Gray is a popular hair color these days, but unless you're naturally blonde, it takes a lot of time, money, and dedication.If you have naturally black hair, you'll have to wait weeks to get the color you want.It is possible to dye black hair to gray at home.
Step 1: You should choose your method wisely.
Should you use an at- home dye kit or go to the salon?The costs, processes, and risks of each method should be considered carefully.Costs and products will be different for the salon method.Call the salon for pricing or check out their website.If possible, speak to the person in person.Caution is needed when using the box kit method.If you want to find a box kit that works best on black hair, read online reviews.L'Oréal Paris Preference Les Blondissimes LB01: Extra Light Ash Blonde is a popular box kit.It may get you down to an ashy blonde in one go.If possible, use professional-quality products.It's important to remember that some professional companies require a license to make a purchase.
Step 2: Prepare for the time and expense.
It will likely take multiple bleachings to achieve the gray tone that you want.The time and expense should be taken.Before you make a decision, consider multiple salon visits, purchases of dye kits or professional products.
Step 3: Before you go gray, make sure your hair is healthy.
In the weeks or months leading up to the bleaching, avoid using harsh hair products and heat styling tools on your hair.If your hair is damaged, you should get weekly deep-conditioning masks.If you want to keep your hair free of oils, use good-quality hair care products.Alcohols that start with "c" or "s" should be avoided.
Step 4: Purchase bleach at a store.
You will need to bleach your hair to make it gray.bleach powder can be purchased from a professional beauty supply store.It is usually sold in packets.A tub is the cheaper option if you want to bleach your hair more than once.If you buy a bleach kit with bleach powder and cream developer, you don't need to buy individual products.You can check the kit's packaging.Purchase a red gold corrector.Adding red gold correctors to your bleach mixture will reduce brassiness.This is recommended.
Step 5: Purchase a large cream developer.
The cream developer bleaches your hair.There are different volumes ranging from 10 to 40.The quicker you turn your hair blonde, the more damaging it will be.Most people recommend 20-volume or 10-volume.A 20-volume developer is the safest bet.If you have brittle hair, use a 10-volume developer.A 40- or 30-volume developer is needed for dark hair.Don't use a 50-volume developer at home.
Step 6: It's a good idea to buy a hair product to get rid of brassiness.
The ideal base for gray is t-shirts, which take your hair from yellow to white.They are available in blue, silver, and purple.If you don't dye your hair at home, a toner can be used every few weeks to maintain your color.Toners can be used to remove brassiness.To get rid of hair that is too golden, use a blue or violet ash-based toner, which is opposite of gold on the color wheel.Before being applied, some toners need to be mixed with developers.
Step 7: A gray hair dye is necessary for home use.
Most local beauty shops and online retailers sell professional-quality brands of gray hair dye.Pay attention to reviews if you purchase online.Pick up a plastic mixing bowl, gloves, hair clips, and plastic shower cap.If the veins on your wrist look blue or purple, opt for a cool white gray tone.Go for a gray if your veins are green or yellow.The bleach will react with metal tools.
Step 8: Patch and strand tests should be done before the event.
A patch test is needed to make sure you are not allergic to the bleach mixture.How long you need to leave the bleach mixture on your hair will be determined by a strand test.Do the patch test if you only do one test.A fatal allergic reaction is possible.To do a patch test, put a small amount of the bleach mixture behind your ear.If you want to avoid getting the skin wet for 48 hours, leave it for 30 minutes.If you don't get any skin irritation after 48 hours, you should bleach your hair.Prepare a small amount of bleach and apply it to a strand of hair.It should be checked every 10 to 15 minutes.This color took a long time to reach.
Step 9: If you want to protect your hair, apply coconut oil to it.
Rub a small amount of extra virgin coconut oil between your palms to warm it up.Leave coconut oil on your hair for at least 3 hours.You don't have to wash it out.It can protect your hair from damage.Coconut oil is good for hair because it is small enough to penetrate the hair shaft.
Step 10: Put on clothes and gloves.
If you don't mind staining your clothes, drape an old towel over your shoulders.The bleach mixture can cause burning and irritation, so you need to protect your skin.Wear gloves that are disposable to protect your hands.If you need to clean the bleach mixture off your skin, you should have a small stack of old towels ready.
Step 11: The bleach powder should be in the mixing bowl.
Place bleach powder in a mixing bowl using a plastic spoon.The instructions for the powder should be easy to follow.
Step 12: The bleach powder and developing cream should be combined.
Add the correct amount of developer to the bowl and mix it with a spoon.Similar to gravy, aim for a thick, creamy consistency.Unless stated otherwise on the packaging, the developer to powder ratio should be roughly 2:1.If you want, add a red gold corrector to the mixture.It can help reduce brassiness and make your hair white, which will help you achieve a better gray.Add some red gold corrector to the bleach-developer mixture once the powder and developer are combined.You need to read the package instructions.
Step 13: The hair has not been washed in 24 to 48 hours.
To apply the mixture to your hair, use a tint brush.Take 1 to 2 in strips of hair and start at your ends, brushing the mixture upwards and leaving a small amount of roots.Work from the back of your head to the front.It will be easier to keep track of what hair you have already applied.bleach to your roots after you've covered the rest of your hairIt is important to save the roots for last because they are the most important part of your hair.Unless you have long hair, use clips to section it off.Since metal can react to bleach, be sure to use plastic clips.
Step 14: The mixture should be distributed evenly on your hair.
Make sure that your hair is fully saturated with the mixture and that it's evenly distributed by massaging it around your head and feeling for any dry spots.When you find a dry spot, add more bleach to the area and massage it in.It's a good idea to avoid massaging the mixture into your hair.You can use a mirror to see the back of your head.
Step 15: Wrap your hair in plastic.
A clear plastic shower cap is also possible.The bleach may cause your hair to itch and sting.This is normal.Remove the plastic wrap and wash out the bleach if the stinging on your hair becomes too painful.If you apply heat to your hair at this point, it could cause it to fall out completely.
Step 16: Every 10 to 15 minutes, check on your hair progress.
Check a strand of hair after 15 minutes to see how much color has been lifted.You can see the color of the strand if you mist it with water from a spray bottle and wipe it off with a towel.You should not bleach your hair for more than 50 minutes.Remove the plastic wrap from the strand of hair and allow it to sit for another 10 minutes if it still looks dark.You have to check your hair every 10 minutes.
Step 17: You should wash, condition and rinse your hair.
Remove the cap and run your head under water until the bleach is gone.You can wash it, apply a quality conditioner, and rinse it thoroughly.Use a clean towel to squeeze the excess water from your hair.
Step 18: Determine if you need to re-bleach by checking the color.
A bright shade of yellow is what your hair should be.Proceed to the instructions for coloring your hair if it is yellow.If your hair is dark or orange, you will need to bleach it again within 2 weeks.If you want your gray shade to be lighter, bleach your hair as light as possible.If your roots are whiter than the rest of your hair, you won't need to apply the bleach to them again.You can lighten the parts by applying bleach.Depending on how dark, coarse, and thick your hair is, it could take up to 5 bleachings to turn it pale yellow.
Step 19: Put on a new pair of gloves.
Don't use the same gloves that you used in the bleaching process.Make sure your hair is towel-dried after you rinse out the bleach and have a stack of towels with you.
Step 20: The developer and toner should be put in a large bowl.
You can skip this step if your toner is ready to use.The instructions on the packaging say to mix the developer and the toner in a bowl.The ratio is usually 1 to 2.
Step 21: Take the damp hair from root to tip.
The same method as when you applied the bleach is used to paint your hair with the tint brush.You should saturate your hair and apply the toner evenly.If you use a mirror, you can see the back of your head to make sure the toner is covering your hair.
Step 22: You can cover your hair with a shower cap.
Allow the product to sit in your hair for a certain amount of time.It could take as little as 10 minutes for your hair to go white.
Step 23: Your hair color should be checked every 10 minutes.
To get a sense of what the hair is turning into, use a towel to remove a thin strand of hair.Put your hair back up under the plastic cap/wrap if it isn't the color you want.Depending on the type of toner you use and how light your hair is, it could take more than expected.
Step 24: Make sure to wash your hair.
All traces of the toner are gone when you run your hair under cool water.Use a clean towel to squeeze the water from your hair.
Step 25: Take a look at your hair to make sure it is not white.
If you are impatient, you can dry your hair with your blow dryer.Your hair should be white now that the processes have been completed.Wait a few days and repeat the process on the strand of hair you missed.
Step 26: Before dyeing, do patch and strand tests.
You can skip the strand test if you are less concerned about gray hair.The patch test is necessary as an allergic reaction could be fatal.Follow the manufacturer's instructions to do a strand test.If you want to do a patch test, you need to rub a small amount of developer on your skin behind your ear for 48 hours.Don't use that brand of dye if it does.
Step 27: It's important to protect your clothes and skin.
Wear old clothes and an old towel over your shoulders, and wear rubber gloves.If you need to wipe the dye off your skin, have some old hand towels nearby.To prevent the dye from staining your skin, you may want to rub a bit of oil around your head.
Step 28: The product's instructions will help you prepare the dye mixture.
Depending on the type of gray hair dye you purchased, what you need to do to prepare your dye mixture will be different.You can mix your dye with a plastic bowl and a tint brush.
Step 29: If necessary, section your hair.
If you read the instructions on the box, you will know if your hair needs to be wet or dry.If your hair is long, clip it into 8 sections, moving vertically from the nape of your neck up to your forehead.You may need to do more sections if your hair is thick.
Step 30: The dye should be applied to the lengths of your hair.
The tint brush can be used to brush the dye on to 2 in sections of your hair.Take a 2 to 1 inch from your roots.Save your roots for last because the warmth from your hair causes them to process more quickly.
Step 31: Check your coverage by applying the dye to your roots.
If you want to cover your roots, go back around your head and cover the lengths of your hair.You can check the back of your head with a mirror.To feel for even distribution, gently work your hands through your hair.If you see spots that feel dry, add more dye.
Step 32: After 20 minutes, cover your hair with a plastic wrap.
Depending on which dye you are using, the processing time will be different.The processing time is 30 minutes.The color should be checked after 20 minutes.A small amount of color can be wiped off with a towel.If you like the color, wash it out.Leave it on longer if you want it to be richer.You should not go over the recommended processing time.
Step 33: Carefully wash the color out.
After the color has been processed, rinse it out with cool water, then wash and condition as normal.Don't rub your hair quickly or be rough with it while drying it after washing it, squeeze the water out with a towel.After dyeing it, you want to avoid heat styling it.You should avoid heat styling your hair.
Step 34: You should be very gentle with your hair.
Even if the hair is in the best condition, it is still fragile and damaged.Take care of your hair, don't wash it if it feels dry, and keep your brushing and curling to a minimum.Allow your hair to air dry most of the time.If you have to blow-dry your hair, use the cool setting.If you apply heat or otherwise manipulate your hair texture as much as possible, you could end up with chunks of hair sticking out from your head that are only 1–2 inches long.If you need to get your hair straight, you can use a blow dryer and a round brush instead of using a straightener.The need to use a straightening iron should be eliminated if this technique is done correctly.You should use a wide-toothed comb to comb your hair.
Step 35: Pre-wash primer protects the color of your hair.
Bleached hair can be easily discolored by water.It's a good idea to protect your hair before you wash it.Pre-wash primer can be purchased online.
Step 36: Don't wash your hair more than once or twice a week.
If you bleach your hair, it will need all the oil it can get.You can increase this up to twice a week if you use a lot of products in your hair.It's possible to substitute dry shampoo for a wash.Don't rub the towel over your hair when you dry it, pat and squeeze it with a towel.
Step 37: Use good-quality purple products.
It is possible to keep gray hair toned by using purple shampoos and conditioners.If you can't get them, at least buy conditioners that are designed for color-treated hair.Drug store brands are best for hair care.If you have gray or bleached hair, ask your hairdresser to recommend products.
Step 38: It is recommended that you deep condition your hair at least once a week.
Purchase a deep-conditioning treatment from a salon.drugstore brands may only coat your hair, leaving it feeling waxy and weighed down.A professional deep conditioning treatment is recommended by your hairdresser.A good hair oil will make your hair soft.Some people use extra virgin coconut oil to condition their hair.
Step 39: When the color fades, touch up your hair and roots.
The process for dyeing your roots is the same as it is for your entire head.You will be doing your roots and not the rest of your hair.Your roots are 1 inch at the longest.If you let your roots grow longer than that, it may be more difficult to touch them up without having them clash with the rest of your hair.If the rest of your color needs a touchup, apply gray dye to your hair and rinse it out.Work down since the roots will need more color.
Step 40: Limit the use of heat styling tools.
It's fine that you won't be able to avoid hairdryers, straighteners and curling irons completely.Before using heat styling tools, be sure to use a heat protectant on your hair.You can find these at your local beauty supplies shop or salon.If you want to keep your hair healthy, only use styling products that will nourish it.Lift or volume will dry out your hair.