How to Color Hair With Semi-Permanent Dye & Highlights

Whatever color you choose, you can have a worry-free hair coloring experience by following a few simple steps.

Coloring your hair at home is a quick and fairly inexpensive way to change your look. Choosing semi-permanent color is a popular choice because it washes out in 24 to 36 washes. The coloring and highighting process itself depends on the instructions on the box of color you choose, but there are several ways to ensure that you get the desired results from dying and highlighting your hair at home.

Things You'll Need

• Boxed hair color
• Boxed hair highlights
• Petroleum jelly
• Plastic gloves
• Clarifying shampoo
• Shampoo for color-treated hair
• Conditioner for color-treated hair
• 2 Towels

Instructions

Preparing To Color At Home

1. Determine the color and brand of semi-permanent dye and highlights you will use. Things to consider while choosing your color are the ways to complement your skin tone with the hair color, and the ways to match the highlights you choose to the hair color you choose. The closer the highlight color is to the hair color, the more natural the look. If you are trying to achieve a bolder, more stand-out look, contrast highlights and hair color, such as using bright blond highlights on a dark-brown hair color.

2. Shampoo the hair using a clarifying shampoo 48 hours before coloring. Clarifying shampoo rids the hair of any build-up. Condition hair well 48 hours prior to coloring as well. Conditioning will open the hair follicles and prepare it for absorbing the dye.

3. Open the box of hair color. On the instructions sheet, there will be directions for performing an allergy test 48 hours before coloring. Follow these instructions precisely to be sure you're not allergic to the chemicals in the dye.

4. Avoid washing the hair the day of coloring. Some natural oil is needed for the color to develop properly.

Coloring Your Hair

1. Apply a petroleum jelly along the hairline and nape of the neck prior to coloring. This will prevent the dye from staining your skin. Be careful not to get jelly on hair, as it will prevent color from absorbing into hair shaft.

2. Put on plastic gloves and mix hair dye according to the instructions.

3. Apply the color to the hair immediately after mixing it. With gloved hands, apply the color starting at the roots and working your way to the ends. If hair is long, pile it on top of the head and hold it in place with a clip.

4. Allow the dye to stay on the hair for the amount of time specified in instructions. Time carefully, as leaving the dye on too long or not long enough will result in undesirable results.

5. Rinse the dye from the hair. Apply a small amount of water and work hair into a lather. Thoroughly rinse hair to remove dye. Conditioner or gloss designed specifically for the dye you are using is usually included with the color. Apply gloss and leave in at least 2 minutes. Do not wash hair for at least 24 hours after coloring.

6. Wait 48 hours before beginning the highlighting process. Highlighting too soon after coloring can bring undesirable results.

Highlighting Hair

1. Prepare for highlighting by not washing the day of highlighting. Read all instructions included in the box of highlights carefully before starting the highlighting process.

2. Brush all tangles from dry hair thoroughly before applying. Put on plastic gloves to protect your hands from the highlighting solution.

3. Apply the highlighting solution according to the instructions. Depending on the type of highlights you have purchased, you will either pull the hair through an included cap, or "paint-on" the highlights with an included brush.

4. Consider carefully where you will applying highlights. Highlights can be placed evenly throughout the hair, just to frame the face, or --- if you want a bolder look --- placed in thick bands around the face with thinner highlights throughout the hair.

5. Time the highlights carefully according to instructions to ensure the desired outcome. Rinse highlights from hair, dry and style as usual.

Tips & Warnings

• Drape a towel over your shoulders to protect your clothing and lay a towel down on the floor to protect the floor from any dripping dye.

• Perform all allergy tests recommended and follow all instructions precisely.

References

• Oprah.com: At Home Hair Color Tips
• Haircuts Hairstyles: How To Dye Your Hair At Home
• Daily Makeover: How To Do At-Home Highlights

Resources

• Beauty Tips: Dye Your Hair At Home