Ways To Dye Gray Hair Black - smartesthairstyles.com - Gray hair tends to be coarse and wiry, making it more difficult to dye than other hair colors. That said, if you dye your hair one color throughout, you may find that the gray hair is almost as visible as it was before you dyed it! Luckily, there are products to help you cover up those stubborn grays. Use permanent coloring for a long-lasting commercial option, or try a mix of henna and indigo powder if you want to avoid chemicals.
- Use of hair dye
Choose a permanent color that is within 2 shades of your natural color. For best results, try not to make too drastic a change. Unless your hair is naturally black, dying your hair so dark can make it look really severe. However, if your hair is already dark, this can be a very effective way to camouflage your grays.
You can also try using a dark brown or brown-black dye instead of pure black.
Semi-permanent dyes are not as effective at covering gray tones and can even turn your gray hair yellowish. However, they can be helpful for blending your grays with your natural hair color.
Look for a mousse formula if you have very thick hair. It helps coat your hair more evenly without dripping all over the place.
Purchase a brush if your chosen kit doesn't include one. A brush is much more effective at getting into your roots than the nozzle on a bottle. If you choose a coloring kit that doesn't have a brush, grab one while you shop. You can find brushes that are meant for coloring, but you can also use a regular brush or craft brush if you like.
You can use a foam or bristle brush.
Start with unwashed, dry hair. When applying permanent coloring, it's best to start with dry hair. Also, if possible, try to dye it 2-3 days after the last wash. The natural oils help protect your scalp from the chemicals in the dye.
Some dyes may have different recommendations, so read the directions carefully.
Put on old clothes and gloves and place garbage bags on the ground. Dyes can get dirty, so protect your skin, clothing, and the floor around you. Wear old clothes and put on the plastic gloves that came with your paint. You may also want to place garbage bags on the floor around your work area. You can use a towel if you want, but the paint can bleed through and stain your floor, so plastic is best.
Consider wearing a dressing gown or button-down shirt. This way you don't have to pull your shirt over your head when rinsing.
Another good option is to wear a barber cape, which you can buy online or at a beauty store.
Rub petroleum jelly around your hairline to keep the dye from staining your skin. Apply a generous amount around your hairline and the tips of your ears. This creates a barrier around your hairline to prevent staining.
You can also use moisturizer or oil.
Mix the color and developer in a bowl. Dye usually comes with a bottle of paint and a separate bottle of developer, and you mix the 2. Read the package directions carefully, then pour the contents of both bottles into a bowl and stir together with a plastic spoon.
The directions may tell you to mix the ingredients in an applicator bottle, but since you're using a brush, it's easier to pour them into a bowl and stir them together.
Do a strand test. Before committing to dyeing any visible grays, test the color on an inconspicuous area, such as the back of your hand. B. just above your ear - just make sure you pick a spot with gray hair. Apply the color to the strand and leave it on for about half the time recommended on the package. Then wipe away the paint with a damp cloth and check the color.
If you notice any redness, itching or irritation, rinse the strand immediately and do not use the rest of the color.
The color should be slightly lighter than the desired result, but the hue should be what you expect. If it's dramatically different, you may need to choose a different color.
Apply the color to your gray hair with the brush. Dip the tip of the brush into the bowl of hair color, then apply the color to your hair, starting at the front of your hair. Focus mainly on your roots when your grays are just beginning to show, or apply the color down the length of your hair when it's already fully gray.
Use the tip of a comb or your hair coloring brush to part your hair and apply the color in sections. So you won't miss any grey.
If you are concerned that the dye color will not match your natural color, apply the color to all of your hair.
Leave the color on according to the package directions. Use your strand test results and package instructions to know how long to leave your color on. Some products can work in as little as 10 minutes while others take longer.
If your strand test gives really dark results in half the time, you know you don't have to leave the color on all the time, for example.
Rinse the color thoroughly and condition your hair. If you've waited the recommended amount of time, rinse your hair with cold water. Once the water runs clear, apply a deep conditioner to your hair to soothe it from damage caused by the dye.
Most commercial dye kits come with a conditioner.
If your coloring kit didn't come with a conditioner, try using one that's formulated for color-treated hair.
Only touch your roots as needed. If your roots are showing, you'll probably want to color them again. However, do not apply the color to all your hair this time, even if you colored it the first time. This can be very damaging to your hair over time. Instead, comb the color through the rest of your hair about 5 minutes before the time is up, then rinse and condition as usual.
You may need to touch up your roots every 4-5 weeks.
- Dyeing with henna and indigo
Mix hot water and henna powder in a plastic bowl. For long hair, mix 1-2 tbsp (15-30 ml) water and 1 cup (200 g) henna in a plastic bowl. Do not use a metal bowl as this can react with the henna. Stir the mixture with a plastic spoon until there are no lumps and the paste is about the consistency of pancake batter or yogurt. You may need more or less liquid than recommended, so have extra on hand just in case.
You can also use brewed coffee or hot tea, which can produce a darker hue.
Buy henna powder at selected beauty salons or order it online.
You don't need all of the mixture if your hair is very short or just covering your roots.
Cover the mixture with plastic wrap and let it sit for 4-6 hours. Because you are working with a natural product, reaction times will be longer than when using chemicals. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap, then wait 4-6 hours for the henna to oxidize, or leave overnight.
Store the mixture at room temperature.
Stir in 1 cup (200 g) indigo powder. After the henna has had several hours to oxidize, add your indigo powder. To get black dye, use equal amounts of indigo and henna powder.
If you want a slightly lighter or redder color, use more henna and less indigo.
Rub petroleum jelly around your hairline to keep the dye from staining your skin. Vaseline forms a barrier, so if you get some of the henna and indigo mixture on your skin, it's less likely to stain it. Use your finger or a soft cloth to rub a generous amount around your hairline and the tips of your ears.
Moisturizer, oil, or lip balm can all work if you don't have petroleum jelly on hand.
Protect your skin, clothing and the floor you will be working on. Henna and indigo can stain your skin, clothes, and the floor around you when it drips. To make cleaning easier, wear clothes that can get stained, put on a pair of thin latex gloves, and place garbage bags on the floor where you will be working.
You can use towels on the floor, but large drops of paint could seep through and stain the floor.
Consider wearing a dressing gown or button-down shirt so you don't have to pull your top over your head when it's time to rinse your hair. You could also cover your clothes with a barber cape.
Apply the henna and indigo mixture to clean, dry hair with a brush. To start, focus on your hair roots, especially the front of your head and around your temples where gray tones are most noticeable. Once you've completely covered your grays, spread the remaining color throughout the rest of your hair.
You can use any type of brush for this, from a bristle brush to a foam craft brush. Using a brush will make it easier to get the color all the way down into your roots, and will usually distribute the color more evenly throughout your hair.
Leave the mixture on your hair for 2-2 1/2 hours. It takes time for the color to fully soak into your hair, so you'll need to be patient for this part. Find a comfortable spot and watch a movie, chat with a friend, or play a game while you wait. Try not to move too much as you don't want to accidentally transfer the color to anything.
Since the dye can stain anything it touches, you may want to cover your hair with a shower cap while you wait.
Wash your hair with warm water and a mild shampoo, and then condition it. Once the time is up, you can flush! Use a mild shampoo and wash your hair thoroughly. Rinse it out until the water runs clear, then cover your hair with conditioner. If you want, you can leave the conditioner on for a few minutes and then rinse it out as well. Once your hair is dry it should look healthy and black with no hint of grey!
Most household shampoos are fine, but avoid using clarifying or medicated shampoo to rinse your hair as they can pull some of the color out of the hair cuticle.
Don't worry if you notice a slight green tinge - it usually goes away in 2-3 days.
