Some semi-permanent dyes work best on clean hair or even require that you wash your hair right before dyeing it, so read the instructions that came in your box of dye to be sure. If your hair is too dirty, the dye might not be able to penetrate your hair evenly, so don’t try to color your hair if it’s been more than 2-3 days since the last time you washed it.
You could also purchase a hairdresser’s cape to wear over your clothing.
If your kit didn’t come with gloves, you’ll need those as well. The process will be easier if you do it in the bathroom and have 2 mirrors, such as a wall-mounted mirror and a handheld mirror, so you can see the back of your head. Use the sink counter as your work station.
Also, it will be harder to get a perfectly smooth part if your hair is knotted up.
If you want a little more hair to be colored, move the line a little higher, like to the tops of your ears. If you want to dye less hair, lower the part. You can even do a circular part if you want to include the underlayer of your bangs.
If you’d like, you can wrap the top part of your hair in a scarf, but make sure it’s one you don’t mind accidentally staining. If you have small pieces of hair near your hairline, pin them out of the way with bobby pins.
If you’d like, you can even apply a little petroleum jelly on the hair just above your part. However, do not apply it to the hair you want to dye.
Consult a stylist before you attempt to bleach hair that’s been previously colored. The bleach can react badly with some dyes, causing severe damage to your hair.
If you’re using a semi-permanent dye, which includes most rainbow and pastel shades, you may not need to mix anything.
Most commercial hair dye kits come with gloves, but you can buy a pair at a beauty supply store or drug store if yours didn’t come with any. In fact, you might want to buy an extra pair even if your kit came with gloves, in case the first pair get a tear in them.
You can buy a dye brush at any beauty supply store, but you can use a sponge brush from a craft store as well.
Make sure to coat the top and bottom of the underlayer. Unless your hair is very long, you probably won’t need to use the whole container of dye since you’re just coloring the underlayer.
Don’t pin the colored hair up with the rest of your hair or the dye will transfer. Do not leave the dye on your hair longer than the instructions recommend! If you’d like, you can use makeup remover to clean up any dye that got on your skin while you’re waiting.
Don’t use any shampoo and avoid using hot water, as these can lift the cuticle on your hair and rinse away the dye.
Conditioner will smooth your chemically-treated hair and will help seal the cuticle shut, which could help your dye last longer. [13] X Research source
