How to Mix Hair Dye at Home

Dyeing your hair at home can be cheaper than going to the salon. However, to avoid damaging your hair, you should know how to do it properly. While box dyes offer you the comfort of doing the job for you, they carry greater risk of damage and are of lower quality. Learn how to mix your own hair dye, to prevent extra damage and give you great color.

Things You'll Need

• Hair color creme or liquid
• Developer
• Deep conditioning treatment
• Gloves
• Measurement bottle

Instructions

1. At your local beauty supply store, browse colors and find the one you like the best. Before moving on, evaluate whether this color should be done at home. If it is more than two shades lighter than your original color, you should have your dye done by a professional.

2. Once you've picked a color, read the back and follow the directions to find the level of developer you need to get. If this is your first time mixing your own color, ask a clerk for assistance, as they usually will be trained to know what items you need depending on your specific color choice.

3. Once you have your color choice and developer, get supplies like gloves and a plastic bottle with measurements on the side to mix your color in. Also grab a deep conditioning treatment to do following coloring. Many stores offer one use deep conditioners, some specifically designed for just-dyed hair.

4. Back home you can start mixing your dye. First put on your latex gloves to protect skin from chemicals and take a look at the measurements required on your color tube.

5. Pour the required developer into your bottle first, watching the side to make sure you are pouring in the right amount of measurement. This is why it's important to get a bottle at a beauty supply store, as most will have measurements on the side.

6. Next add the required amount of color to your bottle, replace the cap and shake vigorously until mixture is well mixed. You now have your mixed color and can begin dying hair. Make sure after you've rinsed all the dye out, you apply the deep conditioner, to help nourish and prevent any further damage.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember to stay close to your original color. If you want to make a drastic change and aren't experienced, then a trip to your salon will be best to avoid mistakes or damage.

• Bleaching hair at home is also not advised, as bleach can be very damaging to hair and should be done with the help of a professional.

• Never dye clean hair, as oils will help protect your scalp and take in color better.

• If you are just planning to do highlights, you'll need to buy a mixing bowl and highlighting cap instead, but the process of mixing color should be the same.

• Follow up your dye with weekly deep conditioning treatments to keep hair healthy.

• If you are pregnant, talk to your doctor first, as most hair dyes contain harsh chemicals.

• You can also purchase a color wash, which will help refresh color once a week.

References

• SallyBeautySupply
• Womans Day