| Gray Hair: Step by Step Guide to Dye Your | | | | to the box. (It's generally around 40 |
| Gray Hair! | | | | minutes). |
| | | | |
| Had enough of standing in front of the mirror | | | | · Although do keep checking for the |
| and plucking out your sneaky, little gray | | | | desired color, take a note of the time it |
| hairs that seem to be sprigging-up more and | | | | took. |
| more. Well I am going to help you decide what | | | | |
| color is best for you and your hair and guide | | | | How to choose the right shade… |
| you along with an easy step by step guide to | | | | |
| getting rid of gray hair. | | | | Choose colors that closely match your natural |
| | | | color. The natural color you're looking for |
| 1. First of all you need to decide how much | | | | is not the gray; it's the darker strands in |
| of your hair is gray, look at your hair and | | | | your hair. Once you have determined your |
| estimate a percentage of gray. | | | | natural hair color consider a shade darker |
| | | | for your chosen color as the color can appear |
| 2. Use a semi-permanent if you estimate your | | | | lighter than expected, and will most likely |
| hair is around 20 percent gray. The | | | | fade a little due to washing and UV rays from |
| semi-permanent will begin to fade after 6-12 | | | | the sun. |
| washes. So your hair will require frequent | | | | |
| re-coloring if you shampoo your hair | | | | You will need to regularly touch-up your |
| everyday. | | | | roots, around 6-8 weeks depending on your |
| | | | hair growth. I would suggest coloring your |
| 3. If your hair is around 50 percent gray | | | | hair on a Saturday morning, if possible, so |
| then I would opt for a longer lasting | | | | you have time get used to your new look |
| semi-permanent, often called a "quasi". These | | | | before you go back to work. |
| colors will last roughly around 24-28 washes. | | | | |
| So if "quasi" isn't labeled on the box then | | | | Give yourself plenty of time to apply the |
| look to see how many weeks the color will | | | | color as it may seem tricky at first. Take |
| last which will be on the box. | | | | your time and apply neatly over your hair. |
| | | | |
| If your hair is more than 50 percent gray and | | | | Be especially neat around your hair line as |
| you are looking to color most or all of your | | | | the color will stain to a certain degree. |
| gray hair then you will need a permanent dye. | | | | However there are ways to prevent bad |
| If you are more than 50 percent gray and you | | | | staining by apply a small amount of petroleum |
| would prefer a semi-permanent then that is | | | | jelly (Vaseline) around your hair hairline |
| okay but you should know that all of your | | | | and the tops of your ears and around the back |
| gray will not be covered, however some | | | | of your neck. |
| clients actually prefer this as: | | | | |
| | | | Make sure you don't get any petroleum jelly |
| · A small amount of gray left which looks | | | | on your hair as this will act as a barrier |
| very natural. People that see your hair will | | | | against the color, which means you will be |
| just assume you don't color your hair because | | | | left with patches of hair uncolored. |
| they can see a little gray, when in actual | | | | |
| fact most of it is covered! | | | | Lay an old towel over the bathroom and wear |
| | | | an old top. Wear fitted protective gloves and |
| · You don't need to do touch-ups (roots) | | | | now you can begin the coloring process. |
| as often. | | | | Follow the directions on the box exactly. |
| | | | |
| · Semi-permanents are kinder on the hair | | | | Set the timer and sit back and relax while |
| and leave hair with an incredible shine and | | | | you wait for your hair to develop. |
| in great condition. | | | | |
| | | | Top 3 Don'ts When Coloring your Hair! |
| 4. If you decide that your hair needs a | | | | |
| permanent dye then I would advise doing a | | | | 1. If you have used a Henna Color, make sure |
| strand test. One reason for this is to check | | | | you never use any Chemical products on it |
| your hair is compatible with the chemicals in | | | | i.e. Color and Perm solution as the chemical |
| the color. Secondly, to assess the result of | | | | reaction will be extremely damaging to your |
| the color. | | | | hair, scalp and skin. You will have to wait |
| | | | until it grows out. |
| · Cut off about a ¼ of an inch of hair | | | | |
| from underneath, near your neck and bind one | | | | 2. Some color-enhancing products can be quite |
| end with some tape. | | | | irritable to the scalp so always test on very |
| | | | small amount before hand. (back of your neck |
| · Mix a small amount of the hair color | | | | or behind your ear) |
| solution from the directions on the box. | | | | |
| | | | 3. Avoid chlorine for a few days after |
| · Place the hair swatch in the solution | | | | coloring, this could change the color. |
| and leave for least amount of time according | | | | |