Shampooing hair the very next day
- Using heat styling tools without pausing for a few days
- DIYing hair color correction
Choosing The Wrong Hair Color
Picking the wrong shade is one of the common mistakes. When choosing a hair dye, keep in mind your skin tone and undertones. Usually, 2 shades lighter or darker than your hair color looks natural.
Moreover, if it’s your first few times, it’s better to stick to temporary or semi-permanent hair dyes so that if you don’t like the color, you don’t have to wait too long for it to fade.
Forgetting To Read The Instructions
You may already know how to use box dye, but still, you should read the instructions to know how to mix the products and how long to leave the dye on. They can help you avoid obvious mistakes. Instructions may differ a bit from brand to brand, so make it a habit to read them.
Switching Brands For No Reason
Nothing is stopping you from trying out different brands to settle on one, but bear in mind that sticking to one brand can help you get the consistency you want. There will be fewer unexpected results because you will be using the brand for some time.
Getting Only One Bottle Of Color
Saving money is a good habit, so what’s wrong with buying only one bottle of color? Well, one bottle is usually enough for shoulder-length hair. However, you may need more if your hair is thicker or has more volume. Plus, if your hair is longer than you would also require more than one bottle.
Using The Wrong Developer
The wrong developer can lead to changes in the dye, so you may not get the shade you would expect. This is why avoid using a developer from a different brand or series. Also, as stated earlier, read the instructions and know what you want to achieve (lightening or darkening hair), and then use the right concentration of developer for perfect results.
Conditioning Hair Right Before Coloring
Dyeing your hair immediately after conditioning and washing hair is never recommended. This is because conditioning can smooth the cuticles and reduce the porosity, making it hard for the dye to settle in. Moreover, conditioning may get rid of natural oils from the hair that can help reduce hair damage from the dye.
However, conditioning your hair a week before and washing your hair a few days before coloring can be good for your hair.
Not Protecting Your Skin From The Dye
Permanent hair dyes can stain your hairline and face if you’re not careful about it. It will eventually go away, but it will stay for some time, which can get difficult and you may have to use makeup to hide the hair dye stain. You can also try ways to get hair dye off your skin.
However, the best thing to do is to avoid skin stains in the first place by applying a barrier cream on the hairline and your ear, and by using disposable gloves.
Skipping A Patch Test
Although allergic reactions to hair dyes are not common, you should never skip a patch test 48 hours before the actual hair dye application. If you do get an allergic reaction, consult a doctor who can recommend hair dyes that may be safe for you.
Going Too Dark Or Light
Going too dark or light can be a mistake in most cases and that’s why hair colorists recommend going only 2 shades darker or lighter from your natural hair. Plus, match the color you want to get with your roots, not your ends.
Not Applying The Dye Right After Mixing
Most hair dyes should be applied immediately after mixing. If you don’t, you may get uneven color, darker color, unwanted undertones, and other issues. So, never store mixed dye or wait too long before applying the dye.
Dyeing Hair Without Using A Second Mirror
Hair dyeing is not easy to do on your own. Someone else dyeing your hair is a better idea. However, if you want to do it yourself, don’t skip using two mirrors. This will help you see the back of your head and the sides, and apply dye properly. The results will be much better.
Not Applying The Color Properly
Even when you’re coloring all of your hair, random brush strokes will lead to uneven results. You have to create at least four sections for dyeing. And also, color the regrowth or roots first, then the middle sections, and then the ends.
Letting The Dye Sit For Too Short Or Too Long
Following the developing time as instructed on the label is vital for perfect results. Leaving the dye sit for too short or too long will obviously lead to mishaps. Leave it for too long, and the dye will be too dark and the product may damage the hair. On the other hand, if you rinse it too early, the color won’t be dark enough.
Coloring All Of The Hair Every Time
If only the roots are showing and the color hasn’t faded much, then you don’t need to dye your entire hair. You can do with coloring the roots only. However, if the color seems faded, then you can go ahead and dye the entire hair.
Rinsing With Hot Water
Rinsing hair dye with hot water is never a good idea because it causes the color to fade more quickly. Cold water, on the other hand, is the right choice because it will help seal the dye onto the hair, making it last longer.
Shampooing Hair The Very Next Day
If you don’t want the color to fade quickly, don’t wash your hair for 24 to 48 hours after dyeing. After that, you can shampoo hair as you normally do, but avoid shampoos that contain sulfates, sodium chloride, or parabens.
Using Heat Styling Tools Without Pausing For A Few Days
Just like shampooing, you also need to pause using heat styling tools for about three days after coloring hair if you don’t want the color to fade and the hair to be damaged.
DIYing Hair Color Correction
Hair dye problems can happen, but trying to fix them yourself usually leads to further issues. If your hair is too dark, too light, brassy, or orange, or if there’s any other issue after applying box dye, it’s best to consult a hair colorist to fix that.
Conclusion
Hair dyeing can be exciting, but it won’t be if it turns into a mess. Keep these mistakes in mind and you will notice the results to be more consistent and closer to what you expect. However, if you want flawless results or need to fix a bad hair dye job, get in touch with hair salons specializing in color Rockville.