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