How to Dye Hair

Co-authored by April Ferri

Last Updated: October 18, 2024 Fact Checked

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Dyeing your own hair can give you a brand-new look without having to make an expensive trip to the salon. It may seem intimidating at first, but dyeing hair is simple once you know what to do.

Tips for Applying Hair Dye

Coat your hairline with Vaseline to prevent the dye from getting on your skin.
Separate your hair into 4 different sections, and pin up the sections you aren’t working with.
Use your gloved hands to work the dye to ¼ to ½ inch subsections of your hair at a time.
Set a timer based on the box's instructions, and leave the dye in your hair until it goes off.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Getting Ready

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1
Wash your hair 24 to 48 hours before dyeing. Doing this allows the natural oils in your hair to develop which in turn allows the dye to bind to your hair more easily. The dye will blend more naturally with your hair, and that tends to make it last longer.
- If possible, avoid conditioner when you wash your hair the day before dyeing it. Conditioner eliminates your natural oils, which you need for the dye to set in more easily.
- If your hair is extremely dry, condition it every night for at least five minutes in a hot shower for a week before you plan to dye your hair. Then, do not condition your hair the night before dyeing. This will keep your hair from drying out after you dye it.
2
Pick a color that you really like. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the hundreds of shades you can choose from. If this is your first time dyeing your hair, it's best to stick to a hair dye that is no more than two shades darker or lighter than your own natural hair color.
- If you are new to dyeing, you can also try dyeing your hair with a temporary or semi-permanent dye first. Using one of these types of dyes ensure that if you mess up, you won’t have live with your mistake for long. Keep in mind that you have to apply semi-permanent dye to damp hair.
- Temporary dyes, such as chalk and mousse, usually wash out after 1 to 2 shampoos. Semi-permanent dyes will rinse out after 20 to 26 shampoos. Permanent dyes are permanent. The color may fade after 6-8 weeks, but will need to grow out.^{[1]
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While you want to stain your hair, you do not want weird blotches of cherry red all over your carpet and favorite shirt. Cover any surface around you that might get dye on it and put newspapers on the floor. Have paper towels nearby to deal with spills. Wear a ratty old shirt you do not like, preferably one you are ready to throw away. It is very easy to get dye on whatever shirt you are wearing.
The towel or cape will catch any dye that may drip off of your hair during the dyeing process. You can purchase a color cape at a beauty supply store. Secure the towel in the front of your neck with a safety pin or clip. If you decide to use a towel, use one that is a dark color to avoid visibly staining the towel.
Make sure that there are no tangles left in your hair. This step will make applying the dye easier, but it will also help you to make sure that your hair will be evenly dyed.
You can use Vaseline, lip balm or the conditioner included in the kit (if one is provided). This step is optional, but applying this coating will make it easier to rinse off any dye that gets on your skin.
Gloves generally come with a dye kit, but if they don’t, you can simply use normal rubber, vinyl, or latex gloves. Remember that it is imperative to wear gloves when dyeing your hair. If you do not, you will end up dyeing your hands as well.^{[2]
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Use the supplied bottle or a bowl to mix the dye. Follow the directions provided on the box. Most box kits include bottles that you use for mixing the dye. Follow the instructions to combine the dye ingredients into the bottle provided. Then, shake the solution until the ingredients are well combined. If your dye does not include these items, then you will need to purchase a bowl to mix the dye in.
- If your hair dye does not come with a paint brush, you can buy one at your local beauty supply store or just use your gloved fingers to apply the dye.
- Be careful picking colors based on what they look like on the box, as that may not be what you actually get. For instance, if you have black hair, you're too far on the color spectrum from blonde to easily achieve that color.
9
Mix your dye with a developer. This only applies to some dyes - the box your dye came in will have instructions regarding developer. The developer is generally included in the kit. If it is not, you can purchase it at your local drugstore.
- If you need to purchase your own developer, choose a 20% developer.
- Each increment of 10 represents one level change of color. For instance, a 30% developer will move your hair up three levels. If you're a sandy blonde, then you can get to a bright, sunny golden blonde with 30%, because that's a level 7 to a level 10 change.

Part 2

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Dyeing Your Hair

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Use large, plastic salon clips (found at your local drugstore) to hold the sections apart. Separating your hair into neat sections will ensure that you don’t miss dying a patch of hair.^{[3]
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Expert Source

April Ferri
Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Interview. 8 December 2020.}
2
Apply the dye to your hair in sections. Break each section of hair up into smaller 1/4"-1/2” subsections as you work (this will just make your dye job more even.) Use the applicator bottle or brush to dispense the dye onto your hair. Use your gloved fingers to work the dye into your hair.^{[4]
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Research source} Whether to begin applying the dye will depend on whether or not you have ever dyed your hair before.
- For virgin (first time dyeing) hair, start applying dye about 1 inch (3 cm) from your roots.
- For touch-ups, start applying dye about ½ inch from your roots.
- Work the dye into your hair well so that you do more than simply color the top layer of your hair.
- The thicker your hair is, the smaller you should make your sections so that the dye can saturate the hair fully.
Chris McMillan, Celebrity Hairstylist

Choose hair color thoughtfully. "Color carefully. Try a glossing treatment to make the color richer without hurting the hair."
3
Set a timer for how long you need to leave the dye in your hair. Follow the instructions on the box. Do not rinse the dye out before the minimum time or leave the dye in past the maximum time. Make sure to follow the directions exactly. If you have a lot of grey hair, it’s best to leave the dye in for the maximum amount of time. It may help to sit under a heated dryer, as well.^{[5]
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- Never leave hair dye in overnight. Leaving it in overnight will dry out your hair and it may cause severe skin irritation as well.

Part 3

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Rinsing Your Hair

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1
Wipe excess dye off of your neck and forehead with a paper towel or wet cloth. Do not disturb the dye in your hair. If you want, you can put a shower cap on your hair to keep the dye from going everywhere.
- Once you have put a shower cap on, you can wrap your head in a towel so that the cap retains the heat of your head. This will speed up the dyeing process.
2
Wait until the process time is up to rinse your hair. After your time is up, either get into the shower or use a sink to rinse your hair out. Use warm water to rinse the dye out of your hair. Rinse your hair until the water runs clear.^{[6]
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- Don't panic if you see the color run in the shower - this is totally natural and does not mean you’ve messed up the dyeing process. Keep in mind that if the dye is temporary, the dye will continue to run each time you wash it until it is completely gone.
3
Shampoo and condition your hair. Wait at least an hour before shampooing your hair. Waiting to wash allows the dye to more thoroughly penetrate your hair shaft. After you have shampooed your hair, use the conditioner that came with the dye kit. Rub it thoroughly into all of your hair. ^{[7]
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- Almost every kit comes with conditioner, but if yours did not you can just use what you have at home.
You can either blow dry your hair or let it air dry. After your hair is dry, style it as you normally would and show off your new hair color! If you are unhappy with your results, you may want to see a hair stylist for color correction. It is also a good idea to wait at least two weeks to color your hair again.^{[8]
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Expert Q&A

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Question

How much does it cost to get your hair colored?

Ashley Adams
Professional Hair Stylist
Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.

Ashley Adams

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

Pricing varies by where you live. On average, it would range from $50-$100 at a salon. The type of color service will impact the price as well, whether you’re getting a single process, highlights, balayage, etc.

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Question

How long does it take to get your hair done?

Ashley Adams
Professional Hair Stylist
Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.

Ashley Adams

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

This depends on the texture, thickness, and length of your hair. However, it will take about an hour to apply hair dye, let it process, and rinse it out. Styling your hair will take up additional time.

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Question

How do you mix hair dye and developer?

Ashley Adams
Professional Hair Stylist
Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.

Ashley Adams

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

Refer to the packaging for specific instructions, as it could be a 1:1 ratio, 1:2 ratio, etc. if you purchased a kit, usually all you have to do is mix the two together in a color bowl or applicator bottle.

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Tips

Do not rinse with warm water as it aids the color into fading away faster.

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Helpful 25 Not Helpful 3
When taking a shower (and rinsing your hair) use cold water! It helps the color stay longer and it is also good for your hair.

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Buy color care shampoo and conditioner specifically designed for dyed hair. They contain less harsh detergents and will help your color last.

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

When applying Vaseline (or any similar product) on your hairline, make sure to put it all around your ears, and bring it all the way to the back of your neck to prevent staining in these areas!
Before applying the dye, make sure you read all the ingredients on the box label. Some hair dyes have ingredients you may be allergic too, so it's always a good idea to double-check.
Consider buying a color protecting shampoo to help your color stray vibrant and fresh for a longer time!

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Warnings

Some dyes use a chemical called paraphenylenediamine, which can cause some people to have an allergic reaction. If the dye you use contains this ingredient, it is best to do a "patch test" on a small area of skin before applying it to your hair. Put some dye directly on your skin, generally behind your ear or in the fold of your arm, leave it on for around 20 minutes then rinse it out and wait at least 24 hours for an allergic reaction.

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If you experience any burning or itching while the dye is in, make sure you rinse the dye out right away.

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Never attempt to dye your eyebrows or eyelashes. You could seriously hurt your eyes or even cause blindness.^{[9]
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