I love to dye my hair all colors of the rainbow. I love all things vintage, and I enjoy creating art, taking photos, and doing it myself.

Clarifying Shampoo Works!

I’ve been dying and stripping my own hair color for the past eight years. In that time, I’ve experimented with a slew of color-removal techniques. Some are much harsher than others. More recently, I’ve become a huge fan of fading with clarifying shampoo.

It’s less harsh than using a color stripper and requires no extra effort than what you’d normally be doing, i.e., washing your hair! So far, I’ve used clarifying shampoo to successfully fade two bright, semi-permanent dyes. In this article, I’ll share my methods and photos.

What Is Clarifying Shampoo?

Clarifying shampoo is a product used to cleanse hair while also removing buildup of excess product and dye. As you use hair products and come into contact with hard water or chlorine, mineral deposits and chemicals begin to weigh your hair down. If your hair starts to feel lifeless and your normal shampoo isn’t getting the job done, it may be time to use a clarifying shampoo. The ultra-cleaning aspects of it make it perfect for someone who is aiming to fade a semi-permanent hair color!

How to Remove Hair Dye With Clarifying Shampoo

Step 1: Dye hair.

Step 2. Wash it.

Okay, it really is that simple. I typically dye my hair all different colors of the rainbow; I start with bright, deep colors and let them fade gradually over time. However, I usually only wash my hair once or twice a week. If I want the color to fade faster than that, I swap out my normal shampoo for the clarifying shampoo.

Pour a healthy amount into your hands and massage it into your scalp and hair. The bottom layers of my hair tend to hold color more than the top. Because of this, I pay extra attention to massaging it into the bottom so the color will hopefully fade more evenly.

Once I’m satisfied with my lather, I rinse it out. Warm water will help here, too, as it also assists in fading hair dye. If I’m really desperate to get a color out, I’ll shampoo twice, but if you do that, make sure to double up on the conditioner, too. I highly recommend using a leave-in conditioner after using a clarifying shampoo. We’ll go more into after-care below.

Things to Consider Before Using a Clarifying Shampoo

Don’t Expect It to Work In One Wash

Clarifying shampoo is a product that will work over time to fade color and remove buildup. Don’t expect it to work after one use! That being said, it’s a great alternative to using harsh chemicals and developers on your hair to remove color. You’re going to shampoo anyway, right? You might as well use a product that will speed up the fading process.

Clarifying Shampoo Can Dry Out Your Hair

This is a downside to clarifying shampoo; while it strips out all of the bad stuff, it also strips your hair and scalp’s natural oils. After using a clarifying shampoo, make sure you go back in with a conditioner, hair mask, or leave-in conditioner to maintain moisture.

You may have gotten a keratin or protein treatment at a salon before and noticed how light and healthy your hair feels afterwards. Chances are, the stylist first used clarifying shampoo to strip away all of the unwanted buildup. Then, the treatments can really soak in and keep your hair healthy!

Which Clarifying Shampoos Work Best (for Removing Hair Dye)

Well, a big thing to remember here is to make sure your clarifying shampoo label does NOT say “color-safe.” Kinda defeats the purpose, you know?

• Quantum Clarifying Shampoo, $9.99, Sally Beauty: This is my go-to clarifying shampoo. It’s inexpensive and works like a charm! After use, my hair feels so light and clean, not to mention detangled. All of the fade photos in this article were from using Quantum.
• Axe 3-in-1 Shampoo, $9.47, Amazon: Yes, this is a “men’s” product, but men’s shower products seem to be a little harsher, which is great for stripping buildup and color from the hair. Other 3-in-1s work well, too, like Arm & Hammer or Head & Shoulders.
• Attitude Clarifying Shampoo, $11.99, Sally Beauty: If you’re looking for all-natural products and willing to spend a couple more dollars, check out this brand at Sally’s! This shampoo is rich in antioxidants and hypoallergenic.

Post-Dye Removal Hair Care Guide

It’s important to put moisture back into your hair after using a clarifying shampoo. Make sure you use conditioner afterwards (I love Generic Brand Tea Tree and Lavender), or even a hair mask if you can. My favorite hair mask to use is Briogeo Be Gentle, Be Kind.

After using a clarifying shampoo once a week, I use a conditioner or mask in the shower. When my hair is damp, I use FoxyBae’s leave-in conditioner to rehydrate even more. The result is incredibly soft, shiny, detangled hair that is several shades lighter!

Other Tips for Removing Hair Dye

Of course, there are multiple ways to remove hair dye, but clarifying shampoo is, in my opinion, the easiest if you’re willing to take the slow road. I say, embrace the fade! If you’d like to speed up the process, consider the following.

• Spend time in the sun. Sunlight will naturally fade your dye!
• Hop in a pool. Chlorine has a way of pulling semi-permanent color right out.
• Shampoo with hot water. Both shampoo and heat help color to fade quicker.
• Stay conditioned. Pulling color out of your hair will dry it out.
• Watch videos on YouTube. There are SO many “guaranteed” ways to remove color involving things like dish soap, vitamin C tablets, baking soda, and more. Before using products that could be very harmful to your scalp and hair, I recommend watching videos of people using these methods before risking your own hair. Always do your research.

Easily Remove Hair Dye

Dyeing your hair truly is a commitment, but sometimes you just need to pull the color out. Clarifying shampoo is one of the safer, easier, less-expensive options. You’re going to wash your hair anyways, right? It’s a method I stand by for maintaining healthier, less-damaged colorful hair.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Amber is a web writer whose articles focus on beauty, skincare, health, and wellness!

Going from a medium-brown shade to platinum blonde hair was an unforgettable experience. I became a master of DIY hair care, including learning how to maintain platinum blonde hair.

Stylists are not lying when they say that this is a high-maintenance color. There are quite a few things that you’ll need to incorporate into your hair care routine, and you’ll need to put in some extra effort for your hair.

How to Care for Damaged, Bleached Hair

All bleached hair winds up being damaged. It took so many bleaching sessions to transform my hair from a brown to a white-blond that it was destined to be damaged. You’ll need to take special care to make sure that you don’t accidentally do further damage. If you don’t, your hair can wind up dead, and it’s impossible to recover from that.

Avoid Using Heat on Your Hair

Heat can damage your hair. If it’s already damaged, bleached hair, using any type of heat will make the damage worse. You should avoid using a hairdryer, curling iron, flat iron, etc. Eliminate heat treatments from your hair care routine if you can. Wash your hair in lukewarm water instead of hot.

If You Have to Use Heat, Purchase Heat Protectant Spray

For some events and hair types, you’re going to have to use heat. It seems like it’s simply unavoidable. In those situations, you want to use a good heat protectant spray. Heat protectant spray provides a protective layer over your hair so that you can get the look you want without the damage. I used Tresemme Heat Protectant Spray with wonderful results.

Only Wash Your Hair 2–3 Times Per Week

Washing your hair can be harsh for your hair. It strips your hair of the natural oils that it needs. Instead, implement a new routine that involves washing your hair the least amount possible. If you have naturally greasy hair, pick up some dry shampoo.

Focus on Repairing Your Hair

Once your hair is damaged, you need to change your focus to repairing your hair. There are a lot of products that you can use. Some people swear by oils and serums, while others are devoted to more natural remedies like coconut oil.

Personally, I used a leave-in conditioner every day. These are essential for adding moisture to your hair. If your hair is damaged, it’s more than likely too dry too.

Repairing damaged hair means that you should not be using cheap shampoo. If you can’t find an affordable brand for your hair type at a salon, consider other brands like Pantene, Whole Blends, or Aussie. These are all great for damaged hair, but they’re more affordable than professional products.

Always Use Conditioner

Conditioner is damaged hair’s best friend. Once your hair is damaged, it doesn’t have the protective outer layer anymore. The conditioner helps to restore that outer layer. It can coat your hair to provide additional protection until your hair is repaired, too.

Use Purple Shampoo Once per Week

If you recently finished dying your hair white blonde, you might not have noticed the brassy or yellow tones showing through yet. It can take a couple of weeks before you start to notice a yellow hue to your currently white hair. The purple shampoo has violet hues to counteract both orange, brassy tones, and yellow tones. If you use it once per week, you’ll never have to deal with your white hair slowly turning yellow or orange.

Prepare to Head to the Salon Every Few Weeks

If you’re dying your own hair, you’ll want a stockpile of bleach to maintain your hair. Those that prefer to leave it to the professionals will need to plan to head to the salon every 3–4 weeks. It doesn’t take long for your dark roots to start growing back in, and they grow a lot faster than you realize.

Avoid Excessive Sun Exposure

The sun gives off a lot more heat than styling tools do. Too much sun exposure can quickly damage your already damaged hair. It can help your yellow and orange tones come through quicker than they normally would, too. Consider wearing a hat if you’re going to be outside for long periods of time to minimize damage.

Final Tips to Keep Your Platinum Blonde Hair Healthy

To keep your hair platinum blonde and beautiful, you’ll need to:

• Avoid using heat
• Invest in a heat protectant spray
• Minimize damage from washing
• Use condition
• Use a hair mask
• Use purple shampoo
• Protect your hair from the sun
• Make sure you have time for touch-ups

If you follow these tips, your platinum blonde hair will be as beautiful as it was in the beginning until you’re ready for a color change!

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2021 Amber Lynn

I love to dye my hair all colors of the rainbow. I love all things vintage, and I enjoy creating art, taking photos, and doing it myself.

Use All-Natural Henna Hair Dye to Color Your Hair

I’ve been doing at-home hair coloring for nearly 10 years now—with every type of dye under the sun. More recently, it’s been a lot of bleach and semi-permanent hair dye for fun colors. When my roots grow out, I start to notice how many greys have come in—and then it’s a mad dash to grab some more color.

Some people rock the grey hair, but there are many who also seek to cover it up. If that’s you, add henna to your list of dyes to consider. When your hair starts to grey, it tends to get wiry and brittle, so permanent dyes with chemicals dry it out further. The great thing about henna dye is that it is natural! The henna process has multiple steps, so make sure to read the whole tutorial below before starting.

What Does Henna Dye Do?

First of all, let’s talk about what you’re able to do with henna. Henna dye will only add color to your hair, therefore darkening it. If you’re looking to go lighter, that will absolutely not be possible with henna.

Henna shades are a mixture of different powders. The ratio can be pre-mixed, or you can use your own ratio to achieve different shades. The powders you’ll use are:

• Henna powder: This provides warm red and orange tones.
• Indigo powder: This contains blue and green tones and will neutralize henna's warmth to create varying shades of brown.

This tutorial will be based on dyeing gray hair brown with Moroccan Method International henna powder. They also have red, black, and blonde (this will not lighten, only enhance blonde hair) henna. The instructions for using red, black, and blonde henna are different—they actually have fewer steps as you are only working with one form of powder.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Dye Your Hair With Henna

Tools Needed

• Two non-metal mixing bowls
• Non-metal mixing spoon
• Plastic wrap or shower cap
• Gloves
• Towel
• Measuring cup

Ingredients

• Brown henna: One package of henna powder, and one package of indigo powder,
• 2 cups black tea: Strongly brewed and cooled down.
• Apple cider vinegar OR freshly squeezed lemon juice: This is if you’d like to deepen the color (max 3 tablespoons).
• 1 cup filtered warm water
• Optional clove, ginger, or cinnamon: To mask the strong smell of henna.
• Optional Euro Oil: To add moisture back into the hair (max 3 teaspoons).

Instructions

1. Add the brown henna powder to one of the bowls. The smell is terrible, so at this point, you may want to also mix in cinnamon, clove, or ginger. For a deeper tone, add in no more than three tablespoons of apple cider vinegar or freshly squeezed lemon juice. Be careful how much of these ingredients you mix; they have drying effects on the hair. They also increase how long you need to wait for the dye to release.
2. Slowly add in black tea, stirring it into the powder. Do not add all two cups at once. Gradually add more and more until the mixture is the consistency of pudding or yogurt. Ideally, it should not be runny. If you lift up the spoon, you do not want it to drip, but the mixture should be easily spreadable.
3. If you added vinegar or lemon juice, you may want to also drop in some Euro Oil at this point. It will help combat the drying effects of the henna but use no more than three teaspoons. Adding oil also dilutes the mixture and will increase the amount of time you need to wait for the dye to release. If you add too much oil, the dye may not stick to your hair.
4. Now, let it sit. Cover the bowl with wrap and set it aside for 8–12 hours while the dye releases (this may take up to 12 hours if you added in ACV/lemon juice and oil). As it gets close to the 8-hour mark, you should notice the color changing on the top of the mixture to a brown-red tone.
5. Next, get out another clean bowl and add the indigo powder. Take the warm water and add it in slowly, again until the mixture is a pudding or yogurt consistency.
6. Mix the contents of the two bowls together. If the consistency is too thick, add in a bit of warm water until it’s like pudding again. You’ll want to use this mixture immediately on dry hair—do not let it sit! Your hair does not have to be freshly shampooed, but it shouldn’t be caked with products or oil either. Ideally, you want to use henna a day after a wash.
7. At this point, you’ll want to apply oil around your hairline to prevent staining, and drape a towel around your shoulders. Apply the dye quickly and thoroughly working with small sections of hair, making sure to evenly coat each section.
8. Once the dye is applied, wrap your head with plastic wrap or put on a shower cap. The goal here is to keep the dye wet. It will not work if it dries out. You’ll want to leave the mixture in for 1–4 hours, but don’t go crazy and leave it overnight because it will likely dry and clump in your hair.
9. Rinse out the mixture with warm water, using conditioner if necessary. Do not shampoo for at least 24 hours! Your new dye should last for 8–12 weeks.

Which Henna Is Best for Grey Hair?

Honestly, any shade of henna can work great for covering grey hair, especially if you add a bit of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice to make the color more intense. Blonde and light brown henna can have similar effects that a toner would on blonde hair. The henna blends out the grey so it doesn't look as noticeable once grey roots start coming in. The lighter colors would definitely be easier if you have a full head of grey hair and want to do less upkeep.

That being said, traditional red, black, or brown work as well. Just check the reviews and before and after photos for the brand you choose if you want to be sure. The darker colors will definitely need upkeep if you’re working with a full head of grey hair—silver roots will definitely be noticeable.

FAQs

Is Henna Dye Good for Grey?

Yes! While the apple cider vinegar or lemon juice can be drying, it’s still preferable to harsh chemicals and ammonia that are present in normal box dyes. All of the ingredients in henna dye are natural, which is much better for greying, coarse, and brittle hair.

Can You Mix Box Dye With Henna?

Not always. Here’s why… Some henna dyes have metallic salts in them. These can enhance or change the color. They are fine on their own but start a chemical reaction when combined with the ammonia in hair dye. Your hair can quite literally start smoking and melt. If you have previously used henna dye and would like to revert back to box dye for whatever reason, wait at least four weeks after the initial henna process.

Now, if you wanted to put henna over previously dyed hair, it has the potential to turn green. This depends on the amount of additives in the dye and how much indigo you use. Some say that the greenish tone will fade out after a few days once the dye settles in, but you should always do a strand test just in case.

Tips and Tricks

Here are some tips to consider before dying your hair.

• You may have to apply more than once for darker colors. Dark brown, dark red, and black can sometimes need extra applications. You can apply as often as you’d like.
• Make sure your henna powder does not contain PPD (paraphenylenediamine). It can be very harmful to both hair and skin.
• Don’t apply on dirty hair. If your hair is oily or covered in product, it can block the henna from absorbing into your hair and make the color fade quickly.
• Follow the instructions for your brand. Not all henna dyes are created equal! This is the recommended process for Moroccan Method International—some dyes may recommend a shorter process.
• The color will darken for 2–3 days. After you rinse the dye out of your hair, it will continue to develop over the course of a few days. Don’t be alarmed! It’s just like a henna tattoo.

Warnings:

Henna Can Permanently Change Your Hair!

There are a couple of warnings to do with henna. First of all, it is a permanent dye. It will fade over time, but it will not completely leave your hair. The only way to truly be rid of it is to grow out your hair and cut it. Otherwise, you can continue to dye your hair with henna or wait at least four weeks and use permanent hair dye.

Henna Can Loosen Naturally Curly Hair

The next change affects those with curly hair. Henna has been known to loosen curl patterns. If you’re planning to use henna on curly hair, you can use alma powder to help retain some of the texture. Alma powder will also cool down the red tones in the dye.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Comments

MG Singh emge from Singapore on March 26, 2021:

This is a nice article and informative. I have never used Henna but many I know do.

Sp Greaney from Ireland on March 26, 2021:

I have heard of henna dye before but I have never used it. This is a really good guide as well. The tips you mention about adding the spices and apple cider is good too.

I love to dye my hair all colors of the rainbow. I love all things vintage, and I enjoy creating art, taking photos, and doing it myself.

Is It Possible to Bleach Your Eyebrows From Home?

The bleached eyebrow trend is among us, which has many people asking, "Can you bleach your eyebrows at home?" The answer is yes! If you’d like to soften a dark brow or even just lighten your eyebrows temporarily, this article has all of the information you’re looking for.

Bleaching your eyebrows at home is super simple. All you need is a bleach powder, 20 volume developer, gloves, an eyebrow brush, and a non-metallic bowl. I do recommend a tissue and vaseline to help protect your eyes and the skin around your brows—though these items are not absolutely necessary. Scroll down for a full tutorial, along with tips and safety precautions.

As the bleached eyebrow trend has been blowing up recently, I’d like to share my knowledge to help you achieve your brow goals! Bleaching your eyebrows is essentially the same process as bleaching your hair, but it’s much quicker and uses way less product.

Is Bleaching Your Eyebrows Safe? Risks and Possible Side Effects

So, I probably shouldn’t have to say this, but bleach is a chemical. Using chemicals on your skin and hair can result in burns, flaky skin, rashes, and fried hair. But hey, that doesn’t stop some people from using it anyways (myself included). There are ways to mitigate these risks when doing the job yourself, which I’ll go into below.

Here is your disclaimer—go to a professional stylist. Bleaching takes some getting used to, so if you’re not comfortable with it, don’t do it! That being said, some people are dead set on doing it themselves, so if you want to proceed, please do so with caution.

There are steps you can take to reduce the risks associated with bleaching at home. My number one recommendation is to never use a developer over 30 volume, and for this process, I’d actually recommend using only 10 or 20 volume developers. If your eyebrows aren’t lightened enough the first go-round, you can always wait a few days and repeat the process. This is obviously much better than burning your skin or frying your eyebrows.

What to Think About Before Bleaching: Tips and Considerations

Do your research first! Check out different bleached eyebrow looks on Pinterest and Instagram. Sleep on it. Hey, you could even test it out without actually bleaching or use a facial cream bleach that is less intimidating!

Test the Look First

If you’re not sold on the commitment of bleaching, there are several ways you can test out the look. (Hint: scroll down for the concealer method!) I’ve also included several methods that can lighten your brows without the use of bleach and developer.

Yes, Your Eyebrows May Turn Orange

When hair is lightened, it typically will turn orange and then go even lighter to yellow. Do not be alarmed if your eyebrows turn orange! It’s fixable, and it’s normal. If you find a blue-based bleach (like L’Oreal Quick Blue), it can actually help counteract the inevitable brassy colors that come with lightening hair.

Tip: Toning Eyebrows

I would not recommend using a toner/developer mixture on eyebrows because toner is very runny and could drip into your eyes. If you have already bleached to a light yellow and would like to tone, consider using a semi-permanent dye that doesn’t have any harsh chemicals. I’d recommend Manic Panic Virgin Snow or Arctic Fox Girl’s Night diluted with conditioner. These are very light, purple-toned dyes that can help to pull brassy, yellow tones out.

Consideration: It Lasts 4–6 Weeks

Before bleaching your eyebrows, consider that it will last for around 4–6 weeks. It is somewhat of a commitment. Yes, your natural eyebrows should grow back just fine, but if you don’t want to or aren't able to rock this look for around a month, use one of the temporary methods listed below!

Tutorial: How to Bleach Your Eyebrows at Home

This is a pretty quick process, but the steps are all very important—not only for your safety but also for your desired results!

Materials Needed

• Bleach: My go-to bleach is Ion Bright White Cream Lightener. Blue lighteners are also good; just check the reviews.
• Developer: As I mentioned earlier, I wouldn’t use higher than 10 or 20 volumes. My preferred brand is Salon Care Creme Developer.
• Mixing Bowl: Glass or plastic will do, but no metal!
• Gloves: ALWAYS use gloves when working with bleach.
• Eyebrow Brush or Spoolie: You can pick these up at your local beauty supply store.
• Vaseline or Aquaphor: This is to protect your skin.
• Tissue: This is for covering your eye while you apply bleach to the brow.

Instructions

1. Make sure your eyebrows are clean. No products!
2. Put on your gloves.
3. Add about one teaspoon of bleach to the bowl. Mix in one teaspoon of developer. The desired consistency is a paste—you don’t want the mixture to be too liquid or drip once you’ve applied it. Mix it thoroughly with your eyebrow brush.
4. Apply vaseline around the edges of your eyebrow, being careful not to get it onto your actual brow hairs. It will act as a barrier to keep the bleach off of your skin.
5. Cover the eye you are starting on with a tissue to ensure bleach does not fall into it (ouch!). Using your brow brush, apply the bleach mixture to your eyebrow against the grain of your hair. You want to make sure to cover the roots and coat the front and back of the hair.
6. Apply to the opposite eyebrow. (You can also do one eyebrow at a time.)
7. Let it sit for about 8–15 minutes, checking the lightness as you go. If your eyebrows are already on the lighter side, you don't need to leave the mixture on for as long. If you have very dark brown hair like me, it’ll probably be closer to 15 minutes.
8. If the mixture begins to dry, use your brow brush to apply a little bit more and keep the mixture wet. Bleach stops working when it is dry.
9. If you begin to feel any irritation, WIPE THE BLEACH OFF! Don’t continue if it is causing you pain or discomfort. It is not worth it.
10. When you are satisfied with the lightness, wipe the bleach off and rinse the area with warm water and a washcloth.
11. If your eyebrows are brassy or yellow, you can repeat this process to lift more color out. It’s important to give yourself time between bleaches because, again, chemicals.

Aftercare and Maintenance Tips

After bleaching, you’ll want to avoid using makeup or products around your eyebrows, as the skin will likely be irritated or red. To maintain the look, you can repeat the bleaching process when your dark roots start to show.

Can You Lighten Your Eyebrows Without Bleach?

The short answer is yes. If you’d like to bleach your eyebrows without using bleach, scroll down for various methods!

Fake-Bleach Concealer Method (Temporary)

This is a great trick if you don’t want to commit to bleaching or if you want to test how it might look beforehand! Use a peachy-toned concealer and an eyebrow brush.

1. Apply the concealer in the opposite direction that your eyebrows grow with the eyebrow brush. This covers the bottom side of the hairs.
2. Brush concealer on in the way you’d normally brush your brows. This covers the tops of the hairs.
3. Dust on some setting powder, and you’re good to go!

Hydrogen Peroxide Method

This is a great method to gradually lighten eyebrows and works especially well for those with sensitive skin. Use a q-tip to apply enough hydrogen peroxide to coat your brows, being careful not to drip it into your eyes. You can do this daily to slowly lighten your brows to the desired shade.

Chamomile Method

The chamomile method of lightening eyebrows is a natural, subtle way to go a few shades lighter. Mix equal parts of chamomile tea with lemon juice, and apply with a q-tip. This will generally work better if you spend some time in the sun.

Pencil Method

Very similar to the concealer method, this technique will require an eyebrow pencil that is several shades lighter than your actual eyebrows. Fill in your brows lightly, covering your natural color. It may be helpful here to use the pencil in the opposite direction of hair growth first, like with the concealer method, so that the roots of your eyebrow hairs are covered. Then, go back over in the direction that your eyebrows naturally grow in.

How Did the Bleached Eyebrow Trend Start?

This “trend” is more like an anti-trend in my eyes. It’s a shocking look and completely changes the look of the face. It's quite a stark contrast from the big, dark, bushy brows we’ve been seeing lately.

The bleached brow look is bold, daring, and really high-fashion. It’s spotted on runway models constantly, from Kendall Jenner to Bella Hadid, Irina Shayk to Lara Stone. Madonna rocked the bleached brow look in the ’80s, and musicians like Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, and Miley Cyrus have all been spotted with them. One thing is for certain; bleached brows always accompany a bold personality.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Justine works and writes from her home in Michigan. She loves to encourage others through her writing.

Is It Time to Change Your Hair Color?

Recently I’ve really been craving a drastic change. I have been getting sick of my drab hair color and wanted something more brilliant. My hair has mostly been a dirty blond my whole life but recently I began bleaching it and learned it's very hard to maintain blond hair. After bleaching, you need to tone, and tone regularly in the shower. It's truly hard work! But being a blond can be well worth it if you can keep up on it.

In the past, I’ve spent tons of money on purple toners, shampoos, and bleach in order to maintain my blond locks. After my most recent attempt to bleach, I noticed my hair was more orange than I wanted it to be, so I realized I needed to bleach again! Bleach does so much damage I just finally gave in and decided to try something darker. After buying several boxes of hair dye I finally settled on the perfect color. Let’s see if this box color can live up to my expectations.

The Salon Is My Enemy

Months ago I won a makeover from a local salon from my local radio station. Being a mom, I am too busy to put much effort into myself and I was excited to receive a new hairstyle. The day went and I sat down in a very young, barely twenty-something hairdresser's chair. She claimed to be a “color expert.” She had a very bubbly attitude and made me feel better as she chatted me up.

I told her how it’s been months of trying to get my hair to platinum blond in order to go silver which was my goal. She ensured me she could help me reach my hair goal. I told her I needed to lighten more on the top and I spent hours in the chair. But she didn’t use any bleach and I became skeptical she knew what she was doing. The salon owner even stated I needed to be two shades lighter to achieve this.

I sat in this chair for over four and a half hours. When I finally got to see the results I was devastated. It was months and months of trying to go platinum blond shot right out the window. My hair was brown on top and very grey at the ends. I was literally so sick of being there that I tipped her $20 and vowed never to return. And that was the last time I’ve ever been to a salon. This story brings me to my next question. Can box dye achieve better than salon results? At this point, I didn't have much to lose.

How to Use a Box Dye

After removing everything from the box. The first thing I noticed was that this dye comes with very nice black latex gloves, unlike the very ill-fitting, humongous gloves that some box dyes give you. The box includes developer, color booster, aromatic shimmer serum, shampoo, conditioner, and gloves.

As I began mixing the color, I realized the dye itself was actually bright red, this box dye is mostly red and with very little brown tones. I was nervous about the intensity of the red at first but now I am highly satisfied. I never really fell in love with boxed color, but this is changing my mind.

The bright red stains things very easily. Just be sure to cover your sink and be careful what you touch. Halfway through dying my hair, I realized red dye was beginning to stain my white sink. I wiped it right away and then cleaned it up later with Clorox bleach spray.

The color seemed to soak right into my thirsty dry hair. Only one box was needed for my shoulder-length hair, even though I bought two just in case. I let the dye sit in my hair for the recommended time of 30 minutes to develop. Then I showered to rinse it all out. It took a bit of time to rinse the color out because it is so intense. It was a few minutes before the water finally ran mostly clear. I used the shampoo and conditioner provided.

The Results

The results are amazing. Like I mentioned above, I was nervous about the bright red base of the color but it turned out to be absolutely gorgeous! My final verdict on this box dye is this, much better than box dyes I’ve tried in the past. It has natural highlights and is shinier than before.

If you are thinking about a change, you must embrace it and live your extra life! If you feel like trying something drastic don’t be afraid. Great hair color can completely change how you feel about yourself and can be a great reliever of stress, which I learned from one of my favorite social media personalities, Brad Mondo. Be a little extra like Brad Mondo says, and go for bold!

I've been dying my hair a variety of colors for the past few years. Here I review some of the more interesting dyes I've used.

About a year ago, one of my friends suggested I dye my hair red, which was quickly supported by the rest of my friends. I had wanted to dye it for a while but was having a hard time settling on a color. I thought red was a great idea and went out to buy one of the popular red dyes from Manic Panic. Little did I know at the time that the "permanent" in semi-permanent would be a sign for the months to come!

Dying My Hair

My hair-dying method is a bit unorthodox. Instead of using dye brushes, I put on disposable gloves and use my hands to apply the dye directly to my hair. It's a bit messier, but I find it easier to get to all of my hair with this method. After I was done, I waited about 40 minutes before I decided to rinse it off.

The shower quickly turned into a bloodbath! I turned the water temperature all the way down to freezing, but even then, red dye was coming out of my hair in buckets. It stained parts of the bathtub a pink color, which I was able to scrub off afterward. I waited under the showerhead for over 20 minutes, and still, red was coming out of my hair. Eventually, the water started running clear.

I let my hair air dry and took a look at the results a few hours later. I was expecting my hair to be much redder and thought I had washed all of the dye out! It was getting late, so I decided to go to sleep and evaluate my hair again the next day.

The Next Morning

The first thing I noticed upon waking up was that, the horror of horrors, I had stained my pillowcase! I hadn't had that problem before with other dye colors, but in retrospect, I probably should have slept with a towel under my head.

The color was much better than what I remembered from the night before. I have light-ish hair, which used to be a pretty solid blonde but is now slowly turning brown. But it's still light enough to dye without bleaching it first, which does mean that colors show up a little more darkly on my hair. This means that the Vampire Red dye was a slightly darker tone on my hair, but still pretty red. I was happy with the results!

The Next Few Months

You know how on the listing for Vampire Red, the informational section predicts that the color will last 4–6 weeks? Quite the contrary!

By my best guess, I would say that the dye lasted 6 months. That's not to mention the months after that where my hair was still tinged a reddish-pink color!

I was happy at first that the color was holding and that I wouldn't have to redye it anytime soon, but then gradually became irritated that I couldn't get the red out of my hair. The strongest reds faded after a few weeks, but the red itself stayed in my hair for a long, long time, but at more of a pink color than the red I wanted.

I got tired of the faded red, especially as I wanted to dye my hair another color. I scoured the internet for clues and found a variety of websites and forums where other people complained about the longevity of the Vampire Red dye. In many places, I found the same suggestion: Dandruff shampoo and baking soda.

Dandruff Shampoo and Baking Soda: Does It Really Strip Dyed Hair Color?

I was glad to have seemingly found a solution to my problem, so I went out and got a bottle of Head & Shoulders and some baking soda. Everyone seemed to have a different opinion on the ratio, so I just poured some of both into my hand while I was in the shower and mixed them together. I then massaged it into my hair and left it for about 15 minutes, and then rinsed it out. Afterward, I used conditioner in an attempt to keep my hair healthy.

A few hours after the shower, when my hair was finished air drying, I was disappointed to discover that it hadn't done much at all. Most people had reported that it had at least lifted the color somewhat, but my red tones hadn't budged an inch.

Every day after that, I kept trying. I tried out different ratios of shampoo to baking soda, leaving it in for longer before rinsing, applying it multiple times in the same day, but to no end. The red simply refused to go. After a few weeks of no results, I gave up.

The Aftermath

In the end, I simply had to wait for the red to fade naturally, which it did, months and months after I first applied it. Towards the end, the light red tones looked pretty cool in my hair, but it wasn't really worth the months of a more pinkish color that I didn't really want.

Maybe the dandruff shampoo and baking soda trick works for other people, but for me, it probably just ruined my hair health without bringing about any results. Perhaps it works better on less intense hair dyes.

In the end, I have mixed feelings about Vampire Red. It looks pretty great when you first apply it, but then you're locked into whatever colors it fades to since it's so hard to get rid of without getting it professionally removed. It's good if you want a long-lasting dye; however, it didn't really work out for me since I like the dependability of being able to change my hair color every so often. Ultimately, it's a fine dye, but I'll be looking into other reds if I choose to dye my hair that color again anytime soon.

Maffew is a hairdresser, marketer, and dabbler in many things who enjoys sharing knowledge about the science of hair coloring and hair care.

Have you ever wanted to have cotton candy colored hair? Pastel hair colors are not only fashionable but also incredibly fun and diverse, allowing you to create unique, modern looks.

What Is It?

Pastel hair is any style that makes use of muted colors dyed over a base of pale hair for a subtle but colorful and unnatural look. As these styles are fairly light, any fading tends to take a lot of the color with it and pastels need more maintenance than most other hair colors to continue looking good.

The style is generally only going to be a good fit for you if you have enough time and motivation to devote to proper upkeep as not only is regular color refreshing necessary, but being a light shade also means most people will have dark roots growing in that need attention every few weeks.

How to Achieve the Look

To get pastel hair you need to start from a pale blonde base. Even natural blondes often don't have light enough hair though—most people will require some amount of lightening to achieve the style unless they already happen to have platinum hair.

If you have dark hair, you'll need to approach the process in two steps, which are:

1. Pre-lightening your hair
2. Dyeing your hair with pastel dye

Pre-Lightening Hair

Most of the different shades of pastel hair require a platinum blonde base and this means your hair needs to be either pre-lightened to a pale yellow or naturally platinum blonde, to begin with. Some shades can work on slightly darker hair depending on what color you want to use, but even that doesn't give very much leeway since you'll still need hair that is close to platinum even for those shades.

If you don't already fit these criteria, you'll need to lighten your hair with bleach and this will require a few items to ensure everything goes smoothly:

• High-quality hair bleach
• Developer
• A tinting bowl and brush
• A comb and gloves

Lightener and Developer

Due to needing a very pale base to work with before dyeing your ideal pastel shade, a high-quality bleach product should be used. Cheaper generic products have more potential to cause damage or lighten inconsistently and less thoroughly and this is something you want to completely avoid as any inconsistencies in the application or processing will show through to the final color as unevenness or too much dark pigment left for the shade to show.

Where possible, use a salon-branded powder lightener on dark hair. If you already have light hair, to begin with, but not pale enough for pastel yet, you may prefer to use a cream or oil-based lightener because these products are gentler on hair that doesn't require as much raw power in terms of lift. These kinds of bleach products should only be used if your hair isn't starting from a darker shade, however.

As a general guide:

• Salon powder bleach with 20 vol developer can lift 7–8 levels which are enough to take dark brown hair to platinum in one process
• Generic powder with 20 vol developer can lift 2–3 levels or 3–4 levels with 30 vol
• Salon cream and oil lighteners are more variable as some products can still lift up to 6–7 levels but in most cases, you can expect a lot less lift in exchange for a gentler process with less scalp irritation

• Choosing the Best Hair Bleach
  If you need some helping choosing the right product to lighten your hair properly, you can find it here.

Tools and Assistance

There are two main reasons pastel hair tends to turn out incorrectly, namely that the hair is left too dark or uneven. In light shades like this, any patchiness due to a clumsy application will be visible even if it's only slight. Getting a completely even and consistent lightening of every hair section is paramount to the perfect result.

For this reason, you will benefit greatly from using a tinting bowl and brush to apply your lightener product to sectioned hair. While doing this will speed up your application, you should also get a friend to help if you still can't do it quickly enough as this will effectively halve the time it takes to get your hair covered in lightener and will also provide another set of eyes to check over the process and ensure that no spots are missed.

Sectioning Hair

Sectioning out your hair is very simple for this process as you can just use quadrants. These are easy to create by parting your hair twice—once straight down the middle and again along the top from ear to ear. This will give you 4 square sections of hair to work with systematically.

Preparation

If you have all your tools ready and your hair sectioned, the last step before you can begin lightening your hair is to prepare your bleach mixture. To do this you'll need to mix the product with developer in the recommended ratio of the manufacturer for the brand you're using.

In situations where there is a variable ratio that can be used, such as with Wella Blondor, more developer leads to a runnier consistency. This can make it easier to get even coverage and work more rapidly, but it also has more potential to be messy if you're not confident with the application.

Mix your lightener at the exact moment you're ready to apply it because it will start reacting and lose potency from this point onward.

Application

Applying the lightener is relatively simple if you've sectioned your hair out properly, but you need to work quickly to ensure the lift is even and consistent across every section of your hair.

To facilitate this, take sections of hair from each quadrant, one at a time, and brush a controlled but generous portion of bleach onto them. Simply repeat this until your hair is covered entirely and then gently massage it through the lengths to ends but not directly into the scalp.

If you have very dark hair, you can get a better application by applying out from the roots first and then applying to the roots mid-application as this area is closer to the scalp where the hair is warmest. Warmer sections will lighten quicker.

This may not exactly be easy though, leading to more potential unevenness if done wrong, so an alternative is to wrap your hair taut and close to your scalp with cling film to retain and equalize heat through every area. This will improve overall lightening and also help to keep the product moist while it processes.

Processing

The processing time is—at maximum—the time that the manufacturer states not to exceed. This is based on the idea that most of the lightening reaction will be spent by this point, and that exposing the hair to alkaline conditions will just lead to increased damage and irritation without significantly more lift.

Most people won't even need to reach the maximum processing time, however, especially if you don't have dark brown hair and are using a high-quality lightener. This is why checking your hair regularly every 5 minutes during processing is important.

As soon as your hair is a pale yellow banana color, rinse the lightener out because you've reached the right foundation for achieving pastel hair now.

• How to Bleach Hair
  See here for an in-depth guide to lightening hair if you need more help before you start.

Dyeing

The next job is where you will actually dye your hair with your chosen shade of pastel. Of course, you should have a good idea of what you want to do before this point already, so having a look at what's available is an important step to take first.

Shade Choice

Any color can be a pastel shade. In fact, you might not even want just one color but rather a mixed shade like lavender, and the only rule to follow is to choose what you find appealing or a shade that suits your features. There are some specific tips to follow though:

• Green or blue pastel hair requires the lightest base because these colors won't show properly on darker hair or where there's too much yellow pigment still visible.
• Pink, red, orange, and similar blends like mauve don't require as clean a base but can still turn out more orange than expected if there is too much yellow pigment left.
• Violet or lilac will be neutralized by too much yellow.
• Rose-gold and similar shades cover well over a slightly darker base and also require less upkeep.

Dye Choice

Dyes used to achieve pastel hair tend to more commonly be demi-permanent or semi-permanent and will gradually wash out of the hair over a period of weeks. This presents some benefits to you though as these dyes are less damaging or not at all damaging depending on which you choose, and when the dye does fade you can choose a brand new shade.

Pastel shades are fairly trendy and have been for a few years now but there is inertia associated with a lot of manufacturers, so options can be limited depending on what brand you choose. One excellent option is Wella's Color Touch Instamatics though, a line of demi-permanent dyes designed to create fashionable pastel looks.

Another good alternative is to use a semi-permanent brand like Manic Panic that offers a lot of different ready-made pastel shades. Any already-light semi-permanent color can be turned into a pastel dye with a little experimentation though by diluting with conditioner, but this requires playing around with the mix yourself.

This is more difficult but can also be more rewarding as it does give the greatest possible range of colors since you can mix anything you want.

Application

If you've chosen the shade you want and a good dye to use to achieve it, the last step of course is to apply the dye to finally get pastel hair. By this point, you've already done most of the hard work and the actual application is comparatively easy.

You'll need the same tools to start, consisting of a tinting bowl, brush, comb, and gloves. There are some differences in application depending on what kind of dye you prefer to use, however.

Semi-Permanent Dye

If you've chosen to use a semi-permanent pastel dye or create your own by mixing/diluting other dyes, this is very easy to apply. Because these dyes cause no damage to the hair at all and don't have a true processing time, a potentially uneven application will usually still result in a perfect result as long as you cover all the hair eventually and then leave it long enough to equalize.

This is possible because the dye doesn't develop—rather, it stains the hair. There is only so much staining that can occur to a single section so if you're slow or messy with the application just massage it through thoroughly and leave it longer so that the areas covered last have enough time to still reach the same shade.

You can apply this type of dye in whatever way is easiest for you and the only way you can really mess it up is by missing spots outright and not bothering to spread it through by massage after. It's literally that easy to use.

Apply the dye, massage it through your hair evenly, and leave it to sit for at least 20 minutes, although longer is better. You can then rinse it out and enjoy your new pastel hair.

Permanent or Demi-Permanent Dye

These kinds of dyes are less forgiving options for acquiring pastel hair but still easy to use. The key here is to apply the product quickly and evenly using a tinting brush—just like when you pre-lightened your hair. Your hair should once again be sectioned for this to ensure speed and an even result.

These pastel dyes will also have a development time you need to follow that is brand-dependent so check the guidelines for the product you're using so that you process the color for the correct amount of time. Leaving it too long can be damaging, whilst rinsing it out too soon will lead to the color not taking properly or fading quickly.

After development, wash the dye out and follow up with a good conditioner if you're experiencing any dryness. You can then style your new look.

• How to Dye Your Hair
  Need more generalized help using and applying any kind of hair dye? You can find it here.

Maintenance and After-Care

Pastel hair requires lightening and the use of dyes to achieve. This process can be damaging to the hair and that is something that needs to be addressed afterward in order to keep your hair looking great.

Hair that is damaged will be more prone to dryness, frizz, and breakages which can be addressed with the use of a good protein treatment and conditioning products. Whether you get much damage at all is more likely if you're starting from a darker shade like brown, however, and it's definitely possible to get to pastel without any noticeable damage with lighter hair.

Regardless of which position you find yourself in, unless you dye your hair very frequently and have changed colors a lot in the past, a few simple treatments are all it takes to repair your hair.

Color Fading

A more likely problem that you will definitely face now that you have pastel hair is fading of your new color. Even if you use a permanent dye, this will still occur and lead to the loss of the style eventually but it can be managed.

In most cases, if you can manage to find a decent color refreshing shampoo, this is all that will be required to keep your color vibrant without any additional damage or hassle. This isn't possible for all shades though but mainly for some of the popular and less outlandish colors like rose-gold or lilac. Product lines like De Lorenzo Nova Fusion shampoo have a few different shampoos that can maintain pink or violet pastel shades.

Retouching

In other cases, especially for shades like pastel blue or metallic colors, it will be necessary to reapply dye after a few weeks to reverse fading and keep the color for longer. If you can use a semi-permanent dye for this, this is ideal as you won't be causing any additional damage to the hair.

If you must use a more permanent option, you should do so only every 4–6 weeks if possible in order to minimize damage but the darker your natural hair color is, the earlier you'll need to address it before it's noticeable. Demi-permanent dye causes a negligible amount of damage to your hair but even this can gradually add up over time if you're careless.

Being both careful and mindful of how you treat your hair will ensure that your pastel hair continues to look and feel amazing.

Do you have a question about dyeing your hair pastel? Have a favorite shade or product to recommend? Leave a comment for tailored advice and share your insight with other readers!

© 2020 Maffew James

Comments

Sp Greaney from Ireland on September 11, 2020:

I love seeing people who have hair color like this. It always looks amazing. Your instructions are very good at explaining how to complete this process at home.

Maffew is a hairdresser, marketer, and dabbler in many things who enjoys sharing knowledge about the science of hair coloring and hair care.

Hair color fading is an unfortunate problem that occurs even with the use of a permanent dye. When fading starts to set in, what was once a vibrant, beautiful shade can turn drab and lifeless.

But it doesn't have to be that way! It's possible to slow fading or even reverse it with a quick retouch.

Why Does Hair Color Fade?

Hair color fades even if you've used a permanent dye, and this is just a fact that should be expected when you dye your hair. This is ultimately the result of a few different factors, including:

• How the dye was applied and the condition of your hair.
• How often you wash your hair and what shampoo you use.
• The ways you style your hair and the tools you use for it.
• Exposure to sunlight and humidity.

Understanding how each of these factors contributes to and causes fading is not only important to reduce fading, but will even help you to dye your hair in a way that makes the color more durable.

How to Improve Dye Application

The way you apply your dye is absolutely crucial to slowing the process of hair color fading because it's directly tied into why fading happens.

Permanent dye is able to be permanent because of the chemical action of developer on the dye molecules which changes them into a form that is bound to and trapped within the hair shaft. This results in these molecules becoming too large to be washed back out.

Knowing how it works can already give you two great insights into the causes behind a dye fading. Namely:

• Not letting the dye develop long enough
• Using a developer strength that is too low

Dye Development Time

Dye has to develop for an adequate amount of time in order to gain permanency and this directly affects how much fading occurs long after the dye has processed and been washed out.

Ideally, it is almost always the correct choice to let the dye develop for the maximum amount of time that the particular brand you're using recommends. Whilst your hair may appear to take on the correct color a lot earlier than this, washing it out too early leads to color that doesn't last long and this results in greater costs and time wasted further down the track when you're forced to retouch the shade a lot earlier than would otherwise be necessary.

Developer Volume

Developer is hydrogen peroxide and this is responsible for two processes in permanent dye:

• Lightening
• Color development

The stronger the developer, the more of the natural pigment it lifts, but more important to the process of fading is its impact on color development, as the name implies. This is also why a higher developer volume tends to regularly be used on resistant or grey hair because it leads to more color development, which results in greater color depth and a decreased likelihood of it washing out rapidly.

Ideally, you should use at least 10 vol developer in a permanent dye if going darker as this will process properly, but 20 vol developer is better in most cases if you tend to experience a lot of hair color fading. For shades that will be lighter than your starting color, use 20 vol for up to 2 levels of lift, 30 vol for up to 3 levels, or 40 vol developer for up to 4 levels of lift as a rough guide but refer to manufacturer directions for your own brand.

In a box dye, the developer is already included in an applicator bottle and you don't know what strength they've chosen but it's likely 20 vol for most shades, 10 vol for the darkest, and 30 vol for blonde shades to try to fit all purposes. You can choose to throw this out and replace it with the same amount of your own developer however and the dye's colorfastness can really be improved a lot of the time.

Alternatively, use salon dye instead and this is better in every way because box dyes are already notorious for fading—it's part of their business model to make you need to buy their products more often!

Washing Hair

The biggest factor involved in exacerbating or decreasing fading besides how you apply your new shade is how you choose to wash your hair after dyeing. This includes the type of shampoo you use, how you use the shampoo, and how often you wash your hair.

Shampoo Choice

Shampoo is great for cleaning your hair because it emulsifies oils and all the other grime present allowing it to be carried out of the hair by water. Unfortunately, this also works on hair dye and shampoo tends to cause a little of your new color to be washed out every time you wash your hair.

Part of this problem comes down to your dye application as the shampoo is washing out dye molecules that didn't set inside the hair properly and instead stained the outside. For this reason, fixing problems with your application is already helping you before you even address your hair washing habits. However, some amount of permanent dye will break down a little over time and be washed out of the hair too.

The types of shampoos that are more likely to increase hair fading include:

• Clarifying shampoo
• Chelating shampoo
• Anti-dandruff shampoo and certain other kinds of medicated products
• Shampoo designed for oily hair

This is because all of these shampoos clean the hair very effectively. They're designed to strip out oils, debris, and hair product buildup but this also means they have a greater effect on your new hair color too.

Where possible, you should avoid these kinds of shampoos and instead use a shampoo designed for colored hair or with a milder cleansing action unless your hair is a more oily type and really needs the extra strength. For some shades like blonde or red, you may be able to get a toning or color refreshing shampoo to match your shade and reduce the fading by adding pigment back into your hair every wash.

• How to Choose the Best Shampoo
  For more tips on how to choose the right shampoo for you to reduce fading while also fitting your other individual needs, see my article here.

How Often You Wash Your Hair

As well as the type of shampoo you use, how often you wash your hair has a direct effect on how fast your color fades.

Barely anyone needs to wash their hair every day, but this happens frequently and leads to increased fading and dryness. A simple tip is that if your hair suffers from dryness that improves over time between washes, you may be washing it too frequently. Shampooing your hair every other day is ideal for most people.

Obviously, you need to skip this recommendation if your hair is naturally very oily or you partake in a lot of physical activity due to work or recreation that results in your hair being exposed to sweat, saltwater, or humidity. In these situations, it's important to wash it more often to keep your hair feeling clean and looking great and you just need to accept that you'll get increased fading too.

Luckily there are still other ways to reduce hair color fading that you can apply.

Heat and Styling

Exposure to heat, particularly from the use of styling tools like blow dryers, straighteners, and curling rods is another significant factor in how fast your hair color fades. In this situation, the heat from tools like this can break down color molecules over time, causing them to be washed out of your hair more readily.

This doesn't mean you need to avoid heated styling, but you will diminish a lot of the color fading if you can. If you prefer to use these tools regularly though, one of the best ways to decrease its effect on your hair color is to always use a heat protectant serum or spray prior to applying any heat and this will help to not only reduce fading but also to reduce damage.

Another very important thing to note is that hair that is properly hydrated is less susceptible to fading or damage from heat and other factors, meaning that if you suffer from dry hair you should try products like leave-in conditioners or serums to remedy this before straightening or curling your hair.

Finally, with any heated styling tool, you should always use only the maximum heat that works to give you the style you want. In many cases, people use their straightener or curling rod at the maximum temperature by default and this can be highly damaging.

Unless you have very coarse, thick, strong hair, the maximum temperature is way too high for you, and even in those cases it can still be too high as many straighteners can be set up to 230°C (446°F) for use with keratin treatments and this temperature shouldn't be used except for the application of those treatments.

Sunlight and Humidity

Environmental factors are another important consideration to slow fading as the sun's UV radiation has a bleaching effect on hair color. In this case, sunlight directly causes fading by chemically altering both your natural pigment and the artificial color of the dye.

Just like how you can protect your skin from sunlight using sunscreen, certain shampoos and hair products contain UV filters to reduce the damaging effect of the sun on your hair and you should look for products like this if you are outdoors often and for long periods of time.

Pool and Beach Water

Water that contains salt or chlorine also has a significant effect on your hair. Salt is drying and this increases fading by stripping moisture out of your hair and color molecules with it, whereas chlorine in pool water has a bleaching effect that directly lightens hair color very slightly. Mineral deposits can also change how your color looks by giving a brassy or greenish tinge to your hair over time.

It's best to avoid exposure to either of these kinds of water if possible, but if you can't avoid it or simply don't want to, be sure to use a good chelating shampoo afterward and follow up with a decent conditioner or treatment. While a chelating shampoo normally increases fading, in this situation the benefit it has in stripping salt, chlorine, and minerals out of the hair leads to less fading than if you let those accumulate.

Humidity

Lastly, humidity or lack thereof is another relevant consideration if you suffer from a lot of fading. Moisture balance is very important for the condition of your hair and for retaining color longer.

Anything that upsets this balance can lead to an increase of fading and this means you should use a product that protects against moisture imbalance like a hair serum if you're exposed to a lot of high or low humidity conditions.

Hair Color Refreshing

It's never too late to take measures to decrease the fading of your new color, but if you already have significant fading then the best way to deal with this is to refresh your hair color instead. This can be done in a few ways, including:

• Color refreshing shampoo
• Semi-permanent or demi-permanent dye
• Color wash
• Dye retouch

Color Refreshing Shampoo

This kind of shampoo is pigmented and designed to add color back into your hair with each wash to delay or reverse fading. If you have blonde hair you're likely familiar with products like this because toning shampoos also fit into this category, but color refreshing shampoos are much broader than that and there are products that work for brown, red or even burgundy hair.

Deeply pigmented products may not just slow hair color fading but actually reverse it in lighter hair but this is dependent on what color your hair is and what shampoo you use. De Lorenzo's Nova Fusion line is a good example of a quality product with many different shades available though.

Semi-Permanent or Demi-Permanent Dye

Semi-permanent dye isn't damaging at all to hair, whilst demi-permanent is only very slightly damaging but lasts a lot longer. Either product can be used to refresh your hair color and reverse fading.

For this purpose, you want to use a shade that is close to what your hair color is, and these dyes can help to keep your hair looking great for longer between permanent dye applications without causing additional damage.

Color Wash

A color wash is kind of an old trick where you mix a little dye with shampoo either alone or with a splash of developer too and use this to wash your hair. This can be used regularly between regular washes to slow or even prevent hair color fading from occurring, but it also is very good at refreshing lost color.

Like the previous option, it is only very mildly damaging but it may dry out your hair a little so it needs to be followed up with a good conditioner.

Retouching

Hair color retouching is simply going back over it with the same dye to completely reverse the fading. This is the most extreme method to reverse fading, but it's also guaranteed to work swiftly and decisively to get your shade looking its best. It has more potential for damage but this is still less than a full dye application since it doesn't contact the hair as long.

Ideally, a retouch should be done when your root regrowth is long enough to treat. First, start by applying permanent dye only to your roots, then mix up some fresh dye and apply this to the lengths and ends in the last 10 minutes of the development to renew the fading color of these areas.

Dye Aftercare

Hair color fading can't entirely be avoided but it can be reduced or reversed and this is an important part of the aftercare of any dye application. Taking care of your color properly is the difference between saving time, money, and the condition of your hair. With a few adjustments to how you treat your hair, you can keep it looking and feeling its best.

Do you have a question about hair color fading or have problematic hair? Leave a comment for tailored advice and share your insight with other readers.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2020 Maffew James

Comments

Maffew James (author) on September 23, 2020:

Hi Bella,

Exactly right. 10 vol developer for the lengths if you can and this will minimize damage to those areas.

Bella629 on September 11, 2020:

Hi Maffew,

Love your articles! Thank you so much for sharing the knowledge of hair coloring!

A question on retouching hair color, should I use a different volume developer for the length and ends (since they are lighter) from the roots?

I offer professional advice and knowledge about all things hair dye. Discover the terminology, chemistry, and processes behind dyeing hair.

Hair dye allows you to change your look in so many ways, but if you don't want a lasting change or simply want to experiment a little with a new shade, a semi-permanent dye is one of the most versatile and useful products for the task.

What Is Semi-Permanent Dye?

Semi-permanent dyes are a form of temporary hair color that gradually washes out of the hair. Not only can these dyes be used to color the hair without having to commit to the result, but there is also no potential for damage with the use of products like this because they don't contain ingredients like peroxide or ammonia that harm the structure of the hair shaft.

Products that are semi-permanent come in many forms such as mousses or gels, and a huge variety of shades—both natural and also brighter colors like blue or purple. It is for this reason and the lack of damage that they are particularly useful. Some of the most common types of semi-permanent dyes include:

• Rinses
• Gels and creams
• Mousses
• Sprays

Rinses and sprays are typically very mild dyes that only apply a small amount of color to the hair, making them most effective for toning hair or creating minor changes to how your hair looks. They also wash out quicker than the other common products.

Mousses tend to have more pigment and last longer so they're useful for making more noticeable changes to hair but they are also often used as toners. Gel or cream products are the thickest and most pigmented variants. They are designed to cling to the hair and deposit more color. These dyes are used for anything from toning to achieving much darker color transitions, or intense unnatural shades like green or pink.

No matter what kind of dye you choose to use though, there is one thing you need to remember that applies to all these dyes: semi-permanent dye can't lighten hair. This means that you can only achieve tone-on-tone or darker results with their use. If you need to lighten your hair, this isn't the right product for it.

Uses

Whilst the most obvious use of semi-permanent hair color is to simply dye the hair temporarily, this isn't all they can do. Some considerations for the use of products like this include:

• Dyeing hair temporarily
• Toning hair
• Refreshing faded hair colors
• Brightening or retouching colors that have turned out too dull

How Long Does Semi-Permanent Hair Color Last?

In a perfect scenario, the color generally lasts for about 16–24 washes depending on the product used. However, this estimate of longevity is based on hair that is in good condition, has intact cuticles, and isn't styled with heated tools too frequently.

As with any type of hair color, there are factors within your control that can either extend or shorten the duration of the dye. There are also things that may be out of your control, like cuticle damage from previous chemical treatments. The most crucial conditions determining how long the color will last include:

• Hair condition
• Porosity
• How frequently you shampoo your hair
• Use of heated styling tools
• Use of hair care products

Hair Condition and Porosity

The condition of your hair has a direct effect on how long the dye remains vibrant. A little damage to the cuticles that line the outermost part of the hair shaft helps the dye stick because of the increased surface area as this kind of dye actually functions as a stain.

Conversely, too much damage has the opposite effect because the cuticle layer ends up largely destroyed and missing in badly damaged hair. Hair that is in good condition—or only very slightly damaged—will hold onto the dye longer.

Shampoo Frequency

As semi-permanent dye is a stain on the surface of the hair, shampoo will gradually emulsify it away each time you wash your hair, and this will be the main way that the color fades out over time. This also means that how often you shampoo your hair has the greatest effect on how long the color will last, and this is one of the factors that is also most in your control.

Shampoos vary in how strongly they clean hair with products like clarifying, chelating, or anti-dandruff shampoos being the harshest. These products strip all the natural oils out of the hair as well as anything else like debris, styling products, and hair dye. Shampoos designed for dry hair, most colored hair shampoos, and moisturizing shampoos are all much milder and will wash out less color.

Apart from the type of shampoo you use, the frequency that you wash your hair is also one of the most important factors in making your hair color last longer. It is ideal to only wash your hair as often as is necessary to keep it clean if you want to maintain the color for as long as possible.

Heated Styling Tools

Another factor affecting the duration of your color is any use of heated styling tools. This is of much less impact than shampoo use and the condition of your hair, but it's still relevant to know as using straighteners or curling irons will reduce how long your color lasts because the heat of these tools tends to break down the stain adhesion of the dye, amplifying the effect of shampooing.

Temperature protection products like serums and sprays can help to mitigate this (as well as reduce potential damage from styling too).

Use of Hair Care Products

The last major factor in how long your color will last is the type of hair care products that you use. Products like leave-in conditioners and hair serums tend to help any hair color last longer because they help keep the hair hydrated. Serums in particular will even help reduce the harmful effect of high humidity if that's a problem where you live.

Application

The application process for these types of dyes is one of the product's many strengths as it is much easier to apply these types of dyes than it is to apply a permanent or demi-permanent dye. However, as dye comes in a few different forms it can be a little confusing because there's no single application method that fits every product.

Practically every semi-permanent dye should be applied after shampooing your hair though, and this is one common step to almost every product. This means before applying your dye you will need to wash your hair and how you proceed from there then depends on the style of product being used.

Rinses

Rinses should be applied after washing your hair but you don't need to leave the shower because they only sit in the hair for a few minutes. Simply squirt the product through damp hair and massage through from roots out to the ends of your hair, then leave it a few minutes before rinsing. As the product is conditioning it replaces the need for a conditioner but you can use one if you have very dry hair and need the extra moisturization.

Mousses

Semi-permanent mousses are applied similarly to a rinse except the product is thicker and gets left to process in the hair for a longer period. For this reason, you might prefer to turn off the shower and sit down somewhere if possible while you wait, otherwise, the same directions apply: shampoo your hair, apply the mousse, process it for the time directed, and then rinse. Follow up with conditioner only if you need the extra conditioning.

Gels and Creams

Gels and creams are usually also applied to damp hair, but these will have a more traditional processing time where you will need to leave them in the hair for 20 minutes or more depending on the individual product so you'll need to have time available to use these dyes.

Start by giving your hair a good shampoo, then towel dry your hair so it isn't dripping wet. As these kinds of dyes are heavily pigmented, you want your hair to be a little damp but not so much that the product can drip everywhere and stain skin, clothes, or furniture.

How you actually apply the product is ultimately up to you. You can apply it meticulously and systematically with a tinting bowl and brush, or just mix it through your hair by hand (wearing gloves of course with either method to avoid staining your hands). As long as the product is applied evenly and you don't miss any spots it will turn out the same way no matter how it's applied as there is no developer in the dye that could lead to patchiness due to slow application or heat banding.

Ideally, leave the product in for the minimum time the manufacturer recommends, but it's not harmful to your hair to leave it in longer than this. In fact, the longer you leave a semi-permanent dye in your hair, the more likely it will be more resistant to fading quickly. As the product is essentially a pigmented conditioner, it is also unnecessary to use a conditioner after rinsing it out, and you shouldn't shampoo it out of your hair either, simply rinse with cool or warm water and then dry as usual.

Sprays

Spray-based semi-permanent dyes are uncommon, and the only specific thing to note is that you'll want to apply these in the same way as a rinse in the shower as the product can be messy. Otherwise, these are essentially the same as a rinse but instead of squirting it through the hair, you will spray it on the hair and then massage it through.

Shade Mixing

In the same way that permanent dyes are designed to be inter-mixable within the same brand and product line, this is also true of a lot of semi-permanent dyes. This is mostly the case for gel or cream products though as even if you can technically mix other kinds of products, it's generally not so feasible to try to mix a rinse or mousse.

As for why you would want to mix different shades of dye to begin with, this really just boils down to creating your perfect shade or taking a spartan approach to making a particular shade you don't currently have but need immediately. It's very common for people to mix outlandish colors like blue, red, or yellow to really individualize what is already likely a fun shade and achieve the exact look they envision.

When mixing these dyes, the major thing to note is that you should only do this within the same brand and product line where possible. Whilst it isn't harmful to mix different brands because there are no chemicals in the dye that could react, the product isn't tested to ensure it works properly if used like this so you do take a minor risk of it not lasting as long.

If you're mixing dyes that are natural colors, these will have a level which is how dark the shade is, and one or more tones that comprise the exact look of the shade. This is all the information you need to be able to mix these shades. Mixing unnatural shades is mostly just a visual affair, on the other hand, standard color rules apply but it's more of a guess how mixing a certain amount of a much darker dye into a lighter dye affects the mixed color result for example.

Color Depth

Professional dye brands are typically designed in a way that if you mix shades of different levels, you already have a good idea of what level the result will be. For example, if you mix a dark ash blonde and a light ash blonde, the result will be a medium ash blonde usually. If in doubt, check the manufacturer's recommendations and information.

Tone

Tone is the primary and/or secondary colors present in a dye that dominate the appearance of the shade. As with the level, mixing dyes of different tones can give you something in between both, like a neutral blonde and ash blonde being mixed to give something that is more ashy than the neutral, but less than the full ash.

Unlike depth, however, not every shade will respond like this to mixing. If you were to mix a red and golden shade, for example, you get something coppery as a result because red and yellow create orange. This is the same scenario you'll find yourself in if you mix unnatural shades of semi-permanent hair color like blue, red, and yellow incidentally and the easiest way to get to know what you're doing if you struggle with color theory is to use a color wheel like the one below.

Toning Hair With Semi-Permanent Dye

One of the best uses of semi-permanent hair color is toning hair. This could be anything from neutralizing red tones in brown hair or keeping pearl blonde hair from showing yellow tones and the versatility is close to the same as that of permanent dye but without the damage.

Toning, as a process, follows the same principles as mixing shades in that you can use the color wheel to get the right idea about what you need to do. For example, if you wanted to tone hair that is a brassy, yellowish-orange color you can already tell you need to add a violet-blue tone into the hair to counteract this. You also need to use a dye that's the right depth though and this is mostly a visual estimate made by looking at the hair so it's something that takes practice.

Knowing all that information, as long as you can roughly guess how dark your hair is, using a semi-permanent dye containing the required tone at one level lighter than your hair is a very easy and effective way to tone out any unwanted color. This can work on hair that is very pale or very dark and it will still function the same as long as you get the dye selection right by using color theory and your eyesight.

To tone hair, you'll generally want to use either a mousse or cream product. However, this will simply be rinsed out once your hair is adequately toned rather than left for a longer period. As before, there's no problem with leaving the product in longer but it can potentially over-process like any toner and this will result in too much toning.

The effect of this depends on what color you were toning with but overly ashy or purple tones in blonde hair are a common result, whereas brown hair could turn out mousey or even get a very slight muddy-green tinge to it. In any case, this will wash out with a shampoo or two if you do make a mistake so it's not necessarily a problem but it is an inconvenience.

Refreshing or Retouching Permanent Dye

An often overlooked use of semi-permanent hair color is refreshing and retouching other dye-jobs. Not only can a semi-permanent dye refresh a color that has faded and become dull, but it can also be used to alter the color you already have. As an example, if you had red hair you could make it mahogany or burgundy with a semi-permanent dye that would last several washes.

Uses like these can help save on potential damage to your hair too as refreshing the look of your hair color too often with permanent dye increases the risk of damage and subsequent problems like frizz and breakages. Semi-permanent dyes don't cause these issues so you can use them between permanent processes to maintain healthier hair.

Caring for Dyed Hair

If you've dyed your hair with semi-permanent hair color, it's important also to know how to care for it and this is something that will make it last a lot longer, saving you time and money. Some of the easiest ways to care for your new hair color include:

• Washing it less frequently where possible and with a milder shampoo and only slightly warm water.
• Avoiding heated styling tools like blow dryers and straighteners, or using them at the lowest temperature that works.
• Using protein treatments to maintain strength.
• Using leave-in conditioners and a hair serum to protect against dryness and environmental stressors.

However, this doesn't mean you have to give up your favorite style or put up with unclean hair. Following the above recommendations can add a few washes before your color fades out but with how easy and convenient it is to use these dyes, it doesn't have to be a major concern. What matters is that your hair both looks and feels great.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2020 Maffew James

I offer professional advice and knowledge about all things hair dye. Discover the terminology, chemistry, and processes behind dyeing hair.

Grey hair coverage is a problem that many people encounter as they age. Whether you're trying to keep your natural color looking its best or test out a brand new shade, having any amount of grey can change the way you need to approach the dyeing process.

It may be necessary to use specific shades or even mix more than one shade of dye to color grey hair properly.

Why Is Grey Different?

Hair looks one color to the eye, but the shade you see actually consists of a number of colors, and it's the way these tones interact that gives the final result. In the case of brown hair, for example, there are yellow, red, and blue tones contributing to the shade of brown you see in the mirror, and this becomes even more obvious if the hair is lightened because it visibly turns red, then orange, then progressively paler shades of gold and yellow as more pigment is stripped out.

Grey hair differs from regular hair in being nearly or completely colorless though, and this means that depending on just how dark your natural hair color is, not only is a lot of color missing and needs to be replaced when dyeing but the specific colors missing from the hair cause it to react differently to any dye used compared to the rest of your hair.

It is for this reason that the process of coloring grey hair requires a slightly different approach to how you would normally dye your hair. In the same way that dyeing lighter hair a much darker color can turn out very wrong, your grey tresses can also react to dye in unintended ways. Ash brown dye could cause your hair to turn a greenish shade, whilst an auburn brown could look a bright orange or red on those strands.

This may not be a problem if you only have a small percentage of grey hair because it will blend in to an extent, but past a certain point, it will begin to noticeably affect the way your overall color looks.

Grey Density

The amount of grey hair you have can be described as a rough percentage estimate, ranging from 0–100%. This is something you have to judge for yourself based on appearance to determine the density of your own hair but will allow you to dye it properly because the amount of grey is what will determine how you change your dye mixture to compensate.

If you have more than 30% grey hair, this will require shade-mixing in most cases if you want specific shades like auburn, ash, golden, or any other color that isn't a neutral base. Hair that is more than 50% grey will need a different mixture and may also be more resistant to accepting color, but there are a few tricks to get around this and color grey hair with a beautiful, lasting result.

How to Achieve Grey Coverage

Like any situation where you want to dye light hair a much darker color, grey needs to be filled for it to turn out the right shade. This simply means replacing the missing base tone for the color you want. As an example, dark brown hair has a lot of red and yellow pigment that forms the base tone, and it is a comparatively smaller amount of cool-toned blue pigment that softens and tones this into a real brown shade.

If you just dye your hair with any shade you want, the dye doesn't necessarily contain a balance of red, yellow, and blue pigment to fill your hair and this is where mistakes can occur. Luckily, color manufacturers have always provided the ideal shade for working with grey hair and this is called a natural shade, or sometimes neutral.

The exact name and color code vary with brand obviously, but it's often denoted by an N or 0. A medium brown could be called medium natural brown, medium neutral brown, 4N, or 4.0 for example and all of these names usually mean the same thing. Dyes like this are purposefully designed to color grey hair by filling in the missing base tone so that your color turns out the way it should.

You can actually use any natural shade for any amount of grey (up to 100% grey) with many dye brands and your hair will dye properly without any strange results. However, you may want a specific shade like ash and this is where mixing shades is really powerful because you can effectively modify how the natural shade will turn out but maintain the filling effect as intended.

Shade Mixing

A natural shade is necessary for grey coverage in anyone with more than 30% grey hair, but you can also mix shades to modify how it will turn out and get a more individual result without changing its effectiveness. This is easily done by mixing the exact shade you like with the natural shade at the same level and the table below will help you do this.

If you have less than 30% grey, you can often use any dye and it will mostly turn out as expected because there's not a lot of grey to interfere with the result. If you have resistant grey hair that just doesn't want to accept color, or you intend to dye it much darker rather than just a few levels, you should use the mixing rule for 30–50% grey, which entails mixing one-third natural shade into your desired shade.

To color grey hair that is more than 50% density, your mixture needs to be at least half natural shade and half desired shade to ensure it is filled properly.

Dye Application

Whether you're using a natural shade alone or a mixture, it's important to apply the dye correctly to ensure an even and lasting result.

Developer

Developer is crucial to the color deposition process that occurs in permanent dyes and it's the ingredient that actually allows the dye to be permanent by producing a chemical change in the dye molecules within your hair. If you're using a box dye, it is generally already included within an applicator bottle that you will squeeze the tube of color into directly, while for salon dye, the color and developer are completely separate products.

To color grey hair, you'll need to use at least a 10 vol developer with your dye, though 20 vol is much more effective, especially for resistant grey. This is because a higher developer volume helps to force more pigment to be deposited in your hair and will often give a much more lasting result, as well as helping to ensure your hair fills properly.

Mixing

Once you have your developer ready, you'll need to mix this with the color or mixture of colors in an equal ratio unless the specific brand uses a different mixing ratio. As an example, if you wanted a light ash brown result on 70% grey, you can mix 30ml of light ash brown with 30ml of light natural brown to 60ml of 20 vol developer in a tinting bowl by brush.

If using a box dye and mixing shades, you will need to buy both boxes and mix the amount of the natural shade you intend to use into one applicator bottle, then the other shade into the same applicator bottle. For example, you can use half a tube of each color and if you needed more product for very long hair you could mix the other half of each tube into the second applicator bottle if required. Alternatively, mix everything in a mixing bowl by brush and apply that way if preferred.

Application

Application is as easy as applying your dye the same way you normally would for any other dye. Whether this means using a box dye and applicator bottle or a salon dye and applying to sectioned hair by brush is up to you, but make sure that you work quickly and evenly. Sectioning hair can help to do this regardless of what product and application method you're using.

One of the easiest and best ways to section your hair for a dye is to just divide it up into four quadrants by parting it down the middle and then again along the top of your hair. You can then work in one quadrant at a time, applying in layers of hair.

Development Time

After applying your dye you need to give it adequate time to develop so that it absorbs the color correctly and doesn't fade rapidly. When dealing with hair that is grey, you should use the maximum development time recommended by the brand in most cases.

Rinsing

The last step of any dye application is to rinse it once it has developed and this is very simple, though like any other part of the process there's a trick to making it even easier for yourself.

Rather than attempting to wash it all out at once, use only a small amount of water at first and massage this through the hair. This helps to emulsify the color and start to get the product moving more fluidly, after which you can rinse it under running water cleanly.

• How to Dye Your Hair
  More about the general process and principles of dyeing your hair if you need a little extra help.

Resistant Hair

Resistance is the most common problem that can still occur despite doing everything else right when dyeing grey hair. This is when the hair doesn't take color very well and can often fade much more rapidly as a result too. If you have resistant hair, there are ways to deal with it though and you can still get lasting grey coverage despite your hair fighting you at every step.

One of the easiest ways to encourage greater color deposition is to use only a natural shade, or a greater amount of it in your shade mixture as this will help the hair to fill more effectively. If fading is more the issue, applying a clear protein filler prior to your dye can help it take better and last longer, as can treating your hair with repair and conditioning treatments to improve its condition.

For hair that is very resistant though, the ideal fix is something that is, unfortunately, brand and product-dependent. Products like Wella Koleston Perfect that feature double base tone shades are the best fix because these shades have a much greater amount of pigment deposition and are designed to deal with this exact issue.

Shades like this aren't meant to be mixed though as it dilutes down their strength and this is exactly what you don't want to do for resistant hair. Instead, if you want to alter the resulting color, you need to add a small amount of special mix (also known as intensifiers or pure additives in other brands) and this will allow you to change how the color turns out while still dyeing resistant grey hair effectively.

After-Care

Half the battle of coloring grey hair is maintaining it after the fact as this is where you can make a huge difference in how long your color lasts. If you've used a permanent dye, most of that dye is going to remain in the hair until you either strip it out artificially, or it grows out, but a certain amount does fade or wash out of the hair and this can lead to your color losing some depth and potentially looking dull.

Whilst you can't completely prevent fading of any dye, there are things you can do to reduce it. Some of the easiest ways include:

• Only shampoo your hair when needed
• Using milder shampoos—avoiding clarifying or anti-dandruff shampoos
• Using a conditioner designed for colored hair
• Using leave-in conditioners or hair serums
• Limiting the use of heated styling and always using a serum or heat-protectant spray beforehand
• Using hair treatments to repair and condition the hair

• How to Take Care of Dyed Hair
  If you need more information about how to take care of your new color you can find it here.

Being mindful of how you wash and style your hair will help to ensure that your color continues to look good up until you need to apply a retouch to the roots or refresh the overall shade, and this is an essential step required for achieving lasting dye coverage in hair that is grey.

If you're careful with how you treat your hair, your new color will look stunning for weeks.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2020 Maffew James

Gray hair.... There are many ways to achieve it. You could use a silver toner, find a gray dye, become the president. But one of my favorite methods is to use Color Solutions by Ion in the shade Titanium.

Right off the bat, I'd like to apologize because I have no idea what to call this product. I mean, look at the label. What would you call it? Ion Pigments? Ion Color Solutions Color Depositing Masque? Ion Pigments Titanium Color Solutions? I'm not sure. I even looked it up online, and that didn't help. Either way, the product this review is focusing on is pictured below.

What Is It?

This product isn't a typical dye, nor is it a toner. It's basically a pigmented conditioner, which you can use to apply or maintain color. It's made with natural oils and antioxidants that allow you to color your hair without damage - hence the "hair masque" title.

This product is best when applied on pre-lightened hair.

Titanium Pigment

Before you go any further, know that this review is only for the Titanium pigment. While I have had much success with other Ion products, Titanium is the only color I have tried from this specific line.

For a little backstory, I started out with a platinum blonde hair. I wanted to go silver, so I used Arctic Fox Sterling (shown in the "before" picture below). It didn't work out as I had expected, but that's a review for another time. Being unsatisfied with the longevity of the Arctic Fox, I was looking for something a bit darker to use. That's when I discovered the Ion Titanium masque.

Photos and reviews will show you that it goes on pretty dark gray - which was perfect for the dark-root ombre I was aiming for. My hair is naturally dark brown, so applying an equally dark color at the roots helps to hide my growth. The goal here was to apply Titanium at the roots, and blend it down the hair shaft to fade into a lighter silver.

How to Use

When using this product, I absolutely recommend that you put it on before you shower, on dry hair. I read plenty of reviews before purchasing, and it seems a lot of people used it for the first time IN the shower on wet hair, only leaving it on for a few seconds before rinsing off. That's a great way to get splotchy, uneven hair color!

The key is control - I applied this product exactly as I would any other hair dye - carefully with the proper tools.

Supplies:

• 1-2 tubes of Ion Color Solutions Titanium (I used half of one tube to cover my roots)
• Dye bowl
• Dye brush
• Butterfly clip
• Gloves

Squeeze the product into a dye bowl. Use your dye brush to apply the color to your hair in small sections. You can certainly apply this on your entire head, but you'll see from my photos that I only used it on my roots. I usually work the layers from top to bottom, which is where the butterfly clip comes in handy.

Once you've saturated your hair evenly with the masque, you can really leave it in as long as you'd like. Typically, I like to let a dye sit in for two hours before rinsing it out.

Rinse the dye out using lukewarm water, and once you start to see the water running clear, you're ready to dry! Do NOT shampoo - you just put color in your hair, you don't want to pull it all out.

Upkeep

This product typically appears as a dark gray after it is initially washed out. As it begins to fade, it pulls to a light blue color (pictured below). I liked the light blue, so I let it fade out rather than upkeeping.

If you'd prefer the gray dark, spot touchups are the way to go. Just apply a little bit of the masque to fading spots a few minutes before you step into the shower. Or, since you've already done the full initial application, just use the product in the shower each time in place of a conditioner. This will help ensure your color is saturated and even.

When it comes time to remove the color, either a color stripper or bleach with 10 volume developer will easily do the trick.

Ion Color Solutions Titanium: 5 out of 5

I loved this product, and I've used it to do a shadow root several times since. It's super easy to use, it definitely made my hair feel silkier, and I love the color. Not to mention that one tube is right around $7 - it's a pretty cost effective fix! I definitely recommend this product to anyone looking for a dark gray dye.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Tori loves dying her hair all colors of the rainbow and shares her tutorials with others.

I dye my hair just about every three months and love choosing bright and interesting colors. Luckily for me, over the past decade, there has been an explosion of semi-permanent hair color brands that provide an impressive variety of colors. Recently I've been working my way through Arctic Fox's line of colors. I've also been on a cool-tone color streak, so the Arctic Fox Semi-Permanent Hair Dye in Violet Dream fit into my lineup perfectly.

Notes Before Starting

• My hair is naturally a medium-dark blonde, and very thick. I have found that most semi-permanent dyes don't stick to my hair if I don't lighten it first. I dye my hair frequently which means it gets lightened often, so I only lighten my roots now.
• You may need multiple bottles of dye depending on how long your hair is. My hair is just below my shoulders, so I typically purchase two bottles: one 8-ounce and one 4-ounce. That is enough to generously cover my entire head.
• Arctic Fox is a vegan, cruelty-free brand, which earns them major points. Because of their ingredients and formulation, you can think of this dye like a leave-in conditioner with coloring properties. You shouldn't have to worry about allergic reactions or damaged hair.

Supplies List

Step 1: Lighten Your Hair

The first step to dying hair any semi-permanent color is to lighten it. If your hair is naturally light blonde already, you can most likely skip this step. But if it's dark blonde, brown, or black, you'll need to lighten it. But be careful—lightening your hair too much or with the wrong products is what causes the most damage.

For lightening products, I am loyal to Ion Color Brilliance Bright White Creme Lightener mixed with 20 volume Sensitive Scalp developer. The creme lightener is much easier to work with than a messy powder lightener. This one also doesn't smell nearly as bad as others on the market. I have also experienced more even lightening and much less damage to my hair versus others on the market.

I lighten my roots only, right before I dye the ends. I mix a 1:1 ratio of developer to lightener, brush it on my roots using a tint brush, and process no longer than 10–15 minutes. If this is your first time lightening your hair, I recommend taking a look through this tutorial on how to use the product.

Once your hair has been lightened, let it air dry and wait a day to apply the dye. This gives your hair a chance to rest and dry naturally, since applying heat can cause damage.

If your hair was previously a bright color, try to fade it as much as possible using clarifying shampoo or jumping in a pool (I work at a pool, that's why I suggest this as an effective option), but you don't have to worry if there is still a little bit of color remaining. My hair was previously blue and there was a tiny bit of blue left once I faded it. I didn't mind having that underneath the purple because it helped provide a dimension as the purple faded.

Step 2: Applying the Dye

I always start by applying dye to my roots, following the below steps:

1. Section hair into four parts and tie them off, working with one section at a time.
2. Using the tint brush, paint the dye onto the root, making strokes about two inches in length.
3. Using the end of the tint brush, draw a thin line underneath the hair you just painted (like you would if you were parting your hair). Paint the back-side of that line of hair, and then paint the new section.
4. Keep drawing parts and painting the dye on until the whole section of roots has been covered.
5. Once the section of roots has been covered, use your gloved fingers to rub dye into the rest of the section of hair.
6. Once the whole section is saturated, pin it up onto itself and begin the next section.
7. Repeat steps 1–6 until all hair is saturated.

If you need to see how this is done, the video below from ElleBangs is a great visual example!

Step 3: Allow the Dye to Absorb

Because Arctic Fox hair dye contains only natural ingredients and no chemicals, it ends up being like a conditioning treatment. I prefer to let the dye stay in for 1–2 hours before washing it out. The conditioning portion of the dye really helps my hair feel hydrated and smooth. As far as the dye itself, two hours may be overkill, but it makes me feel like it will stay longer—especially since I work at a pool!

Step 4: Rinse and Dry

When it's time to rinse, DO NOT USE SHAMPOO THE FIRST TIME. Shampoo will pull out some of the color and ruin the evenness of the color deposit. You only want to rinse until the water runs clear.

After rinsing, I typically will dry with a hairdryer set to medium heat so as not to burn my hair.

Step 5: Maintain Your Color

• Due to my work schedule at the pool, I typically only wash my hair twice a week: Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings. If you don't work at a pool and can make it to where you only wash your hair once a week, then the color will last longer.
• Use dry shampoo in between washes to keep the greasiness at bay. My favorite is Batiste Dry Shampoo.
• When you do wash your hair, make sure you are using a sulfate-free shampoo. Follow immediately with conditioner and lukewarm water, which I have found keeps the color runoff to a minimum. Rinse until there is no color runoff left.

Review and Conclusion

I already have a very positive view of Arctic Fox due to using their dyes in the past, but this color is really gorgeous and lasts a pretty long time. I loved this color so much I ended up dying my hair twice with it. I kept the color for two months, re-dyed at the two-month mark, and kept it for another two months before switching colors. Here are my takeaways:

• This dye makes your hair feel amazing.
• It is long-lasting and fades to a color that is just as pretty.
• The packaging isn't great. You lose about a half-ounce of dye because it's not a squeeze bottle and the dye isn't liquid (the bottle is hard plastic and the dye is conditioner consistency, so you can't squeeze the last bit out).
• I love that the company is vegan and cruelty-free. I would love it if they could add to that mission by eliminating plastic from their packaging and using something biodegradable, such as sugar cane resins, or simply using recycled plastics to manufacture their bottles would be awesome too.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Tori is a 28-year-old, three-time animal mom and DIYer living in Northern Atlanta with her boyfriend.

How I Got Started

Shortly before Thanksgiving last year, I was enthralled with gray hair and wanted to try it myself. However, I was torn because I wanted to do a bright color again too. I decided not to choose and ended up doing both.

I chose gray and red because I thought they would look pretty together, and that's pretty much it. There's not a whole lot of reference material on the internet for these two colors together, so I knew I was going in blind, but I had trust that it would work out just fine.

For my gray, I chose to use Ion Color Brilliance Semi-Permanent Hair Color in Titanium mixed with just a touch of Ion Color Brilliance Semi-Permanent Hair Color in Black. The photos of the titanium were just a hair lighter than I wanted mine to be, so adding just a tiny bit of black adjusted the shade to the darkness I wanted.

For my red, I chose Manic Panic Semi-Permanent Cream Color in Wildfire. This red online looked to be the vibrant red with a touch of orange tone that I wanted. If I do this hair again, I also think that Manic Panic's Rock 'N' Roll red would look absolutely stunning with the Titanium. Rock 'N' Roll red is more on the pinker toned side of red.

I found all of these colors and supplies at Sally Beauty Supply, but you can order everything you need from Amazon as well.

Supplies You'll Need

Step 1: Lighten Your Hair

The above picture is what I had right before I lightened my roots and began applying my dye. To give you a better idea, my hair was bright red with violet roots prior to this picture, so I'd say it faded pretty well.

Here's What I Do To Remove Color:

1. I work at a pool and teach swim lessons three days of the week. Normally I wear a cap, but when I'm ready to re-color my hair, I take it off and let the chlorine do the heavy lifting. It works pretty well most of the time.
2. I use a clarifying shampoo to remove a large portion of color deposits. Normally, I only wash my hair twice a week, but for two weeks before I dye my hair, I wash it three to four times a week (especially since I'm letting my hair get all chlorine-filled at the pool).
3. If I think there will be additional detrimental show-through color, I will use volume 10 developer and the lightener I mentioned in the supplies list above to remove some of it. I try not to do this on a regular basis since my hair has already been lightened a lot.

The remaining color deposits did not affect the final color at all, so if your hair is as faded as mine was in the picture above, don't worry. Generally speaking, if you're going darker than your faded color, you will not see any color show through, and that was the case here. If you are trying to go lighter, however, you may notice some issues. If you're concerned, you can use a toner such as Wella T-18 to even out your hair a bit.

Here's What I Do To Lighten My Roots:

Nowadays, when I lighten my hair, I only lighten my roots, because the rest of my hair has been hit with lightener enough that I don't want to damage it further. If you need more direction on lightening your entire head, take a look at the review and tutorial I wrote about Ion Color Brilliance Bright White Creme Lightener. These are the steps I follow to lighten my roots using this product.

1. Mix lightener and developer at 1:1 ratio in a tint bowl. Wear gloves while applying.
2. Section hair out into sections about 2x2 inch squares.
3. Starting on one side of the square, apply lightener with a tint brush. Be careful not to overlap the new lightener with any previously lightened hair by more than a quarter-inch to prevent breakage.
4. Using the pointy end of the tint brush, thinly part and flip the sectioned hair that you just painted to one side. Apply to the other side of the hair.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 moving your way through the square as quickly as possible until the whole square has been saturated with lightener.
6. Repeat steps 3-5 for each square of hair.
7. Let sit until your hair has lightened the desired amount, or for 20 minutes—whichever comes first.
8. Rinse lightener out in the shower and apply conditioner.
9. If your hair is not the desired lightness, wait a day or two to give your hair time to rest, then repeat the process.

The video below from Ellebangs on Youtube is a great resource if you need help figuring out how to section and apply lightener or hair dye to your roots without missing any spots!

Step 2: Apply Color

The next step in the process after lightening your hair is to apply the color. To prepare for the color, I followed the following steps:

1. Part your hair across the back of your head in a straight line. I started my line at the top of one ear and drew straight across the back of my head to the top of my other ear. You may need a buddy to help you make sure the line is straight.
2. Pull back the bottom section so it's not in the way. You will first apply dye to the top section of hair.
3. Mix just a tiny bit of black dye, I would say no more than a teaspoon, with the Titanium color to make it just a bit darker.
4. Using the hair sectioning method shown above, apply the dye to your roots. If you are not confident in your ability to not get dye on the bottom section of hair, lay a piece of foil or saran wrap flat on the section that is not getting dyed to catch any dye that might drip on it.
5. Once your roots are finished, go back and apply dye down to the tips of your hair until it is fully saturated.
6. Pin the hair into a bun on top of your head within the gray section.
7. Take down the bottom part of your hair and prepare to add dye to it. A buddy may need to help you. My boyfriend helped me with this step.
8. Repeat steps 4 and 5 until your hair is saturated. Pin hair into a bun on the back of your head within the red section.
9. Allow the dye to process for 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Step 3: Rinsing and Washing Your Hair

Because these colors are so different, I had to be very careful not to allow the red to bleed into the gray. Because of this, I was cautious while washing the dye out. In subsequent washes, I washed and rinsed the sections separately to ensure that minimal color bled.

1. Section your hair out into the respective color zones and tie back the gray section. You're going to rinse/wash the red section first.
2. Rinse or Shampoo and condition the red section. Once finished, tie back out of the way.
3. Tip your head over and rinse or shampoo and condition the gray section.
4. Once you're finished, you can towel dry the sections together. There is less likelihood of color bleed once the conditioner has been applied and rinsed out in the shower.

I washed my hair following these steps for the six weeks that my hair was this color. Thanks to this washing procedure, I was able to extend the life of both the gray and the red for the entire six weeks, and they faded beautifully.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I very much enjoyed using these two colors together. They worked well together and ended up looking incredibly vivid. I've always had good experiences with both Manic Panic and Ion Color Brilliance, and using these two colors together just showed how well these brands can work together despite being competitors.

I appreciate both brands' approach to package design. The Manic Panic tubs can be reused to store things or to plant tiny plants in, which I've done in the past. Both the Manic Panic tubs and the Ion Color Brilliance tubes allow me to get every last bit of color out of them, which helps me get the bang for my buck that I look for out of hair color.

Both colors lasted reasonably well (about six weeks), and I did not have any issues with colors bleeding onto my skin and clothes, although they did bleed into each other ever so slightly.

Overall, I would recommend both of these brands and these specific colors, especially together. I think they deliver an interesting, not-normally-seen visual, and it's definitely worth trying if you like to experiment!

Tori is a 28-year-old, three-time animal mom and DIYer living in Northern Atlanta with her boyfriend.

How I Got Started

I'd been wanting to go back to blue for a while, but I wanted to try a new product. I'd never done split-tone hair, and I'd never used Arctic Fox before. My sister, who dyes her hair as frequently as I do, pretty much exclusively uses Arctic Fox nowadays, so I trusted it would be a good brand. I chose to use Aquamarine (Teal), Poseidon (Cobalt Blue), and Transylvania (Black) as the colors this time.

I got all my supplies from Sally Beauty, but Arctic Fox can be found online and at other retailers. I'll be sharing my opinions on the product as well as a tutorial for how I dyed my hair diagonally split toned in two colors.

I am not a licensed professional! Just an at-home hair dye DIYer. I love dying my own hair and think it's fun, and I've been doing it for years. Different methods work for different people with different hair types and colors, so make sure you are checking two to three reviews to ensure you are getting uniform information before lightening or dying your hair.

Supplies I Used

The Packaging

While I have found that I love Arctic Fox's hair dye itself, I have to say I dislike the packaging. Due to the hard plastic bottle, it doesn't squeeze out very easily. While I got most of the product out, there was probably still an ounce of product left in the bottle. I tried scraping the sides down with the end of my tint brush, but ultimately there was still at least a half an ounce of dye that I wasn't going to be able to get my hands on.

There is better packaging out there. Personally, I love Manic Panic's jar-style or Ion Color Brilliance's aluminum squeeze tubes, both of which allow you to get out all of the product that you bought with out a bunch of extra effort.

Step 1: Prep Hair for Color

The first step to putting bright colors into your hair is to lighten it.

When I lighten my hair I pretty much exclusively use Ion Color Brilliance Bright White Creme Lightener mixed with Ion Color Brilliance Sensitive Scalp Volume 20 Developer at a 1:1 ratio. These two products are hands down my favorite lightening products I've ever used, and I've tried several. They are so gentle on my hair while lightening it quickly, and the lightener doesn't dry out while it's on my hair which makes rinsing out a breeze. It also lightens incredibly quickly. For more detailed instructions on lightening your hair with these products, check out this tutorial on using them.

Since I've been lightening and dying my hair for a while, I never lighten my entire head anymore. I only do my roots. To begin the process, I used clarifying shampoo to remove as much of my old color (gray and red) as I could. I also work at a pool, so the chlorine helped remove a lot of the color as well.

When the old color in my hair had faded to my liking, I began the process of lightening my roots. In general, you will need to follow the below steps if you are doing only your roots.

Root Lightening Directions

1. Mix lightener and developer at 1:1 ratio in a tint bowl. Wear gloves while applying.
2. Section hair out into sections about 2x2 inch squares.
3. Starting on one side of the square, apply lightener with a tint brush. Be careful not to overlap the new lightener with any previously lightened hair by no more than a quarter inch to prevent breakage.
4. Using the pointy end of the tint brush, thinly part & flip the sectioned hair that you just painted to one side. Apply to the other side of the hair.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 moving your way through the square as quickly as possible until the whole square has been saturated with lightener.
6. Repeat steps 3-5 until all sectioned squares are saturated.
7. Let sit until your hair has lightened the desired amount, or no more than 20 minutes - whichever comes first.
8. Rinse lightener out in the shower and apply conditioner.
9. If the hair is not the desired lightness, wait a day or two to give your hair time to rest and repeat the process.

Step 2: Apply Hair Color

So when I first did this, I used the colors as they come in the bottle on my hair. I thought the Aquamarine turned out gorgeous, but the Poseidon turned out very bright cobalt blue. It was pretty, but it didn't go as well with the Aquamarine as I had hoped. Both colors looked great individually, just not together (to me). When you are taking a look through the tutorial and its photos, keep in mind that the photos of how I sectioned my hair are on the second try, where I mixed Transylvania (black) in with Poseidon to make it a little darker. By itself, Poseidon goes on very bright. Here are the steps I followed to dye my hair after it was lightened.

Color Application Instructions

1. Brush out hair. Using a skinny comb or the skinny end of the tint brush, draw a diagonal part that starts just above your eyebrow, goes behind your head, and ends just behind the ear opposite of the eyebrow you chose. I did from my right eyebrow to my left ear.
2. I wanted my part to be completely straight, so I had my boyfriend check it and make sure it was straight. You could make yours zigzag if you want to make the colors blend together a bit. That is up to you.
3. Starting with the hair above the part, apply Aquamarine throughout the roots with a tint brush. Be careful not to get dye on the south side of the part. If you aren't good at coloring in the lines, take a piece of foil or saran wrap and lay it flat over the top of the hair you don't want to dye, so that you can minimize contact.
4. After roots are completely covered, apply dye all the way to the ends. Wrap and pin into a bun.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 with the bottom side of your hair, using Poseidon mixed with your desired amount of Transylvania. I did about half a tablespoon of Transylvania mixed with 10 oz of Poseidon.
6. Allow it to set for 45 minutes to an hour. Rinse with a sulfate free, color safe shampoo until the water runs mostly clear. I do not use conditioner after this step because the Arctic Fox has conditioner in it.
7. Towel dry. Apply a spritz or two of leave in conditioner if you like.

You May Need Someone to Help

I was not able to do this hair coloring style entirely with my own two hands, mostly because my bathroom is not made of mirrors and I can't see the back of my head, so I enlisted my boyfriend to help me part my hair correctly and apply the dye in the back. My boyfriend didn't have the steadiest hand when applying the dye to the hair closest to my part, but I still appreciate him for helping me put it on!

Final Thoughts

In the picture above, you can see how the blues turned out. The Poseidon mixed with Transylvania was much closer to what I was thinking in my head - and in person, the colors really stood out against each other. I loved the variance I would get in braids and other types of hairstyles to show off the color.

Overall, I'm very pleased with these two blues from the Arctic Fox line and how I was able to use them. I love how vibrant they are, and the color lasted just about eleven weeks with two washes per week before I removed the color to move on to my next one. Here's a photo I took in a dressing room about ten weeks after the original dye job. It's not the best photo, but it shows how beautifully the colors faded.

Be Careful, This Color Will Bleed

My two main complaints are the packaging and the color bleed.

With the packaging, it is hard to get the entirety of the product out of the bottle, which makes me feel like I'm leaving money in the bottle, literally. A packaging redesign would solve that issue.

With the color bleed, for the first six weeks or so, every time my hair got wet either from the pool or the shower, I had to put it up away from clothing and skin until it was mostly dry, or else the colors bled. They did not bleed onto each other, which is a great thing, but worrying about my skin or clothes turning blue was a minor nuisance. There were a couple of times that I didn't put my hair up before I left the pool, and hours later I'd see myself in a mirror looking like I had killed a smurf and carried it on my shoulders.

If color bleed is an issue for you, just make sure that your hair is dry before you leave it down or go to bed so that it doesn't dye your stuff. If you do go to bed with wet hair, make sure you cover your pillows with a towel. The good thing is that the dye did wash out of all of my things that it got onto, but it's just a pain to have to worry about that.

I mentioned earlier that on the first try with these colors I did use Poseidon as-is with no Transylvania mixed in, but that I didn't like how it mashed with Aquamarine for myself personally. If you feel like you would like how they look together, here is the only photo I took of my hair from the first round, for your reference. It will give an accurate reference for what Poseidon looks like straight out of the bottle.

Overall, I give these colors an 8.5 out of 10. I love how vibrant they are and how long they lasted, but I just really want the packaging and color bleed to not be issues. I would absolutely use these colors from Arctic Fox again and I would recommend them to my friends despite these two issues.

I love to dye my hair all colors of the rainbow. I love all things vintage, and I enjoy creating art, taking photos, and doing it myself.

Deciding to Go Orange

I'm a hair-dye-aholic. Can't stop. Orange is fun, and who doesn't like being compared to Haley Williams? It's like Vitamin C never sang Graduation. I had planned to go orange for a while, and I intended to use Manic Panic Psychadelic Sunset mixed with Manic Panic Sunshine. Before you do that, there are a few steps you need to take!

Because bleaching your hair sucks, I try to avoid it. I will bleach my roots after about an inch of growth, but try to avoid bleaching the length. This helps manage the damage on already processed hair. My game plan each time I dye is to wash out the previous color as much as possible, bleach roots, and then hit it with the next color on the rainbow. When I decided I was ready to do orange, my hair was a pink, much-faded red color.

So I did my usual process, and applied a mixture of MP's Psychedelic Sunset and Sunshine. I've used both of these dyes before, and mixing them together did not work as well as I had hoped.

Below is a photo from a few years ago, when I used Psychadelic Sunset on its own. After that, my most recent attempt where I mixed Psychadelic Sunset with Sunshine.

Choosing Arctic Fox Sunset Orange

So, when I used Manic Panic's Psychedelic Sunset a few years back, it worked out just fine. When I used their Sunshine, also a few years ago, it did not. I think choosing to mix the two this time around was a bad idea, and it's probably Sunshine's fault. It's just doesn't hold well (at least on my hair) and I find it fading significantly after just one wash.

I liked the result for about a week, but had to try something else. I was at Hot Topic, which carries Arctic Fox, and decided to give it a whirl. They had two oranges in stock, Porange and Sunset Orange, which I mixed together to create this wonderful look!

How To Apply

Supplies:

• Glass bowl
• Dye brush
• Gloves
• Butterfly clip
• Arctic Fox Sunset Orange (duh - I used one bottle of this mixed with Porange)

The next steps are pretty standard - after bleaching to the appropriate level, brush your hair and section it off. Using the dye brush, paint the color onto your hair in thin strips, making sure to cover root to tip. You've got to be thorough or else you'll look like a hot patchy mess.

You can let it sit as long as you want. Hell, sleep in it! There's no ammonia or anything of the sort in Arctic Fox. I like to think of it as a highly pigmented conditioner.

I left the dye in for 2-3 hours before rinsing it out with lukewarm water. It worked like a dream!

Arctic Fox Sunset Orange: 5/5 Stars

Loved this dye. It was easy to find, inexpensive, bright and pigmented, and lasted for a pretty long time.

You can pick it up at Sally's or at Hot Topic. What I've learned is that Sally's (at least the one near me) doesn't keep their colorful dye stocked very well. Hot Topic, on the other hand, always has this stuff. I mean, where would the scene kids be without their hair dye?

Just to let you in on my routine, I wash my hair about once every 4-5 days with shampoo and conditioner. I don't use styling products or heat because they make your color fade faster. After using this dye, I had a pretty decent color for 9 weeks.

I had always wanted a nice peachy orange, so even though the color had faded significantly, my hair still looked pretty nice.

More Hair Dye Reviews

Hopefully this hair dye gave you the information you need to decide on whether Arctic Fox Sunset Orange is the right dye for you.

If not, and you're still searching for the right color, you're in luck! I have a ton of hair color reviews, complete with photos of my own experience. Check out my profile to see other colors, how to bleach and dye your hair at home, and what dyes you need to use to achieve the look of your dreams!

After using Arctic Fox Sunset Orange, I ended up going yellow. No, not using Manic Panic's Sunshine - we already talked about how that dye is pretty lackluster. This time, I used Arctic Fox Cosmic Sunshine. I think I'm converted.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

I love to dye my hair all colors of the rainbow. I love all things vintage, and I enjoy creating art, taking photos, and doing it myself.

Yellow Hair Experiences

I've wanted yellow hair for a long time. I don't even like the color yellow, but for some reason, seeing Lady Gaga with it drove me nuts and I had to try it.

So I did, about two years ago, and I'd call it unsuccessful. My hair was a faded lime green, so I did a light bleaching and applied Manic Panic Sunshine Yellow over top. The result? Highlighter yellow hair. It was gross.

I mean, it didn't look terrible right after dying, but as soon as I shampooed my hair, the color faded noticeably. After one wash! So I gave up on that and went to a lovely shade of orange.

Preparing to Use Cosmic Sunshine

This time around, I decided to come to yellow from the other side of the rainbow. My hair was red, then orange, and once my orange faded, I purchased a new brand. Arctic Fox Cosmic Sunshine, my savior!

At this point in my hair dye journey, I've decided not to bleach my whole head anymore—I just bleach my dark roots and wait until the overall color of my rainbow hair has faded enough to take a new color. This way, I protect my ends from suffering further bleach damage.

My hair had come down to a nice peachy orange, which I didn't think would look as terrible with yellow dye layered over it. I had used Arctic Fox dyes for the orange, so I figured I'd give their yellow dye a try.

How to Dye Your Hair Yellow

Supplies

• Glass Bowl
• Dye Brush
• Gloves
• Butterfly Clip
• Arctic Fox Cosmic Sunshine

Instructions

1. Dump the dye in the bowl, section your hair off (I like to start at the top around my part and face).
2. Use your dye brush to apply the color to your hair in small sections. Make sure to saturate all of your hair thoroughly, so it's not a splotchy dye job.
3. Leave the dye in for as long as you deem necessary (there aren't any harsh chemicals like bleach or ammonia, so you're not doing damage).
4. Rinse with water as cold as you can stand it to prevent the color from bleeding out!

Ho-ly mo-ly Cosmic Sunshine is an AMAZING dye. I applied it to my whole head, let it sit for about three hours, and then rinsed it in lukewarm water without shampooing. It was beautiful. I was in awe. Lookit, my hair!

Cosmic Sunshine: 5/5 Stars

I'm giving this dye 5 stars for the following reasons:

• Bright, vibrant color
• Fade-resistant
• Inexpensive and easy to find
• Added conditioners

So let's go into this. You can see from the above photos that it was vibrant. I start to get really self-conscious when my hair is fading if I know it looks bad. Roots showing, faded color—I just feel like a bum. Cosmic Sunshine left me feeling confident in my hair color for six whole weeks. Seriously—the most recent photo is bellow.

More Articles to Come!

Obviously, I'm about ready to dye my hair again. This time I'll be using Arctic Fox's Phantom Green, which appears to be a dark foresty shade. Keep checking back for more hair dye reviews, and check out my profile for my previous reviews!

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Comments

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on February 27, 2019:

This particular dye is semi-permanent, so it will last for a while. There are always color strippers or bleach that can be used to remove the dye, but I don't think many people would use this dye unless they were certain they wanted yellow hair!

Umesh Chandra Bhatt from Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, India on February 26, 2019:

Do these dyes remain for a long time?

Suppose, as an after thought one does not require this yellow colour then can it be removed back easily to get the original hair colour or we have to wait for some time.

Alexis is a successful business owner, entrepreneur, actress, and model. She attributes her success to her positive and courageous outlook.

Bleach Baby

"Mom, please let me bleach my hair!" These last words were spoken by my 13-year-old self before embarking on my pursuit of superficial confidence. My mom explained to me at the time that the upkeep was going to be a never-ending task. But I was convinced that this was the makeover I needed to transition to my new and exciting life as a high school student.

Whether you bleach your hair at age 10 or age 20, nothing can prepare you for the repercussions of stripping your hair's virginity. No more brush-and-go wake-ups, no more root-free privileges—and prepare yourself for weekly questions revolving around, "What is your natural hair color?"

Bleaching your hair becomes as natural as grooming your eyebrows. Soon enough, you forget all about your natural hair color and develop a fear of ever going back to it. The transition of going back au naturel is as terrifying as the reality of not remembering the hair that you would be going back to.

You become accustomed to life as a "blonde" with the occasional lowlights, fun colors, and breakdown brunette dye jobs. The wrong toner leads to nightmares and has you running to the salon in a shower cap. You try to save money with DIY methods, all the while knowing that you will have to make that dreaded trip to the salon and explain yourself to the hairdresser. From red to orange, purple to pink, blue to green, and even grey, I have personally experienced all of the colors on the color wheel.

The Blonde Lifestyle

The "blonde lifestyle" ruled my life from age 10 to age 25. 12 dye jobs a year for 15 years—that's a minimum of 180 stressful bleaching sessions. That's time spent worrying about my hair's appearance and my hair's health while spending countless dollars on fancy shampoos, toners, gloves, protein fillers, color additives, and more.

At age 25, I decided to move to Hawaii and take care of my happiness and my health. I finally felt ready to take the plunge into getting back to my roots. My last bleach job was on September 24, 2015. I spent the next year focusing on meditating through my ugly hair anxiety and dying the bleached ends a light brown to match my roots.

The Transition Haircut

Finally, on January 11, 2017, one year and roughly four months from my last dye job, I had entered the length of chop. The length of chop is the length in which the virgin hair from the top of your head is finally long enough to be able to be cut into an acceptable length by your standards. For me, this was collarbone length. On the night of January 11th, I placed my long blonde hair into a low pony and made the big chop. The initial shock of losing nine inches of hair was quickly dissipated by the beautiful touch and feel of my now 100% virgin hair.

I fell in love at first touch. My hair was bouncy, shiny, and my follicles were strong. I could allow my hair to air dry and it looked spectacular. This factor alone made me make the executive decision to never apply heat to my glorious newfound hair. I did away with my hair anxiety and found the additional time and money to spend elsewhere. If I could get over my irrational fear of going back to my natural hair color, what other amazing things could I accomplish?

Find Confidence in a Healthy Hair Lifestyle

It has been one year now since my chop. Today, I receive compliments on my hair on a regular basis. I now consider my hair to be an extension of my soul and of my strength. Your hair does not define you. But your hair subconsciously defines how you define yourself.

You don't need to wear wigs, extensions, or dye your hair. You are beautifully you. You without chemicals, you without add-ons. The you that you were when sleepovers and playing Barbies were the only life you knew. The you that you were before you looked in the mirror and told yourself you needed to alter your appearance to feel confident or accepted. Get back to your "you" and gain strength, confidence, and accomplishment.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Comments

sophiewilde67@yahoo.co.uk on May 22, 2020:

I am absolutely amazed that she was allowed to permanently bleach/ lighten her hair aged 10 !!! I thought I was bad I was about 13 the first time I lightened my dark blonde hair blonder !! I' m 53 now and after 20 yes of gruelling medication including chemo I now have waist length mid/ light brown hair...Took me best part of 40 years to even know what my natural hair colour actually is ,BUT I now fantasise about the ' lure' of the blonde again but the upkeep definitely NOT !

Carrie is a an actress, landscape architect and teacher. She enjoys writing, crocheting, painting and exploring new hobbies.

Transitioning to Gray

I started going gray at 23, and have been dyeing my hair various shades of brown for 30 years. I wanted to make the transition to gray (or grey), but did not want to go through the painful process of having a distinct line between my colored hair and my gray roots as they grew out.

Having a professional lift for existing color, bleach, and adding gray coloring can be extremely expensive. After watching many DIY videos and reading oodles of articles on dyeing hair gray at home, I decided to take the risk and give it a try on my own. I have been very pleased with the results and have found the transition to be surprisingly easy and fun.

I have outlined my process below and the products I used. I recommend you do your own research on the entire process to be sure you are comfortable taking the risks involved before committing to trying it on your own.

Before You Start!

1. Review this entire article and research the process on your own.
2. Purchase required products.
3. If you feel comfortable taking the risk, dive in and give it a try!

Products to Purchase

I purchased all of the products below at Sally Beauty Supply

• Ion: Bright White Creme Lightener(8 levels of lift)
• Blond Brilliance: Creme Oil Infusion 35 Volume Developer
• Ion Color Brilliance: Absolute Perfection Booster Step 1
• Ion Color Brilliance: Absolute Perfection Color Sealer Step 2
• Wella Color Charm: T14 Toner(T18 if you want lighter silver/gray)
• Wella Color Charm: 050 Cooling Violet Additive
• 20 Volume Developer (small bottle is fine)
• Applicator bottle
• Gloves

If your hair is medium to dark brown or black in color, you need to remove color before bleaching. You might try Color Fix by One 'n Only. It comes with three bottles of solution (color reducer, conditioning catalyst, processing lotion). Follow directions on the box.

Coloring Process Steps

1. Research and consult professionals, as desired.
2. Purchase products.
3. If you have medium or dark brown/black colored hair and need to lift existing color, do so a day (or two) before initiating the bleaching process. Be sure to condition hair between processes!
4. Bleaching - Mix together the Blond Brilliance 35 Volume Developer and the Ion Bright White Creme Lightener (follow mixing ratio instructions on bottle). Add 1 packet of Ion Color Brilliance Absolute Perfection Color Sealer Step 2 and 1/2 bottle of Ion Color Brilliance Absolute Perfection Booster Step 1. Mix well and apply thoroughly to portions of hair you wish to bleach (and later color gray). Avoid getting bleach on scalp as much as possible. NEVER APPLY BLEACH TO WET HAIR! Carefully observe your hair, checking every few minutes to see that you reach the desired color lift without over processing. Do not process more than 45-50 minutes.
5. Rinse bleach out of hair and apply mild shampoo to ensure all bleach has been removed from hair. Apply good conditioner and rinse. I bleached and colored my hair the same day, but use your own judgment with this.
6. Mix entire tube of Wella Color Charm T14 Toner : 20 Volume Developer, (1:2), entire bottle of Wella Color Charm 050 Cooling Violet Additive (no extra developer for this), and other half of Ion Color Brilliance Absolute Perfection Booster Step 1. Mix well and apply thoroughly to hair. Leave for 15-30 minutes (follow product instructions), to reach desired level of gray (purple color will wash out).
7. Rinse color out of hair and apply desired shampoo and conditioners.
8. Enjoy your new look! The toner is a demi-color and will fade in time. You may wish to apply toner every few weeks until your natural gray has grown in. I like to use shampoo and conditioner for platinum blond or gray hair to keep the yellow/orange tones from creeping in.

Before & After

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Tori is a 28-year-old, three-time animal mom and DIYer living in Northern Atlanta with her boyfriend.

I like to dye my hair just about every two months. What can I say? I get restless, and I'm constantly itching for a change. My hair is one of those things I can change fairly regularly that is relatively inexpensive compared to other things I like to do, such as traveling to new places or redecorating my apartment. I haven't been red since high school so after doing blues and greens, I was drawn to the warmth of the Little Mermaid-esque red produced by Manic Panic Rock N Roll.

Originally, I planned to apply it with Wella Color Charm Orange as the root. Unfortunately, I didn't think that was going to work mainly because of the blue that I had in my hair previously not wanting to come out all the way, so I was afraid orange would show up muddy and gross. Instead, I chose a Radiant Orchid by Ion Color Brilliance.

Step 1: Lighten Your Hair

Any time you want to dye your hair a bright jewel tone color, especially when that color is semi-permanent, you want to lighten your hair to blonde. Semi-permanent dye does not typically take very well on dark hair, so lightening is pretty much a must.

My go-to lightener combination is Ion Color Brilliance Bright White Creme Lightener mixed with volume 20 developer from the same brand. I recommend reading my tutorial and review I did on this product combo. It's the best!

In my case, before dying my hair red, I had been trying to strip out an extremely heavy-duty royal blue out of my hair that was listed as semi-permanent but really felt permanent.

I got my hair to a light sky blue, with my roots and ends being back to white-blonde before I did my color. I was confident that the brightness of the red would cover the blue pretty well.

After your hair has been lightened, rinse the lightener out using purple shampoo such as Ion Cool Blonde Toning Shampoo, which is my current favorite. It smells amazing and feels really nice on my hair! Don't forget to use a conditioner as well. After a lightening process, your hair will feel pretty gross without it.

After you get out of the shower, I highly recommend a spritz or two of It's a 10 Miracle Leave-In. This stuff is amazing and really helps keep my hair's integrity after a fresh lightening. Make sure to let your hair fully air-dry before going on to the next step.

Step 2: Apply Root Color

I always start any dye job by fully applying whatever I want my root color to be before doing anything else. Here's how I did it:

1. Place the Orchid dye in a bowl and put on your gloves.
2. Section out your hair and work in one section at a time.
3. Using your tint brush, paint out as far as you prefer to with the Orchid color. Make sure to paint down far enough that you can create a gradient with the orchid to fade into the red. I did about three inches total, with two inches for orchid and one inch for blending with red.
4. As you finish layers, use the tail of the tint brush to separate new layers to paint. You may need to get a buddy to do the back of your head.
5. Repeat this step until all roots are covered.

Step 3: Apply Red

The next step is applying the Manic Panic Rock 'n Roll Red. I didn't take a specific approach applying this since it was going over my entire head, so here are my directions:

1. Use your fingertips to massage the red into each part of your hair, working in small ponytail-sized sections all over your head.
2. Blend the red with the edge of the purple by sliding the hair in between fingers a few times until the colors have somewhat mixed together.
3. Leave dye to process for 30+ minutes (I usually do an hour or more).

The whole process of applying both dyes took me about 30 minutes, and the nice thing about using semi-permanent dye is that there are no harsh chemicals that can fry your hair if it is in for too long, which is why I leave it in for about an hour after application. The lighter the color you use, the longer you'll want to leave it in.

Step 4: Caring for the Color

Generally, my steps in caring for any color are pretty much the same:

1. Wash no more than twice a week with a sulfate free shampoo (my current favorite is Redken Micellar Clean).
2. Use a moisturizing conditioner to help lock the color in. I absolutely adore the OGX Coconut conditioners—they smell amazing and make my hair feel so good.
3. Apply a leave-in conditioner such as It's a 10 Miracle Leave-In that I mentioned earlier.
4. Air dry as much as possible, and in between washes use dry shampoo to keep away oils.
5. Wear a swim cap when you will be near any kind of chlorinated or salt water. It won't keep all the water out, but it will keep a lot of it out and prevent your hair from losing color as quickly.

My Opinions

I work at a scuba center and part of my job is teaching swim lessons, in addition to doing the marketing for them. Because of that, I am in chlorinated, salty water three days a week, which is a real test for semi-permanent dyes. I do wear a swim cap when I'm in the water, which preserves any colors that stay inside my cap.

As with any other semi-permanent dye I've used, the baby hairs at the nape of my neck were white-blonde again within three days, but the rest of my hair stayed a vibrant beautiful red for a couple of weeks before eventually fading to various shades of bright pink. I'm in love with how it faded, because with the blue that was still left in my hair it made these gorgeous little pink and blue highlights that you can see below in this picture I took at the 35-day mark.

In general, I am happy with how Manic Panic Rock 'N' Roll Red held up considering how often I'm in a pool compared to most people. At six weeks in, I'm very happy with what it's faded to as well.

My only problem is that I can't go to bed with wet hair because when I do, I wake up with red all over my pillow. At the very beginning, if my hair was wet and down instead of up, there would be some minor color transfer to my shirts. I tried to make sure to keep my hair up when it was drying so as not to ruin my clothes. Now that the color has faded quite a bit that's not so much of an issue.

That being said, I also want to note that I am incredibly impressed with the Radiant Orchid by Ion Color Brilliance. It wasn't on my ends so obviously, it stayed in just a tad longer than the red, but the fade is also gorgeous. Six weeks in I feel like the color payoff is still incredibly worth it. This is the most beautiful, vibrant shade of purple I've ever used in my hair.

Overall, I would recommend both hair colors for use, especially together!

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Verity is a Physics with Teaching Bsc (Hons) graduate. In her spare time, she likes to cook, read and play video games.

Background and Important Info

I purchased this product for £6.79 per box from Amazon. I was not sent this product in return for a review, this review is unbiased and features my honest opinions and experiences with this product.

I used this product to lighten my hair in order to dye it a vivid purple. My starting colour was a medium/dark brown, as shown in the picture below labelled 'before'. I did two different bleaching sessions, one week apart. The reason I did two sessions rather than one was because I wanted the lightest base possible before applying my purple dye, to make it as vivid as possible.

I used two boxes of lightener per session. I needed to use two boxes due to the length of my hair (just below shoulder length). There was a little of the product left over after each session (applying liberally) so if your hair is longer than mine, then two should still suffice. If you have shorter hair than mine, you will only have to use one box.

Before

The First Lightening Session

The box of dye comes with lots of smaller bottles and packets, and the instructions clearly state which packets should be added to which, and in what order. To avoid any confusion, I read the instructions thoroughly and lined up the products on my shelf in the order that I would be using them. The instructions were very clear and explicit, including pictures, and it was very easy to follow and plan out. I have included a picture of the instructions below.

The dye application was very easy and I was able to work the bleach into my hair with very little effort. As this bleach is very strong it did makes my eyes water when I was working it into my fringe and widow's peak, but it only lasted for a few seconds. I would recommend opening a window during this process to help the smell and fumes dissipate.

I left my hair to process under a shower cap. There is a lot of heat generated during the bleaching process and the shower cap did become hot to the touch, however there was no point during the process where I felt uncomfortable due to the heat. I also did not feel any burning sensations on my scalp. I did need to use a washcloth soaked in cold water, to rinse one of my ears as I accidentally got bleach on it and left it under the processing cap for over 15 minutes. It made my ear red and slightly tender for 5 or so minutes, but after washing it and holding the washcloth to it, it felt much better. This was my own fault for not noticing and not a problem with the product.

The instructions stated to avoid leaving the bleach on for any longer than 45 minutes, so I rinsed out the dye after 40 minutes. As it took between 5-10 minutes to apply the bleach, I counted 40 minutes from when I started applying the bleach and not from when I finished.

I rinsed my hair for about five minutes. I then applied the repairing conditioner that came with the bleach. I worked the conditioner into my hair with my fingers and then left it to soak into my hair for 10 minutes, before rinsing it out. After rinsing out the conditioner, I applied the violet anti-yellow toner that came with the bleach. I worked the toner into my hair with my fingers and then left it for five minutes before rinsing it out.

After rinsing all of the products out of my hair I toweled off excess moisture and then let it air dry. Obviously, my hair was dry after using this bleach, but the conditioner and toner that come with this product improved the dryness substantially, and my hair looked and felt much more healthy than after using other bleaching products. Pictures of my hair after this first bleaching session are shown below.

Based on previous experiences with other bleach kits in the past, I was expecting my hair to come out orange, or very orange tinted and brassy. I was absolutely overjoyed when my hair dried to a lovely blonde colour that wasn't saturated with yellow.

The Instructions for the Schwarzkopf Hair Color Expert Omegaplex Dye, Lightener L9 Plus

My Hair After the First Bleaching Treatment

The Second Lightening Session

I waited just over a week before lightening my hair again. This gave me time to do some deep conditioning treatments to help my hair regain some strength.

For the second treatment I followed the exact same process as for the first treatment, however this time I only left the bleach on for 30 minutes, as I did not want to risk doing any damage to my hair.

I was expecting the second lightening session to simply remove any brassy tones, I was very pleasantly surprised when it came out a platinum colour that reminded me of Daenerys from Game of Thrones. Pictures of my hair following my second bleaching treatment are shown below.

My Hair After the Second Bleach Treatment

Other Points to Note

This bleach is strong. I have a towel that I use for dyeing my hair at home, after drying my bleached hair with this towel, the towel turned from light blue to white. I knew that this was likely, which is why I used an old towel. Be warned, do not wear clothes or use towels that you care for because they will get stained and bleached severely!

Conclusion

I have used other bleaching products both at home and at a salon, and nothing compares to how amazing this lightener is. This bleach delivered far above and beyond what I was expecting and the results really do speak for themselves.

I would have been contented to stop after the first session if I was choosing to stay blonde, the only reason that I continued with the second session was because I wanted the lightest base possible for applying my coloured dye. This bleach allowed me to achieve a platinum colour, and it is the lightest that I have ever been able to go before. I was stunned.

This is hands down, with a doubt, the best bleaching product that I have ever used. The instructions were straight-forward, the product was very easy to use and I achieved results that I have never been able to get before with other bleach products. 10/10, I highly recommend. This is now my go-to bleach for any future occasion.

A Full Comparison of the Different Stages of the Bleaching Process

My Rating of Schwarzkopf Hair Color Expert Omegaplex Dye, Lightener L9++

Share Your Experiences

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Questions & Answers

Question: Can I dye my hair after using Schwarzkopf Hair Color Expert Omegaplex Dye?

Answer: Yes absolutely! That is what I did after using this product. You can see from the article that I did 2 bleaching sessions. As soon as my hair was dry after the second session, I dyed my hair a very vivid purple. The colour took very well and after 2 years, and a bit of wash out, my hair is still bright pink! This bleach makes your hair an excellent base for applying colour, I highly recommend it.

Question: Can I go from red to blonde using Olaplex?

Answer: I would imagine that your hair would need 2 bleach treatments to fully lift the colour.

The first treatment would likely make your hair go either orange or pink/coppery depending on what type of red your hair currently is. But this hair lightener is strong so I absolutely think that red to blonde is possible with this bleach.

Question: Will Schwarzkopf hair color lift dyed hair?

Answer: That is a very good question. I have not tried this product on dyed hair so I can not be sure to what extent this product can be used to strip dye from hair. However, if this dye was able to bleach my hair from dark brown to almost white, I would bet that this product is capable of stripping some dye from hair.

© 2018 VerityPrice

Comments

joanne yates on June 25, 2019:

Purchased two boxes of this product ,so delighted with it,took my very dark brown hair to virtually white.There was a little dryness to the very ends of my hair,but nothing a little trim won't solve.Hoping there dusty silver permanent hair dye gets me the result I'm looking for.

Ellen on October 12, 2018:

Such a helpful review! I just bought this and presumed the colour will be vaguely blonde, but it looks great.

Your hair looks amazing in the pictures!

Tori is a 28-year-old, three-time animal mom and DIYer living in Northern Atlanta with her boyfriend.

1. Ion Color Brilliance Bright White Lightening Creme + Developer

If you're looking to lighten your hair fast, using Ion Color Brilliance Bright White Creme Lightener is the way to go. Every time I use this product, I have amazing results and don't have to worry about crazy damage as long as I use it right. This creme lightener works on any hair shade.

The product comes in an easy squeeze tube, which makes it easier to clean up than traditional powder lightener that gets everywhere when you pour it. My only complaint about it is that the bottom of the tube is very stiff, so when you're almost out of product it is very difficult to get the last bit out.

Using this product is easy and hassle free. Here are some basic steps you can follow:

1. Mix on a 1:1 ratio with Ion Sensitive Scalp Volume 20 Creme Developer.
2. Use a tint brush to apply to sections of hair you wish to lighten. Make sure you apply on both sides of the hair, and using a gloved hand give the section a little massage to make sure it's all covered.
3. Leave in for 20-30 minutes or until you get to the desired level of lift, whichever comes first.

As with all lightening products, you do not want to leave this in for too long because it can damage your hair if you do. If you don't get the desired level of lift on the first round, wait a couple of days before trying again to make sure you don't fry your hair. I recommend using a leave-in conditioner or coconut oil in between rounds to make sure your hair does not get too dried out.

For a more in-depth tutorial on using this lightening method, I wrote a tutorial specifically for it, which you can check out here.

2. Sun-In Spray In Hair Lightener

Sun-In has been around for years, so it's no wonder it has made its way onto my list. If you're looking for more natural, subdued permanent lightening, Sun In is the way to go.

Sun-In is made mainly with hydrogen peroxide, and provides a subtle, gradual lightening effect that will give you beachy highlights. It works best on hair that is medium brown or lighter. If used on dark hair, it may cause the strand to turn orange. Sun-In is recommended for natural or highlighted hair and not a suitable product for lightening already dyed hair, as it may react differently with non-natural colors.

Application and use is much easier than other types of lighteners. Just follow a few simple steps:

1. Spray onto the section of the hair you'd like to lighten until the section is somewhat damp.
2. Either go out in the sun for a few hours or use a blow dryer. Heat is the agent that causes the lightening process to happen.
3. Repeat until you get your desired effect.

Sun-In is another product I've used so much in the past that I wrote a more in depth tutorial on what it is and how to use it, so check that out if you decide to go this route.

3. Vitamin C + Dandruff Shampoo

You might be thinking I'm a nut, but this really does work if you are trying to remove an unnatural color and go back to the previous color. Most of the time, if you have dyed your hair an unnatural color, you had to lighten it in order to get the unnatural color to stick. This is perfect for getting your hair back to that blonde or for lightening a dark jewel toned color up to a pastel tone.

The main downside of this type of hair lightening is that it takes time. You will probably have to do more than one treatment to achieve your desired level.

Simple steps to follow:

1. Crush Vitamin C tablets to a powder and mix with dandruff shampoo to make a creme.
2. Apply to hair and let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour.
3. Wash out and repeat as many times as necessary to achieve desired level.

Below I've included a video from Missy Chrissy to help illustrate the before and after of using this concoction to remove or lighten hair.

4. Traditional Powder Lightener + Developer

The tried and true method of traditional powder lightener and developer is what you can always fall back on in case the methods above don't work for you. Powder lightener will work on any hair type, and works pretty similarly to the creme lightener I mentioned above.

I've used a few different types of powder lightener but my old faithful is Ion Color Brilliance Ammonia-Free Powder Lightener. I like buying the big jar because I dye my hair enough for it to be useful, but if you're only going to need a little bit it does come in packette form too. You can purchase this lightener at Sally Beauty Supply or Amazon.

When I use lighteners of any kind I try to stay away from those that contain ammonia, because ammonia can be more damaging than other chemicals and the smell also gives me massive headaches, which makes this powder lightener a step above the rest. Don't get me wrong - once you mix it with the developer there is still a smell but it's not nearly as strong as the death-pungency of ammonia.

Be careful how long you leave it in though—it can still be damaging to your hair if you let it sit for too long, especially if you're using a high volume developer with it. For safest results, I typically never go above a 20 volume developer to make sure I don't fry my hair entirely.

Easy directions for this powder lightener:

1. Mix at a 1:1 or 2:1 ratio with Ion Sensitive Scalp Volume 20 Creme Developer. It will turn into a purple creamy foam.
2. Work quickly. Use a tint brush or gloved fingers to apply to section of hair that needs to be lightened (tint brush works better to make sure you don't miss any spots.
3. Don't leave on for more than 30 minutes. Rinse out and apply conditioner.

After using powder lightener with developer, I recommend using a leave-in or hair treatment mask before you start putting in your color to help alleviate any damage. Argan Oil or Coconut Oil are both great options (if you use coconut oil, it's more like a mask than a leave in. Make sure you rinse it out or else your hair will be a little greasy).

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Tori is a 28-year-old, three-time animal mom and DIYer living in Northern Atlanta with her boyfriend.

I love dying my hair! I recently had emerald green hair and decided to change the color. I'm a huge fan of jewel-tones, so I knew the next colors I chose were going to be along the same lines as the emerald. I also knew I wanted to challenge my dying techniques and not just do all one color with a shadow root again, so I chose to do three colors.

I wanted to dye it navy blue and fuschia with a dark gray root. This was a little daunting because it has been a long time since I've done an ombre and up to this point, I had not done one into another color at the same time before. Luckily for me, it was successful. Here's everything I used and how you can do it too!

Supplies

Step 1: Lighten or Fade Your Current Color

To start, jewel-toned colors look best on hair that has been pre-lightened and doesn't contain any other colors. Your hair doesn't need to be white, but it should be relatively light and any other bright colors you had before should be close to pastel.

My favorite hair lightener of all time is Ion Color Brilliance Bright White Creme Lightener mixed 1:1 with Ion Sensitive Scalp 20 Volume Developer. I use this lightener when I am trying to remove old color as well as when I need to lighten natural hair. I wrote a tutorial on how to use this hair lightener that you can find here. The tutorial goes very in depth so that you can make sure you use the product correctly.

Here are some quick reminder directions if you've already lightened your hair a time or two:

1. Mix equal parts lightener and developer.
2. Wear gloves apply to the sections of your hair that you need lightened, being mindful to cover every piece of hair to avoid patchiness.
3. Leave in for 20-30 minutes, then wash it out.

A warm sensation is normal, but don't leave the product in for too long in order to prevent damage.

When I began this dye job, my hair was very light pastel green (residual from my emerald) with golden brown from the shadow root, plus about a half an inch of my natural dark blonde. To prevent damage, I used lightener on the golden brown and my natural roots only.

After I lightened my hair, I also used a conditioning treatment to help alleviate additional damage. I tried the Ion Color Brilliance Effective Care Treatment Packette. It did work for moisturizing, but it did leave my hair feeling pretty waxy afterward. This may have been a result of not getting all of it out when rinsing, so if you use this one I do recommend a light, sulfate free shampoo to help you get all the residue out after you rinse the bulk of the product out.

Step 2: Prepare Your Dyes

Because you're doing multiple colors, you do not want to use the same tint brush to apply all three colors. Squeeze out your dye into three separate bowls.

For the gray root, I was a little concerned about the Titanium being too light for what I wanted, so I mixed it with black at a ratio of three parts titanium to one part black.

If you have longer than shoulder-length hair, I recommend purchasing two tubes of titanium and two tubes of Fuchsia because Wella and Ion's dyes both come in small tubes. I actually ran out of Titanium before I was done and had to switch to black mixed with conditioner, and I almost ran out of fuchsia. This being said, the blue from One 'N Only comes in a pretty large tube, so I only needed one.

Step 3: Section Hair

After your hair is lightened, make sure it is completely dry before starting this step. section your hair out into a few squares so that you can work in batches. It will make life easier. I usually end up with six or seven ponytails worth of hair on my head.

Step 4: Apply Color

To apply color, you'll need to follow the steps below. You'll be working these steps in sections.

Within each section, work with flat, even, tiny layers of hair at a time. Follow the below steps for each flat layer of hair.

1. Begin at the roots with gray. Bring the color in about two inches. If you want more gray, paint down a little farther. Once you've painted one side of the layer, flip it and paint the other side to ensure complete coverage of the roots.
2. Apply the blue, leaving about four inches at the end for the fuschia. Overlap the blue and gray dye, and use your fingers to blend them together.
3. After blue and gray are on, wipe your gloves with a paper towel so that any gray and blue doesn't contaminate the fuchsia. Using the same method of application, paint the fuchsia on the remaining hair and blend carefully with the blue using your fingers.
4. After an entire section is done, wrap the hair in tin foil or plastic wrap to keep the dye from getting everywhere. Allow the dye to set for 30 minutes to an hour.

Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures of this step while dying my hair. I've included a video from Guy Tang that will help you to visualize the method I'm describing. Start watching right around the 14:40 mark to see how he applies and blends the colors together.

Step 5: Wash Out & Dry

After setting, rinse the dye out of your hair until the water runs clear. You can use a small amount of sulfate free color safe shampoo if you wish. I recommend spraying a leave-in conditioner such as It's a 10 Miracle Leave-In, which is my favorite one, after you get out of the shower.

Air drying is always best right after a lightening/dyeing session, but if you do choose to blow dry, use medium heat and a vented brush.

Overall Thoughts

I've never used Wella Color Charm before this, but I had heard good things and was willing to try it. I was blown away by the intensity of the color and the shine—it turned out amazing.

Ion & One N Only are two brands I'm constantly using and I was excited to try different colors from them. Both colors turned out beautifully. I am glad that I mixed a little black into the Ion Titanium to get a slightly darker look because I achieved exactly what I was looking for. I had a little trouble keeping the other colors off of the gray, which resulted in some splotchiness of pinks and blues mixed in with the gray. To prevent this, make sure your gloves are clean and free of residual dye before you start the next section.

Overall, I would recommend all of these brands and colors, and hope this tutorial helps provide some insight into how you can do an ombre with multiple colors too!

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Tori is a 28-year-old, three-time animal mom and DIYer living in Northern Atlanta with her boyfriend.

I'm obsessed with emerald green. It's my birthstone color, but it's also hard to find cute things in this color that I would want to buy. Since I started dyeing my hair again, I've been itching to go emerald green. My problem with green hair is that a lot of the green hair dyes I see on the market are either too blue or too yellow—nothing in the emerald family. The dyes on the market that are emerald green seem to fade really quickly, or the color that it was previously dyed shows through after a few washes.

I finally found one that I liked, though, and had a great experience with it when the conditions to use it on my hair were right. In this article, I'll be telling you how you can dye your hair emerald green with a shadow root like I did, and how I took care of it to make it last almost two months before I started purposely lightening it!

Supplies List

Notes Before You Begin

Just to preface this with some conditions that made it right to dye my hair emerald green:

• In my past experience with emerald green, it shows best when your hair is in the yellow family with no other colors in with it. If your hair is yellow-blonde, as it fades it will continue to become lighter shades of green.
• If your hair was blue or white blonde prior to dying, then it will fade to a turquoise blue in those areas after a few washes.
• The dyes I used are semi and demi-permanent dyes but avoid chlorinated pools or saltwater to prolong the life of the color. If you have a job where you're in the water every day like I am, make sure to wear a swimming cap.

Step 1: Lighten Hair

This hair color works best on yellow blonde hair. The first step will be lightening your hair to the appropriate shade. If you've never dyed your hair before or have a large portion that is natural like I did, I recommend using Ion Color Brilliance Bright White Creme Lightener and 20 volume developer to achieve a great shade of blonde. Do not leave on for too long as you don't want to damage your hair or make it too white. For directions on lightening your hair using this lightener, check out this tutorial.

If you are trying to remove color from your hair that was previously there so that you can do this color, I recommend two things: go swimming in a chlorinated pool several days in a row and/or use One 'n Only Colorfix with Argan Oil to remove the previous color. If your previous color was blue, keep in mind that this green may fade to turquoise as a result.

Step 2: Shadow Root

If you want your entire head to be green, you can skip this step. I personally really like the look of dark roots with jewel-tone hair, and I also wanted to give my natural roots some time to grow out without being as noticeable. I chose a color that is darker than my natural color, which is a dark ash blonde. I used Ion Intensive Shine 4G Medium Golden Brown Demi Permanent Creme Hair Color.

There are a couple of ways to do this step. You can either apply the shadow root and the green hair color in the same step, or you can split them up and do them separately. I chose to do them separately because I don't typically work with hair color that requires developer, and I didn't want to leave the brown in for too long because of that.

You will most definitely need some assistance with this step because it is difficult to do the back of your own head. I made my boyfriend watch me do the sections I could see so that he could do the sections on the back of my head for me.

For this step, you'll need two tint brushes, a bowl for your conditioner, a bowl for your hair color, hair ties or clips, and gloves.

1. Mix 4 oz of creme developer with one tube of hair color. It will not appear to be the color you want on your hair immediately—mine was a golden color. It will darken over time. Put your conditioner in a separate bowl and place a tint brush in each.

2. Section your hair out with pony tail holders or with hair clips. I found this to be the best way to make sure the hair dye didn't get on parts of my hair that I didn't want it to while I was applying it.

3. This is where you will begin to paint your hair.

• First, start with taking down a section of hair from the pony tail holder. You are going to be working with very thin sections of hair at a time within the bigger section, so as you work, use the parting comb to get your next layer of hair to work with.
• Apply conditioner with a tint brush to your hair, only where you would like the dye to stop. I forgot this step when I was doing my hair, and I ended up with a brown root that didn't transition as well as it could into the green.
• After the conditioner is applied, use your second tint brush to apply the dye to the area between your scalp and the conditioner, taking care to blend the two areas just a little bit. Refer to the map below to understand how you are using the conditioner and dye in conjunction with each other.

4. Let the dye sit for 20–30 minutes and wash it out. You can blow dry or air dry your hair to prepare for the next step. I chose to air dry and do the green color the next day.

Step 3: Apply the Emerald Color

As I mentioned before, I chose to wait until the next day to apply my green color. I did this a little less precisely as the shadow root, but here are the steps I followed.

1. Section your hair out.
2. With gloved hands, apply the dye with your fingers to each section, using a comb to disperse the dye as needed throughout your hair. No need to worry about getting green on the dark brown, as it won't show up.
3. Move section by section until you are certain that all parts of your hair are covered.
4. Leave the dye in for 45–60 minutes, then wash out (this dye does not have any chemicals in it, so you don't have to worry about it harming your hair).
5. Style as you normally would!

Step 4: The Finished Product and How to Care For It

This emerald dye by One 'n Only is gorgeous and vibrant. It's exactly the right shade that I wanted. With a few extra steps, I was able to preserve the color for a long time with only a little bit of fading and color changes.

• Don't wash your hair every day. I tried to wait 3–4 days in between each wash. Use dry shampoo if your hair starts to feel greasy.
• When I did wash, I used Redken Micellar Sulfate Free Shampoo (use sparingly, you don't need a lot) and OGX Coconut Water Conditioner. After I got out of the shower, I sprayed in It's a 10 Miracle Leave In for additional softness. These are my three favorite magic products for upkeeping colored hair.
• Since my job is 50% being in a pool, I made sure to wear a swim cap every day to protect my hair color from fading. I'm glad I did because, at the base of my neck where some hair didn't fit into the cap, the dyes both completely faded out back to blonde. (I didn't mind though, it created a really cool effect when I braided my hair).

As you can see from the picture above, the fade was very nice! That picture was about four weeks after I dyed it. My ends turned a little bit more turquoise, but that is because they were white blonde before I dyed. The rest of my hair was yellow blonde. I believe I could have extended the color even longer, but about two weeks after I took this picture, I started allowing my hair to fade by not wearing a swim cap so that I could get ready to re-dye it.

The below picture is after about 15 hours of pool time and daily washings over the course of about 4 days, and as you can see it faded to a really pretty pale minty green.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I would definitely recommend this hair dye brand and color to anyone looking for a gorgeous jewel tone color, and I recommend the Ion Demi Permanent for the shadow root as well. It fades nicely and looks best on yellow blonde hair. I would definitely use it again!

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2018 ToriM

Tori is a 28-year-old, three-time animal mom and DIYer living in Northern Atlanta with her boyfriend.

Does Sun-In Really Work?

I've been using Sun-In since high school. It works great if you've got natural hair that you're trying to lighten just a shade or two, or if you are looking for a way to add some natural-looking highlights into your hair for the summer!

Sun-In is a less stressful alternative to bleaching your hair and much cheaper than going to the salon if you're just looking for a little bit of a change. There are a few ways to use it depending on what you're looking for and how fast you want to get there.

In this article, I'll tell you all about Sun-In, what makes it work, and the different ways you can use it to achieve the natural blonde highlights or all-over lightening that you're looking for so that you're prepared for the spring and summer months!

About My Hair

To start off, I'll tell you a little bit about my hair, so you can get an idea of what Sun-In will do for your hair. My hair is naturally dark blonde, and does tend to go towards the yellowy side when I lighten it. My individual hairs are actually pretty thin, but I have a lot of it, so my hair is pretty thick when you put it in a ponytail. The last time I used Sun-In, my hair was down to my waist, so I did have to use a couple of bottles over time to achieve the look I was going for.

Sun-In: What Is It?

Sun-In is a spray-in hair lightener that has been around for over 30 years. It uses two main lightening agents to help lighten your hair: hydrogen peroxide and lemon juice. The spray also contains a couple of other ingredients to help moisturize hair and protect your scalp while you're using it, such as aloe vera leaf juice and chamomile flower extract.

Overall, Sun-In is pretty safe for your hair no matter which method you choose to use it to lighten with, and will not cause damage to your hair.

As a side note, Sun-In may react differently if your hair is previously dyed. If you have dyed your hair a dark color it may turn out more brassy than it will if your hair is natural. Also, if you have naturally dark colored hair, it may take a lot longer to achieve the desired results. Sun-In works best on medium to dark blonde hair.

Sun-In has two different bottles that they sell, and I've used both of them. One comes in a pink bottle and is labeled "Tropical Breeze," and the other one comes in a yellow bottle and is labeled "Lemon." I haven't really noticed much of a difference between the two of them other than the smell. They both work the same and give the same gradual lightening transition over time. I do prefer the smell of the lemon, though!

You can purchase Sun-In at a variety of different places, and it is pretty inexpensive. You can find both kinds on Amazon, or at Walmart or Target, with one bottle being between six and eight dollars no matter where you purchase from.

Step 1: Spray or Paint

There are a few different ways you could use Sun-In to achieve your desired highlighting effect prior to applying heat.

Let's say you're just looking for one section of your hair to be lighter, such as your bangs, a chunky streak, or only the pieces lining your face. Because Sun-In comes in a spray bottle, it can be a little tricky to aim it to apply only to small sections. For smaller sections, unscrew the cap and dip a 1/4 inch paintbrush into the bottle. Paint the liquid on to the strand you are trying to lighten, and then apply heat in your preferred method.

If you want the bottom half of your hair (closest to your neck) to stay dark and you only want highlights on the top portion of your hair, section out the bottom half of your hair and put it in a bun, and cover with plastic wrap or a plastic bag. Then spray the Sun-In onto the hair that you are looking to lighten and comb through to evenly distribute the spray.

If you just want a few pretty highlights, Pull out the strands you want to highlight and hold them straight. Spray the solution on and use your fingers or a comb to evenly distribute throughout the strand. If you're not confident in your spraying ability, you could use the paintbrush for this as well.

For all-over lightening, spray liberally everywhere on your hair and comb through to evenly distribute the mixture. If you choose this, depending on the length and thickness of your hair, you will be using more. To protect myself from running out when I'm not done, I always buy two bottles as a safeguard.

From here, there are two different methods you can use to get the Sun-In to work!

Step 2: Activate the Product

Option 1: Sit in the Sun

As its name indicates, Sun-In provides subtle highlighting to your hair as you sit in the sun. So naturally, the first method that I'm going to recommend is to lightly spray it in your hair while it is dry, and go to the beach or the pool for a few hours. The more of the spray that is in your hair, the more highlights you will have, so spray liberally. You will probably not notice a difference right away, but after a couple of visits outside regularly, you will start to notice natural-looking highlights coming out of the woodworks. Make sure you rinse your hair after you are done!

If you choose to get in the water with Sun-In in your hair, it will wash out and the desired effect most likely won't be achieved as quickly, so just be mindful of that. If you've already been out for a couple of hours and you're ready to jump in and don't mind it washing out, don't worry about it! If you do get your hair wet you can always spray more in after you get out. However, the water in your hair may dilute the spray's mixture, so just be mindful of that.

Keep in mind that you probably don't want to wear your hair in a ponytail or other kind of style while Sun-In is in your hair. Because it uses heat from the sun, parts that are not exposed to direct heat from the sun will not lighten. That means that you may end up with a faint line where your ponytail holder was. So, it's best to keep your hair down and just keep rotating which side of your head your hair is on so that all parts of your hair will get enough sunlight for the lightener to take effect!

Option 2: Spray In and Apply Heat

I am an impatient person, so I'm going to be honest with you when I say this is my preferred method! The reason for that is because it works a lot faster than sitting in the sun all day. Plus, my family does have a history of skin cancer, so I do like to limit my sun exposure and usually stay covered with a towel or light blanket when I am in the sun (in addition to wearing lots of sunscreen).

When you're using a hairdryer you'll want it on the hot setting. Now I will preface this by saying your hair will not be immediately six shades lighter, it will still take time. All you need to do is spray the Sun-In on the desired sections of hair (or all over, if you just want a shade lighter everywhere like I typically do). Use a vented brush and a blow dryer to heat your hair up and blow dry for about 10 minutes or longer depending on the length of your hair.

As I mentioned, Sun-In works via heat application, not actual sunlight, so this is why this method works too. You can repeat this process every day on dry hair until you achieve the desired level of lightness. If you wanted to you could probably do two rounds in a day.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Questions & Answers

Question: My hair is dirty blonde I’ve used this product twice and my hair is almost orange. Should I continue using the hair lightening product I have been or would it make my hair worse?

Answer: You can continue using the product, but I would recommend a toner and a purple or blue shampoo depending on the shade of orange once you have achieved the lightness you are looking for. Wella Color charm T18 is a great toner, and I like Ion's purple and blue shampoos. That will help get it towards a neutral tone!

Question: How long should I wait to blow dry my hair after applying the Sun-in?

Answer: I usually put the sun in into my hair and then immediately blow dry!

Question: Does Sun-in spray continue to lighten your hair after it has dried?

Answer: Yes - if it dries and you are in the sun afterwards it will continue to subtlely lighten until you wash it out.

Question: How many washes until Sun-In comes out of hair?

Answer: The effects of Sun-In are not able to be washed out. It contains peroxide and is lightening the natural color of your hair.

Question: For the before and after pictures included at the top of this article, how many applications of the sun did it take to achieve the end result?

Answer: Daily applications for about two weeks!

Question: After lightening your hair using Sun-In spray, do you just go on with your day or do you need to rinse it off after you have finished drying or heating your hair?

Answer: You can go about your day! No need to rinse it unless you want to.

Question: What is the difference between the pink and the yellow Sun-In bottle?

Answer: The scent. Nothing else is different. I've used both and they both work fine. The yellow bottle smells a little more lemony and the pink bottle smells like lemon with flowers (as much as a mixture like this can smell like either of those things).

Question: If I want a natural look; can I spray Sun-in randomly all over my hair? or will it turn out uneven

Answer: This product is really subtle, so however you spray it in your hair it will look pretty natural.

Question: Can I straighten my hair after using Sun-In without rinsing it first?

Answer: You can but I would be careful because a straightener is also a source of heat and will lighten your hair further if you use it while the product is still in your hair.

Question: Why did my fingertips turn white with white spots on my fingers when using sun-in?

Answer: I'm not sure, but sun in does contain chemicals such as peroxide that have lightening qualities which is why it works on hair. I've never had issues with it lightening the skin on my hands before but I think if you give a few weeks for the skin on your fingers to regenerate it will go away. If you begin to get itchy or feel burning it may be an allergic reaction and you should see a doctor right away.

Question: I'm allergic to most hair dyes, can sun in hair lightening cause the same reaction?

Answer: It's hard to say. You aren't allergic to hair dye, you're allergic to an ingredient in hair dye, and dye is different than Lightener. I would go back and try to figure out what ingredient in hair dye you might be allergic to, and if sun in contains any of the same ingredients as the hair dye that caused a reaction then don't use it.

Question: If I have medium brown hair. Can I "bleach" it with Sun-in?

Answer: You could but it would take a really long time. I would recommend using 20 volume developer with Ion bright white creme Lightener if you are trying to go for anything other than natural highlights.

Question: Will the sun-in wash out of my hair if I take a shower?

Answer: Nope - lightening products are permanent.

Question: I have been using Sun-In on my roots and it has lightened but it seems to have stopped getting lighter. Is that normal? Also, I’ve dried it with the hairdryer and then sat with a bag on my hair to keep it warmer would that help?

Answer: It could help to use the bag to keep the warmth close to your head! As far as lightening stopping, this is a gentle lightener and it doesn't work very fast. Your hair has probably reached a level of light where it's hard to see changes without taking a before and after picture. If you are trying to get your hair to platinum blonde I would recommend using developer and Lightener such as Ion bright white creme developer, with a toner applied afterwards such as Wella t18.

Question: Can you use Sun-In hair lightener on highlighted hair?

Answer: Yes, you certainly can! I have done so before with no issues.

Question: How do you cover up your roots using Sun-In spray?

Answer: When using Sun-In, your roots should be treated the same as the rest of your hair. If you want them light like the rest of your hair, concentrate the spray in your roots and use a blow dryer to achieve the desired level of lightness.

Question: Should my hair be wet before I apply Sun-In?

Answer: You can do it either way. I typically apply it on dry hair, but it can also be wet!

Question: I've used Sun-In but now want to have my hair professionally highlighted, what do I need to tell my stylist?

Answer: To be honest, since sun-in is so gentle, if I were you, I wouldn't bother because it's not going to have much of an effect on your stylist's ability to put new highlights in. If you're concerned that it might, then just be honest with her/him. A good stylist isn't judgemental of home solutions and is going to help you achieve the look you want.

Question: How many applications of sun in did it take to achieve the third picture with the blondest hair? About how many bottles did you go through?

Answer: I was applying sun in to my hair every day for a couple of weeks because I was in the sun everyday. I'd say probably two or three bottles with daily application!

Question: I only want a few slightly lighter streaks in my hair. How do I achieve that with Sun-In Spray?

Answer: You have two options! Either you can pull your hair into a bun and then spray all over, or you can braid your hair into pigtails and spray all over, then hang out in the sun. If you're looking for subtle highlights, I don't recommend blow drying as that lightens it faster and lighter.

Question: Can I straighten my hair after using Sun-In spray?

Answer: Yes, you can - you can style as normal, but as you normally would when straightening hair I highly recommend a heat protectant to prevent damage. I love Paul Mitchell's Hot Off The Press spray!

Question: I have strawberry blond hair and Sun-In spray makes it more orange! should I keep putting it in to make it lighter or should I stop using it?

Answer: Grab yourself a good toner such as Well T-18. Follow the package instructions. A toner will get the color away from orange. You can keep lightening it, but it will still have an orange tint without a toner. After your toner, make sure you shampoo at least once a week with a purple or blue shampoo for maintenance so that you can stay away from the brassiness of orange.

Question: What type of shampoo should I use with Sun-in spray?

Answer: Whatever you normally use is fine, though I tend towards sulfate-free shampoos personally! Right now I'm using Redken Clean Maniac shampoo and OGX coconut milk conditioner.

Question: Does Sun-In hair lightener eventually come out of your hair? Or will it stay in forever?

Answer: It stays in forever -- it is a hair lightener, not a dye, so the color your hair turns is there for good.

Question: I have medium brown hair and still have seen results after 3 days! Does lightening take longer for medium brown hair?

Answer: It can take longer depending on the methods you are using. This is a very subtle hair Lightener that is not meant to be instant bright blonde - it's best over time, even if you use a hair dryer. Continue using it over the summer in the sunshine and you will notice a difference for sure. If you use a hair dryer, it will lighten faster, but it also depends on your hair type as well. If you would like a brighter lightening faster, I recommend seeing a professional for highlights. or if you want to be full blonde you can try Ion Color Brilliance Bright White Creme Lightener with a 10 or 20 volume developer (but that is to go BLONDE blonde, not for subtle highlights!)

Question: I have light brown hair and I used to be super blonde and I really dont want orange hair, should I still try Sun-in?

Answer: If your hair is light brown from being dyed light brown, I wouldn't do it. If your hair is naturally light brown you could use sun in and then follow up with a toner, but if you're looking for platinum hair I would just use Ion bright white creme Lightener and volume 10 or 20 developer instead of sun in, because sun in is meant for subtle changes.

Question: Do you have to wet your hair before you use Sun-in? And is it ok to put your hair in a pony tail when You used Sun-in?

Answer: You do not have to wet your hair and it is ok to do a ponytail after you have finished being in the sun or using a hair dryer but I don't recommend it during because the hair underneath the pony tail holder will not lighten evenly!

Question: How long should you be out in the sun while using Sun-In hair lightener to get hair really light?

Answer: If you are trying to get it really light, I'd use the hair dryer method to save you time because it would probably require several consecutive days of sunshine to lighten it several shades.

Question: Are you supposed to wash your hair and dry it with a towel right before using Sun-In hair lightener?

Answer: No, you don't have to! You can spray it right on dry hair.

Question: How long does the Sun-In hair lightener last after use?

Answer: The product itself will wash out after you wash your hair but its lightening effects are permanent.

Question: Is it better to use Sun-In hair lightener on wet or dry hair?

Answer: I prefer using on damp hair but you can use it on either.

Question: When you apply the product for the second time, do you do it on top of your first application or you wash your hair then do it for the second time?

Answer: That is totally up to you. I have done both and had similar results each time.

Question: I’ve never used Sun-in before. I have dark brown hair I was born with almost strawberry blonde hair naturally. If I used it, would my hair turn red?

Answer: It will probably turn coppery orange before it turns blonde and it will take several uses before turning fully blonde. The best way to find out is to test it on a small hidden strand of hair first before doing your whole head.

Question: Can I wash my hair like normal after using Sun-In hair lightener and blow-drying, or do I need to wait a period of time?

Answer: Nope, you can wash your hair like normal.

Question: How long does it take to see results when using Sun-In spray hair lightener?

Answer: It depends on how light your hair already is, but typically on my dirty blonde hair I notice results after two or three uses in the sun or just one use if I'm using a hair dryer!

Question: Do you need to shower before applying the sun-in?

Answer: No you do not!

Question: How long does it take to see results after applying Sun-in for the first time?

Answer: Depending on how dark your hair is it may take a while to notice results. For me it's usually 2 or so times before I notice a changes, but take a before and after picture to confirm that you are seeing changes.

Question: When you apply Sun-in, you don’t wait for anything right? After you spray or comb it with the bottle, you straight up go blow-dry your hair? Or do you wait like 30 minutes and then blow dry it?

Answer: I go straight into blow-drying!

Question: How long should I keep the Sun-In hair lightener in my hair?

Answer: As long as you like. You can reapply it if you decide to use it for multiple days straight.

Question: Can Sun-in be used on eyebrows?

Answer: I have never tried but you could try if you're not using a hair dryer. I would be hesitant of applying heat that close to my eyes. If you're looking for blonde eyebrows it may be better to use a lightener + developer combo such as ion Bright White Creme Lightener mixed with 10 volume developer.

Question: Can you apply Sun-In twice a day?

Answer: You could, I have done so before. If you are getting in and out of a body of water while using sun in you would need to reapply just like sunscreen because water will take the product out.

Question: Will I see results after one time of spraying my hair with Sun-in?

Answer: It depends on what color your hair was previously and how much you saturated your hair. If your hair was fully saturated with product and you have light brown hair you will probably see results after the first try.

Question: Does sun in damage your hair? Are there different shades for a specific hair color?

Answer: Just like any lightening product, your hair can be damaged from Sun In, but it takes a lot of sun in to cause noticable damage. There are not specific shades.

Question: Thank you, I have also been using Sun-In since I was a teenager, I will be 50 very soon. I don't think I've ever put in on dry hair until today! It works just as well... I was wondering if it has an expiration date? I couldn't find one.

Answer: Honestly I don't think it does because it's a peroxide formula. If I had a bottle from a few years ago I would still use it!

Question: How long should I wait after blow-drying to shower?

Answer: You can shower immediately.

Question: Where can I purchase Sun-In hair lightener?

Answer: Sun-In is available at many retailers including Amazon, Walmart, and your local drugstore.

Question: You state to use a hair dryer brush, but is it o.k. to use a hair dryer comb when using the blow dryer method?

Answer: Yes if you are more comfortable with a hair dryer comb you absolutely can!

Question: I can use Sun-in at night right...?

Answer: Yes absolutely! Just use a hair dryer to see results since you don't have the sun.

Comments

ToriM (author) from Atlanta on February 11, 2021:

Hi Annette, I'm not entirely sure about availability outside of the US but you might be able to find it at target or walmart who should ship internationally!

Rachel on May 26, 2020:

I love using sun in lemon but have never been sure whether I have to wash it out or not? I usually do it in the morning and deep condition at night.

Annette on April 22, 2020:

Where can I buy sun in from struggling to find somewhere in Tasmania or Australia or a website that is not out of stock

Mack on March 23, 2020:

Does it come out

Faith Kuszay on March 02, 2020:

Can I use sun in in between getting my hair colored? I want it for my bangs

Colleen on January 08, 2020:

Be careful when using the blow drier method, if you hold it one spot for too long you can burn off a chunk of hair like I did!

Kathryn on January 08, 2020:

P.S. you can even spray sun in on your hair and put on a hat and it will still work because the hat will keep the heat from your head from escaping so your hair will still get warm.

Kathryn on January 08, 2020:

Your post has some inaccuracies. Hydrogen peroxide and lemon juice will still lighten your hair without heat applied but heat makes your hair more porous and will increase the lightening effects. That being said, heat from the sun will still lighten the bottom layers of your hair, you don’t need to have each section exposed. Hydrogen peroxide can absolutely damage your hair! Be cautious of putting your hair in a pony tail after using sun in because this can cause breakage and leave you with some unintentional layers.

lillianJane21 on October 20, 2019:

I LOVE SUN IN. and not just me... my boyfriend says i look hotter blonde (hes not wrong) and but he also disaproves of that because ALL the guys are after me now. Its like by completley changing my body, style and look they all want me. im pretty darn sure its bc of my new blonde hair. i used 21 bottles (yes it SOUNDS LIKE A TON buuut i used a bottle a day for 3 weeks and my hair went from brown to platinum in less than a month) SO I ABSOLUTLEY LOVE SUNIN ohh and another thing. i did my hair riht before a trip to mexico on a cruise and i couldnt walk from my room to the pool without AT LEAST one guy asking for my number ANDsome woman telling me how pretty i was or how much she liked my hair. Id like to say sunin "made me a total chick"(quote from Jack my bf) so yeah thats what i have to say on that. BUY SUNIN IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE IT WILL MAKE YOU HAPPY AND if youre lucky you might get a few guys too ;)

catie on October 20, 2019:

im so excited to try sunin. i have REALLY LONG AND REALLY THICK hair so i bought 9 bottles (my hair is down to my calves and sooo thick) hopefully it works bc i just spent $63+tax. still WAY cheaper than any salon though. Im really really excited!! Ill post about it on my blog if you want to see. lilyshair.com

check it out!!!! luv u guys remember to have an awesome day... OH and inspiring quotes of the day

-dont accept criticism from people you wouldnt go to for advice

-once you start seeing your worth youll find it harder so sty around people who dont

-you are beautiful. period.

-be who you are and say what you say because people who mind dont matter and people who matter dont mind (dr seuss)

-yer a wizard harry and a bloody good one too

luna on August 05, 2019:

Sun in actually works!

Nayvee on July 21, 2019:

I am actually going to use sun in today at Disney world and since Florida has a lot of sun exsposure that’s why this is every helpful

Jessica on April 29, 2019:

How many bottles did it take you total?

Trey on March 06, 2019:

I was wondering does it continue to work after it has dried

Tori is a 28-year-old, three-time animal mom and DIYer living in Northern Atlanta with her boyfriend.

1. Bright Green All-Over

For a bold start to the list, I offer up this gorgeous lime green all-over color. For a color like this to show up exactly like this on your hair, I highly recommend lightening up to a level 8 or higher. For a tutorial on lightening your hair, click here. I really like to use Ion Color Brilliance Bright White Creme Lightener and 20 volume developer when lightening my hair.

Once you have gotten your hair to the appropriate shade of blonde, you can achieve this color green with a couple of different haircolors. My number one pick to achieve this color would be Pravana Chromasilk Vivids in Neon Green. You can also try Manic Panic in Electric Lizard mixed with a little bit of Green Envy.

The easiest way to apply this one would be to section your hair, and apply the product with gloved hands. When using semi- or demi- permanent dyes, the longer you leave the product in, the better. Unlike permanent dyes, they don't have ammonia or other things that can damage your hair so it's totally okay to leave them in for a little longer. I recommend 45 minutes to an hour for this shade of green.

2. A Shock of Green

One chunky highlight of green that is partially hidden by your hair is such a cool look that is both subtle and outspoken at the same time. This shock of color is perfect for someone who wants to experiment with their whole head but doesn't want to commit to a whole head or a more vibrant ombre.

To achieve this look, all you need to do is lighten just the strand you want to a level 7 blonde or higher. Make sure you pin the rest of your hair back while lightening and also applying the haircolor, so you don't accidentally dye the other parts of your hair. For the green in the picture, I recommend applying One N Only Argan Oil in Emerald Green mixed with a squirt of Electric Teal. Leave the mixture on for 30 minutes to an hour before washing out.

Because this color doesn't take up a lot of space, upkeep will be pretty easy. Every couple of weeks as you notice the color start to fade just section the hair back out again and redye it, following the same process.

3. Emerald Green All Over

Hands down, this is my number one favorite color in the world and when you put it on hair it just becomes that much more magical. Your hair doesn't need to be super blonde, I would say level 7 or higher, in order to execute this look - but I will say that you should remove as much orange as you can before applying, otherwise it might look a little funky. To remove brassiness you may consider using a purple shampoo or a toner prior to dying.

As far as hair dyes that you could use to get this color of green - there are a couple on the market. One N Only Argan Oil Dye in Emerald Green, which I've used before and love, or Lime Crime Jello would be great colors to use for this. You may need to purchase multiple tubes if your hair is as long and thick as in the picture - typically when I dye my hair I need two to three tubes to cover it all!

The best way to apply this dye would be to section your hair and apply it with a gloved hand. To get all the way to your roots, use a tint brush. Leave the dye in for 30 minutes to an hour before washing out. To upkeep, mix green dye with colorless conditioner and let it sit in your hair for 20 minutes as a hair mask. Doing it this way will help keep your hair shiny and radiant and also keep the color from going dull.

4. Ombre Emerald to Lime Green

Another great way to wear green in your hair is to apply with other colors for super multidimensional effect. This example is vibrant and gorgeous with colors that don't clash at all!

To achieve this look, you'll need a couple of different dyes. I would recommend starting out with choosing a shadow root (or if your hair is naturally dark, you won't have to do anything to your roots!) A good shadow root color is going to be a dark brown or black demi or semi permanent dye.

For the darker green I recommend Lime Crime Jello or One N Only Argan Oil Emerald Green, and for the lighter green I recommend Manic Panic in Electric Lizard. You could even go a step further and add in a highlighter yellow color at the very end of your roots, such as Manic Panic in Electric Banana.

Section your hair off and apply the shadow root first since it is the darkest color. Use a tint brush to apply the color from your roots to about 2 inches down. After you've applied your shadow root, apply the emerald green color of your choice, making sure to blend the emerald with the shadow root to get a nice gradient, while also leaving enough room at the bottom for you to apply your lime green color.

Apply the lime green from the end of the emerald down to the tips of your hair, ensuring to blend with the emerald as well so that you don't have a crazy line where the hair dye stops.

As with all ammonia-free semi and demi permanent dye, I recommend leaving the mixture on for 30 minutes to an hour or longer, because the longer you leave the color in the longer the color will stay in your hair.

5. Mint Green Hair

If you really love pastels, then this mint green hair is the perfect choice for you! Your hair will need to be level 10 blonde or higher to achieve this look, and you'll probably need to use a toner to bring it to an icy blonde before you apply your color. If your hair is too yellow when you apply the dye, it may not turn out the way you want it to!

My recommendation for dye to achieve this look is Pravana Chromasilk Pastels in Mystical Mint. You could also try Lime Crime Unicorn Hair in Salad. For either color, if your hair is longer than your chin you will need to purchase more than one container to get full coverage on your hair.

Apply the dye generously throughout your hair, taking care not to miss any spots. For light colors like this, I recommend leaving the dye in for an hour or more. You may also want to apply warm air (not hot) to the hair to help it sink in more, that way it lasts a little longer.

This color can be difficult to maintain, so I recommend following up your color job by mixing a tube of a darker green, such as Joico Color Intensity in Kelly Green with a colorless conditioner in a 10 oz or more size bottle. After you wash your hair and apply the conditioner, let it sit in your hair for 5-10 minutes. Alternatively you could also apply as a mask to dry hair, then rinse it out. It will look super bright in the mirror when you're applying it, but I promise—when you wash it out it will be more pastel because you are mixing it with conditioner which softens the dye color when you apply it.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Questions & Answers

Question: Do I have to bleach my brown hair in order to tint it green?

Answer: If your hair is dark brown, I do recommend lightening your hair first. In my experience, the semi-permanent dye does not stick for more than a few washes on virgin hair, and will not be visible on dark hair.

The level of lightness your hair needs to be will depend on the color green you choose.

If you're going emerald, it doesn't need to be white or even yellow - if you got it to a medium blonde, then emerald green will look great. (Medium blonde will probably look orange, use a purple shampoo to tone it before applying dye).

If you're doing highlighter green, you will need to get your hair as light as possible which may take a few sessions - if you try to get it super light in one go, you will fry your hair. When you lighten, don't use anything higher than 20 volume developer to reduce the likelihood of damage.

Question: How do I apply emerald green hair color to brunette hair?

Answer: Lighten your hair first using ion color brilliance bright white creme lightener mixed with 20 volume developer. It does not need to be white but it does need to be lighter than brunette. Then after your hair is lightened apply the semi permanent emerald of your choice and let it sit for about an hour before rinsing it out.

Question: What about dip dyeing i.e. just dyeing the tips of my hair all of the way around - in green?

Answer: I love that idea!!! Lighten the ends, and then apply dye. I think it would be beautiful!

Tori is a 28-year-old, three-time animal mom and DIYer living in Northern Atlanta with her boyfriend.

If you are about to dye your hair blue and are looking for inspiration, then look no further! I'll give you some of the best ideas for blue hair and tell you how you can execute them at home!

Ideas for Blue Hair

1. Teal Ombre
2. Midnight Blue Hair
3. Ice Pastel Blue with a Shadow Root
4. Hidden Blue Hair
5. Blue with Green Highlights

1. Teal Ombre

To achieve the teal ombre/dip dye look, you will first need to lighten 3-6 inches of the bottom of your hair to be as blonde as possible. I like using Ion Color Brilliance Bright White Creme Lightener and Ion 20 volume developer to achieve the right shade. You'll need to be at a level 9 or 10 blonde (both very blonde, almost white). Make sure you do not leave your lightener in for too long, and also make sure you don't use too high of a developer. I typically do not like to go any higher than 20 volume. 30 and 40 both fry my hair too much, but with 20 volume I can control the lightening process a little bit more without frying my hair.

After you've lightened your hair, section it out and apply conditioner to the midsection just above where the lightened hair meets your natural hair. Do not put conditioner on the lightened hair. Then, apply Manic Panic Semi-Permanent dye in Atomic Turquoise to the lightened part of your hair. Blend it with the conditioned portion so that when you wash it out, it will fade into your natural hair. Then wrap with plastic wrap or tin foil and sit for 30 minutes to an hour.

I like to leave the dye in for an hour because it helps give my hair more staying power. Since the haircolor doesn't have ammonia in it, you don't have to worry about it damaging your hair while it's processing.

2. Midnight Blue Hair

Midnight blue hair looks super gorgeous when it's done right! There are a couple of ways to achieve this look. You will need to have your hair lightened just a bit, I would say to a level 5 or a level 6 blonde. It doesn't need to be white blonde, but do remember that the lighter your hair is, the brighter the midnight blue will be.

Manic Panic in After Midnight Blue or One N Only Argan Oil Hair Color in Midnight Blue would be my recommendations to achieve this look. I like both dyes but I will tell you if you're looking for something that is more washable, choose the Manic Panic. I've discovered, at least for my hair, that dyes with argan oil in them have much longer staying power than those that don't.

If you want the blue to be a bit darker than in the picture, you can try mixing in some black dye with the blue dyes at a ratio of 1 part black to 3 parts blue.To cover your entire head, there are a few methods to get there - you can put the dye in like shampoo and rub it around until everything is covered (you will have to take extra care in this method because you are more likely to miss spots). The second method is to section your hair and take a tint brush to brush on the color. This is the way that I recommend because you definitely won't miss any spots and it keeps your hair neater while you're dying it, but it will take longer and you will probably need someone's help to cover the back of your head.

3. Ice Pastel Blue with a Shadow Root

This blue is such a beautiful shade! But fair warning - pastel colors are hard to upkeep. To achieve a look similar to the one in the photo, your hair will need to be as light as possible, level 10 or higher. You will also need to use an excellent purple shampoo to remove any brassiness, or the blue may come out looking more mint green than anything.

To start, you'll need two different colors of dye - one for your shadow root, and one for the rest of your hair. If you like the grey as seen in the picture, I recommend purchasing Ion Color Brilliance in Titanium for the roots (it may pull a little blue at first, but will fade to gray).

For the ice blue portion, I would use Manic Panic in Blue Angel. Depending on the length of your hair, you may need more than just one tub of the manic panic.

To achieve this look you'll need two tint brushes, two color bowls, and tin foil sheets. and to apply the dye in sections. Part a flat section out of your hair and slide a piece of tin foil under it. Because the root color is much darker, I would start with applying the blue first, from about two inches down from your scalp, all the way to your ends. once the blue has been applied, apply the gray from the root to where the blue starts, carefully blending into a nice fading gradient. You will need a friend to help you with the back.

I would let the dye sit for an hour, with the last thirty minutes under a warm hair dryer to help lock in the ice blue, before washing it out.

4. Hidden Blue Hair

Hidden color hair is an awesome way to have a little bit of fun without being totally committed to color! This kind of color is great for people who have jobs with stricter dress code policies - depending on how much of your hair you dye, it can be easily hidden with creative hair styling.

To achieve this look, you can really use any blue that you like the best - but to imitate the streaks in the picture, I recommend lightening your hair to at least a level 7 blonde first and then using One N Only Midnight Blue and Electric Teal Haircolors. One n Only brand Haircolors have amazing color payoff and will take more than a few washes to fade out, so I think they are perfect for the hidden rainbow style. I had Electric teal in my hair for almost 4 months without redying and it looked beautiful the whole time.

To apply, you'll need two tint brushes, two colkor bowls, and foil or plastic wrap. Decide what section of your hair you want to apply color to. Part your hair above that section and tie back the rest of your hair so it's out of the way. If you want natural hair underneath your dyed section, part your hair again underneath the dyed section, tie back the hair that is not being dyed, and pin tin foil underneath the section you're dying.

First you'll need to lighten that section. Once it is the desired shade of blonde, take the teal tint brush and paint a 1 inch section from root to tip. Then do the same thing with the blue tint brush, alternating until the whole section is coated with dye. Place a piece of tin foil on top and pin it to the bottom ton foil piece to keep it from moving. Leave the dye in for 30 minutes to an hour, using warm heat to seal if you like. Once you rinse it out, you should have beautiful hidden blue hair!

5. Blue with Green Highlights

Hands down, I think this is my favorite look out of all five. However, highlighting is a difficult method to do by yourself, and will take a lot of time so make sure you are careful in choosing the placement of your highlights or else it may not turn out the way you want it to. I would only recommend doing this type of coloring job at home if you've had experience coloring your own hair before, as it may be a little frustrating to do if you're doing your first at-home coloring job.

To get colors as bright as this you'll need to lighten your hair to at least a level 8. As far as the colors to use, I recommend One n Only Argan Oil Hair Color in Emerald Green for the highlights, and Ion Color Brilliance in Sapphire for the base color.This comb will also be helpful for sectioning your hair for highlights.

There are a couple of different ways to do this. The first way is that you can just take random sections of hair and paint them whichever color you deem appropriate, then let them sit. But doing this may result in chunky color that doesn't blend as well as this image.

The more time consuming way will gain results most similar to the photo. You will need a friend to help you with this. Section your hair out and work on 3-4 inch sections at a time. In your first section, part out a flat section of hair, and then take the pointy tail end of a comb like this one to weave in and out through the section. the pieces of hair that end up on top will be your green highlights, and the pieces you weave out on the bottom will be your blue hair. Tie the section that will be your blue hair. Place a piece of tin foil in between it and the green hair section. Paint the green hair, and fold it up out of the way when finished. Place another piece of tin foil under the blue hair, and do the same thing. Repeat this until your whole head has been covered. Leave the dye in for 30 minutes to an hour and then rinse out!

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Questions & Answers

Question: How do you change your current hair color from red to this cool color?

Answer: My recommendation is to use a color remover to get your old dye out and then you should be able to put this one in! If your red came from a permanent color not a semi-permanent, I would go see a professional to get to this color blue!

Comments

Teresa on March 22, 2020:

I'm trying to dye my hair with sapphire ion permanent brights creme hair color instead of creme developer can I mix the color with something else to get my sapphire hair colir

Tori is a 28-year-old, three-time animal mom and DIYer living in Northern Atlanta with her boyfriend.

I have dyed my hair many times, but one color that I can't ever seem to get enough of is pink. I love pink hair. More specifically, I like light pink—rose gold, bubblegum pink, smoky pink—whatever you want to call it! I've tried a few different ways to get that color over the years and now I'm going to share my methods with you so you can see what works best for you!

Ways to Get Rose Gold/Pale Pink Hair

1. Use a rose or light pink-colored dye.
2. Mix hot pink dye with conditioner.
3. Use a rosy colored toner.

Before You Begin

Unfortunately, any kind of light or pastel colors will not show up on darker hair. Your hair must be at minimum a level 8 blonde for the color to show up in your hair. If you're not sure what level color you are, I've included a levels chart here for your reference!

To achieve the correct level of blonde, you have a few options. Either you can lighten your entire head on your own, or you can do highlights. I am terrible at doing my own highlights, so I get them done professionally when I decide I want highlights.

If you decide to lighten your hair on your own, I recommend using Ion Color Brilliance volume 20 developer for sensitive scalp and Ion Color Brilliance Creme Lightener. Out of all of the lightening products I have tried, these ones gave me the best results: I came out with lighter hair in 15 minutes and no fried hair at all!

Any time you lighten your hair, it will come out a yellow. You will need a purple shampoo to remove the yellow and get your hair to a more cool toned blonde. Unless, of course, you're going for a strawberry pink or rose gold - then the brassy yellow color will add to your rose gold tone and look really pretty once the pink is on top of it.

The other thing to remember about dying your hair light pink is that it is a color that will fade extremely quickly so it is a high maintenance color. Every time I've done it it lasts about four washes before it's gone completely. I only wash my hair twice a week so I could make it last two weeks without touchups. I'll provide methods of maintenance for each of the ways I tell you about below so you know how to make the color last longer than two weeks.

1. Use a Rose or Light Pink-Colored Dye.

The first way you can achieve rosy pink hair is probably the easiest - use a rose or light pink colored dye. For this type of pink, your hair will need to be a very light blonde - level 9 or higher is my recommendation. For me, light pink dyes don't take very well unless my hair is basically platinum, and for people who do have naturally darker hair like I do, I would expect the same problem.

There are a couple of different brands that make light pink or rosy dye. I've tried Manic Panic Cotton Candy Pink and Ion Color Brilliance Gemstone Brights in Rose Quartz.

The Manic Panic was interesting because I love this brand and normally it works out great for me. But this particular color didn't work - it barely took in my hair. I felt like it would be good if you wanted extremely subtle pink highlights.

My pick for my hair though is going to have to be the Ion Color Brilliance in Rose Quartz. The color turned out amazing. The only thing I will say is that I had to use a lot of it to cover my whole head. I bought three tubes and used all three. But the color came out amazing and just the shade I was looking for.

To maintain this color, my best recommendation is to just re-dye your hair when you feel like the color has faded too much. Since these pinks are not as pigmented as, say, a hot pink, this will be the best method of maintenance.

2. Mix Hot Pink Dye With Conditioner.

This is one of my favorite methods because maintenance is easy and my hair gets a conditioning mask out of it every time I do it! For this method you'll want to purchase a much stronger pink dye than the ones I previously mentioned, and your hair doesn't need to be as light as it would be for the previous method. You could probably get away with a level eight, maybe a level seven if your hair is thin. We're talking hot pink. If you want a more coral color, you could select a dye that is more of a reddish pink.

My favorite kinds of dye for this type of hair coloring are from One N Only. The One N Only Perfect Intensity Argan Oil dye in Hot Pink is the dye that I've had the best results with. All you need to do is mix half a tube with half a cup of conditioner. The conditioner must be colorless. My current favorite is OGX Coconut Water conditioner.

After mixing the dye in, apply to your hair like a mask and leave in for at least an hour. As a warning, when you are applying it to your hair it will look hot pink on your hair, but I promise when you wash it out your hair will not be hot pink.

To maintain this look, all you have to do is apply the mixture like a hair mask every two weeks, and that's it! You'll have super soft moisturized hair and a great light pink color to work with.

3. Use a Rosy Colored Toner.

I did this once and had it done professionally, but you could easily replicate this at home. I also realized I didn't take any good pictures of mine, so the picture I'm using is Guy Tang's results from his formula, which I found online and is the formula I gave to my hairstylist so he could replicate it. Here's the ingredients. My stylist mixed at 1:1 ratio for everything except the magenta was just a few drops.

Best Rosy Colored Toners

• Guy Tang Favorites Demi-Permanent 10BrM Extra Light Blonde–Bronze Metallic
• Guy Tang Favorites Demi-Permanent 8BrM Blonde–Bronze Metallic
• Kenra Color Demi-Permanent 5VR Light Brown–Violet Red–gives the haircolor a rosy feel.
• Olaplex with a drop of Kenra Color Creative Magenta

It turned out beautifully. My hair stylist mixed all the colors together and applied the toner after putting highlights in my hair. We left the toner in for about an hour before washing it out and my hair turned out gorgeous.

When I did this color, it was back in 2016 when rose gold was just starting to get popular as a hair color, so a mixture of toners was necessary. Now, it's so popular that there are actually pre-formulated toners that you can use. I found this one by Pravana that looks like it would yield good results as well.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Questions & Answers

Question: I recently dyed my hair pastel pink (I bleached then toned to platinum and then added pink and I'm very happy with the results) but it didn't take to all of my hair. So my friend said that I should dye it again and then use toner and the toner will make my hair all one color. Does that sound right to you?

Answer: To a certain extent yes, it would help even the color out a bit. however without seeing your hair it's hard to tell. Usually with me, if dye isn't taking to my hair it means I didn't lighten it enough (because my natural hair will NOT hold dye at all).

Question: How light was your hair when you used toner to colour it rose gold?

Answer: My hair was a medium blonde with blonde highlights!

Tori loves dying her hair all colors of the rainbow and shares her tutorials with others.

Introduction

I recently started a new job that doesn't mind if I dye my hair any color I want to. After a very long stint of not putting any colors in my hair except blond highlights, I decided I wanted to take an easy step back into coloring my hair so that I could eventually transition into some crazier colors. I've always loved any kind of pink-toned hair, especially anything rose gold or smoky pink colored, so I figured this would be a great step into a new hair journey.

I purchased all of my supplies from Sally Beauty Supply, with the exception of my leave-in conditioner. Below, I'll tell you how I prepped my hair and utilized this dye to achieve the gorgeous pinky rose gold color I have now.

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

My hair is naturally a dark blonde, and I also had some residual yellow-blonde highlights that were growing out. I've learned in the past that my natural hair doesn't really take bright colors well at all. The only dye I've managed to get to stay in my natural hair are dark, ammonia-based hair colors (which I haven't done since college because I don't really trust your typical box dyes anymore—too damaging!). So in order to get my hair in the right state to accept a color, I had to lighten it first, then apply the color. That's why I have so many different supplies on this list. If your hair is already close to being white blonde, then you can skip the lightener and developer!

Step 2: Lightening My Hair

I started by lightening my hair from dark blonde to a light blonde. I achieved this by using Ion Color Brilliance Bright White Creme Lightener and Ion Color Brilliance Sensitive Scalp volume 20 developer. I mixed the products together at a 1:1 ratio, and applied to my hair. The creme lightener works much faster than a typical powder lightener, so I only left this in for 15 minutes as my hair was completely super blonde by that point. I rinsed it out and used my purple shampoo to tone down the brassiness and yellow color. I conditioned my hair using my OGX coconut water conditioner, rinsed, then towel dried and applied the It's a 10 Miracle Leave In Product. I let my hair air-dry for two hours before drying it with my hair dryer on the "warm" setting with a diffuser attachment.

I missed a few spots in my lightening process so after my hair was fully dried I applied additional mixture only to the spots that needed additional lightening, let it sit for another 15 minutes, and repeated the washing process again, only adding one additional step of letting the purple shampoo sit for about seven minutes before washing it out.

Step 3: Applying the Color

I let my hair air dry for another hour and a half, plus using my hair dryer at the end, before I started applying the color. My hair is fine but I have a lot of it, and I've never had success covering my entire head with only one tube of hair color. Currently, my hair is just above shoulder length and I had to buy 3 tubes of this color to cover my entire head.

I squeezed the hair color into my bowl and applied the color with my fingers all the way through my hair. I massaged the color into my scalp to ensure that I didn't miss any roots. I used the tint brush to brush on color around my hairline to ensure that they were fully covered as well.

After I was confident my entire head was covered in dye I left the color in to sit for about 90 minutes under a processing cap. The really nice thing about the Ion Color Brilliance line is that because the hair colors are ammonia-free, they will not damage your hair if you leave them in for a long time. Typically leaving the color in for a while yields better color results. My recommendation is the lighter the color you are putting in your hair, the longer you need to let it process. Darker jewel-toned colors won't require as much processing time but lighter pastel colors can take a bit longer to take in your hair.

Step 4: Rinsing the Color Out

When rinsing hair dye out of your hair, the typical rule of thumb is to rinse until the water runs clear. Because this is such a light color, you will think the water is clear before it actually is. So once the water looks clear to you, rinse for a minute or two more to prevent finding bits of dye still in your hair. I used a tiny bit of sulfate-free shampoo to help with this as well.

The dye is pretty moisturizing on its own, but because my hair was a tad parched from lightening, I used my OGX conditioner. After I got out of the shower I also applied my It's a 10 Miracle Leave-In, concentrating on my ends.

I let my hair air dry for an hour before finishing with my hairdryer on the warm setting without the diffuser attachment to finish my look.

Results and Conclusion

I ended up with a pretty, golden bubble-gum color that distributed easily within my hair and looked great in both natural and artificial light. It was just the pop of color I was looking for to start my hair journey.

As another rule of thumb with lighter colors, even when you leave the color in for a long time when initially dying it, pastel colors always fade the quickest. My job also requires me to be in a pool three days a week, which means my color will fade a lot more quickly than someone else's might.

For a normal non-pool dwelling person to maintain this color, I would recommend washing only every three to four days, using a sulfate-free color-safe shampoo and conditioner, and dry shampoo on in-between days to combat oiliness. This will probably preserve the color for about three weeks before it fades to the blond that is underneath the rose gold, so you will have to re-dye your hair about every three weeks to maintain this color.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Questions & Answers

Question: What was your developer to dye ratio when dying your hair rose quartz?

Answer: I actually did not mix developer and dye! I only used dye when it came to the coloring portion.

If you're referring to the lightening process, I typically use 1 part Ion Bright White Creme Lightener and 2 parts Ion Sensitive Scalp 10 or 20 developer. But I do not mix the developer with the dye itself.

Question: I love the Ion Rose Quartz hair color, but I wish they would make it into a permanent dye kit. I find this semi-permanent pasty stuff is hard to use and get even saturation. The color is gorgeous although it fades too fast. Any tips for a smoother application process?

Answer: Yes, that is the downside to the pastel colors!! I've heard of some people adding developer to semi permanent dyes to make them more permanent, but I personally cannot vouch for how effective that is or if it even works! I would mix a bottle of the dye with your conditioner and use that every time you wash your hair. Also, make sure you're using sulfate free shampoo washing your hair no more than twice a week and the color should last a little bit longer.

Question: I'm actually going to try this on my beard tonight. I have a mix of red (strawberry blond) and white and don't plan to bleach it first. In your opinion, do you think the red parts will change at all? I expect the white will easily accept the color, so it look like I have pink (er, rose quartz) highlights.

Answer: It all depends! It's possible that the red will take, but it's likely that it will fade faster. If it doesn't take I think it will blend in pretty well anyway!

Comments

ToriM (author) from Atlanta on April 24, 2018:

Hi Stacy, it depends on how many supplies you need to purchase. I didn't include a total cost, only costs of individual items, because you may or may not need everything on the list. If you purchase everything new and also using the exact products that I did off the list and add it up in a calculator you are looking probably around $55.

Stacy on April 24, 2018:

So in total how much to do the whole process

Tori loves dying her hair all colors of the rainbow and shares her tutorials with others.

How I Found This Product

I recently started a new job that doesn't care if my hair is dyed (score)! I've had the itch to re-dye my hair for a couple of weeks now, so yesterday I just went for it. My boyfriend and I went to Sally Beauty Supply to pick up my standard set of supplies and decide on a color.

Normally, I buy Ion Color Brilliance Ammonia Free Powder Lightener and mix it with 20 Volume Sensitive Scalp developer of the same brand, as I've always had good results with that combination. But when I went to grab the Powder Lightener I noticed Ion had a new product, creme lightener, that I hadn't seen before.

I called my sister, who is a hair-dye-at-home aficionado, to ask her if she'd ever used it or heard of it and she said no. I'm a little adventurous and I've always had good experiences using Ion products, so I decided to try it out on a whim. I didn't read any reviews until after my hair was already finished.

Disclaimer

Before you begin using my directions as a process to lighten your own hair, I just want to preface by saying I am not a licensed professional. I am a do-it-yourself person who has been dying my own hair for many, many years. My methods of using these products are what work for me, and sometimes different methods work better for different people, especially those with different types or colors of hair than me.

Before lightening your hair at home, read all package directions. I also recommend looking at 2–3 different reviews with directions to ensure that the information you are using is uniform. If it doesn't work out the way you wanted, do not hesitate to visit a professional to have it fixed.

Packaging

Ion Color Brilliance Bright White Creme Lightener comes in a 10.6 oz squeeze tube. which I think is a good amount for the price. Overall the packaging is user-friendly. I used about 3/4 of the bottle during my first round of lightning, and the remaining 1/4 to touch up spots that I missed.

My one complaint about the packaging is that I feel like I missed a small portion of the product because you can only squeeze out so much before you reach the hard plastic opening and can't squeeze anymore. I even left the bottle standing up overnight to see if any of the remaining product would settle into the opening but unfortunately, it did not.

Supplies I Used

The Process

First, I took a shower the night before to ensure that any hair styling product were out of my hair. If you have residual products such as gel, hairspray, mousse, etc in your hair, it will mess with the lightening or coloring that you are doing and it may not take evenly.

The next day, I mixed a 1:1 ratio of 20 volume developer with the creme lightener in the bowl. I used the tint brush to mix it together. The texture of the mixture looked like a chalky paste. The more you mix it the smoother it gets.

From here there are a couple of ways to apply the product. Lightening products work quickly already, so you have to work fast or be prepared to apply and rinse out sections of your hair at a time instead of your whole head.

I think the best way to apply the mixture while keeping your hair neat and not missing any pieces is to use the tint brush. Do your roots first: Start where your natural part is and paint the mixture on. Once you finish that layer, lift it up and put it to the other side, so that you can do the section underneath. You may need a friend to help you with the back of your head, but with this product you need to work very, very quickly. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes, then rinse it out. After your roots are done, section your hair out in 1–2 inch sections using clips and apply the bleach mixture using your gloved fingers to rub it in. Let it sit for another 10–15 minutes and then rinse it out.

Alternatively, you could do what I did, which is not the best way but it is a way. I applied the lightening mixture with my hands, as if I was shampooing my hair, making sure to rub the product into my roots and scalp to ensure full coverage of my roots. Then I went back over with the tint brush to apply the product to any areas of my hair that looked like they weren't fully covered. If you do it this way, you have to be prepared to do a touch-up round, because no matter how much you think you've coated, you will most likely miss a spot. I was lucky and only missed some small spots on the back of my head so I just did a quick touchup round and was ready to go.

During each rinse, I used the Generic Value Products Purple Shampoo to remove brassiness and tone down the yellow that comes with lightening my hair. I followed up with OGX Coconut Water Conditioner and rinsed with cold water to seal my hair cuticles

After getting out of the shower, I used It's a 10 Miracle Leave-In to help rehydrate my hair after lightening. I waited 2 hours in between my first round and my touch up round, so that my hair could mostly air dry and rest a little bit. When I went back for my touchup round, I used my hairdryer on the warm setting (not hot) and the diffuser attachment to finish drying it before applying my touchup round using the tint brush and only covering areas that needed extra attention.

After rinsing the touch-up lightener out, I did two rounds of purple shampoo - the first to remove as much of the lightening mixture as I could, and the second round I let it sit for about 7 minutes before rinsing to remove as much brassiness as possible. I followed up again with conditioner and then the leave-in product after I got out of the shower.

Results

Overall, I was very impressed with this creme lightener and would recommend it if you're looking to lighten your hair and dye it a bright color! I had no issues with using powder lightener, but I appreciated how fast this product worked once applied to my hair. My hair was originally a dark blonde with some residual yellow-blonde highlights at the bottom. This product lifted my hair so quickly that I only left it on for about 10 minutes before rinsing each time. The only thing I felt was a slight warming feeling on my scalp as the lightener reacted with the developer—no burning or stinging.

My hair felt soft and shiny, and split/fried ends were minimal. For my just-above-shoulder-length hair, I only needed to use one bottle to achieve the desired color, but if your hair is longer than mine you may have to use two. I bought two 8 oz bottles of 20 volume developer to use with this lightener and it ended up being the right amount, as I only needed about 10.5 oz of developer for a 1:1 mixing ratio. You will definitely need purple shampoo, because as with any hair lightening product it will typically lift to a yellow-blonde. If you have any other dyed colors in your hair at the time of using this product, you may have different results.

Ingredients

I've listed all of the ingredients on the back of the bottle here for reference. Before using any kind of lightening product, I recommend checking the ingredients for any known allergens, so that you don't have any kind of allergic reaction to the product. For some of the lesser-known ingredients, I've included links to information or short descriptions of the properties of the ingredient—that way you can learn a little bit more about ingredients that you may be unsure about.

• Mineral Oil
• Potassium Persulfate (lightening compound)
• Ammonium Persulfate (lightening compound, not Ammonia)
• Sodium Silicate
• Sodium Metasilicate
• Petrolatum (Assists in preventing outside dry-out)
• Sodium Persulfate (lightening compound)
• Ethylhexyl Stearate
• Sodium Stearate (Soap)
• Kaolin (White Clay, absorbs oil)
• Magnesium Oxide (Mineral)
• Sodium Laurel Sulfate (Foaming Agent)
• Silica (Anti Caking Agent)
• Titanium Dioxide / Cl77891 (White Pigment)
• Hydrolyzed Keratin (Moisturizer)
• Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract (Calming Agent)
• Helianthus Anuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil (Provides Nutrients)
• Beeswax (Softens ad smooths)
• Hydroxyethylcellulose (Natural Thickening Agent)
• Carbomer
• Xanthan Gum
• Bisabolol (Fragrance)
• Ceteareth-30 (Emulsifier)
• Hydrogenated Castor Oil (Emulsifier/Fragrance)
• Tetrasodium EDTA
• Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer (Viscosity Increasing Agent)
• Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer (Viscosity Increasing Agent)
• Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Cross Polymer (Viscosity Increasing Agent)
• PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil (Fragrance/Emulsifier)

Overall, after researching each ingredient individually, there seems to be a low toxicity hazard and should not cause much, if any, irritation unless you are allergic to a specific ingredient. One thing about the ingredients that I appreciated was the inclusion of keratin, sunflower seed oil, and chamomile extract, as all of these ingredients are needed to ensure that your hair is not overly damaged, is receiving proper nutrients, and that your scalp is not irritated while you are using the product.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Questions & Answers

Question: What is developer used for when dyeing hair?

Answer: Developer is what is used to lift your hair color level. It often has peroxide in it. The higher the number on the developer the quicker it works and the more damaging it can be if used incorrectly. I typically use volume 10 if I am removing color from already lightened hair, and volume 20 if I am lightening virgin hair. However, if your hair is naturally medium blonde or lighter, you shouldn't ever need to go higher than volume 10 to lighten.

Question: I have dyed black hair, should I use the Ion Color Brilliance Bright White Creme Lightener 30 or 40 for the max lightning affect?

Answer: I wouldn't use 30 or 40 to lighten dyed black hair especially if it is dyed with permanent dye because your hair is already damaged from chemicals. Be aware also that lightening hair that has been permanently dyed black may not yield blonde hair either, and it may take a few rounds (a couple of days apart, to allow your hair to rest) to achieve blonde. I have never gone blonde from permanent black though so I would not consider myself the expert on this.

Question: Did you tone your hair? Should I tone mine if it's orange?

Answer: No, I did not have to tone my hair after because my hair doesn't have red tones because it is naturally dark blonde. Orange can happen after any lightening process if you're lifting from a darker or more red-toned color, in which case you will need to tone once you're done. I recommend Wella T-18.

Question: My hair is blond already but I want it lighter, can I use a 30 developer instead of 20?

Answer: I would not. 30 volume is very damaging. If your hair is a lighter blonde than mine already, I would even recommend going lower than volume 20 - you should use volume 10. That way you don't fry your hair before you even get to wash out the lightener.

Question: Can I use 30 Vol lightener on hair roots? I want to achieve white, while I have dark brown roots.

Answer: You can, but I wouldn't recommend it because 30 Vol is very strong and has more potential to fry your hair. If you're starting from dark brown, it may take a couple of rounds to get to white - using a stronger developer may get you there faster, but it's going to be at the expense of the integrity of your hair. If you do decide to do it, be extra careful watching the time and don't leave it on for more than 10-15 minutes especially when mixing with this particular lightener, since the lightener works very fast.

Question: My daughter has dark brown roots and it fades to a very light brown. The sales person had us to get 20 volume bright white developer. Can we use the developer by itself to lighten the darker parts or would we need to mix with something else?

Answer: You do need to mix developer with a lightening product such as this one. Unfortunately, the developer does not really work on its own as a lightening agent. Out of all of the Lighteners I have tried, the Ion Bright White Creme Lightener is the gentlest and easiest to work with, especially when compared to powder versions, so this is the one I would recommend.

Question: I was told at Sally's Beauty Supply to use Volume 30 creme lightener to lighten my hair but I see you used Volume 20. Is it okay to use 30?

Answer: It really depends on how dark and thick your hair is. If your hair is dirty blonde and thin, 30 will fry it. If your hair is dark brown and thick, 30 is probably okay.

Question: Would you recommend using a dye after using the developer and lightener?

Answer: It depends on what you are going for! If you want blonde hair, I'd follow up with a toner. If you want another color such as blue, pink, or red, then yes you can use a dye. If you like how it turned out though you don't necessarily have to do anything to it!

Question: I want to dye my tips emerald green. I have black hair and have never dyed my hair. Should I only lighten the tips of my hair with the lvl 20 developer?

Answer: Hi Anon, yes - if you want only the tips of your hair you will only need to lighten the tips. Since you have dark hair though, I just want to caution you not to try to lighten too quickly so that you don't damage your hair. A lot of times on darker hair, any kind of lightener will most times come out orange on the first round. Don't be frightened if it does- let your hair rest a few days (using a conditioning treatment of some kind also), and then apply the lightener again. For a color as dark as emerald green you won't need white hair - just a couple shades above will work fine.

Question: Do I need a developer to use the ion color creme lightener?

Answer: Yes - in my article I recommend 20 volume sensitive scalp developer from the same brand!

Question: After we wash out our hair with the conditioner how much should you use shampoo on bleached hair?

Answer: I typically wash my hair with shampoo and conditioner every three to four days. Make sure the shampoo you are using is sulfate, silicone, and paraben-free so as not to harm your color.

Question: I have super short hair in a pixie cut. Can you save unused product still in the bottle?

Answer: Yes! You absolutely can.

Question: I have dyed my hair black using Wella a few times. I want to go to a brightish red now. The rep at Sally's told me I can use a 30 developer in all my hair for 30 min, and would maybe need two rounds. Is this ok? Now I'm doubting. I don't want to burn my hair.

Answer: I would say it depends. Have you lightened your hair before you went black? If so, that already treated hair may not be able to handle volume 30. If your hair has never been lightened, only dyed with semi-permanent black dye, then it will be fine with volume 30. You have to be careful, especially if you have a lot of hair. It just is more powerful and works more quickly, so you have to keep an extra eye on the clock and make sure that you put a day or two in between rounds of lightening to ensure you don't damage it.

Question: How long are you supposed to leave Ion Color Brilliance Bright White creme in your hair?

Answer: I do not leave it in more than 20 minutes once I have finished the whole section I'm trying to do.

Question: I was wondering that if I've already died my hair can I do the bright white cream lightener & the 20 volume developer wash it out and I already have the blue/purple shampoo? Will it still have a yellow kinda tone if I don't use a toner?

Answer: My hair usually does have a little bit of a yellow color if I don't use a toner to cool it down, but if you leave purple shampoo in long enough it does help tone it down a bit. It also depends on what color your hair was before you tried to lighten it as to what color it may be when you try to lighten it now.

Comments

Jen on July 15, 2020:

I have dark brown hair colored using demi-permanent for years and would like to go a shade lighter. Will the creme lightner work for that? How long do you think I should keep it in using 20 developer?

Mary on June 10, 2020:

I have dark copper hair, I would like to lighten it a little. I do not want to

be a blond. Tried that was not for me.

Bev on November 05, 2019:

Can I use this product once a week. I shampoo everyday and it doesn’t on my hair longer than a few days.

Susie Lang on May 04, 2019:

I HAVE PALE BLONDE HAIR ALREADY BUT I WANT LIGHTER HIGHLIGHTS IN FRONT, MY QUESTION IS HOW LONG WOULD I LEAVE THE ION IN FOR , AND IS THE RATIO OF ION BRIGHT WHITE CREME DEVELOPER AND THE 20 VOLUME CREME DEVELOPER USED 1 EQUAL PART TO 1 EQUAL PART aka 1 TO 1 RATIO, THANK YOU FOR ANY SUGGESTIONS :-D

ToriM (author) from Atlanta on March 22, 2019:

if you are using a chemical-free semipermanent or temporary dye such as manic panic, arctic fox, or wella color charm, then you can dye it as soon as your hair dries from the shower after lightening. If you are using a permanent dye or one that requires chemicals such as peroxide or developer, it's best to wait a few days to let your hair rest.

Laurie moretta on March 08, 2019:

I want white, I have dark brown roots and pink on ends, I want to achieve white roots, blue on ends

Rossann ross on February 26, 2019:

How long after I lighten my hair cami color it

Kimmy k on January 07, 2019:

I used it with 30 developer and my hair was and orange red looking from where i strip my color bug now my roots are blonde and my ends are a lighter Orange

ToriM (author) from Atlanta on August 05, 2018:

@milly, you can for permanent or Demi permanent dye - I've never mixed developer with semi permanent though - never needed to!

milly on August 01, 2018:

hi can I mix ion sensitive developer with one n only hari color

Stacy on April 24, 2018:

I love that product, works great

My articles surround a variety of topics from health and beauty, fashion and tattoos to mental health.

OlaPlex has taken the beauty community by storm, and right now it's all anyone, from beauty bloggers to hair care professionals can talk about. But with the expensive price tag attached, it's not exactly accessible for everyone. Tempted by the countless positive reviews about this so-called holy grail of hair care, but not having the budget to see if it is truly as miraculous as everyone has been saying, I decided to go on the hunt for a more affordable alternative...

While stalking Superdrug's website (again), I came across a new hair dye by a brand that I hadn't previously heard of, Knight and Wilson; who have created their own OlaPlex dupe formula which they have called PurePlex. It sounded promising, so I decided to research further.

The Knight and Wilson PurePlex range claims to colour your hair while protecting against damage and breakage. It rebuilds the natural structure of your hair, leaving it stronger, healthier, and more voluminous. Sounds perfect, right?

Disclaimer: This product was purchased by me and all opinions are my own and not sponsored by the company.

So What Is Knight and Wilson?

Knight and Wilson is a Superdrug exclusive brand that have already made their mark with a unique colour range that would entice any hair dye addict. Whether you're looking to make a statement with a vibrant colour or are just hoping to tame those pesky greys, there's something for everyone.

Their goal is to create salon-quality products for prices that suit everyone's budget so there's no need to worry about damage to your purse on this occasion. As if they couldn't get any better, they are also completely cruelty-free and suitable for vegans too.

Contents, Packaging, and Cost

All you packaging snobs out there will be pleased to know that despite the low price point of just £7.99, Knight and Wilson have taken care to create attractive packaging which looks both professional and expensive - a bargain in comparison to the real OlaPlex products.

Unlike the majority of dyes that come with three parts included (cream developer, colourant and a conditioning sachet), this dye comes with an added step, the bond reconstructing treatment. As well as this you have you are given instructions and gloves for safely applying the dye.

What Makes This Dye Different?

As mentioned above, this dye comes with an extra step in the hair colouring process which promises to reconstruct the hairs bonds, adding to the overall health and strength of your hair. Besides this, Knight and Wilson PurePlex dye is full of ingredients that are actually beneficial to your hair, such as Shea Butter and Argan Oil, which are included in the colouring formula and have amazing benefits to your hairs health.

Shea Butter, for example, is great for resolving scalp problems and is ideal for sensitive skin, while Argan Oil is rich in vitamin E which contains antioxidants to encourage hair growth.

Having very long, waist length and relatively thick hair, I decided that two dyes would probably be necessary. You can bet I was pleasantly surprised when I later discovered that the product rather generous with its contents, meaning I only ended up using one box of the boxes of dye!

After mixing the colourant and cream developer together, I applied the dye to my hair for the recommended time. While the consistency is easy to work with and doesn't clump together - or drip all over the floor like so many products do - it does smell like your standard chemical hair dye so, I would still recommend applying it in a well-ventilated area.

The only issue I did encounter was with the dye bottle itself, which strangely had three holes around the neck of the nozzle instead of just one main one on the end. This little surprise meant that some dye escaped onto the floor (no carpets thankfully so easy enough to clean) but it is something I will know to be cautious of for next time around.

After the processing time had passed, it was time for me to rinse out the dye and coat my hair in the bond reconstructing treatment for 15 minutes. This was by far my favourite part of the process, and it involves covering your hair in a lovely, thick and creamy conditioner-like product which smells strongly of bananas which is then rinsed out and followed up with conditioner.

The entire process was no more complex than any other hair dye that I have used in the past, and in total took just over an hour and a quarter to complete. It has left my hair feeling nourished and silky smooth and like I've just been to a hair salon.

Final Thoughts

While my hair colour didn't go exactly to plan (completely my own fault for not lightening my hair enough in the beginning and nothing to do with this dye at all), I am so impressed with how this dye has completely transformed the condition of my hair. Though my hair has never been in what would be classed as bad condition, it was previously a little lackluster and dry, especially at the ends. Now, it has a lovely shine and feels so healthy and strong.

This dye is definitely going to be my go-to colourant from now on, and I'm already looking forward to trying out more of their products in the future.

If you haven't already tried Knight and Wilson I strongly recommend that you do. Your hair will thank you!

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Questions & Answers

Question: Will Knight and Wilson pureplex hair dye cover greys?

Answer: On the box it says it is intended to cover grey hairs as well, however I don't have experience with this myself so it would be a case of trying it out for yourself and seeing how things go.

Question: Do I need to do a skin test before using Knight and Wilson Pureplex hair dye? Does it cause allergic reactions?

Answer: All products reccomend that you conduct a patch test before completing a full application in case there is a reaction. I didn't have an allergic reaction to it whatsoever but that doesn't mean others won't.

© 2018 BunnyClaws

Comments

Sue on February 24, 2019:

I used lightest extra ash blonde and my hair has turned purple. Back to my old colour I’m afraid.

Teresa on October 14, 2018:

I used graphite grey on my hair and it didn't work can you please tell me why I did put it on blonde hair

I love to dye my hair all colors of the rainbow. I love all things vintage, and I enjoy creating art, taking photos, and doing it myself.

Do you have blonde hair, natural or bleached? Are there yellowish, brassy tones coming through? Scared of using harsh chemicals? If you are looking for a safe, easy way to cool down and neutralize those tones, consider using a purple shampoo.

What Is Purple Shampoo?

Literally, it's shampoo that's purple.

It serves a purpose though! You can't just go out and buy any old purple-colored shampoo—this stuff has a particular formula that uses a very strong violet pigment to cover up brassy tones.

What's a brassy tone? You've surely seen someone who is bleach blonde and been able to tell it's not natural. Usually this is due to a really bad bleach and tone job. Toning is essential to making an artificial blonde look real.

The goal of toning is to remove unnatural red, orange, and yellow brassy undertones that come through on blonde or bleached hair. A super easy way to neutralize the warmth at home is through the use of purple shampoo—and it all lies in color theory.

Color Theory

Take a look at a color wheel. Colors do, in fact, have opposites. Opposing colors are directly across from each other on the color wheel, and when mixed, they neutralize each other.

This is the idea behind purple shampoo. If you've bleached your hair and find yourself with lots of unwanted yellow tones, take a look at the color wheel. Purple is the opposite of yellow, and therefore neutralizes it.

Likewise, blue will counteract orange tones, and green will counteract red tones. Keep this in mind when choosing a shampoo that will help tone your own hair color.

How Does Purple Shampoo Work?

Essentially, purple shampoo will deposit a small amount of violet pigment into your yellowy hair. To achieve this, you'll want to follow these steps:

• Rinse your hair with hot water, to open up the hair shaft.
• Apply a lot of purple shampoo. I seriously will use 2-3 handfulls on my long hair (it goes almost to my belly button).
• Leave the shampoo in for at least five minutes. It helps to use a giant butterfly clip to keep it up and out of the shower water.
• Rinse your hair with cold water, to seal in the color and close your hair shaft.
• Enjoy your cool-toned blonde!

Keep in mind, the longer you leave it in the more it's going to stick to your hair. Sometimes when I am in major need of a tone, I'll put purple shampoo in outside of the shower and leave it in for about 30 minutes before rinsing out.

What Happens When You Use Purple Shampoo?

This stuff will NOT turn your hair purple, I promise! The only way that's happening is if you don't rinse it all out. Purple shampoo is not dye, but it is pigmented. Like I said, it's only going to deposit enough color into your hair to tint it. If you overdo it and somehow manage to get purple hair, just rinse and it will come out.

Purple shampoo is a lifesaver in upkeeping blonde hair. It prevents you from having to use ammonia toners regularly, which can be damaging to your locks. When used several times a week, this shampoo can keep your hair cool all on its own. If you start to see an overwhelming amount of brassiness coming through again, it may be time to do a full tone—and you can learn how to do that using Wella Color Charm Toner here!

What If It Doesn't Work?

Sometimes it may be difficult to see results with purple shampoo. If you're not getting what you want out of it, there are a few fixes.

You may not be leaving it in long enough, or getting full coverage. A way to remedy this is to apply it out of the shower, combing the shampoo through your hair and taking extra care to get an even coat. Leave the shampoo in for as long as you want! Five minutes in the shower works, but like I said, I've left it in up to 30 minutes before rinsing. This will give it more time to soak into your hair.

Another reason why your shampoo may not be working - your hair isn't light enough. Purple shampoo is specifically designed for hair with yellowy tones. If you've got darker hair and orange tones, blue shampoo is going to be better for you. Or, you may want to consider lightening your hair a little more with a bleach and tone. Purple shampoo has the best results on light yellow hair.

What Are Some Good Brands of Purple Shampoo?

There are plenty out there, but I'll start with my favorite.

Generic Brand Purple Shampoo
This stuff is absolutely great - it's inexpensive and can be picked up at Sally's. It's made to mimic Clairol Shimmer Lights, a higher-end purple shampoo formula, without breaking the bank.

Clairol Profession Shimmer Lights
Clairol's purple shampoo formula is protein-enriched, and you can use it on blonde and silver hair and highlights. It's also pretty easy to find!

Unite Blonda Shampoo Tonic
This stuff is a little bit more expensive, but it's paraben and sodium chloride free! If those are features you're interested in, you can find it on Amazon and sometimes on the shelf at WalMart.

More Hair DIYs

Now that you've figured out what the heck purple shampoo is, and realized it's very simple, it's time to up your hair skills! Check out some of my hair DIYs, from bleaching to toning to coloring!

How to Get White Hair

How to Make Your Hair Grow Faster

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Comments

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on March 10, 2020:

I would use either a blue shampoo/conditioner combo or use a color stripper to remove the orange!

Gill on March 08, 2020:

Help please, Dyed my hair a light ash colour and it's come out ginger... So i use a blue shampoo and then can i put a dark blonde on?

Miss L M Jennings on January 06, 2019:

I have natural blonde hair & I am naturally lighter at the front which grows pure blonde.

I now in my menopause state & have noticed that sometimes as i become more flushed in occassions, that i perspire more & sometimes perspire so much from the vortex in my scalp that it goes a little yellow in tone due to this.

I have just recently been using shampoo for blonde hair from the John Frieda range of products( which contains natural ingredients of lemon,violet & chamomile & nothing harmful).

This works well for me.

It cleanses my hair & freshens & refreshes it very well & very gently without harming the fine cuticle structure of the length & ends & is very gentle on the scalp as i can be very sensitive having a natural pink pignented scalp.

I would recommend this to anybody with natural blonde hair as every time that i do use this product, my hair also regains its clear lucidity, which leaves it looking nice &light & soft without feeling greasy.

Kailas Chaudhari from Ahmedabad, India on July 02, 2018:

Hey, really nice articles. Awesome.

I love to dye my hair all colors of the rainbow. I love all things vintage, and I enjoy creating art, taking photos, and doing it myself.

What Is High Lift Hair Color?

High lift hair color is a permanent dye, and when it's combined with double parts 40-volume developer, it will lift some of the existing pigment in your hair. It lightens while also adding color.

This offers an alternative for people who refuse to use bleach on their hair. It's important to note that while bleach can be harmful to your hair, it can also work wonders when used properly. Even still, high lift hair color offers a viable option for lightening your locks. Consider your choices and decide which method of hair lightener will work for you.

People who are unfamiliar with the bleaching and dyeing process don't necessarily know that you can't really "dye" your hair blonde from a dark color. To get light from dark, you have to remove color—meaning you're going to have to bleach your hair or strip the existing color out. The creation of high lift hair color makes it possible to lighten hair without using bleach. This will only work under certain circumstances, which I will get further into below!

Who Can Use It?

Here's where I start to eliminate readers. If you don't already have dark blonde/light brown, virgin (non-dyed) hair, high lift hair color will not work for you. Ladies with dark hair and dyed hair will have to resort to a color stripper, or just use bleach the old-fashioned way—which you can read all about here!

Only those with dark blonde hair would be able to achieve a platinum blonde through use of high lift. If you're dark-haired with dreams of white, bleach is your best bet.

How Does It Work?

Using certain chemicals, this sort of hair color is able to lift existing pigment from your hair while also depositing dye. This is due to the higher levels of ammonia as well as color pigment that are present in the formula.

It is recommended to mix high lift hair color with a double ratio of 40-volume developer. The developer (in pairing with the ammonia) acts to open your hair cuticle and allow for color to be lifted. Then the extra dose of color pigment can be deposited to tone your hair!

The benefit of using something like this in comparison to bleach is that it's less irritating to your scalp and less damaging to your hair. However, it also achieves less lift than you would get with bleach.

Stylist-Recommended High Lift Brands

Sometimes if you go to a supermarket to purchase your hair dye, you will notice brands advertising themselves as "high lift," when they actually aren't. High lift hair dyes will need to be paired with 40-volume developer, so make sure you read the box and verify.

Some brand favorites of stylists include Wella, Redken, Kenra, and Igora! They offer different shades of high lift colors that you can check out, and I've included some photos throughout this article.

Instructions for Use

For this process, you're going to need a few things. Get to your local Sally's and pick up the following:

• High lift hair color
• 40-volume developer
• gloves
• dye brush

1. Follow the instructions that come with the hair color—they should involve mixing the color and two parts 40-volume developer in a bowl. You're going to have to use the mixture quickly for it to work, so don't leave it sitting out for too long before use.
2. Section your hair into four quarters, dividing it down your part and then horizontally across the back of your head.
3. Working with one section at a time, paint the dye on your hair layer by layer, section by section.
4. Once you're finished applying it, you'll be instructed to let the dye sit for around 45–60 minutes. Check it regularly to make sure you are getting towards your desired results.
5. After you've let the dye do its work, rinse it out with lukewarm water. I never shampoo after processing my hair—that only dries it out more. Apply conditioner generously, and even put some in your damp hair after you get out of the shower.

Ammonia Lift Boosters

Some high lift hair color companies will also offer something called a lift booster. I could bore you with the scientific details, or I could just tell you that the booster contains more ammonia. More ammonia means that it's possible for you to get even more lift—hence the name.

Be careful, though, because more chemicals ALSO means more damage to your hair. Don't use this stuff unless your hair is in really good condition! It can also cause more irritation to your scalp, so if you know your skin is sensitive, it's best to stay away from lift boosters.

Taking Care of Lightened Hair

After any sort of processing, it's important to baby your hair back to health. 40-volume developer is pretty harsh on the scalp and tresses, and it will cause dryness and breakage.

Apply Coconut Oil

To help fight against the damage, it's important to nurture your hair before AND after the lifting. One tip that I've used (and had readers endorse) before is to apply coconut oil before any sort of bleach/dye/toner. I massage it into my hair usually an hour before starting a process, leaving it in even as I apply bleach. It can cause some dilution of the product, which may mean it won't lighten AS much, but when you're done with the process, your hair is left soft instead of crunchy.

I'll also apply coconut oil after processing, especially to my ends, which dry out easily. Use about a pea-sized amount, and let it melt in your hands first. Rub your hands together to spread the oil out before running your fingers through your hair. As your hair dries, the oil should soak into it as a leave-in conditioner would, leaving it soft but not greasy.

Avoid Heat

Try to avoid using heat for at least a week after processing—you've got to give your hair a break, not break your hair! Should you be worried about styling, check out this way to get perfect no-heat curls!

More Hair DIYs

I suspect that many readers have determined themselves unable to use high lift hair color because of prior coloring or having hair that is too dark. If that's the case, check out some of my other hair articles below!

How to Touch Up Roots at Home

What is Developer and How Do You Use It?

How to Remove Red Hair Dye

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Comments

Kevin on July 15, 2020:

this is really helpful and really easy to understand high-lift vs highlight

thanks a million *!~

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on April 22, 2020:

I love using Ion Bright White Creme Lightener! If you only want to lighten a little I'd suggest a 10 volume developer. If you're doing this on your own, it's probably better to do in smaller sections and wash out when it's to the lightness you desire. If you try to do your whole head at once by yourself, you may take a long time and cause the first sections to overdevelop.

Kathywilson143 on April 18, 2020:

I am between a 8-7, wishing to get roots to a 6. Can you help with a lifting product selection?

Thanks,

Kathy

Brandy Robnett on January 26, 2020:

any thoughts on using high lift on a level 5 roots only with goal being lift as much as can with no gold orange

trying to lift her base but more than your avg 2 levels

Saige on December 30, 2019:

"It is recommended to mix high lift hair color with a double ratio of 40-volume developer."

Wat? Can you please clarify what this means for those of us less experienced in hair terms?

Renay on May 16, 2019:

I am a hugh fan of highlift. Sometimes i do get discouraged to use it. Thanks for the article.

I love to dye my hair all colors of the rainbow. I love all things vintage, and I enjoy creating art, taking photos, and doing it myself.

Depending on how quickly your hair grows, you may need to perform a root touch-up anywhere from two weeks to a month after dyeing your hair! My hair grows pretty slowly, so I usually wait about a month or two before I actually do something about it. I think by now everybody knows my natural hair color isn't really blue.

However, the majority of people who need to touch up their roots are dyeing their hair more natural colors. It's important to keep your current hair color looking fresh by hiding the fact that your hair color isn't really what people think it is.

Ideally, you'll need to touch up your roots if half an inch to an inch of growth is showing. If you let your roots grow much more than an inch, it can be difficult to bleach or dye them evenly. The warmth from your scalp processes the chemicals faster, so if your roots are super long, the color may end up uneven.

You're either going to need to bleach your roots to lighten them or dye them if you need them darker. So, ask yourself if you want to go lighter or darker? Then, decide which process will work for you.

Dyeing Roots

When my hair was its natural color, I used to dye it a natural-looking red. My skin tone was light enough that red hair looked believable—until the roots started to show. Luckily, the red hair dye worked so well on my naturally brown hair that I didn't need to bleach it first. You may find yourself in a similar situation.

If you end up needing to dye your roots, don't worry. The process is pretty easy and can be completed in your own home. Stores like Sally's Beauty Supply and WalMart have kits specifically for touching-up roots—or you can purchase a regular box dye (just be prepared to not need all of the mixture).

There are also root comb applicator bottles you can buy for just a few dollars that allow you to deposit color easily to just your roots.

Tips for Dyeing Hair Roots

1. Mix the dye according to the instructions on the box.
2. Fill the special root comb applicator bottle (if using).
3. Comb it through your hair while gently squeezing the bottle. Make sure you're coating your roots, but not overlapping your previously dyed hair too much.
4. Massage the color into your roots to ensure it's spread evenly!
5. Leave the dye on your hair for the specified amount of time.
6. Rinse it out with lukewarm water.

Bleaching and Toning Roots

If you lightened your hair and your dark roots are coming in, you're going to have to pick up some bleach! This process is going to be a bit more delicate and tricky than just dyeing light roots darker.

Simply bleaching dark roots will not fix your hair. When dark hair is bleached, it tends to lift to orangey and yellowy tones. That means you're going to have to neutralize the color after bleaching to get your roots to match the rest of your hair.

The video below shows how I bleached my own roots before dyeing my hair pink. The first half of the video will be most relevant to the majority of you—unless you're going for the unicorn thing.

If you went to a stylist to get your initial process done, try to find out what kind of toner they used—brand, product number, and tone. Was it golden? Ash? These things will be important for matching your hair at home!

You'll need to bleach your roots within half a shade of the rest of your hair. Go easy with some bleach powder and a 20 volume developer.

How to Bleach and Tone Your Roots at Home

1. Separate your hair into four even sections. Divide it down your center part vertically, and then horizontally across the back of your head.
2. Apply the bleach layer by layer, section by section. Cover the full growth of the roots while being careful not to overlap hair that is already bleached.
3. Leave the bleach on until it has lightened your hair to the proper shade.
4. Wash it out with lukewarm water.

Now it's time to get ready for toner! Toner is typically mixed with 20 volume developer. I've included a Wella toner chart below to help those looking for the right shade of blonde!

Apply toner in the same way you applied the bleach—covering your roots first. When your roots are just about the right shade, use the rest of the toner to blend into the length of your hair. This will help the color to appear more even and intentional. Rinse again with lukewarm water and move on to conditioning!

Bleaching Roots (Before Dyeing Pink)

Conditioning and Aftercare

Whether you've dyed your roots or bleached and toned them, ease up on the shampoo for a few days. Color processing tends to dry your hair out and leaves it feeling fragile, and shampoo will only further strip your hair of natural oils.

A great product for re-moisturizing your hair is coconut oil! The molecules penetrate your hair shaft and repair from within. I always apply a small amount of coconut oil after processing or washing my hair to keep it shiny and healthy. I've had a few readers who are allergic to coconut oil. In that case, argan oil and vitamin E oil are great substitutes! Make sure to just use a small amount and massage it into the ends and dry areas of your hair. That way you don't end up with a greasy mess.

You may also want to avoid hair products for a few days while it bounces back to its old self. Heat can further damage your hair, so it's a good idea to give it a rest after processing so you don't fry it off.

More Hair DIYs

Now that you're enjoying the no-root life, check out some of my other articles for your next hair journey!

How to Fix Yellow Hair

How to Get Rose Gold Hair

How to Dye Your Hair Purple

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Comments

Lynsey Hart from Lanarkshire on March 27, 2018:

Hey nice hub. Love the pink colour in the video, so need to try making that up! Just want to share with you something that I do when touching up my roots (bleaching for bright colours) I put coconut oil on before the bleach. Sounds mad, but means that when you wash out the bleach your hair is lovely and manageable. You can brush through without torturing yourself and makes the sectioning while dying and bleaching much more manageable! Also, your hair still absorbs loads of colour afterwards as it isn't left oily at all.

I love to dye my hair all colors of the rainbow. I love all things vintage, and I enjoy creating art, taking photos, and doing it myself.

Did you try to bleach/tone your hair at home and end up with a yellow mess instead? It happens to the best of us—and it can be pretty embarrassing. I've dealt with this myself on multiple occasions, and have had to rock a hat and sunglasses for a few days while attempting to fix the problem.

The good news is, I've got several tried and true methods for you to rid yourself of your brassy locks.

How Does It Happen?

Darker hair is comprised of many different tones. My naturally dark brown hair appears reddish in the sun, because of my warm undertones. Some people have naturally cool, ash-toned hair. When you bleach your hair and strip away the color, these tones start to show through.

Typically, when dark hair is bleached it will go through various brassy reds, oranges, and yellows. It's usually not the look that people are going for, but if you want to get to a new color you're probably going to need to lift some out first—brassiness is inevitable.

Options to Fix Yellow Hair

Depending on what your end goal is, there are several ways to fix yellow, brassy hair.

• Go lighter using bleach
• Use toner to fix the yellow
• Dye your hair blonde
• Go darker using dye
• Purple shampoo on very light yellow

If you're scared of using bleach at home, you may want to consider seeing a hairstylist or just going darker. It's okay to admit defeat! However, if you're set on lighter hair, there are tons of resources online to help you through the bleaching process. Below is a video of one of my own trials and tribulations to get to light hair! You can see after the bleaching how the brassy tones came through.

Go Lighter

Admittedly, the video above is illustrating the exact issue being addressed in this post. Even at the end of the video, my hair was much lighter but still pretty brassy. This is where your end goal comes into play.

My intention with bleaching my hair was not to have blonde hair. It was to get it light enough to dye it purple! If the end goal for the look was to have a natural blonde, I would have needed to bleach it further.

Bleaching at home is fairly easy, and you can find the whole process detailed here.

Essentially, you'll need a bleach powder and a 20 volume developer. You can repeat the bleaching process spaced out over several days/weeks, until your hair is the color of the inside of a banana peel. At this level, it is ready to tone!

Use a Toner

Toner is a product that should be used for ANYONE trying to go blonde. It will slightly lift color and neutralize red, orange, and yellow tones.

You'll have to pick a toner depending on the shades present in your hair. Toners are typically based with green, blue, and purple. Green neutralizes red tones, blue neutralizes orange, and purple neutralizes yellow. If you're reading this article in particular, you'll probably need a blue-violet based toner.

Wella makes great toners for yellow hair - figure out what level your hair is at currently, and choose a toner based on that. If your hair isn't light enough, you run the risk of the toner not working - as was the case in my video above.

If you decide to use a Wella toner, they suggest mixing it with two parts 20 volume developer. After you've let it sit for the recommended amount of time, wash it out and be sure to use a leave-in conditioner.

Dye It Blonde

This is a method that, much like toning, will only work if your hair is at a certain level of lightness already. If you have a yellow hair problem, chances are you will be able to dye. Using a blonde hair dye won't work for you if you have orange tones in your hair!

Select a blonde hair dye shade within 2 shades of your current color. The great thing about box dyes at the store is that they show you what the dye will do to different shades right on the side of the box!

Follow the instructions and apply this as you would any other hair dye. Keep in mind, if you are looking to rid yourself of warm tones, select an ash blonde.

Go Darker

Sometimes you just want to give up on the idea of blonde, and that's okay too! If you're having issues achieving the look, it may be time to just dye it darker.

You can pick up a hair dye of your original color, or go for something different - just make sure it's darker than your current yellow. The process for dying your hair at home is very simple, and can be found here!

As I mentioned earlier, I bleached my hair blonde to be able to dye it another color. Below is a photo of how I ended up going darker by adding purple dye on top!

More Hair-Bleaching Articles

Hopefully this post helped you to find a solution to your brassy, yellow hair. Going through a big hair change can be intimidating, but it's always fixable! Leave your questions and comments below on what your experience has been. If you have some more questions about bleaching and toning your hair, check out my profile to find more articles!

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Comments

mon mon mon on July 14, 2020:

i have bleached yellow hair, bright. wanting to go 7.33 or caramel blond. should i use semi 10 vol/demi or permanent 20vol ? also i was thinking as there is gold in my hair at the moment, should i just use 7.0 ? or should i use 7.3 ? What do you recommend ?

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on June 01, 2020:

It sounds like you need to use a toner. If you have light yellow hair, you will be able to use Wella T18 toner mixed with 20 volume developer! If it is more orange than yellow, then Wella T18 will not work - you would need to go for something like Wella T27.

Lauren on June 01, 2020:

Hi. I normally have high lighted hair and have dyed it blonde in lockdown, however the roots are now a yellow blonde - I don't believe I left the mix on long enough to lift it. Am I able to use another box dye for the correct time/to preferred colour or is that a waste of time?

Thanks

Linda on May 05, 2020:

Used koleston 12/1 and 12% peroxide, I had previously blonde high lighted hair roots were showing dark blonde, end result very light with yellow want to tone out yellow without going any lighter or darker. Please can you help

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on April 27, 2020:

So the trouble with going blonde is that you are going to be better off with using bleach than with using dye. Dye, unless it is high-lift dye, is going to deposit color to your hair, where bleach strips it out.

Since your hair is already dark blonde, you should be okay using a bleach with 10 volume developer (i use Ion Bright White Creme Lightener, and then you'd need any kind of 10 volume developer). Mix them according to the instructions on the back of the bleach bottle and leave on 20-40 minutes (until your hair is as light as you desire). Rinse it out with warm water, and you should be in a place where you can now tone your hair. Judging by the blonde dye you used, I think Wella T15 would be the right toner shade you'd like. Mix that with 10 or 20 volume developer and leave on your hair for 30-40 minutes (it'll start to turn purple, that's normal) and then rinse out and you should have a nice natural blonde!

I will say, just be careful using bleach as it can be much more damaging than using a dye. If you absolutely want to do this, just take it slow! If you can wait, I absolutely recommend letting your stylist sort it out once the salon is back open. But, I'm also one of the people who loves to do it myself at home so I totally get it if you want to do it now. Good luck!

Gem Hilton on April 26, 2020:

Hi there!

I wonder if you could help me please. I have just done the one thing my hairdresser told everyone not to do and coloured my own hair! I couldn’t stand the roots any longer! I already have very light blonde hair but natural dark blonde ashy roots. I decided (wrongly) to colour it all with L’Oréal Excellence lightest natural blonde. Number 01. I did exactly what it told me to do in the instructions and now my colour has gone slightly lighter than before, which is fine but my roots are a dark brassy colour. It looks terrible as I’m already going through the tough stage of growing my pixie cut out. I’ve so far tried putting purple shampoo on A section of dry root for around 20 mins then washing it out to see if it would make a difference. It hadn’t. Any advice would be gratefully received during this lockdown process we are all enduring.

Thank you kindly

Stephanie Johnson on July 14, 2019:

I went to the hair dresser Friday and she bleached my hair. She said she used a toner; however my hair is very brassy with a yellow look. To tone down this look, would shimmering light work or is there a bettter shampoo and is today to soon

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on April 29, 2019:

Every time I've uset T-18 it turns to a dark purple. It could have been mislabeled or a bad batch.

RDDD3 on April 28, 2019:

I colored my bleached hair using Wella Palest Ash Blonde and corresponding t-18 toner. I don't know if this was a "sign" but the toner mix was a reddish brown and there no ash tone evident during the toning process.

The end result was, while a nice shade of light blonde, there was no ash in the final results.

Why was this and how can I immediately fix it?

The ultimate result I want is a blonde that looks -in a subtle way- like graying hair but not gray hair.

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on February 28, 2019:

If it's very light blonde with yellow, I'd try a T18 toner to get it to a neutral shade. Once you're there, use a gray dye. Ion has a gray series at Sally's Beauty, and Arctic Fox has Sterling. I haven't tried the Arctic Fox Sterling yet but in my experience their dyes are amazing!

Debbie on February 27, 2019:

Hi, I've been trying to go gray or color my hair silver gray!! I just had it done at a shop and paid $85.00 plus tip, and it looks like a very light blonde to me, with yellow in it! This has been going on for months with different toners, and bleaching!! Im going nuts !! What can i do to just get to a nice silver grey tone?? Ive never had this much trouble coloring my hair and getting it to the color i was trying to achieve!! I need help!!

I love to dye my hair all colors of the rainbow. I love all things vintage, and I enjoy creating art, taking photos, and doing it myself.

Developer: What Is It?

I've been very interested in bleaching and dying my hair on my own, in the comfort of my own home, for many years now. When I first began, I didn't have a clue what I was doing—what strength developer to use, what a toner is, or how bleach worked. Now that I've been doing this for 5+ years, I'd like to share my knowledge with others looking to dye at home!

Understanding developer is crucial to the hair lightening/toning process. My first go-round, I used the highest-volume developer I could find. This resulted in horribly damaged hair that I ended up having to cut off. I aim to help you guys from failing as catastrophically as I did.

Developer is a product containing hydrogen peroxide that aids in the bleaching/toning process. The hydrogen peroxide opens up the cuticle of your hair, allowing for color to take hold. If you've seen developer at your local beauty store, you'll notice that there are many different levels. The levels refer to the amount of hydrogen peroxide present—the higher the number, the more peroxide, the more lift you're going to get.

Important Note

Bleaching and toning your hair will cause damage to it. It's up to you to decide if you're okay with that! It doesn't matter if you go to a stylist or do it yourself—the chemicals will tend to dry out your locks and strip them of their nutrients.

If you're planning to bleach or tone your hair, be sure to follow the product instructions. Using a strong developer for an extended period of time can totally fry your hair, and nobody wants that.

Some great steps to take before and after processing your hair include dousing it with olive oil, coconut oil, conditioner, etc. Give the shampoo a rest, because that will strip your hair of its natural oils as well. Since having bleached hair, I have reduced my shampooing to once a week. It starts out gross, but eventually your chemistry will even out and your head will produce just the right amount of oils.

That being said, let's get into developer volumes!

40+ Volume Developer

For me, this is a big no. This is what I used the first time I tried to bleach my hair. It worked alright, but my hair turned to spaghetti. Use extreme caution if you're bleaching with this stuff.

As a general rule, I say it's much better to do several rounds of bleaching with a lower developer volume than to ruin it all with "quick fix" 40.

If you're set on doing something as quickly as possible, I recommend going to a hairstylist. It's going to be expensive, but they are professionals and can get your hair done in a day. Personally, I prefer to take my time and do it myself. That might mean spacing bleaching out over the course of two weeks, but it's cheaper and safer than using super strong products!

30 Volume Developer

If you are going from dark hair and looking to lift several levels of color away, 30 may be the right developer strength for you. However, at 9% hydrogen peroxide, it's still pretty strong. If you decide to use this volume of developer, be mindful of how long you're leaving it in. It's totally okay to do multiple rounds of lightening!

I would recommend a 30 developer to anyone who has medium brown hair and darker. If you're a light brown, you can probably stand to just use a 20 instead.

20 Volume Developer

This volume is used pretty widely for both bleaching and toning. It's great for lightening one to two levels, and will also help you achieve some lift when mixed with a toner.

I have naturally dark brown hair, and I did maybe 4 rounds of bleaching with the Salon Care 20 Volume Creame Developer to get it to a level 10 blonde. I was also being very cautious about how long I left the bleach in for, so I probably could have gotten more lift in fewer rounds if I had left it in a few minutes longer.

10 Volume Developer

10 volume developer is another great one for use with toner, but beware - it's pretty weak. I will sometimes use 10 volume when bleaching my roots, because virgin hair close to the scalp bleaches pretty easily. Just be prepared to do a few rounds of bleaching if you've got a darker hair color already.

This developer is also great if you are going for a darker hair color, but need to lift some of your current color to achieve it.

Using Developer

Once you've figured out which developer will best suit your hair goals, mixing it is pretty easy.

Developer comes in both a cream and a liquid form—I've used both and prefer cream.

If you're mixing developer with bleach powder, be sure to read the instructions. The radio of developer to powder will vary depending on what volume you are using and what bleach powder you have picked up.

As for toner, I can say with certainty that Wella Color Charm toner calls for a 2:1 developer to toner ratio, with a 20 volume developer. Better safe than sorry though—check the instructions for whatever type of toner you end up to make sure you get the best results.

More Articles

If you found this article helpful, check out some of my others! I frequently post hair dye ideas, reviews, and instructionals.

How to Get Rose Gold Hair

10 Green Hair Color Ideas

A Guide to Hair Extensions

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Comments

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on August 26, 2020:

Don't mix developer with a dye unless it is instructed on the dye's box! It will only work properly for a mixture it is meant to be in. If you mix it with a semi-permanent dye you're just causing unnecessary damage to your hair.

Jenna on August 17, 2020:

Hi so does developer in color dye such as green, makes the color stand out more or does that not work?

Sophie on May 10, 2020:

I bleached my hair a few days ago and it's currently pretty orange (I have originally dark brown hair) I was wondering if it's okay to use developer by itself on it now? And what volume should I use if so. Or should I do it mixed with bleach?

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on May 01, 2020:

Check the directions of the permanent green you purchase! You should be able to see the directions even if you are ordering online. I always use what is recommended by the dye, but I'd assume it is anywhere from a 10 to 20 volume developer.

Sami on April 30, 2020:

Hi! I’m currently at a dark brown wanting to go to a dark green, I was going to strip the color of my dyed hair and then get a permanent green that requires developer, I’m not sure what volume to use?

azalea on February 20, 2020:

do you HAVE to mix it with bleach or is it okay to use developer by itself?

Nancy on July 17, 2019:

Hair consultant said to use 10vol developer with pale ash blond toner after powder bleach . The powder bleach is to remove a bad color job.

Is 10vol the right amount with toner? Package says 20vol.

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on May 23, 2019:

I wouldn't do more than 30 minutes! I have done 40 without much issue but my hair is very thick.

Peach Wilson on May 04, 2019:

Hello- I was wondering how long you left the developer in at 20 volume?? Thanks

Saskia on April 25, 2019:

can you use hydrogen Peroxide B.P 30 volume (fluid) and mix it in with the dye of your choice ?

Dase on September 01, 2018:

So do you bleach all your hair at once or in sections?, and then apply the toner to your desired color.

Anu on July 20, 2018:

thank you for the information.

Was a great help as myself being starter in hair dye area.

Lucy Brian on June 24, 2018:

Wow! Loved this article! It seems like it is a must try! Does it have any side effects! A lots of love.

Lucy.

Verity is a Physics with Teaching Bsc (Hons) graduate. In her spare time, she likes to cook, read and play video games.

The Dye in its Packaging

Background and Important Information

When I used this product, it was the first time that I had dyed my hair at home. All of my previous experiences had been in a salon.

I bought one tube of the colourant off Amazon for £12, and it arrived very quickly. I was expecting a bright colour, and prior to applying this dye to my hair, I had lightened my hair at home using the Schwarzkopf Perfect Mousse Foam Lightener 1200 (my review of which can be found here).

Below are photographs of my light hair before I applied the dye, in both natural and artificial lighting for comparison.

Before I Applied Fudge Paintbox Raspberry Beret

Applying the Dye

• I applied this dye to clean, towel-dried hair.
• When applying the dye, I did not have a mixing bowl and tint brush that I could use, so I instead I used my own gloved hands and had the assistance of a friend to help me get any bits that I missed.
• Once all of the dye was applied I combed my hair through with a wide-toothed comb thoroughly until I felt that my hair was evenly covered.
• I then left it to process under a shower cap for 30 mins.
• I used luke-warm water to rinse my hair until it was running clear, I then conditioned and rinsed my hair, and let it dry naturally

The application process for this dye was very easy, and the whole bottle covered my whole head. However, if your hair is the same length as mine or longer, I would recommend getting two bottles just to be on the safe side.

This dye stains. I used an old and dark towel so I was not too worried about staining it, but it can be difficult to get off the scalp and forehead. I would definitely recommend wearing gloves when handling this dye.

Once I had rinsed the dye out, my hair felt very soft and well conditioned. I still applied some conditioner though, as I wanted to be better safe than sorry.

Below is a photograph of my hair after it had completely dried.

My Hair After I Dyed It With Fudge Paintbox Raspberry Beret

Important Information to Note

When I woke up the next morning, I noticed that some of the pink colour had 'bled' onto my pillow and around the neckline of my pyjamas. However, this came out easily in the wash at 40C, and there was no permanent staining on either the bed sheets or clothes.

I had intended for this dye to last only a short amount of time, so I did not top it up as it faded. Instead, I let it gradually wash out. Below are two photographs—the first is two weeks after dyeing it and the second is five weeks after dyeing it.

The Colour of My Hair 2 Weeks After Using Fudge Paintbox Raspberry Beret

The Colour of My Hair 5 Weeks After Using Fudge Paintbox Raspberry Beret

Conclusion

My experience with this dye was very positive. It was easy to use and apply, and I suffered no adverse reaction from it. It was easy to wash out any dye that bled from my hair onto my sheets and pyjamas.

I was very surprised at how bright the colour turned out, especially since it looked a lot darker in the bottle, but I loved the vivid colour and it made me feel a lot more confident.

The price of this dye was £12 which is very cheap when compared to getting it dyed at a salon.

Overall, I would absolutely recommend this dye, and I fully intend to use Fudge Paintbox again in the future to dye my hair at home.

If you have any further questions please do comment below and I will do my best to answer them. Thank you for reading!

My Rating

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2017 VerityPrice

Verity is a Physics with Teaching Bsc (Hons) graduate. In her spare time, she likes to cook, read and play video games.

Background and Important Information

The Schwarzkopf product page for this lightener states the following: "Our Intensive Lightener permits an intensive lightening up to 6 levels and is suitable for medium blond to light brown hair. Its specific characteristic is the easy and even application."

I purchased this product because I wanted to home dye my hair to a bright pink colour, and I needed to lighten my very dark brown hair (pictures included below).

I purchased four bottles of Schwarzkopf Perfect Mousse Foam Lightener 1200 for £12 on Amazon (not including postage and packaging). I bought four because I have quite long hair, so I knew I would need to use two bottles per lightening session. My hair is also very dark, so it would require two lightening sessions to get the colour that I wanted, which is why I bought two more bottles for a total of four.

Before I Used Schwarzkopf Perfect Mousse Foam Lightener 1200

The First Lightening Session

I applied the foam as per the instructions on the box:

1. I poured the appropriate gels into the applicator.
2. I turned the applicator bottle upside down two to three times to mix everything thoroughly.
3. I pumped the foam directly onto my (gloved) hand.
4. I applied the foam to my dry (not pre-washed) hair.
5. I applied it to the roots initially. Then I distributed the foam along the lengths of my hair and the back of my head.
6. I thoroughly massaged the product into my hair until my whole head was covered.
7. I covered my head with a shower cap and left it to process.
8. I rinsed thoroughly with warm water.
9. I applied the conditioning mask that came with the box.

The application process was very simple and easy to follow. I performed a patch test before doing my hair and had no burning or unpleasant sensations at all during the process. During the initial application, I didn't really notice anything happening straight away, and I was quite nervous as to what would happen when it was processing in my shower cap.

When I rinsed my hair out, it was quite dry, as expected. The conditioner that came with the box was very helpful and made a big difference, but care must be taken to ensure that you keep on conditioning it to help the hair get back to its shiny and vibrant old self.

I was very surprised with the results. I was honestly expecting to just go orange, but instead, I had a brassy yellow (with some orange-y tints). I actually loved the look, and I was very happy to go out to social events with my hair that colour while I waited two weeks before I did the next lightening session.

Below is a picture of my hair after the first lightening session in both natural light and artificial light for comparison.

My Hair After The First Application of Schwarzkopf Perfect Mousse Foam Lightener 1200

The Second Lightening Session

I waited two weeks between the first and second lightening sessions in order to give my hair time to heal. This way, it would not be damaged by the second lightening process.

I followed the exact same process as I did the first time, and once again, there were no issues. It was quite a simple process.

I was curious as to how much lighter the foam would be able to make my hair. I was expecting it to just simply remove the orange tones and some of the brassiness. Once again, I was pleasantly surprised! The roots where I had applied foam more liberally were almost white, and I was very happy with the light blond colour.

Below are two images of my hair in both natural and artificial lighting after the second lightening treatment.

My Hair After the Second Application of Schwarzkopf Perfect Mousse Foam Lightener 1200

Other Points to Note

This was the first time I had ever done any at-home hair treatments, so I was quite apprehensive. However, the ease and simplicity of this process was reassuring.

It should be noted that I used a pink towel around my shoulders to protect my clothes, and at one point, a blob of foam fell onto the towel without my awareness. By the time I noticed it and washed it off, that spot had become slightly discoloured. So make sure to keep this product off important fabrics when you use it at home, and definitely use gloves when applying the foam.

A Recommended At-Home Lightener

In conclusion, I absolutely recommend the Schwarzkopf Perfect Mousse Foam Lightener 1200 if you are looking to go a few shades lighter. The fact that I had to use four bottles due to the length and colour of my hair has in no way dissuaded me from doing this again, because the cost of four bottles is about a quarter of the price I would have had to pay to get it lightened at a salon.

I am definitely a convert to at-home lightening now. I was very happy and satisfied with the results from using this product, and I will definitely use it again the next time I want to lighten my hair.

My Rating

Share Your Experiences

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Questions & Answers

Question: Where can I buy this product?

Answer: I bought this product on Amazon, so I would check there first. If you are not able to find it on Amazon, I would check your local supermarkets as Schwarzkopf often sell their products in supermarkets and drugstores.

Question: I bleached my hair recently, and it had already been lightened to a medium Ash blonde, but it grew out about 3 inches since, so I bleached it again. The roots turned light orange, and now I have bright orange roots with yellow, orange and beige highlights. What can I do to even out my hair tone?

Answer: One option is to lighten the roots again with a second treatment to lift the orange to the same tone as the lengths of your hair. Alternatively, you could lighten all of your hair until it is all a uniform blonde/white.

Another option is to go to a salon, as they have access to products and knowledge that aren't available on the regular market, and they will be able to advise you on how to avoid this better in the future.

© 2017 VerityPrice

I love to dye my hair all colors of the rainbow. I love all things vintage, and I enjoy creating art, taking photos, and doing it myself.

I can't tell you how many girls I know who want to do crazy hair colors but can't because of work or other reasons. Rose gold is the perfect pop of color without looking too unnatural. Lucky for you, there are many ways to achieve a nice rose gold hair color! It's also doable on either dark or light hair.

You will have to have some sort of blonde. Basically, in this process, you're tinting the blonde shades in your hair. If you have dark hair with highlights, caramel tones, or lighter browns, you should be good to go without bleaching!

If your hair is just a medium to dark brown, you're probably going to have to do some sort of bleaching just so the rose tones will be visible. You can learn how to bleach using this article! The only difference here would be to not use Wella T18 toner.

1. Use a Rose-Gold Specific Dye

One of the easy methods in this process would be to go for a simple dye! Ion has great products, and they have a dye that is specifically "Rose Quartz." It's fairly inexpensive, can be purchased at Sally's, and it doesn't contain ammonia so it's a little better for your hair. If this dye isn't available, try out Manic Panic Pretty Flamingo or Cotton Candy Pink. The Cotton Candy is a little less natural looking, so I'd only go that way if your hair is a brown tone rather than blonde. Otherwise you risk just getting straight up pink hair.

Make sure you apply the dye in layers with a dye brush and gloves! You'll want to get a thorough application so it's not patchy. Leave the dye in for an hour or so and rinse out with warm water.

2. Fade from Red

If you're like me, you prefer a long-lasting color. I also get antsy with my hair and don't like anything for too long, so for me, fading to rose gold was the way to go! I had bleached hair, and then put a red dye on top of it. As time went on, it faded to a really pretty rose gold until eventually going blonde again.

This is a super cheap method, you can pick up a decent red dye from Walmart for seriously like $4. I tend to go with Clairol's Nice N' Easy 111 Natural Medium Auburn.

The only thing about this stuff is it does contain ammonia, so it's going to be time sensitive in your hair and may cause some drying and damage.

3. Use a Tinted Conditioner

oVertone and several other brands offer rose gold conditioning kits—which is perfect for a temporary color without using dye!

I've used oVertone once before, for a lavender that didn't really work on my hair lightness. If you have darker hair, you'll definitely have to go with a darker level of their kit—they offer three levels.

oVertone uses a system where you apply an initial layer deep treatment as you would a regular dye, and from there just use the tinted conditioner to upkeep the color.

I've seen oVertone work with wonderful results on friends, but the kits can get pricey! However, it's a great way to have more control over your color. And how long it lasts.

Check Out Some More Articles!

If you're trying to decide a way to go with your hair, check out some of my other articles! I've been just about every color in the book.

How to Get Granny Gray Hair

How to Get White Hair

Five Gorgeous Pastel Hair Colors

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Comments

Cindy on June 02, 2019:

Hello. My hair has grown out considerably since I last colored it red. Now I have about 10 inches of naturally dark blond hair while the the rest, to the ends, is a light to medium red. I'd rather not cut the red ends off. I don't want short hair right now. How would I go about coloring my hair rose gold, getting it evenly colored? Thanks!

Louise Powles from Norfolk, England on November 30, 2017:

I love that colour. I've often wondered if I should do something like this to my hair. Perhaps I should try, it looks great.

I love to dye my hair all colors of the rainbow. I love all things vintage, and I enjoy creating art, taking photos, and doing it myself.

Pinks, reds, oranges... all of these hair colors/tones can be difficult to get rid of. On the other hand, stubborn rusty and brassy tones can be removed by using several different methods.

Depending on how quickly you want your red tones gone and how much damage to your hair you're willing to commit, you can choose from a myriad of techniques from bleaching to baking soda.

How to Remove Red Hair Dye

1. Salerm Color Reverse
2. Bleach
3. Natural Lightening with Baking Soda

1. Salerm Color Reverse

This stuff is basically a color stripper, a good alternative to bleach. Salerm only works on color that has been added—if your natural color is red, this will not work! As you can tell from the video above, it does a pretty great job at removing red tones! You will probably need to do several applications, which should be spaced out over a few days.

It's very simple to use—there are two components. Here are Salerm's instructions for use:

"Mix Color Reverse 1+2 in equal parts. Mix with a brush until the mixture is smooth and even. Apply directly to dry, unwashed hair. Leave on for 20 minutesthen once the exposure time is up, rinse the hair with plenty of water and wash with shampoo.

In order to neutralize any remaining inactivated product we recommend the use of our 10 vol. cream developer diluted in a 1+1 ratio with water to obtain a fluid creamy solution. This should be applied to the hair, left to work for 5 minutes and then rinsed off."

The thing about color strippers, they smell downright awful. Be prepared for that and make sure you get a nice scented conditioner to use afterwards.

2. Bleach

In some cases, a color stripper may be ineffective in removing all red tones from your hair. In that case, you may opt to bleach. It is wise to still use a stripper to remove as much red as you can pre-bleach.

Or, maybe you are a natural redhead. If that's the case, bleach is for you!

Natural redheads—if you're trying to remove red tones, you may be wanting to go either lighter or darker. If you want lighter with no red tones you will need to bleach and tone. If you're trying to go darker, opt for a bleach and dye.

How to Bleach Dark Hair

Check out the article above for tips on bleaching! From personal experience, I can tell you that a simple bleach and tone has been totally effective in removing brassy tones from my own hair.

As with any sort of bleaching, especially to remove brassy tones, you need to tone. My favorite toners come from Wella, in their Color Charm series! You'll want to look at cool, ash tones. In order to tone your hair, you're going to need developer as well—I'd stick with a 10 or 20 volume Salon Care Cream Developer.

The toner shade you use will depend on the level of lightness your hair is at—if you're a super high lift blonde trying to do platinum, use Wella T18 in Lightest Ash Blonde.

Below is a Wella Color Charm chart for you to decide which toner to use!

3. Natural Lightening with Baking Soda

This is another method that will only work on dyed red hair, not natural red hair. This is going to be the least harsh method of lightening and fading your red-toned dye.

There are a few different ways to do this—you can mix a few tablespoons of baking soda with water until it becomes a paste, and work it into your hair in the shower. Another and probably more effective way to use the baking soda method is to mix it in with your shampoo. Rinse out after a few minutes and you are on your way to lighter hair! You'll have to repeat this every time you shower—be sure to condition.

More Articles

If you're interested in bleaching, toning, dying, or styling your hair, I'm your girl! Check out some of my articles below:

How to Get Granny Gray Hair

How to Get White Hair

How to Get Rose Gold Hair

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Comments

Shazia on February 18, 2019:

Please tell me about my hair i used red colour and then I used bleach to get rid of this red colour but my hair are red white and red which colour should apply in my hair please tell me I am worried

Julie on November 23, 2018:

Yes...baking soda really does work. I was skeptical, but I got exactly what I wanted, with zero abrasiveness and zero frizzle.

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on April 20, 2018:

Theoretically that should work, I haven't actually tried it before. But I don't see why, ash does neutralize warm tones.

Natteh on April 19, 2018:

Is it easier just to put dye over red hair? I heard ash brown is good at neutralising red hair as it has a green undertone, would you recommend it? As I’m not keen on bleaching my hair as worried about damage etc

I love to dye my hair all colors of the rainbow. I love all things vintage, and I enjoy creating art, taking photos, and doing it myself.

White hair can be absolutely beautiful, but it takes a lot of work to get there. Luckily, with the proper care, precaution, and upkeep, you can manage white locks that would make Draco Malfoy jealous, all without a trip to the salon!

Chances are you're going to need a lot of lightening. Unless your hair is already a fair shade of blonde, you're going to have to split this up over multiple bleachings. Damage to your hair is virtually inevitable, but if you take care of your hair throughout the process, you can minimize it.

Below, I'll detail the process, tools, and techniques you can use to get that perfect Magneto mop.

Supplies

• Coconut Oil: You'll need to pick up a tub of 100% pure unrefined coconut oil (you can find this at most grocery stores, even WalMart) to glob on your head and keep your hair moisturized. This is really important in keeping your hair from drying out.
• Bleach Powder: I prefer Magic Ammonia-Free Powder Lightener, but you need a cosmetology license to buy this stuff. Some viable substitutes can be found at Sally's, like Salon Care Prism Lights Violet Lightener. Anything that has violet- or blue-tinted powder is going to be awesome for keeping the brassiness out of your hair as you lighten.
• Developer: This is what you mix with the bleach. I use Salon Care Cream Developer. There's liquid developer out there too, but I find that cream mixes better with the bleach powder. I wouldn't go any higher than a 20 Volume or else you risk serious damage to your hair.
• Dye Brush: These can be found at Sally's.
• Mixing Bowl
• Toner: Wella T18 Lightest Ash Blonde is probably the best stuff you'll find out there.

How to Get White Hair at Home (5 Easy Steps)

Step 1: Apply Coconut Oil

The first thing I love to do before bleaching is put in a little hair mask for a few hours. I'll coat my hair with coconut oil and leave it in for several hours (or even overnight) before actually applying bleach. (Do not rinse the coconut oil out of your hair before applying the bleach.)

Step 2: Apply Bleach

After at least two hours, the next step would be to actually apply the bleach. This process will be different depending on if you've got roots or not! If you're working with super dark roots, try to get those to the lightness of the rest of your hair first.

Ratio: Start with equal parts powder and developer, and then add developer little by little until the mixture is the consistency of pudding.

Apply bleach as in the video above, separating your hair into small strips and painting the bleach/developer mixture onto the length of your roots. You're going to have to work pretty quickly, so your hair processes at the same rate.

Step 3: Let Bleach Sit, Then Rinse Hair

Leave the bleach in for 20–30 minutes tops before rinsing out with lukewarm water.

Step 4: Repeat Until You Achieve a Light Yellow Color

Your hair color is not going to be perfect after just one session. Like I said, this is a process, and it's going to take multiple bleachings to achieve. Your roots/hair at this point will probably be brassy, yellow, or orange. Don't worry, little guy, you'll get there.

You're most likely going to have to repeat this process several times to get to a light yellow color. It's wise to space bleaching out over a few weeks; I try not to bleach my hair more than twice in one week. You need to give your hair time to recover and bounce back!

Step 5: Tone Your Hair

When your hair looks like Kim K's awful yellow locks in the photo above, you're ready to tone! This is where it gets exciting.

Ratio: 2 parts developer to 1 part toner

• Mix developer and toner together in a bowl, and get ready to paint it on! You're going to need gloves for sure.
• Start by saturating your roots, and then work the toner down into the rest of your hair. It will start to turn purple, but do not be alarmed. That's what's going to get rid of your nasty yellow tones.
• Leave that toner on for 5–10 minutes before rinsing out and conditioning.
• Treat your hair like a newborn baby! As in, it's fragile. Don't mess this up.

For more information, here's a handy guide to using toner!

White Hair Upkeep and Care

At this point, you may want a few tips to help you care for your white hair.

Minimize washing. Your hair is going to be pretty dry after such a drastic process, and the less you wash it the better. You'll get by, and your hair will thank you for it! I have bleached hair (though it's not white anymore), and I shampoo it maybe once a week. If it starts feeling greasy, I'll throw in some corn starch as a dry shampoo.

Use purple shampoo. When you do shampoo, you're going to want something that will keep your tone fresh. That's where purple shampoo comes in! Generic (that's the brand name) has an inexpensive purple shampoo available at Sally's.

Keep the coconut oil handy. Like I said, bleaching is drying. Coconut oil works wonders to keep your hair smooth, soft, shiny, and packed full of nutrients. Apply to ends whenever they're looking parched and after each wash.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2017 Alex Rose

Comments

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on July 20, 2020:

Hey! You should use a color remover first to get out any old dye before you use bleach. I would avoid using bleach on already colorless parts if you can, just to avoid any unnecessary damage. Once you've gotten the color out of the rest of the hair, I think it would be okay to use toner on all of it - especially if you're going to take the process of lightening super slowly!

Using a 10 volume developer and doing multiple processes should make the whole thing a lot less damaging.

ohhno on July 11, 2020:

Thinking of going white, or just a pale blonde, as my hairline at the top and at the temples has gone colourless, but I'd love a little guidance as I'm getting quite confused.

The rest is a neutral mid brown, though there are some small colourless patches back there. It was dyed a while ago, to a cool medium brown that is just a tiny bit darker than the natural colour.

Should I use a colour remover on this old dye, and then begin the bleaching sessions a couple of weeks later, or would it be more appropriate to commence with bleach?

Also, on the colourless patches, is it best to try to keep bleach and toners off them, or is it usually safe enough to risk? I'm not intending to touch the colourless areas at the hairline but would need to rope in a friend to exclude the small patches if they shouldn't be bleached.

I'm not expecting to get a particularly satisfactory result, and I'd anticipate going at it more cautiously than the main article suggests, but I'd also prefer to avoid the sort of disaster that would necessitate a year of hat-wearing.

Thanks in advance.

Camille Gould on May 27, 2020:

Im almost to white when i bleached the color out of my hair. Gonna keep it for a bit because i dont like ordering color without being able to look at swatches. One more bleaching of my roots and it will be good!!

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on May 01, 2020:

Dylan, you can use any sort of developer as long as it is 20 volume! I use Salon Care 20 Volume Creme developer.

Dylan on April 30, 2020:

What kind of developer do we use?

Kelly on April 03, 2020:

Corrina, Coconut oil is good for a lot of things and one is your hair. A lot of my clients use it on their hair. The only place you should avoid is your face bc it can clog your pores.

Lin on March 11, 2020:

Corrina...Show your Science, please? I know of NO such science and coconut oil is by far one of the best moisturizing products out there for at least 5000 years ...so again ...Wheres your Science?

Lena on January 06, 2020:

YIPPY!

Corrina on November 20, 2019:

Coconut oil is SO BAD FOR YOUR HAIR Anything that becomes solid at room temperature will literally smother the hair shaft Any kind of oil that remains liquid at room temp is far better for your hair (that includes FRACTIONATED coconut oil).

Gbenga jesua on November 19, 2019:

I want to dye my hair to white help mi out

Kell on July 20, 2019:

It doeant say which toner was used

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on May 23, 2019:

If you're not into bleaching it, I say getting highlights should help. My mom used to have dark auburn hair, but as she ages she has been going into the salon for hilights to conceal her grays. Now she has a very very light blonde tone on her mostly gray hair.

Christine Mulberry on May 20, 2019:

My natural hair is a very dark blonde/light brown which has been colored a dark golden blonde for at least 10 years. I'm older and have mostly gray now except at the back of my head. What would be the least damaging way to go to gray without just growing out the gray with a distinct line between the white hair at the roots and my colored hair below? Had considered bleaching it white but realized the damage would be far too much for my fragile hair.

Weeaboo69 on May 13, 2019:

Very useful for cosplaying as Ken Kaneki from Tokyo Ghoul.

Matilda on April 15, 2019:

Don't worry ladies when you are 50 your hair will be snowy white naturally! I am henna colouring my white roots fortnightly as white hair would make me look washed out.

Marie yazzie on March 21, 2019:

Alex Rose , I have been trying to get white hair and this would be my 4 th bleaching attempt and I have been using coconut oil and I don’t do anything more than a 20 volume developer, but I have brassy hair and I tried the t18 wella and still not white what do you recommend?

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on March 11, 2019:

Toning your blonde hair can be tricky. Any "ash" toners are going to have blue-green tones in them, and when that reacts with your yellow-tinted hair it's bad news.

If you want to stay as far away from green as possible, use a warm toner. Something golden or beige should do.

From what I've read, the green on your hair is an buildup of oxidization. Try using a clarifying shampoo or even ketchup to neutralize it!

S Ducker on March 08, 2019:

I have dark hair and stripped the colour using 40%peroxide with ammonia mix, which I did two times in succession. I then added Wella , light ash blond toner followed by John Frieda Blond Ambition (purple mousse) and my hair has gone greeny blue! Help! I wanted white or silvery or purplish/lilac silver/white, I will now settle for pinkish just not greeny blue....

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on January 16, 2019:

You could try using a color stripper, or you may just have to do a light bleach using 10 volume developer. Blue can be hard to get out but that should work!

Danny on January 12, 2019:

I have blue hair, how can I get this back to blonde? I dyed it 3 months ago and it’s slowly fading into a green and brown

Rene on December 07, 2018:

I did a platinum bleach it’s a bit pale yellow And now I want it white. Any suggestions?

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on October 29, 2018:

You're not going to get that without bleaching first! Recommend a 20 volume developer and that should get the lingering red out as well.

alexis on October 28, 2018:

I dyed my hair a red almost 5 months ago. Majority of it is gone, but it's still spotty. I have a medium brown hair color. I'm not sure which toner to use. I'm trying for that white silver blonde!

Aaron on August 09, 2018:

I was appaently not able to find toner where I live do you think i can use purple shampoo instead and get a similar result?

Kim Elisa Graff from Oxford Al on July 28, 2018:

For the white blonde look do NOT use any toner that has Ash period unless you want green hair. What I do is I use the blue powder and the 30-40 volume developer and I leave it on a full 60 minutes. Better to do it right first time. I use no toner I don't need one. Believe me to get to a down perfect took me many trial and errors coming out with orange and red tints. Problem was I was taking it off too soon. Please trust me on this. If your hair is in bad condition add a great conditioner to the bleach and developer. I use both coconut oil plus the pack of the conditioner you use for damaged hair mixed in. I've never needed a toner since I now know how long to leave it on. It's scary but I promise you it does work.

KatPults on June 14, 2018:

Ausha, if allergic to coconut oil, you can try a mix of avocado oil, argan oIl, grapeseed oil, vitamin e oil, jojoba oil, almond oil. I actually use all of them mixed together (w coconut oil, just omit) and I'm pretty sure this is the ONLY reason I haven't fried my almost! white locks. Good luck!

Devin on May 18, 2018:

So I have dreadlocks and I was wondering if you have any advice specifically for my hair type (4c). Also do you know a product that could make my hair purple i'm sorry if i'm not using the proper terminology i'm new at this.

S Harris Foster on May 14, 2018:

oh my goodness... well I kept going back and forth with bleach it again first or just do the toner... well as it happened, I had work and other life things that had me postpone anything to do with hair, then I decided to just go on ahead and bleach it again... then directly after the toner... just like the video in here and boy oh boy is it fried... I am not too bothered really... I knew this might happen and since I am going gray/silver I had decided to do one last try with actually keeping the length, but alas it did not turn out that way... the hair is still there, but boy oh boy is it soooooooo dry and brittle and weird... so what I will do is just put some oils on it and leave it for a couple of days, maybe a week and then I will wash it, do another olaplex 3 treatment, maybe I will leave the olaplex on overnight too, and yeah get it trimmed my 3 or more inches, and go about standard bob length... then just start on ONLY use toner on my gray silver roots as they grow out, and just keep on trimming this dead frizz out as it grows... may even go with a cute pixie do too after a while, maybe at summer's end... but I will have to see how it goes with roots too... so toner and or purple or silver shampoos for roots until I get rid of all or most of this weird stuff... I knew this might happen so again, not too fussed about it... I will still stay in touch and let you know how this is going...

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on May 08, 2018:

Hey!! Sorry I didn't see this sooner! It seems like you've got a good idea of what to do! If your hair isn't too damaged you may be able to bleach again in less than a month, but trimming is a good idea! Depending on what toner you're using it may not help with the orange spots. Let me know how it works!

S Harris Foster on May 06, 2018:

hiya Alex... update... did the bleaching, and just stayed with my light saturation of the coconut oil... it did get down on my shoulders... ok, well my bleaching and olaplex directly after i rinsed out the olaplex is fine... i am brassy, and orange in spots, and of course my hair is dry and frizzy but it is not severely destroyed or anything... YAY... i am getting ready to do toner today so hopefully that will take out the orange or at least turn it beige... hhehehehe... ok, just a quick update for ya about bleaching number one session... i will wait about a month before i do bleaching number two session... and I will start cutting length to start getting rid of really over processed colored then bleached hair, so i will just be to my regular virgin (gray) with the bleaching or platinum look... ciao...

S Harris Foster on May 05, 2018:

hey Alex... you are probably asleep, but I wanted to do an update and also ask a question... I have the coconut oil in right now, and in a couple of hours I will do my first bleaching... how much should I saturate my hair... right now it is lightly, should I put in a bunch more? and then the little update I wanted to tell you is I did an Olaplex#3 treatment on Friday so I hope that helps protect or "perfect" my quite dry hair... I must say it does feel better... still looks a bit dry and frizzy, but I will do another Olaplex#3 possibly tomorrow...

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on April 25, 2018:

That's really weird that it'd turn green after if it was that light! T18 is probably the #1 toner for getting white hair at home. You may consider a light bleaching, using 10 vol developer to pull some more of that yellow out. T18 turns purple in your hair, so it's weird that it would turn your hair green but everyone's hair reacts differently to products. Maybe it was the Manic Panic that did it? How long did you leave the Wella toner in for?

Amecia MUAH on April 24, 2018:

What toner would you recommend? I am currently Russian blonde and I used the wella t18 toner and the manic panic snow white and I ended up with a greenish silver. I am so hurt. Then I did a soap cap with purple shampoo and a purple tint. The yellow is gone but now I have a weird beige then I got a bright Idea dip my hair in a blue semi permanent water mix and more manic panic. The result is silver/ cream with grey undertones. I want to get to white please please help me.

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on April 05, 2018:

Well hey, if it's short I say go for it!! I'm very cautious with my own hair now because it's quite long (all the way down my back) and if I damage it, that's a lot of hair to lose. Good luck with it!!

S Harris-Foster on April 05, 2018:

ok, well thanks for the tip, your knowledge and your outlook... I will probably still try it anyway, as I have already gone onto amazon and bought all the stuff in your instructions...I have bleached my hair before but with grocery store bought stuff (European stuff since I live in Europe)... it turned out nice and bleachy and not very damaged at all really... but it is a long story about how I kept going shorter and shorter and then shaved it quite close to my head. so yeah, hmmmmmm... I am kinda still on the fence, but I always have the option to shave or drastically shorten to bob length. and I do have a few hairdresser friends so I can always go short or shaved... again... LOL... if it completely burns or destroys... I an adventurous and not afraid of damage... go figure... hehehehehe... I like an "alternative" look anyway and have tattoos and piercings, so nothing is too unusual for the Swiss folks to be gawking at anyway... LOL... I will write back and let you know how it all turns out... :)

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on April 04, 2018:

Well the process to get white is definitely not going to help out if your hair is currently dry and frizzy - it's only going to make that worse. I'm not as experienced with working on natural grey hair, so I can't say with certainty how easy it would be to go white. If you're set on it and aware that damage may occur, I'd look into Olaplex (works wonders for stylists when bleaching to keep soft hair, but you have to have a cosmetology license to purchase) and doing some light bleaching with a 10 or 20 volume developer. Just taking it easy and doing the process over a few weeks to keep damage minimal. Good luck!

S Harris-Foster from Planet Earth on April 04, 2018:

Hey Alex... what are your opinions on doing this technique to dry, frizzy, greying hair? I currently am middle aged and graying BUT have long, wavy, dark blonde/light brown DYED hair... which again, is dry and requires lots of product to make it behave, which if do do... hahaha... but what do you recommend for this hair type and your technique? I want so badly to do your technique and maybe even do pravana vivids, but I really would love to hear your opinion on my hair type first... I LOVE your coconut oil technique too... will be doing that anyway with or without bleaching... hahahaha... thanks... anxiously awaiting your response...

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on March 27, 2018:

Ausha - If not coconut oil, you can use a ton of different things! Argon oil is great for your hair too, as well as olive oil (extra virgin, but only use a little), vitamin E oil. Or just pick up a deep conditioner, apply a small amount to your damp, washed hair, and use it as a leave-in conditioner!

Ausha on March 26, 2018:

Could recommend something other than coconut oil? I am highly allergic. Could I get away with argan oil? Thank you!

Kristen Elizabeth from Texas on January 30, 2018:

I love this white hair!!

deb brave on January 15, 2018:

I have dark brown hair and have been coloring for years. I now have so much white hair coming through that I want to go all white. Is there any way to do this without frying my hair?

Marilyn Thompson on January 09, 2018:

I've been bleaching my hair for years and yes the Purple Shampoo is the best, caution not too much, experience with it. Yeah, I'm naturally a beautiful grey,the color of choice. I use a toner to maintain the color, some shampoos, environment pollutents, other chemicals can dull or change the tone, enjoy your locks, enjoy who you are...oops one more thing we don't get the right color, cut, it'll get better, it grows and your beautiful.

Anaya on November 27, 2017:

It is very useful.

My varied interests include writing, health issues and policy, beauty, makeup, veganism, autism, and running.

Bleaching Your Hair at Home?

I'm assuming you have found this page because you've bleached your hair wanting to go blonde, but instead of going blonde, your head has turned either orange, yellow or looks a little like a tabby cat—a whole shebang of colours with white roots, orange mid-lengths and brown ends? It's ok, I've been where you are and I feel your pain!

Seeing as it's likely too late to help you before you've made a minor mess on your head, let's see if I can help you rectify it.

The 3 Most Common Hair-Bleaching Mistakes

1. Orange Hair
2. Yellow Hair
3. Tabby Cat Hair

Before You Bleach

Before we get into fixing the faux pas, let's go over some basics about bleaching your hair. Even if you've already made the mistake, it's never too late to learn why it happened and how to prevent it next time.

Using Developer

Firstly, it's always a good idea not to use too high of a developer on your hair. 40vol can be exceptionally damaging on the hair, especially to hair that requires it to stay on for a longer amount of time. It is far kinder for your hair to use a 30vol or even 20vol, depending on your natural hair colour. You will still get the results you want—without frying your tresses—but it will take additional stages.

Bleaching Virgin Hair

So, if you have started your hair escapades with virgin hair—hair that is void of bleach or hair dye—you're in luck because your issue is a little easier to fix. Your hair has likely turned orange or yellow because you haven't left the bleach on long enough. Like countless others, you probably saw the bleach starting to work, freaked out because it was turning a colour you didn't like and immediately washed it out.

Why Did My Hair Turn Orange?

Bleach needs to go through stages. Initially, it begins to lift your pigment. Depending on the colour of your natural hair, this stage can last between 20 minutes and an hour. If you have very dark hair, such as black or very dark brown, you may need to bleach it more than once.

No matter your natural colour, you're here now because it has turned orange or yellow. Orange hair will never go blonde with a toner. To cancel out the warm tones, you would need to go darker, but that's likely not what you want. So, how do you get orange hair blonde?

1. How to Fix Orange Hair

If the first bleach left your hair looking orange, you will need to bleach again. Be sure to leave at least a day in between bleaching it. Keep a close eye on your hair. Check it every 5–10 mins or so by removing a small amount from under your plastic hood/cling film, holding it near the root and tugging gently.

If your hair stretches significantly when you do this, you've gone too far and you'll need to rinse out now. If not, feel free to carry on until you reach the stage where your hair looks pale yellow—the same colour as the inside of a banana peel.

Note: If your hair still hasn't reached the desired level after your second bleach, please leave it alone. Put a good conditioner or mask through it and baby it for a few days. Adding another layer of bleach won't work at this stage, especially if you attempt to do it the same day.

Though it's not great to walk around with a hair colour you hate, try to resist the temptation to correct it immediately if you want to keep your hair! Make friends with a hat for at least a few days. Then look at your hair and decide which action to take: either another full bleach or if it's very close to the stage you desire, you may just need a bleach bath.

What's a Bleach Bath?

A bleach bath is a way of lightening your hair a shade or two. Instead of putting the regular bleach mixture un-doctored on your hair again, mix it with some shampoo and apply the mixture like shampoo.

This is an ideal solution—and much less damaging for your hair—for those of you who are already very close to your desired colour. You can do this more than once, but try to avoid doing it too much. While it is less damaging, it still involves bleach, so overuse will just as easily cause damage.

How to Apply a Bleach Bath

1. Mix 1 part bleaching solution to 2 parts shampoo.
2. Apply the bleach bath evenly to your hair.
3. Give it a few minutes to settle in your hair.
4. Rinse it out.

Okay, but what if you have already reached the yellow stage or you've found yourself with the tabby cat mixed effect? Read on!

2. How to Fix Yellow Hair

While yellow is the colour you are looking to achieve when bleaching your hair, be sure it is the palest yellow possible. Remember, think of the inside of a banana peel. This is the perfect colour required to ultimately reach the blonde you desire. If it isn't as pale as the inside of the banana skin, you'll need to return to the above section about orange hair.

Use Toner

If you have pale yellow hair, your hair fix is very easy. You just need to use a toner. Toners come in so many shades of blonde, from lightest ash blonde and white to champagne, pearl, and golden blonde. Pick the one you want, apply it and voila—you are done!

Try Silver Shampoo

Another way to tone your newly bleached hair is to use silver shampoo. There are heaps on the market—one of my favourites is Clean Blonde by Fudge. Toners tend to leave a lilac cast on the hair at first. However, it will fade to silver the next time you wash it and leave your hair a lovely platinum shade.

3. How to Fix Splotchy Bleached (Tabby Cat) Hair

I have bleached my hair, dyed it a multitude of colours and have arrived here—roots white, lengths patchy yellow and gold, with splotches of black and brown on the ends. I would love dearly to give you a way to resolve this problem today and end up with the blonde hair you want. However, I cannot.

Avoid Permanent Hair Dye

The tabby cat effect is almost always the result of bleaching on top of a permanent colour. The colour doesn't need to be recent either—it can be months old, and the result will always be an uneven mess. If you continue to bleach over it, you will end up losing your hair. If you desperately want to go blonde and really can't wait until the colour has grown out, you need to either cut the colour out of your hair or stick another dye on top of it.

Opt for Semi-Permanent Colour

Using a semi-permanent hair dye is always a good idea because it just coats the hair rather than penetrating the hair shaft, which is much less damaging. You can keep using semi-permanent hair dye until your hair reaches a length you don't mind cutting. Then, cut off the old permanent and let the semi-permanent fade until you're able to begin the bleaching process again to achieve the blonde you desire (if you still want it by then).

Note: You'll need to look at ash coloured hair dyes because anything with gold tones in it is just going to make things much worse. Stick to an ash colour similar to the darkest parts of your hair.

Comments

Doris James MizBejabbers from Beautiful South on June 09, 2020:

How well I know what you are writing about! My almost black hair faded out to pure white by the time I was 50 and I let it go au naturale. A couple of years ago I had a reverse frost that faded out to tabby cat. My photo shows a blonde toner, which was ok, but when I wanted to go silver, the back stayed yellow no matter what I put on it. I've been wearing it shoulder length, and it has just now gotten long enough to cut off the old color. I'm just waiting for my hair dresser to reopen his shop sometime this month after this coronavirus thing to get my shoulder-length hair cut short again.

Your advice is excellent. Tabby cat hair, I like that term, but I don't like having it.

I love to dye my hair all colors of the rainbow. I love all things vintage, and I enjoy creating art, taking photos, and doing it myself.

For years, I have wanted purple hair. The only thing is purple hair is hard to attain, especially for me because my hair is naturally medium-to-dark brown. The fact is, if you want purple hair, you're going to have to put in blood, sweat, and tears. I mean, ideally not blood but at least the latter two.

Since getting your hair graped is positively a pain in the ass, I've taken the time to write this step-by-step breakdown for you. You can thank me later.

Supplies

Unless you already have magically white (or super light blonde) hair, you're going to need to bleach. In that case, here's a list of supplies for you:

• Ammonia Free Bleach Powder: I use Magic Ammonia Free Powder Lightener, but turns out it can't be purchased now without a cosmetology license. Sally's will have some other ammonia free options. I choose to use these because they are less damaging than a powder that contains ammonia!
• Salon Care 20 Volume Developer: Cream developer is preferred to liquid, seems to mix a little easier.
• Dye Brush
• Gloves

If your hair happens to be pre-lightened, you're good to start dying. Here's what you'll need for that:

• Manic Panic Purple Haze: I think I used one tub in the tutorial video (too lazy to watch it and find out though), but at the length my hair is now, I would definitely need 2-3 tubs. You can typically find these at Sally's or Hot Topic.
• Dye Brush
• Gloves

Bleaching

If you're one of those who needs to bleach, you'll find a handy little advisory on that here. It can be a bit of a process (heh) depending on how dark your hair is. It took me several sessions to get my hair light enough to sustain purple.

The thing about purple that makes it so hard is rooted (heh) in color theory. Allow me to explain.

When you bleach dark hair, it turns various brassy tones. It's gross. Yellow, orange, nasty. That's literally the opposite of purple, if you check out a color wheel. That means when yellow and purple mix, they turn brown. Same goes for other opposite colors, like red/green and blue/orange.

The goal here is to eliminate as much of the brassiness from your hair as possible, to keep your purple from getting muddied.

This is where the sweat and tears come in - as mentioned in the linked article, it takes some time and patience to get light enough. Once you're there, I'd give your hair a little rest and then go ahead and dye.

Process

The goal is to get your hair about as light as mine is in the above photo. Purple will take very well to this lightness.

After that, the dye process is very easy. Pull on your gloves, open your Purple Haze (this is the hardest part of the process, damn seals won't come off without a fight), and section off your hair.

I usually start applying dye on the roots at my part and around my face. Then I will paint it on with my dye brush in horizontal layers working down from my part. You don't have to rush with this—Manic Panic dye is safe for your hair and won't cause you damage if you leave it in for a while. So take your time, work in thin layers, and make sure you coat each layer thoroughly.

It helps to have a big butterfly clip or two handy, so you can secure upper layers out of the way once they are thoroughly coated with dye. Work your way down your scalp to the nape of your neck.

I typically leave the dye in for at least two hours. The longer you leave it in, the longer your color will last. I know people who will wrap their hair up in a plastic bag or saran wrap and sleep with the dye in overnight!

Once you've deemed your dye-time sufficient, hop in the shower and get ready for some cleanup. It's going to look like you slaughtered a grape and his whole vine.

Use cold water if you can stand it (keeps the color from bleeding), but if you're a sissy like me, lukewarm water will do.

Take a look down at your feet. When the water is starting to run clear, you're good to hop out of the shower and dry off.

Taking Care of Purple Hair

The above photo is my hair the day after dying with Manic Panic Purple Haze.

As you could see in the video, my hair pre-dye was a very light pink. When the purple started to fade, it went it a pink-purple direction rather than a lavender.

Anyways, there are several ways you can upkeep your purple hair.

• Use purple shampoo—Sally's has a purple-tinted shampoo, quite literally "Generic Brand," that you can use in the place of a normal shampoo. This stuff will help keep your color cool and tinted.
• Put a little dye in your conditioner—I scoop a tablespoon of dye into my conditioner, and then apply a hefty amount every time I wash my hair. I'll leave the conditioner in for a few minutes before rinsing it out. This is such a huge help with keeping the color vibrant.
• Avoid water and sun—Obvious one here, but the sun will make your color fade faster. Plus, every time you get your hair wet, you're gonna wash some color out.
• Use dry shampoo—I wash my hair maybe once a week so my color will last. My hair has adjusted to the change, but if it does start to feel oily, I dust some corn starch on my roots. Good for another few days!

There you go! You can officially be Barney for Halloween. Enjoy your purple hair, and stay out of the pool.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

I've been an online writer for several years. My articles focus on a wide range of topics, including skin care, fashion and holidays.

After having raven black hair for over three years, I thought it was time for me to branch out and change things up a bit. As you can imagine though, dyeing your hair black for such a long period of time makes the colour very stubborn and hard to remove. So what did I do to my perfectly healthy, long Morticia-like locks? Well, I bleached them, of course—not once, not even twice, but a grand total of three times in the space of three days. I'm very patient, can you tell?

I know for any hair stylists reading this, what I have done must come close to the hellish sensation of nails on a chalkboard and they are most likely cringing so hard right now (sorry). So I would like to say before I go any further with this post that I strongly advise against putting your hair through what I have in such a short space of time. It's a bad idea, just be patient your hair will thank you for it or go to a qualified stylist.

The Bleaching Process

I wasn't as completely irresponsible as it perhaps seems from reading the above. When it came to bleaching my hair, I took all of the correct precautions, including saturating my hair in coconut oil for hours prior to applying the bleach (I, like many others, swear by this method) and using protein rich shampoo and conditioner after the process was complete.

After achieving my desired result, I found that whilst my hair didn't feel or look terribly damaged it did feel dried out and in need of some TLC and after trolling the internet for cruelty free deep conditioning hair masks I came across Bleach London's Reincarnation Mask. I am not familiar with Bleach London or their products but very quickly I wanted to give them a try after seeing the hype that centered around their famous hair mask.

Placing an Order

Living in a small town, it was unsurprising to me that my local Boots didn't stock the mask that I was so in need of after reading countless five star reviews. Fortunately, next day delivery exists and my poor hair didn't have to wait too long before receiving it's much deserved treatment.

The mask itself retails for £6, which for a 200ml tube is to me an absolute bargain in comparison to some higher end equivalents that perhaps wouldn't be as successful in achieving the intended results.

Packaging

I personally love the overall aesthetic of the product as it is so professional and simplistic, yet eye-catching at the same time. The product comes in a metallic tube, encased in a vibrantly coloured cardboard box.

However, during my research on the product there seemed to be a unanimous consensus that the only true flaw and drawback of the product was a direct result of the packaging. Many people felt that due to the foil-like tube, excess product was being squeezed out causing them to waste a lot of the mask.

Fortunately, I did not find this issue applied to me but for those of you who are planning on purchasing the Reincarnation Mask in future, it may be something to keep in mind during the application process.

How to Use

Apply to pre-shampooed hair, comb through and massage in. To enhance the super conditioning effect wrap your hair in a warm towel. Leave on the hair for 10-20 minutes. Rinse well. Use whenever your hair feels parched.

— Boots Website

The Application Process

Bleach's Reincarnation Mask has a lovely but untraceable, luxurious scent that draws you in instantly and the texture is a mix of a cream and a mousse which accounts for how lightweight it feels on your hair.

As per the instructions, I applied the mask to dampened, pre-shampooed hair and was surprised, but pleased to find that despite having waist length, thick hair I really did not need much product in order to coat my hair with a generous application.

After wrapping my hair in a warm towel I decided to exceed the recommended application time given how dried out my hair was feeling and instead left the mask on for around 1 and a half hours.

Results

I have to say I am so happy with the results. My hair feels so much healthier and silkier already. Unlike other hair masks, Bleach's Reincarnation Mask hasn't left my hair feeling oily or weighted.

Whether you have recently bleached or over processed your hair or simply want to have smooth and luxurious locks, I definitely recommend adding the Reincarnation Mask to your list of must haves. I myself will definitely be making this mask part of my regular hair care routine.

If you have tried any of Bleach London's Hair Products, including or excluding the Reincarnation Mask, then I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below!

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2017 BunnyClaws

I am a writer, graphic designer, and editor for Sex & London City. If I'm not scrawling words, I'm drinking gin.

I’m so excited to share this with you all I could BURST. I’ve been wanting to post about these for weeks whilst painstakingly waiting for my pink to fade back to blonde, and finally the time is nigh. I’m on about Infuse My. Colour washes; they’re essentially a cross between a shampoo and a dye, and I am in love.

You might have seen them in the hair care aisle of Boots already. They look a lot darker than the pastel tones that brands like L'Oréal and Bleach London have brought out, but don’t let this put you off!! They can be used on dark hair to give a ‘refresh’ on any lighter hues, but on a bleach blonde base they’re beyond magical—and, best of all, kind to your hair and vegan.

Because I’m a scaredy-cat and occasionally sensible, I caught up with Rob, one of the Directors at Infuse My. Colour, before I started. He gave me some insider tips on how to use this product.

Director Tips

1. It's all about that base. So tone it.

It turns out that Meghan Trainor must know a thing or two about the colour wheel. If you’ve got more yellow-blonde tones, this is essentially the same as adding yellow to your colours, so a blue (like Cobalt) would turn out more green, and a pink (like Ruby) more peach. I wanted more pure, icy results, so I toned my yellow-blonde to a white-blonde first using the platinum wash, but more on that later.

2. Test the colour on white tissue or paper.

This will show you the shade you can expect to achieve on a pure white base, so there won’t be any surprises when you come to apply. Rob explained how he always applies the colours on a test strand at the back of the head, so you can see how it comes out before going ahead with the full application.

3. Mix to make the exact shades you want.

This can be done in the palm of your hand, which takes approximately 3 seconds, or in a small bowl if you want to be more precise. Or if you’re running low on equipment like me, use a glass candle holder, which definitely shows that you’re creative, not juvenile.

4. Use it like a shampoo for a pastel wash or like a dye for more vivid colours.

For a light wash of colour, just apply like a normal shampoo, wait 2-5 mins depending on how vivid you want the colour, then rinse. Or, treat it like you would a normal dye (like I did) and section out hair, apply with a brush and wait for 30-60 mins before rinsing and conditioning.

5. Refresh the colour as needed.

If you’ve mixed to make new colours, get a couple of squeezy plastic bottles (you know, like those ketchup ones you get in the pub), and fill these so you can use these when washing to refresh the colour.

So with all that in mind, let's get started!

Disclaimer: This isn’t the official colour name; I have no idea what to call this, I just like the idea of being a majestic intergalactic being who occasionally lives under the sea.

To do this, treat the shampoo as you would a dye.

1. Tone Your Base

I wanted to get as close to an ice-white as possible, so I rinsed my hair then left on Infuse My. Colour Platinum for 10 minutes before rinsing off again.

2. Mix Your Colours

I wanted some blue, purple and pink tones, so used Cobalt and Ruby to create 4 shades in total. I then tested these on white paper and tweaked until I got the shades I wanted, which were:

• Pure Cobalt
• Pure Ruby
• Purple Mix (2 parts Cobalt to 2 parts Ruby)
• Pink Purple Mix (1 part Cobalt to 4 parts Ruby)

3. Section Hair

I *tried* to create angled sections at 45 degrees to avoid having straight blocks of different colours. Hands up, I could done this a lot better, but I was despairing over the location of my comb, which I eventually gave up trying to find, so just used my hands instead.

First I created two main sections to separate the top and bottom. I did this by taking the hair just above the ear, all the way round to the other side and pinning it on top, and tying a band around the bottom section.

Then I created three new sections at a 45 degree angle using the upper section, and another 3 with the bottom section. Ideally I’d have used hair clips, but again, my flat decided to hide the other 11 from me.

4. Apply

Using a brush (really important to get right into the roots) and gloves, I applied the mixture generously from root to tip. I wanted random flashes of colour, so used 2 shades on each section, using my fingers to blend where they meet.

Some I made Cobalt to a Cobalt/Ruby mix, then I’d switch it up and do Ruby/Cobalt mix to Cobalt. I also added in some pure Ruby flashes in a couple of the back sections (which I wish I’d done more of because they look aaaace).

5. Wait 30–60 Minutes

Once you’ve applied it all around, you’ll end up with something like the photo below. Attractive blue forehead optional.

The longer you leave the mixture on, the more vivid it’ll be, so I braved it and left it all on for 1 hour.

6. Rinse Out With Lukewarm Water and Condition

Make sure not to use water that’s too hot as it’ll strip the colour out more. My hair felt strong and soft once I’d finished, but as I’d recently bleached it I also used a leave-in hair conditioning mask for 3 mins. Can’t ever have too much moisture.

7. Dry and Style

Based on my white paper test, I knew deep down I’d end up with more pastel tones, but when it’s on your head it’s easy to get scared by how dark it looks. My biggest piece of advice would be to not worry about this, it’ll never go very dark on bleached hair and looks completely different once rinsed out.

Here's the finished result!

One thing I really love about the colours is how different they look in different light. In bright sunlight like above they reflect to give almost icy pastels, and indoors they look darker and more saturated. There are more pics below so you can see what I mean.

Before and After

Here are the final before and after shots:

There’s some more info on what colours you can expect from each wash on the Infuse My. Colour website, but if you need any advice or have any questions, just pop them below and I’ll do my best to answer! All Infuse My. Colour washes are available to buy from Boots.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Comments

Holly Earp (author) from London on August 17, 2017:

Hey Louise! Yep I washed and toned it with the platinum shampoo first, so it was just towel-dried when I applied the Ruby. If I wasn't toning it first I would have applied it to dry hair...So if I were you, I'd apply the Ruby to dry hair and leave it on like a dye. Then keep it in the shower so you can use it like a shampoo when you wash your hair. That'll keep the colour nice and fresh. Hope that helps?

Louise Thomas on August 17, 2017:

Hi,

I've just seen these whilst looking for hair dye. I'm interested in your article and I need to cover my roots, was going to buy the ruby. You say to treat it like a hair dye, so my question to you is did you wash your hair first for your outcome?

Thanks

Louise

A freelance writer for many years, I like to explore and question everything.

Embrace Your Silver Hair—It's Unique!

Why do we resist our natural gray locks? We moan and groan about the silver hairs that peep through the glossy brunette (or red, blond, or whatever our natural hair color is) as a sign of encroaching maturity—a reminder that we all, if we're lucky, eventually succumb to old age. Most of us panic and reach for the dye. We go for streaks and tints—anything to disguise those nasty betraying greys.

Never mind all that. You need to know that gray is now THE color to have. Celebrities are even going out of their way to embrace silver. Baby boomers continue to have it all our own way. We are not prepared to fake any longer. We will celebrate middle age. We will make grey the new blonde. We will make YOU want to be gray.

Note: We Brits spell it 'grey,' and Americans spell it 'gray.' I'm going to use both. Because I can. So there.

Must Older Women Wear Their Hair Short?

No, I say, no!

When we hit our forties, I remember a good friend of mine said, "There comes a point where a woman must cut her hair short," and "Grey hair doesn't look right worn long." I have to disagree with both those statements.

If you have the courage, why not grow your hair? Let it flow. I'm going to let mine grow again. It was quite long until a couple of years ago when I became so fed up with bleaching it that I let it grow for a while, then had all the blonde cut out. It was like freedom. Never having to color again. I adored it when people ask where I get my hair done and I tell them it is just my local hairdresser who styles it for less than £20.

Scientists Discover Treatment for Gray Hair

Researchers, testing a treatment for the skin lightening condition, vitiligo, discovered a drug that restores hair to its natural color (BBC: Scientists treat grey hair with a drug for patchy skin). It seems that silver hair happens because hair follicles manufacture a natural hydrogen peroxide that bleaches the color out.

Would you take a drug to bring your hair back to its former glory? Submit your answer to the poll below.

How to Take Care of Grey Hair

I have noticed that my hair has become thicker and grows faster now that I'm older. In fact, it's now waist-length. Previously, I couldn't grow it much further than just below shoulder-length, as it would break.

Because the texture changes, a good cut is essential, especially if your hair is shorter. If it's long, you can get away with pinning it up. A messy bun looks great with grey hair— you look all bohemian and 'clever.'

For taking care of your hair, it doesn't really matter what you put on it, it's more important what you put into it, i.e. what you eat. The better quality nutrients you take into your body, the better your hair, skin and nails look. So, eat well, be happy, and enjoy your silver tresses!

The Demand for Silver-Haired Models Is Growing

The numbers of agencies specializing in 'older' models, both male and female, are increasing all the time. The demand by baby boomers for examples and role models are at an all-time high. We don't want to look at young, immature, skinny women. We want to see succulent, rounded, gorgeous, silver-haired gals... just like us!

I have read a couple of cases here in the UK where ladies started modeling in their 40s, 50s, and even older. Up and at 'em, girls!

Additional Reading

• Best Gray Hair Color Ideas - Hair Tips for Going Gray
  Check out these women (no, they're not models!) and see how good you could look. Interested? Here's how to come out of hiding.
• How to Love Your Gray Hair
  It's not your granny's hair anymore! Embrace your gray hair with our tips for looking chic and modern with your silver style.
• 19 Gray Hairstyles & Haircuts - Pictures of Gray Hair on Celebrities
  The latest trend in hair color -- gray. These celebrities embrace their gorgeous gray hair.

Questions & Answers

Question: Will I look older with silver hair?

Answer: It depends on your facial structure, skin tone, and many other things. You won't know unless you try. I can tell you it's a much healthier option. I really love my silver hair.

© 2017 Bev G

Comments

Bev G (author) from Wales, UK on February 16, 2020:

I love my grey, but I went a little pink over Christmas :D I've given up on my eyebrows.

Victoria Hannah from Sydney, Australia on February 16, 2020:

I so love this article Bev, I am dark and just starting too go grey now (cannot go down the American path) and have been dying my eyebrows and wondering whether to go grey naturally or use the expensive method of highlights. I used to be blonde for three years when I was young then decided to go back to my natural black overnight and shocked the devil out of my Dale Carnegie class! So your article has made me think about going grey naturally...or maybe with some professional help. Thank you.

Bev G (author) from Wales, UK on November 28, 2018:

Hi Paula, mine was died blonde anyway, so I just let the grey 'highlights' take over. Had it cut shorter than usual and suddenly it was its natural colour.

Nowadays it's waist length but not as thick as it used to be, so probably time for me to hack some off. xx

Suzie from Carson City on November 27, 2018:

Hey Edge.....Nice article. BTW....CONGRATULATIONS on your Hubbie award! Way to go, girlfriend! Your hair is lovely. Mine is "getting there." Have been wondering lately if I should color it my dark brown natural shade until I finally become all white and then stop coloring. As I recall, that's what my mother did. Decisions, decisions.

Peace, Paula

Bev G (author) from Wales, UK on November 27, 2018:

Now there's a hub worth considering, Wes. To dye or not to dye?

Thank you :)

Wesman Todd Shaw from Kaufman, Texas on November 27, 2018:

Yours looks quite nice. There is a woman about my mother's age, and she had a daughter who I went to school with. Hers is very silver, and every time I see her I'm amazed at how attractive a woman she is at some years over 70.

Emmylou Harris is my pick for greatest silver haired woman, but I always thought she was super beautiful anyway.

Not enough hair on my head for me to even worry about it. It's not going silver, it's just falling out. Only way to make my head look decent is to shave it down to nada.

It's my chin where some changes are happening. Solid white stands out from the rest of it, which is solid black. I may very well start dying the face hair someday, and then later when it is all white, just let it be white.

Bev G (author) from Wales, UK on November 27, 2018:

I'm glad you did, Mr H xxxx

Mr. Happy from Toronto, Canada on November 27, 2018:

Hair holds Power. I for one do not colour it, or bleach it.

White/grey/silver hair is fine, in my opinon. It adds character.

Okay, no clue how I really got here. I do not usually comment on cosmetics. Haha!

All the best! : )

Umesh Chandra Bhatt from Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, India on October 11, 2017:

Basically it is your confidence and courage which decides these cosmetic things. If you are show off type person it may be difficult to adopt such brave measures otherwise being simple and rational is in itself a pride.

Anyway the article has brought out very nicely the subtleties of having grey hairs and is very motivating for those who are standing in doldrums as regards to these matters.

Tzotzos Duck on May 30, 2017:

i agree with that...young peaple even dye their hair grey, why not love the natural grey ?

Britta is a former radiologic technologist and current stay-at-home mom who enjoys writing about parenting and raising her sweet daughter.

Acheiving Platinum Blonde

Salon or DIY?

The first question to ask yourself is how much are you willing to spend on going and staying blonde. When going blonde, the overwhelming majority will recommend seeing an expert, and for good reason. Becoming platinum blonde requires harsh chemicals that can essentially fry your hair off if done improperly, so seeing a professional is a key to getting the shade of platinum you desire. Those who don't have the cash to shell out usually head to Sally's Beauty, a common beauty store chain known for their vast lines of color and lightener. With a mix of lightener and usually a high developer (unless you are a cosmetologist, do not even think about touching a 40 developer) a blonde can be achieved. If you are staying at a dark brown, you will not be able to lighten to a platinum blonde in the first go around. This is why a professional is a key to getting your desired level without the damage. I would like to point out there are a few new products that salons use that can do wonders, Olaplex being a big seller. Olaplex essentially repairs hair while being bleached and can possibly get you from a brown to a light blonde in one sitting, call your salon beforehand and ask if they use it. Be prepared to pay more if they do, as it is typically a pricey add on. If your salon does not use Olaplex expect more than one trip to the to your stylist if your starting point is low on the color chart.

Toner Toner Toner!

Aside from the level of blonde itself, toner is an absolute necessity for nearly every blonde whether you are a nice golden shade or an icy cool. After lightening, your stylist (or the brave few DIYers) will apply a toner to achieve the exact shade of blonde you are looking for. This will put the finishing touches on your gorgeous new head of hair, and typically leaves your hair much shinier and softer then after the bleach rinses out. Choosing a toner is not as easy as it seems, you cannot simply pick a color you want, as it must match with the level your hair is lightened to. For example, if you are a dark blonde and choose a toner that is for a level 10, it will do very little to your hair aside from a small amount of damage. Keep this in mind if you are ever toning at home.

Maintaining Your New Gorgeous Locks

Upkeep

Being a blonde is downright expensive, the upkeep alone will cost you a pretty penny, but alas, blondes have more fun (or so they say) so we keep up with it. I love a good dark root to a blonde, but not everyone does. This is why salon trips will happen every 4-6 weeks when lightened to a platinum shade, along with toning each visit; if you can afford it, a deep conditioning treatment will do those parched locks some good.

Toning With Shampoo

The gods of hair threw us blondes a lifeline in the form of a purple or blue shampoo. Those of you who are familiar with these lifesavers know exactly what I am talking about. The purple shampoo is a color depositing wash that you can use at home, it is easy to use and can be found in a generic brand which saves some money, a pleasant surprise after spending ungodly amounts of money going platinum. The generic purple shampoo can be found at Sally's and is a glorious addition to upkeep supplies for blonde shades for fighting the ever lingering brass that plagues platinum heads. This shampoo is targeted towards those with light blonde to platinum hair, rendering little effect for those with darker locks. Recently I began using Matrix Brass Off, which can be used on those with darker color blondes or us platinum's who desire a very cool tone. This was picked up at my local salon, you will need to find a salon that carries the Matrix brand to buy. Be warned that if left on too long these color depositing shampoos can cause a slight coloration of purple or blue.

Is It Worth It?

This is completely subjective. To some the time, effort, and cash spent on maintaining those golden locks simply isn't worth it, while to others it is all par for the course to achieve that platinum head of hair that make others swoon.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Tori loves dying her hair all colors of the rainbow and shares her tutorials with others.

Why Hidden Rainbow?

Hidden rainbow hair is so pretty, but also extremely functional as well. It's when you color just a section of your hair instead of your whole head, and the color is only revealed if you wear your hair a certain way or move your hair in a certain direction. Hidden rainbows are particularly awesome for people who want to dye their hair bright colors but work at companies where it is frowned upon to have unnatural hair colors.

The other thing about hidden rainbow hair is that you do not have to do an actual rainbow—it's just the name of the trend! There are many ways to execute the look. You can have it on the side or the back of your hair; the whole length of your hair or just a section that doesn't touch your roots or ends. You can also apply the color in many different ways—streaky, ombre, patterned, or just one color.

I am lucky enough to work at a company that does not care what color my hair is. My coworkers have seen all of my hair color excursions, from every color of the rainbow in dip dye to hidden rainbow, tinting, highlights, et cetera. When I cut my hair in April after I decided to stop dip dying it, many of them were asking me what color or style I would be doing next. I was in my cousin's wedding in July, and I didn't want my hair colors to take away from her wedding, which is part of the reason why I cut it in the first place—that and my ends were getting pretty damaged from re-bleaching.

After the wedding in July, I wanted to dye my hair again but I was a little more apprehensive about what to pick since my hair was pretty short. I didn't want to do any colors that would not wash out after a couple of washes because I still wanted the freedom of redying other colors or going back to my normal blonde if I wanted to. I also wanted to be able to hide the dye if it didn't work out so well since my hair was short. So I settled on a hidden rainbow.

How I Chose My Colors

When I was deciding on my colors, I already had a pretty large collection of colors underneath the sink so I didn't want to buy anything new. I also knew I didn't want to use blues or greens. If you've read my previous hubs, you know that the blues and greens are a little bit more difficult to remove and I wanted to do some bright colors before I did steadfast colors.

I ended up using Ion Color Brilliance in Cantaloupe and Manic Panic in Wildfire. Since my hair is already blonde and I didn't want to look like a McDonald's mascot, I mixed the Cantaloupe with a tiny bit of the Wildfire to make a pastel creamsicle orange.

I decided to do the rainbow in an ombre style with the lighter color on top fading into the darker color. This is a good way to do multicolored ombres at home. I say this because when you are working with reds, pinks, oranges, and yellows, I have found that if you put the dark color on top, and the light color on the bottom, if you aren't careful with how you rinse, then the darker color will almost always overtake the lighter color during rinsing. I haven't figured out an at-home way to prevent this from happening other than trying to rinse lighter sections first and darker sections last.

Things You Will Need

Directions for Sectioning Hair and Applying Lightener

1. Decide where you want your hidden rainbow to be. There are many placement ideas for where you could put it online. My favorite places are the middle side and middle back of the head.
2. Start with parting the hair that will be on top of your rainbow. You can make the part straight across, zigzag, or rounded depending on your preference. Section the hair that will be remaining normal color up out of the way with a rubber band or hair clip.
3. If you want normal hair underneath your hidden rainbow as well, you will need to create a second part underneath the section of hair you will be dying. Put this hair in a ponytail and wrap it with plastic wrap or tin foil to protect it from the bleach and dye.
4. Mix the powder lightener and the creme developer to make your lightening mousse.
5. Starting with the roots, apply the bleach like you are painting to all of the hair. You will more than likely need an extra set of hands to help you with this part. I had to have my boyfriend help me paint the bleach since my rainbow section was on the back of my head and I couldn't see.
6. Wrap the section in plastic wrap or tin foil and allow it to process between 20–30 minutes depending on the directions of your hair lightener.
7. When it's ready to rinse out, you will need an extra set of hands to help you rinse. Sit in a chair with a towel over your shoulders, and tip your head back into a sink. Have your buddy rinse the bleach out of this part of your hair. A sink with a retractable faucet is much easier to use when rinsing, but you can also have your buddy fill a container and pour water on the bleached section to rinse. You do not need to rinse the sections of your hair you have designated to not color.
8. Condition hair, and rinse conditioner. Towel dry the newly lightened section of hair.
9. If the hair has not lightened enough, wait a day or two and lighten the section again until it is the desired blonde that you prefer for the color application. Be careful not to bleach too many times, or your hair will become very damaged. If you only had to process once like me, apply a heat protectant to the bleached section and blow-dry so you can move directly on to the color application.

Sectioning Hair for Ombre Color

Directions for Applying Color (Ombre Style)

1. Make sure your designated non-color areas of hair are pulled up and out of the way. If you have elected to have a section of hair underneath your hidden rainbow remain the same color, make sure that section is covered with plastic wrap or tin foil prior to dying. The directions can be a little confusing, so if you need help understanding the steps, refer to the diagram of where to apply each dye mixture!
2. Squeeze the color you'll be using for the top into a bowl. Have your buddy paint the dye on from the roots to where you want the dye to fade into the next color. Make sure to color inside the lines so as not to dye any sectioned no-dye hair.
3. In a separate bowl, squeeze some of the bottom color into a dish and mix with an equal amount of conditioner. This mixture is going to assist in the transition of one color to the other to get a great looking ombre.
4. Because this dye is a transition color to your dark color, you don't want to apply it underneath where you stopped your first dye - you want to put it on top. Apply it to about a 1-inch section of hair where you've already put your lighter dye, and bring it down about a half-inch into the uncolored hair.
5. In another bowl, squeeze pure dye and apply to your hair from the conditioner/dye section all the way to the ends of your hair.
6. Let the color process for 45 minutes to an hour or more. If you are using Manic Panic, Ion Color Brilliance, or One 'N Only Argan Oil hair dye, the color is non-toxic and can stay in as long as you like. The longer you leave it in, the longer the color will remain before fading out.
7. Get your buddy to help rinse your hair in the same way that you rinsed from the bleach. Rinse from the root first then work your way to the ends to prevent any color bleeding.
8. Condition and then either towel or blow-dry.

Directions for Applying Color (Streak Style)

1. Make sure your designated non-color areas of hair are pulled up and out of the way. If you have elected to have a section of hair underneath your hidden rainbow remain the same color, make sure that section is covered with plastic wrap or tin foil prior to dying.
2. Squeeze each color into a separate bowl.
3. Section out a small strand of pre-lightened hair.
4. Have your buddy help you apply a color with the brush from the root to the tip.
5. Wrap the strand in plastic wrap or tin foil.
6. Select the next strand of hair, and using a different color, repeat steps 3 and 4.
7. Repeat steps 2–5 until all strands are colored and wrapped.
8. Let the color process for 45 minutes to an hour. If you are using One 'N Only Argan Oil, Manic Panic, or Ion, you can leave the color in as long as you like because the dyes don't contain damaging chemicals.
9. Have your buddy help you rinse your hair. I recommend removing each tin foil/plastic wrap individually, and rinsing one strand at a time to prevent your darker streaks from bleeding rinsed color into your lighter strands.
10. Condition and then either towel or blow-dry.

The Finished Product

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Comments

Lindaslife on March 25, 2018:

Thank you for the streak style tutorial. This was a big help. I also love the idea of adding conditioner to get some lighter colors. I'm working with splat blue envy and purple desire. They seem to work great for me. Again, thank you! :)

Lynn Fox on February 13, 2017:

Wow looks good. You're instructions seem easy to follow too. Great job.

Kathleen Motteler on November 20, 2016:

Good Job!

Tori is a 28-year-old, three-time animal mom and DIYer living in Northern Atlanta with her boyfriend.

Tinting My Hair Rose Gold

I love experimenting with my hair. Since high school, I've pretty much run the gamut of hairstyles and colors from short to long, natural to bright, dip dying to hidden rainbow! But the one thing I haven't tried yet was tinting my hair.

To me, tinting is a more muted version of dying your whole head a different color. I have seen rose gold hair gaining popularity online, and naturally, I also fell in love with it. But how could I do it at home?

There are many ways to do it—my hairstylist recommended I get my normal blonde heavy highlights redone like normal. Then, instead of using a toner that would take the yellow out, he would use a pink toner to give me the rose gold look I was after. I was 100% game and told him I would be waiting to get it done until the week before my trip to Europe over Thanksgiving!

But naturally, me being me, I woke up one morning with an itch to do something on my own right that second. I looked at my collection of hair dyes under the sink to contemplate how I could do it, saw my leftover Manic Panic Cotton Candy Pink, and had an idea.

Supplies You'll Need

How to Tint Hair Based on Brand of Dye

Using Manic Panic Dye in Cotton Candy Pink

1. Put your gloves on, and using your fingers, scoop out the dye from the container. Coat your entire head with the dye as if you are conditioning your hair.
2. Let process for at least 30–45 minutes, or longer if you prefer.
3. Rinse out, and shampoo and condition like normal.
4. After you've dried your hair, if the color is not pink enough for your liking, repeat steps 1–3 a second time.

Using One 'N Only Argan Oil Perfect Intensity in Hot Pink

1. Using your 4–5 oz container, fill to the top with conditioner.
2. Squeeze out a drop of dye about the size of the tip of your pinky finger into the conditioner, and combine until the dye has turned the conditioner a hot pink.
3. If you think you'll want a slightly pinker rose gold tint, add another small squeeze of dye into the conditioner.
4. Put your gloves on and apply the mixture to your hair as if you are conditioning your hair like normal. Let it process for 30–45 minutes or longer if you prefer.
5. Rinse out and shampoo and condition like normal.
6. After you have dried your hair, if it is not pink enough for your liking, follow steps 1–5 a second time. In my second round, I ended up adding two squeezes of pink into the conditioner instead of just one.

The Process

First I started with the Manic Panic. I had bought it previously to use it in my rainbow dip dye, but after it had processed in that project it didn't come out bright enough for my hair so I ended up having to do a different color over top of it, and had nearly an entire jar left of it.

I was able to do about half of my hair in the Manic Panic Cotton Candy Pink before I ran out of dye. If I wasn't bound and determined to have rose gold all over, I would have had some pretty awesome pale rose gold highlights complementing my blonde hair. But you know me—I can never get enough, so I started searching for a solution to make it brighter.

I found some One 'N Only Argan Oil Perfect Intensity Haircolor in Hot Pink under my sink. This one made me a little apprehensive because if you've read my other hair blogs, you know that One 'N Only has extremely strong staying power! I was concerned about my entire head coming out bright pink, but I decided to experiment anyway.

One thing to know about bright colored hair dye is that conditioner helps dilute the color. This is especially helpful if you're trying to fade one color into another color smoothly, but it also helps dilute hair dye colors. I filled the empty Manic Panic container almost to the top with conditioner and put just a drop about the size of the tip of my pinky finger in the tub with the conditioner. I mixed it up and applied it all over my head.

I let it process for about an hour before rinsing it out, and then shampooed and conditioned like normal. The nice thing about using conditioner to dilute it is that it's like a tinted mask for your hair. It's completely non-damaging and super moisturizing! Your hair will be soft and shiny after a conditioning mask, and that is something I can never get enough of.

I ended up doing two rounds of this because after I washed and dried my hair the first time, I had beautiful, subtle rose gold color in my brightest highlights, but I wanted more than that. So I did another round of the hot pink mixed with conditioner a few hours later to try and get a more pronounced rose gold color.

Things to Remember

• Both dyes are semi-permanent, which means that the color will fade after a few washes. Because there's so little dye that was actually put in your hair, it will more than likely return to its old color or pretty close to it.
• If you have thin hair, hair that takes color extremely easily, or blonder hair than me, and you decide to go the Manic Panic route, you should add some conditioner to the Manic Panic dye to dilute it a little bit. For me, my hair is thick and it is difficult to make it take color if it's not platinum blonde, so any pastel shades from Manic Panic come out extremely light on me.
• When using Manic Panic Cotton Candy Pink, I found that I did not have enough to do my entire head even with a nearly full jar of it! if your hair is chin-length or lower, you will need to purchase two jars of it should you choose to go that direction.
• The dyes are non-toxic and do not contain any harmful chemicals, which means you can do several run-throughs in one day to get the shade of rose gold you're looking for and you won't have to worry about damaging your hair. The conditioner method is also basically a mask for your hair so once it is dry it will be super soft and shiny!
• Your hair already has to be heavily highlighted like my hair, or it must be dyed a yellow or golden blonde. I personally prefer applying this dye over highlights because then it gives the rose gold more dimension since the color will take to some pieces of hair more than others. Once your hair is the same yellowy color that mine was, it will work best with rose gold tinting.
• The longer you let the hair color process, the better the staying power your color will have. Again because the dyes are nontoxic you don't have to worry about how long the coloring mixture is in your hair because it won't damage it.
• Do not be afraid by the color the dye is in the jar when using the Ion dye on your hair! It will look like you are dying your hair hot pink when you put it in, but it will not come out that color when you wash your hair because the color is pretty diluted. Your hair will be pale once you rinse it out.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Comments

priyanshi pradhan on July 28, 2020:

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Annie Denz on February 15, 2018:

It was very useful for me. Keep sharing such ideas in the future as well.

http://www.byrdie.co.uk/rose-gold-hair/ - check out, post also about gold hair transformation

Melissa from Georgia on December 31, 2017:

I absolutely love the rose gold hair! It's something I've wanted try for the last year or so. Thanks for the educational tutorial!

Dulquer Salman on November 13, 2017:

Very informational article really. I think the combination of the above article and https://goo.gl/duhHVb this will be the best.

Mona Sabalones Gonzalez from Philippines on October 06, 2017:

You look lovely with your new hair color:).

Melessa on August 22, 2017:

Very Nice article Dear. I visit your website everyday. Keep updating.

Kesha Evans on July 23, 2017:

that is a great color on you!

Ellen Gregory from Connecticut, USA on July 15, 2017:

I have been working up the courage to go rose gold. This information is really helpful.

Buy Contact Lenses on May 25, 2017:

It was very useful for me. Keep sharing such ideas in the future as well. This was actually what I was looking for, and I am glad to came here! Thanks for sharing the such information with us.

Kathleen from Michigan on November 20, 2016:

Turned out really pretty!

Tori is a 28-year-old, three-time animal mom and DIYer living in Northern Atlanta with her boyfriend.

Disclaimer

I am not a professional hair stylist and this tutorial is based on my personal experience of dip dying my hair several times on my own. Additionally this tutorial is not meant to be used with permanent/demi-permanent dyes. If you are following this tutorial your dye should be semi-permanent or temporary.

You Will Need:

Step 1: The Lightener

The first step to getting your colorful ombre is bleaching your hair. In order to bleach properly, you need to know a little about how hair bleach works before you do it, or you could seriously damage your hair.

What Is Bleach and Developer?

Most hair bleach comes with two components that you have to mix together in order to make the mixture that goes on your hair: lightener and developer. The lightener itself is typically a powder or creme, then you add a liquid "developer" to the lightener in measured amounts to create the mixture. The developer comes in different volumes in order of lifting strength: 10, 20, 30, and 40. My preferred brand of lightener and developer is Ion Bright White Creme Lightener and 20 Volume Developer.

Ten is the weakest volume and will take the longest to lift your hair to lighter shades. 40 is the most powerful and works the fastest to lift your hair to a lighter shade. But using 40 volume developer comes with a price. Because it pulls the color out faster, it will damage your hair much more quickly. My recommendation for anyone with any color of hair is to start with 20 volume. If your hair is really dark, you could use 30 volume.

Now, I can understand the yearning to have the end result quickly—but trust me on this, you really want to be patient when working with hair lighteners. When lightening your hair, you will almost never get the shade you are looking for after the first round unless your hair is already very blonde to start with, or you don't want it to be platinum before you put the color in.

How Light Should I Go?

Keep in mind that your hair does not need to be platinum or white before you can put the color in. You can stop lightening your hair if you are happy with the result before it gets to platinum. You just need to know that the darkness of your hair after lightening will affect how bright the color appears. The whiter your hair is, the brighter and more vibrant the color will be, but the more damage may be visible. The darker your hair is, the darker and more muted the color will be.

When lightening your hair, if you choose to do multiple sessions, it is best to space out the bleach sessions between 3–7 days to let your hair rest, making sure to condition it well in between sessions. If you have to bleach more than twice to lift the color out enough, then you definitely need to space it out much longer, between 7–10 days.

You may end with an orange or yellow tone after lightening. If you want to, you can add an in-between step of using a toner such as Wella T-18 to reduce the orange and yellow tones.

Dip Dying Without Lightener

The first time I dip dyed my hair, I had it done professionally. I was a little too scared to do the bleaching just yet, so I had my stylist do a nice navy-turquoise color by Pravanna without bleaching my ends. The color looked SO awesome and it turned out great. But the problem with my hair, which up to that point had not been dyed, was that it didn't absorb the dye very well. It looked so gorgeous but started fading after the second time I washed it because my hair was so thick and strong that the color did not take very deep.

If you are non-committal to bright-colored hair, and your hair is not bright blonde already, I do recommend dip dying without the bleach so that you can see whether it's something you want to do in the future. I also recommend getting it done professionally the first time, just so that you can get a feel for everything and know that it will look awesome the first time around before you start trying to do it yourself. However, you can definitely do it at home with a couple of hours and an extra hand!

Directions for Applying Lightener

1. You will need gloves, a bowl for mixing, the lightening powder or creme, developer, plastic wrap or tin foil, and a hair color applicating brush.
2. Decide on the line where you want your eventual color to stop so that it can fade into your normal hair color. For me, that line was about 8 inches up from my tips.
3. Divide out a section of hair and mark that line with a clip or a hair tie. If you are confident enough eyeballing it instead of marking it, you can do that.
4. Mix your lightener and developer in the bowl according to the directions on the packaging.
5. Apply the bleach to the section of hair from the tips to about two inches under the section you marked. Make sure that the entire section of hair under your cutoff line is covered.
6. After the bleach is applied, wrap the section with a piece of tin foil or plastic wrap to keep the lightener from getting on anything as it takes to your hair.
7. Move on to the next section and repeat steps 5 and 6 until all of the sections you wish to lighten are coated.
8. Let the lightenerpLightener I would not leave it on more than 20 minutes. You will see the bleach start to lighten your hair relatively quickly.
9. After the processing time has passed, jump in the shower and rinse everything out. Use shampoo and conditioner.
10. Apply either hair oil or leave-in conditioner after you get out of the shower to help re-moisturize your hair after the bleach. I like OGX Moroccan Argan Oil or It's a 10 Miracle Leave-In.
11. I don't recommend blow drying your hair to prevent additional damage, but if you do, just be careful not to concentrate the heat on one section of your hair for too long to prevent damage. You can also let it air dry if that is your preference.
12. If you feel your hair still needs another round of lightening, wait a few days before lightening again.

Step 2: Don't Skip The Purple Shampoo

Before you apply your color to your bleached ends, you may notice that the bleached areas of your hair look a little brassy or orange. There is an easy fix for this. A night or two before you are ready to put the color in your hair, wash it first with purple shampoo. Purple shampoo takes the yellow, orange, and red tones out of your hair to make it a cooler blonde, which is generally preferred prior to applying any bright color to your hair. You can also use a toner to remove orange and yellow tones as well.

As far as purple shampoos go, there are so many to choose from, but I personally really like Generic Value Products Purple Shampoo. It works just as well as the name brand products and smells really good too!

To use purple shampoo, you will apply it in the same way you would apply normal shampoo, except you'll want to let it sit for a minute or two before washing it out. You'll notice an immediate difference after washing it out that your hair is a cooler shade of blonde. Don't leave the purple shampoo in too long, or else it may tinge your hair the same color! Apply conditioner after rinsing like you normally would, and once your hair is dry, you are all ready to apply your color.

Step 3: Apply Your Color

This is the fun part: it is now time to apply your color so you can achieve your vibrant ombre look. First, you'll need to choose your color. There are many different brands of color to pick from, so make sure you read the reviews and look at pictures of people who have already used the color you're looking at so that you have an idea of how it will turn out.

If you prefer a brand of dye that does not come out easily because you plan to keep the color a while, One N Only Argan oil is what you should use. For dye that lasts roughly 8-10 weeks, I recommend Arctic Fox. For dye that lasts a few weeks to a month, You should use Manic Panic.

If you aren't finding the exact color you are looking for, it is ok to mix the dyes to get the color you want. All of the brands are non-toxic and don't contain any chemicals that would damage your hair, but just because of the formulations between each brand I recommend only mixing colors within each of the brands rather than mixing the brands themselves to make a new color.

Directions for Applying Your Chosen Color

1. You will need your chosen color, two bowls, gloves, conditioner, plastic wrap or tin foil, and a hair color applicator.
2. Section off a piece of hair to work with first. Apply conditioner about three inches above the bleached portion of the hair, down to one inch above the bleached section of hair. This helps prevent any stray hair dye from getting where it doesn't need to go. it also helps the color fade nicely into your natural color like a smooth gradient instead of a choppy color.
3. Using the hair color applicator, apply color directly to the bleached portion of your hair. Make sure the entire strand is coated. Pull the color up all the way to meet the area you applied conditioner to.
4. Wrap the section of hair with tin foil or plastic wrap, and repeat the process for the next section of hair, until all sections of hair are complete.
5. Let the dye sit for at least 45 minutes to an hour.
6. Jump in the shower and rinse all the hair dye out until the water is running mostly clear. Apply conditioner.
7. Apply your hair oil or leave-in conditioner the same as you did after the bleach, and either air dry or blow dry according to your preferences.

Taking Care of Your Ombre

Now that you've successfully dip dyed your hair, it's important to know what you should do to preserve the color! Here are some things to remember about caring for your tresses:

• Don't apply shampoo directly to the colored portions of your hair. Apply it only at your roots, and rinse it out without scrubbing it into the colored parts of your hair. My hair was actually long enough to where I could hold the colored part in one hand out of the way while I shampooed and rinsed my roots. Then, I would let my hair down when the shampoo was out and I was ready to apply conditioner.
• Try to stay away from shampoos that contain sulfates and also clarifying shampoos. Both will strip your color away faster.
• Don't let your hair in chlorinated water.
• If you had to bleach your hair multiple times prior to dying, always apply a leave-in conditioner or hair oil after getting out of the shower to help keep breakage to a minimum and close up your split ends.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Questions & Answers

Question: How do I blend the dye so that there is no line of separation when using two colors?

Answer: Once I have applied the two colors of dye, I will take a flat section in between my forefinger and middle finger and rub up and down to create the gradient.

Question: For coloured hair dyes are we meant to do an allergen test, like you do for bleach?

Answer: You can if you are concerned, but I have never had any issues with them since semi-permanent dyes don't have harsh chemicals in them! I would do a strand test if I wasn't sure about how the color would turn out, though.

Question: Do you use a brush or a bottle to apply dye to your hair for the dip dye look?

Answer: I used a brush, but you could use a bottle if you wanted to!

Question: Would dip-dying be a similar process with permanent dye?

Answer: Yes, except you do not want to leave the permanent dye on for nearly as long because it will damage your hair. Also make sure you are in a well ventilated room!

Comments

Kathleen from Michigan on November 20, 2016:

Interesting

Alyssa is a wife, mom, and coffee enthusiast who loves sharing her favorite lifestyle tips with the world.

Red is one of the hardest colors to have because it is the quickest color to fade. You are lucky if you can get your gorgeous, vibrant red to last two and a half weeks before it fades into a dull, mousey brown that doesn’t flatter anyone.

Many hair stylists I’ve come into contact with shy away from reds because of it. When I was ready to go from blonde to red, I had to persuade my hair stylist at the time that it would look good. It took me two visits to get her to dye my hair red. Once she did, it looked amazing, but it faded quickly.

Spending a ton of money each month on my hair just wasn’t in my budget. I decided to venture out on my own and find the perfect red that I could maintain myself: One that wouldn’t fade into that dreary brown and wouldn’t break the bank. It took a couple months, but I finally found it.

How to Maintain Dyed Red Hair on a Budget

Here are my secrets for achieving the perfect red hair and keeping it vibrant and beautiful:

1. Find the best shade for you
2. Use the right products
3. Avoid washing your hair
4. Stay hydrated
5. Make sure you have styling protection and variation

1. Find the Right Shade for You

When I was 18, I went to my hair stylist and she helped me create a beautiful, bright red shade with hints of purple. It was gorgeous! We created the color together and it was customized for my skin. If you are going to a salon, talk to your hair stylist. They will help you choose the right red for your skin tone. You might even customize a color that is unique and perfect for you!

If you like doing your own hair or are looking to save money, browse through the hair section next time you are at the store. There are so many beautiful shades available and boxed hair dye has really improved in the last few years. You can get online or download an app to “try” a color out and see if you might like it. It took me three different tries to find my perfect red shade.

Why My Color Works for Me

I use Garnier Nutrisse Ultra Color Ultra Intense Red for Darker Hair. My natural color is not dark; it is a dirty blonde. The color on the box is the closest I have found to that original red shade from when I was 18. I have gotten more compliments with this color than I ever did when I had my hair professionally done. Many people are surprised when I tell them that it is not my natural hair color. I have maintained this color for the past five years. It is inexpensive and it doesn’t fade like other reds. Even when I allow my roots to grow out a little, the red is still pretty and vibrant.

2. Don't Wash Your Hair

The quickest way to ruin your red is by washing your hair every day. At most, wash your hair every other day. If you can extend the time between washes that will really help keep your color looking beautiful, no matter if you get your hair done professionally or you do it yourself.

Try a Dry Shampoo

Purchase a dry shampoo that is formulated for colored hair and use it to combat greasiness. You don’t have to spend a ton of money. There are plenty of inexpensive options that are just as good as salon brands. I really like TRESemme Fresh Start Volumizing Dry Shampoo. It’s inexpensive, smells great, and doesn’t leave a gray residue. You just spray it through your roots, leave it sit for a few minutes, then comb or brush through your hair. It refreshes your hair and doesn’t strip your color.

3. Use the Right Products

Always use shampoo and conditioner that is formulated for colored hair. There are many options available and you don’t have to spend a ton of money for quality products. I have a few favorites that I rotate through:

• I love TRESemme Color Revitalize Shampoo and Conditioner. They will keep your red looking vibrant.
• I also love the Suave Professionals line. They have a variety of shampoos and conditioners that are comparable to more pricey brands, for less.
• John Frieda also has a Radiant Red line that is amazing, but a little more expensive, and sometimes it can be hard to find in the store.

4. Hydrate

No matter what color or length your hair is, hydration is so important! Hydrated hair is healthy, shiny, silky, and beautiful. The above conditioners are great and will keep your hair hydrated. I have really long hair and recently tried Garnier Whole Blends Color Care Conditioner with Argan oil and Cranberry Extracts. It has really made a difference in my hair. It’s softer, silkier, shinier, and my red has never looked better! It also smells amazing!

Try Hair Masks and Leave-In Conditioners

If your hair is really dry, you might want to try a deep conditioning hair mask. There are a variety of brands that offer these. In addition, you will want to look for shampoos and conditioners with humectants to really hydrate thirsty strands.

I also love using a leave-in conditioner from time to time after getting out of the shower. It really helps de-tangle wet hair and leaves strands silky soft. Note: It may make your hair greasy if you use a conditioner in the shower and the spray after. My favorite right now is Not Your Mother’s Brand Way to Grow Leave-In Conditioner. I received a trial size complimentary from Not Your Mother’s and Influenster to test out in August. I really liked it!

5. Styling Protection and Variation

If you use a straightener or curling rod, you know how important it is to use a heat protecting spray. It’s even more important when you have colored hair. The heat will penetrate your strands and fade your color fast if you don’t have protection. I’ve been using Beyond the Zone Pro Formula Smooth Criminal Thermo Protect Spray. It was given to me by a family member to try and I really like it! It keeps my hair smooth and shiny when I use my curling rod and protects my color from the high heat setting.

It’s best to give your hair a break from all the heat if you can. Air dry whenever possible. Try a cute braid or a ponytail variation.

Those are my secrets for beautiful, rich, vibrant red hair. Give them a try and be ready for the best hair you've ever had!

I will leave you with some fun, inspiring quotes about red hair.

"Redheads. For those brave enough to play with fire." -CHI

"The sun on a brunette's hair looks red. The sun on a redhead's hair looks like heaven on Earth." - anonymous

Red hair- the crown you never take off.

Red hair is more than just a color, it's a lifestyle.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2016 Alyssa

Comments

Alyssa (author) from Ohio on August 02, 2019:

Thank you, Debarati. :)

Alyssa (author) from Ohio on May 21, 2019:

You're welcome! I'm glad you found these tips helpful. :)

Shannon Austin on May 20, 2019:

Extremely helpful! Even though my hair is much, much shorter, the struggle to maintain a vibrant red is real! Thank you!

Alyssa (author) from Ohio on October 05, 2016:

Thank you!

threekeys on October 05, 2016:

Wow!How vibrant and beautiful!