Hair dyeing for beginners ❀
- 11 min reading time
Do you recognize this? The desire for that cozy hairdresser's chair, the feeling of freshly trimmed ends, and your hair color perfectly on point again. Whether you just want to touch up your ends or are ready for a big color transformation, it always feels like a moment for yourself. But sometimes that hair appointment doesn’t come in time, and that’s really frustrating if you have dyed hair and the regrowth starts to show. Don’t worry! We’ll help you get started with the basics of dyeing your hair yourself, so you can look radiant again, even without a salon visit!
Disclaimer from our team: We at Haarspullen.nl want to emphasize that dyeing hair is specialist work and therefore we take no responsibility for failed dye jobs.
What do I need to know before I dye my hair?
Before you dye your hair, you should actually ask yourself a few questions first. This is to determine the color and condition of your hair. For example, check the following:
1 - What color level is my regrowth?
Try to find out the color level of the regrowth you want to touch up. Based on this, you choose your developer. Did you know that hair dyes are almost always divided into numbers? This goes from dark to light, where a 1 is black hair and a 10 is very light blonde. So a 5 would be brown hair. Of course, each brand has its own variations, so pay close attention to the color numbers if you choose a different brand. Look carefully at the color level of the regrowth, at the roots. Also try to assess how gray you are. If you can count the gray hairs, you can use 3% developer. If you are more than 10% gray (and can no longer count the hairs), use a 6% developer or an extra gray-covering dye.
Source: L'Oréal Paris https://www.loreal-paris.nl/
2 - What is the condition of my hair?
It is important to determine the condition of your hair. If you have porous hair, we recommend choosing a low % developer. If you have many different colors or color build-ups, it is difficult to determine yourself which hair dye and developer you need, as it may turn out differently than you expect.
3 - Should I dye my hair or is a color refresher or color rinse enough?
Of course, it would be great if you could bridge the time until your next hair appointment with a color refresher or color rinse. That way, your hair looks fresh again with a beautiful shine. This is less 'permanent' and damages your hair much less (color rinse) or not at all (color refresher).
What types of hair colors are there?
There are different types of hair colors you can choose from. We have listed them for you:
Permanent hair dye - This stays permanently in your hair and you always mix it with a developer. So the color is not washable out. Over time, the color can fade or you may get roots.
Bleaching - Bleaching also falls under permanent hair dye. This can lighten your hair by several levels. You also need a developer for bleaching.
Semi-permanent hair dye (color rinse) - This is semi-permanent. It’s a kind of layer around your own hair color and is less permanent than a permanent hair dye. You also need a developer for this.
Color refresher - You also have temporary hair colors available in all kinds of types and sizes. Some are stronger than others. You don’t need a developer for this.
Temporary hair color - You also have hair colors that last until the next wash. For example, you have a powder concealer, color spray, color mousse, or gel. Here too, you don’t need a developer.
Which semi-permanent hair dye can I use?
Would you like to experience what it's like to dye your own hair, but preferably not so permanently? Then a color rinse is a good first step, because this is temporary. For a semi-permanent hair color, you use regular hair dye and a developer with a low percentage.
Which developer do I need for a color rinse?
For a color rinse, you need different percentages of a developer. You can choose, for example, a 1.5% or a 2%. These are much milder. A rinse is temporary and fades over time with the number of washes. It refreshes your hair color and gives your hair shine again.
For example, you could use the KIS hairdressers DMI Lotion 1.9% . This turns dye into a color rinse with good coverage.
Can I refresh my hair color without hair dye?
Absolutely! We have some very nice color refreshers that give your hair a super nice color. We have listed a few brands you could use:
These brands come in all kinds of colors and sizes again. Moreover, they all have different strengths. So always read the product description carefully.
Can I touch up my roots without hair dye?
Are you hesitant but still want to touch up your roots? Fortunately, there are simple solutions for this: root concealers. A simple spray with which you can touch up your roots in no time. And you can wash it out easily. Check these out:
L'Oréal Hair Touch Up - is a spray that you can easily apply to the area where the roots are visible. This way, you can easily camouflage your roots. Super handy for temporary and quick coverage. The L'Oréal Hair Root Cover Up is available in 5 colors: black, brown, light brown, dark blonde, and mahogany brown.
Color WoW Root Cover Up - is a temporary hair color in powder form to camouflage your roots. Your roots and/or gray hair disappear immediately (100% gray coverage). The Root Cover Up is available in several colors: platinum blonde, blonde, light brown, medium brown, dark brown, black, and red.
What do I need to dye my hair?
Decided to dye your hair after all? Then make sure you have the following at home:
What is a developer?
To start, you always need a developer when dyeing hair. A developer has many names, such as oxidation, developer cream, peroxide, activator, lotion, etc. For convenience, we call it a developer. In almost all cases, you can choose from 3%, 5%, 9%, and 12%. These are the differences:
3% - Is for coloring your hair
6% - Lightens your hair 1 to 2 shades. You can also cover gray hair well with this
9% - Lightens your hair 3-5 shades
12% - Lightens your hair up to 5 shades and higher
We advise against using 12% without the help of an experienced hairdresser, as it can cause burns or damage your hair.
Which mixing ratio should I use?
The mixing ratio depends on the amount and length of hair and the amount of dye you need. Usually, the mixing ratio is 1:1, or with some dye tubes 1:1.5 or 1:2. An example:
1:1 - This is 50/50. So as much dye as developer
1:2 - This is 1 part dye and 2 parts developer
How much hair dye do I need?
For dyeing your roots, you obviously need less hair dye than if you want to dye your entire hair. Assuming a normal thickness of hair, you need about 50cc of dye for roots. How do you do this? You can use an electronic scale with a small dye measuring cup to check. With a mixing ratio of 1:1, you take 25cc from the dye tube and 25cc of the developer. Mix this mixture well until everything is evenly combined and distributed.
How do I dye my hair?
To get the best out of your hair coloring at home, we have a few tips/step-by-step plan on how to approach this best:
Step 1 - Go for the right hair color
Each brand has its own variations in color numbers, so pay close attention to the color numbers if you choose a different brand. The final result of your hair color also depends on several factors, such as the base of your hair and the application method.
Step 2 - Maybe choose a temporary color first?
This is less damaging than hair dye and your hair will look refreshed again. If you find it exciting, you can also first do the coloring on a small section or a few strands to see the effect.
Step 3 - Make sure you have everything at home
Once you start dyeing your hair and realize you don't have enough hair dye... you don't want that. So make sure you have enough hair dye and developer at home. A dye bowl and brush are also super handy.
Step 4 - Take your old clothes out of the closet
Now you can spill whatever you want! Without having to worry that the hair dye won't come out of your clothes.
Step 5 - Let's do this
Time to dye your hair. Always do this on clean hair, but 24 hours after your last wash to let the natural sebum layer protect your scalp. Read the leaflet carefully and always adhere to the indicated time stated in the instructions. Apply vaseline to your hairline so the hair dye does not stain your skin. Still a spot? Then use a scrub to remove it. Rinse the hair dye out with shampoo and then do not wash your hair for 1-2 days so the hair color can 'settle'.
Step 6 - Caring for your new hair color
A nourishing aftercare treatment after coloring is important. But do not use shampoo, as this can strip your hair color. Use products specially designed for colored hair or a conditioner.
How do I find out if I am allergic to hair dye?
Hair dye can cause an allergic reaction. It is wise to first test whether you might be allergic to hair dye. In any case, do not use hair dye if:
- You have a sensitive, irritated, or damaged scalp
- You have had allergic reactions to hair dye in the past
- A temporary tattoo in the past caused an allergic reaction
So do not skip this precaution. Mix 1 level teaspoon of hair dye and 1 level teaspoon of developer 48 hours before you dye your hair and mix them together. Then apply this mixture with a cotton swab to your elbow crease and leave it on for 45 minutes (avoid contact with clothing). Make sure to close the hair dye and developer properly again. After 45 minutes, rinse the mixture off with plenty of lukewarm water. For the next 48 hours, watch carefully for any visible reactions:
- Itchy feeling
- Burning sensation
- Redness/discoloration
- Swelling
- Dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath
Consult a doctor if any reactions are visible and do not use the hair dye.
Where can I ask my question about hair dye?
It is incredibly difficult to determine from a distance which hair dye or developer you need. This depends on many factors: the condition of your hair, the color tone, the porosity, etc. So it is impossible for us to choose a dye color or developer for you, partly to prevent failed dye jobs. Of course, we don’t want that! :). Therefore, we recommend asking an experienced hairdresser in your area to advise you on the right dye products. We can of course answer questions about the product itself, and we are happy to help you with that. Send your question to info@haarspullen.nl and we will try to respond as soon as possible.
