Adding color to the tips of your hair is a great way to change up your look.If you have dark hair, you may need to bleach it first to get the color to show up.It is important to follow the instructions that came with the hair coloring kit, so be sure to reference that before you start.It's important to keep your hair strong and shiny after coloring it.
Step 1: If you have to, put your dreadlocks into a high ponytail.
If you have long dreads, you can tie them up with an elastic hairband.You don't want the bleach on your clothing.You can drape an old towel over your shoulders or wear a t-shirt that you don't care about messing up.
Step 2: The gloves that came with the kit were provided.
Put on the disposable gloves that are folded into the instruction pamphlet after opening the kit of bleach.You need to buy gloves separately if the bleach didn't come with them.It is important to wear gloves since bleach can cause irritation to your skin.You can use disposable bread gloves or latex gloves.You might want to cover your work area with an old towel and put on a t-shirt before applying bleach.
Step 3: If necessary, mix the powder with the developer.
If the bleach isn't already blended, read the instructions in the kit to find out how to mix it.Most kits have a small packet of powder that you will need to cut open and pour into the bottle that already contains the developer.If you're making bleach with separate products, deposit 1 part bleach and 2 parts developer into a small bowl and stir it around a spoon.The quicker you lighten your hair, the thinner it is.
Step 4: The bleach should be rubbed into the lock's tip.
Put a dime or quarter-sized amount of bleach on the locks at the front of your hair, one at a time.Wait until every lock is saturated and massage it in with your fingers.If you want a frosted look, only bleach the last 2 inches of the lock.For a bolder look, apply bleach up from the tip of the lock.If you have long dreads, you may need to use two bleaching kits.You don't have to start with the locks in the front if you want to be lighter.
Step 5: To remove bleach from your face, ears, and neck, use a damp cloth.
If you were applying bleach to your skin, wipe it away with a rag.When you're done, throw the baby wipes away.The bleach can cause irritation and dry out your skin.
Step 6: If possible, cover your hair with a shower cap.
If you have short hair, put a plastic shower cap on it to decrease the processing time.If you have long dreads that make you too large to fit in a cap, use a plastic bag.The bleach will take longer to lighten your hair if you leave it uncovered.Some kits have a cap.
Step 7: After 25 to 40 minutes, wash the bleach out.
Refer to the instructions to find the ideal time to bleach your hair.If you have dark hair or just want the tips to be light, you can wait up to 40 minutes.Work up a lather on the ends of the clarifying cleanser before rinsing it away.If you don't want to take a full shower, you can wash the tips out in the sink.If your hair is dark, wash it out when you can see that the tips are lighter, because it takes longer to bleach it.If you're coloring your hair, don't use conditioner because the dye will penetrate deeper.
Step 8: Allow your hair to air dry before towel-dry it.
If you want your hair to dry naturally, wrap it up in a towel and remove the towel.You can go if you like the brighter color.Lighter tips will make the color pop if you want to tone it or add other colors.It's not a good idea to bleach your hair the same day you put dye in it.It's best to wait a week before dyeing the tips if your hair is damaged.
Step 9: You can choose between a permanent or semi-permanent dye.
If you want to keep that color for a long time, you should use a permanent dye.If you're not married to the color, choose a semi-permanent dye because it will wash out over time.The longer the dye lasts, the less you wash your hair.If you are sensitive to the smell of ammonia, choose a box kit that says "ammonia-free" on the label.If you want to change up your look often, stay away from permanent dyes because they will skew the color results of future dyes.
Step 10: Make sure you don't use any heavy products on your hair.
Make sure your hair is dry so the dye can sink into the strands.If you haven't washed it in a few days, make sure it's clean.If you use oil-based products like locking gel, olive oil, or coconut oil to nourish your tips, wash them out before applying semi-permanent dye because the oil can cause the dye to not stick properly.
Step 11: Put on gloves and drape a towel.
The coloring kit came with disposable gloves.You don't care about staining, drape a towel over your shoulders or wear an old shirt.You should use a towel that is darker than the dye you are using to avoid staining it.
Step 12: The ingredients from the box kit are used to mix the dye.
You should remove the components of the kit, which include an application bottle, a bottle or squeeze tube of dye, and any extras like conditioner or an oil packet.If you want to squeeze the dye into the bottle, break off the small cap and then shake it up for 30 seconds, hold your finger over the opening.If you have an oil packet in your kit, pour it in before shaking it up.As you shake it up, make sure to point the tip away from your face.You don't want it to get into your eyes.
Step 13: If you need to reach pieces underneath, you should clip up your dreads.
If you have long hair, use pins or hair bands to pull the top sections up so you can easily access the dreads underneath.You can use clips or bands on each side of your hair.When you apply dye to the dreads, unclip sections.
Step 14: The dye should be applied to the dreadlocks.
Put a dime to quarter-sized amount of the dye on the tip of a dreadlock and massage it in with your fingers.If you want your locks to be the most vibrant, start with the ones that fall closest to your face.If you want to avoid blond sections between the colored tips and your base color, be sure to cover the entire bleached portion of each lock.The amount of dye you use on each tip depends on the thickness of your dreadlocks.The dye can get too far into the lock if you squeeze it into your hair.The dye will be hard to wash out.
Step 15: You can cover your hair with a plastic cap.
Attach your hair with an elastic band.Then put a plastic cap on your head.If your hair is too long and there's too much bulk to fit in a normal cap, you can use a plastic bag.
Step 16: Wait 25 to 40 minutes to wash the dye.
To find out how long you should leave it in, read the instructions that came with the kit.You can add 5 minutes to the recommended time if you have dark, thick locks.The longer you leave the dye in, the more intense the color will be.If you don't know how vibrant the color is, hold a lock under the water and see how it looks.
Step 17: Wait for the water to run clear before rinsing your hair.
Hold the ends of your dreads under the faucet to rinse out the hair dye.If the water is clear, you can squeeze your hair.If you have thick dreads, it may take a while.If you want to get some of the hair dye out, you can use a sulfate-free cleanser.It is okay to useluke-warm water, but cooler water will keep the dye from fading.
Step 18: Put an oil-based moisturizer on your hair.
Wrap your hair in a towel and let it air dry so you can see the results of your new color.It's a good idea to massage an oil-based moisturizer into your dreads.They should be kept in good shape.You can use almond oil, coconut oil or olive oil if you want a specific product for dreads.Don't blow-dry your dreads, it may be exciting to see the new color on your tips.Blow-drying can make them brittle.
Step 19: You should prepare the mixture 12 to 24 hours before you apply it.
The packet of powder should be put in a bowl.When it's the consistency of yogurt, add warm water to the henna powder and stir it with a spoon.If you use a boxed kit, the henna may be pre-mixed and ready to use.It is possible to add egg and lemon to the mixture.The lemon juice will help release the dye from the henna and the egg will strengthen your locks.If you want a more neutral tone, you will need to make a blend with indigo added in.
Step 20: Before dyeing your hair, wash it and leave it damp.
Make sure your hair is washed because dust and smog can ruin the final result of the henna dye.It's much easier to put the henna on damp hair if you apply it dry.To make sure it isn't dripping wet, use a towel.If you wash your hair before using henna, you won't have to wash out the dye after the color has time to set.
Step 21: Put on gloves and a t-shirt.
If you want to apply the henna without staining your hands, wear latex or disposable gloves.You don't care about staining, put on an old t-shirt.You might want to put an old towel on the floor or counter to protect the area.
Step 22: The paste should be applied to the tips of your dreads.
Put a quarter-sized amount of the henna on your fingers and massage it into your dreads.Use your fingers to squeeze and press the paste into the locks.The end result looks even if you cover all the locks with the same amount of dye.Longer the dye stays on, the more vibrant the final color will be.
Step 23: Your skin and other surfaces should be wiped off.
It's important to wipe Henna off of your skin and other porous surfaces as soon as possible because it can stain and be messy.If you don't mind getting stained, use an old towel.Don't throw the towel into the machine with your regular laundry because the dye will ruin other items.
Step 24: Pull your hair up and put a cap on it.
If you have long hair, pull it up into a ponytail or bun with an elastic band and put a plastic cap over it.The heat from your head will help the dye release.If you have to pull your hair up or only dye a few dreads, you can wrap the tips in plastic cling wrap instead.
Step 25: You have to wait 3 to 4 hours to wash the henna.
It takes more time to penetrate hair follicles than a natural dye.You should set a timer for 3 to 4 hours.It's a good idea to wash the bowl and spoon you used to mix the henna.The longer you leave the dye on, the brighter the color will be.Don't dye your hair for more than 6 hours because it can cause a drying effect.
Step 26: Warm or hot water can be used to rinse the dye out of your hair.
Take a shower or hold the dreads over the sink and wet them with warm or hot water.To thin out the henna dye, massage each lock with the water.Then rinse them under a steady stream of water.This part may take a while since hen dye can be very stubborn to wash out.
Step 27: You can wash your hair for at least 24 to 48 hours.
Wrap your locks in a towel and let them air dry.If you want the color to set in, don't wash your hair again for another 1 to 2 days.When it is wet, you should be able to see your new color, but it will become more vibrant as it dries.If your hair feels dry at the ends, you can get a hot oil treatment a week or two later.If you're worried about "dread rot", you can use a blow-dryer set to low heat to dry your locks.For years to come, keep your dreads healthy and shiny.