How to Color Gray Hair

Many people get discouraged when they find that first gray hair in the mirror. Some decide to accept their gray hair, while others decide to try to color it. It's important to remember that gray hair reacts differently to colors and chemical treatments, so you first need to understand the process involved in coloring gray hair. With a little effort, you should have no problem washing your gray away.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Stylist gloves
• Hair dye mixing bowl and spatula
• Hair dye kit in the color of your choice
• Several towels and washcloths
• Old clothing
• A well-ventilated room
• A kitchen timer or stopwatch

Get Ready

1. Select a hair dye kit in the color of your choice. You will want to choose something that is a level 3 color, which means that it is a permanent dye that will cover gray hair 100%. Make sure to read the kit label; some products are particularly designed for coloring gray hair.
2. Cover up any surfaces that you don't want ruined by hair dye, including bathroom sinks and toilets.
3. Change into something that you wouldn't mind getting ruined by hair dye.
4. Place a towel around your shoulders and have a seat.
5. Mix the dye in the bowl according to the directions on the package. Set aside.

Get Rid of the Gray

6. Section off your hair and apply the hair dye first to the sections that have the gray. This will allow the color to sit longer on the color-resistant gray hairs.
7. Apply the remaining hair dye to the rest of your hair and pile it on top of your head.
8. Use a damp washcloth to wipe any excess hair dye from your scalp or back of neck.
9. Set your timer for 45 minutes, relax and read a magazine. Imagine how beautiful you will look after you get rid of your gray hair.
10. When the timer goes off, rinse the hair dye from your hair with warm water.
11. Apply the conditioner included with the hair dye kit and let it sit on your hair for at least 3 minutes.

Tips & Warnings

• You can choose to stay with something close to your natural hair color, or you can change your hair color to something else entirely. Go crazy!
• Darker hair colors tend to hide gray better than lighter ones, so choose a color that is one or two shades darker than your natural hair color.
• Make sure to follow the directions on the box carefully for the best results.
• Keep your colored gray hair looking beautiful by using a pigmented shampoo and conditioner between dye jobs.
• Gray hair tends to be dry and brittle, so use a quality conditioner designed for color-treated hair.