How to Prep and Dye Your Hair at Home

Home hair color is far from the unpredictable, splotchy mess it used to be. Leaps in technology and quality improvement have made box-dye fails seem like an all-too-distant thing of the past. This has allowed at-home hair color to really shine as the convenient and cost-effective salon replacement it was intended to be. So, whether you are too busy to commit to that salon appointment or want to live out your hair stylist dreams, our step-by-step guide can make home hair color a great option.

Properly Prepping Your Hair for Dyeing

Select a Home Hair Dye

Figuring out what color works best for you is half the battle. Luckily, there are guides to help you discover the best shade for your skin tone, whether cool, warm, or natural. If fading is a concern, look for a fade-resistant dye. If grays are starting to sprout up, look for a dye that offers gray coverage. There are many colors, glazes, and glosses to choose from, but knowing the look you’re trying to achieve is the first step to successfully coloring your hair at home.

Prep Your Strands and Do a Patch Test

Prepping your hair for dyeing ensures success and a great way to do that is to start with product-free, moisturized strands. Two days before dyeing, wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo, then deep condition to make your hair a receptive canvas for your dyeing dreams.

Next step – patch test. This is a crucial step, even if you’re using a familiar formula. The reason? Bodies and formulas change. A patch test is the best way to protect your scalp from a potential allergic reaction.

“A patch test is the best way to protect your scalp from a potential allergic reaction.”

How to patch test: Use a Q-tip to dab a small amount of dye behind your ear or on your inner elbow and let it dry. No reaction is a green light!

Set Up Your Workspace and Do a Strand Test

Dyeing your hair at home goes much smoother with a prepared workplace and the proper tools. Pick a spot with a mirror that allows for easy cleanup and visuals, like the bathroom.

Some useful things to have on hand are a ‘salon cape’ and/or old T-shirt, towels, Vaseline, gloves, a wide-tooth comb, plastic clips, a shower cap, and alcohol wipes.

After your home salon is a go, it is time for a strand test. Simply follow the dye instructions on a small patch of hair, typically one that is easily hidden in case you’re unhappy with the results. It may be tempting to skip the strand test, but everyone’s hair receives color differently, which will help you color confidently.

Once you are satisfied with the results of these tests, you’re ready to color!

“It may be tempting to skip the strand test, but everyone’s hair receives color differently, which will help you color confidently.”

Coloring Your Hair Like A Pro

1. Protect Your Skin

Once you have prepared your workspace and mixed the dye according to the instructions, it’s time to protect your skin. Salon capes are a great addition to any budget-friendly beauty lover, but an old towel draped over your shoulders will also do the trick. Gloves are also a must to protect your skin and should be worn the entire time.

“Salon capes are a great addition to any budget-friendly beauty lover, but an old towel draped over your shoulders will also do the trick.”

2. Apply Vaseline

Apply Vaseline around your face, ears, and neck to prevent staining. If the dye does get on your skin, quickly wipe it away with a damp towel and reapply Vaseline.

3. Start the Dyeing Process

Start applying dye from the roots and work your way down. Sectioning off your hair with plastic clips and using a wide tooth comb to brush through your strands can help with an even application.

4. Let Your Hair Process

Once you have fully covered your hair, you can place it in a clip and put on your shower cap to keep it out of the way. Simply follow your processing time based on the hair color instructions.

5. Rinse Your Hair

Rinse under cool water until the water runs clear, gently detangling with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb. Apply a color-safe conditioner (skip the shampoo), allow it to sit for two minutes, and viola–you have successfully completed coloring your hair at home.

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Maintaining Your New Color

Proper hair care is important for maintaining hair color, and those with processed strands look a little different.

Choose the right shampoo: Wait a full 72 hours after coloring before you shampoo, and when you do, grab one that is sulfate-free and color-safe. Color shampoos are specially formulated with color–preserving ingredients that help keep your color vibrant between touch-ups. Violet shampoos can remove brassy or yellow tones for blondes, blue shampoos help contrast orange tones in brunette hair, and green shampoos can neutralize or cool down red undertones.

“Color shampoos are specially formulated with color–preserving ingredients that help keep your color vibrant between touch-ups.”

Use color-safe conditioner: Color-safe conditioner is a vital component of any hair care routine, especially on colored hair that is prone to fragility and dryness. Keeping hair moisturized helps it stay healthy and protected against environmental aggressors. As with shampoos, match your toning conditioner to your correct hair color for effectiveness.

Try other color-safe treatments: Besides color shampoos and conditioners, many other products help your color stay vibrant. Color deepening treatments replenish dry hair while maintaining hair color. Hair glosses can offer a refreshing boost as they add shine and help tone away unwanted hues. For those battling pesky grays or even those with quick-growing locks, root touch-ups can be extremely helpful in maintaining hair color.