How to color your hair with semi-permanent hair dye

Semi-permanent hair dye does not damage the hair and is much less damaging than traditional hair dyes. It does not penetrate the hair pith, it just adheres to the surface of the hair and is washed out over time. In addition to being safer and easier to use, semi-permanent hair dyes can be dyed in more vibrant and bold colors. If you’re looking to try a more novel look, semi-permanent hair dye may be perfect for you.

Part
1
Choosing a hair color

1
Find the color you want. You can choose from many popular brands and hundreds of different colors. Semi-permanent hair dyes are available in many places, from grocery stores to fashion boutiques, and beauty supply stores carry the widest variety. Pick a color that you like best, that matches your outfit, or that suits your eye color and skin tone. Semi-permanent hair dyes work on all hair colors, but will look brightest on lighter hair colors. However, on very dark hair, they will give a light shine.

2
Bleach your hair when necessary. No matter what color your hair is originally, bleaching will brighten it up. If you have dark hair and want to dye it a brighter, more colorful color, you need to bleach it. Remember, bleaching can damage your hair.

3
Do the patch test. The patch test is an easy way to check for allergens at home. It is very important and if you have sensitive skin, you must not ignore this step. If you do not do the test and dye your entire head of hair directly, it may lead to an itchy scalp or even permanent hair loss.
Use a cotton absorbent pad dipped in a small amount of hair dye and apply it to less sensitive skin such as the upper back and where it will not be exposed.
How long do you intend to leave the hair dye on your hair and how long do you want the pad to stay on your body. Generally, it takes an hour for the hair dye to color.
Remove the pad and wash the hair dye off your skin.
Wait another 48 hours before coloring your hair.
If your skin shows symptoms of itching, redness or swelling, then you should not use this hair dye. If your skin starts to itch while the pad is still attached to your body, remove the pad immediately and wash the hair dye off with soap and water.

4
Try before dyeing. Choose a strand of hair that will not be exposed after you comb it. Follow the instructions on the bottle to color this strand of hair. You can skip this step if you don’t mind too much if the color comes out with minor color differences. If you haven’t bleached your hair before, you may need to bleach it first before using hair dye when you make a pre-dye attempt.

Part
2
Hair Dyeing

1
Wash your hair with deep cleansing shampoo and then blow dry your hair. Generally, you should avoid using a blow dryer because it causes your hair to dry out and is harmful to your hair. However, the drier your hair is, the better the absorption of the hair dye will be. Do not apply conditioner until you have applied the hair dye and rinsed it out.

2
Protect your skin and clothes. Although semi-permanent hair dye on hair is washable, it can be very tricky to remove if it gets on most other materials such as fabric. Scrubbing vigorously will usually wash the semi-permanent hair dye off your skin, but the process can take several days. Taking precautions is much less work than cleaning afterwards.
Wear clothes that won’t hurt if you get dirty.
Lay a towel on the floor in the dyed area.
Put on inspection gloves.
Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to the skin along the hairline.

3
Determine the color in different locations. You can dye all your hair the same color, or you can try more creative options. The following options are available for you to consider.
Do only pick dye. Many people with darker hair color like to pick up the color with a brighter color.
Dyeing only the ends of the hair. This look is called “dip dye” because it looks like you’ve dipped your hair in paint. Use plastic clips to split your hair into sections, and you can try this method with multiple colors.
Two colors of the same brand can be mixed. You can color the ends of your hair one color, color the hair near the roots another color, and then mix the two to color the hair in the middle for a “gradient” effect.
Try a wild look with multiple colors, or leave parts of your hair in their natural color to create a pattern. Apply a little conditioner to the part of your hair you want to protect.

4
Apply hair dye. Apply a thick layer of hair dye to the hair you want to color. The most suitable application technique depends on your hair coloring scheme.
If you have more hair to dye, or want to dye all of your hair, the best way to apply the hair dye is by hand. Pour the hair dye all over your palm and apply it to your hair as if you were washing it. If your hair is long, you will need to apply it more than once to distribute the dye evenly through your hair. If your hair is thicker, you can also separate it to dye it.
If you are dyeing a small section of hair, use a special tool called a hair dye brush. Dip the brush into a little hair dye and apply it to your hair. This will help you control where the coloring is applied and make sure that all the hair is coated. Check each section of hair carefully to make sure the hair dye is even.

5
Allow the hair dye to color. How long you need to wait depends on the brand of hair dye, usually 30 minutes to an hour. Unlike permanent hair dyes, which contain harmful chemicals that can damage your hair and skin, semi-permanent dyes usually don’t stay “too long”. If you want to leave the area while the hair dye is being colored, you can wear a shower cap so that the dye doesn’t get everywhere.

6
Rinse off the hair dye. Rinsing in the sink can prevent hair dye from getting on your skin, but it may not be convenient. Generally, a shower rinse is fine, even if the hair dye is darker in color.
Wet your hair thoroughly with tap water. This step is even more necessary if the hair dye has been colored for too long and has dried out completely.
Wash your hair gently with shampoo. Keeping your hair wet will help retain the color that has been dyed.
Continue rinsing your hair until the runoff is clear. If there is hair dye left behind, everything that touches your hair will be stained.
Apply conditioner. This also helps to moisturize the hair.
Allow hair to air dry. Blow drying with a hair dryer can over dry your hair and speed up the fading of your new hair color.

Part
3
Maintaining the new look

1
Wash your hair as little as possible. Every time you wash your hair, some of the semi-permanent hair dye will be washed away. To prolong the color retention time, you can minimize the number of washes. Hair that is thicker and not greasy does not need to be washed often.

2
Use a color-care shampoo. When washing your hair, be sure to use a shampoo that prevents color fading. Most major brands have at least one color-care shampoo. If you can’t find one at the drugstore, try shopping at a beauty supply store.

3
Keep your hair moist. Dry hair is more likely to fade. Use a conditioner, either regular or leave-in. If your hair is very uneven and curly, try using shea butter.

4
Color your hair again as needed. The thing about semi-permanent hair dye is that the color it puts on does not stay forever. When your hair fades to a color you don’t like, use the above steps to re-dye it. You can also try a different color. If you have bleached your hair before, do not bleach it again until the roots have grown out.

Tips
There may be differences between different semi-permanent hair dye products. Always read the manufacturer’s instructions on the bottle or box carefully before using.
It is very important to clean up the site after you have dyed your own hair. The color this hair dye puts on your hair is not permanent, but it may ruin clothes, carpets and furniture.