Hair Coloring Guide: How to Color Your Hair at Home

Step 1: Identify your needs

Different hair colors have different results – while some are permanent hair colors that last for a long time, some are semi-permanent hair colors that last only for a few weeks. Then, there are some hair colors that are great for covering your greys while blending with your natural hair color. Lastly, there are some that work great for adding a new, vibrant red hair color shade to your locks. So, before you learn how to apply hair color, you should first understand your hair needs and pick a color option that works best for you.

Garnier Color Naturals – Enriched with three essential oils – olive, almond, and avocado – the ammonia-free hair color naturals range nourish your hair and give it a fabulous and gorgeous color that lasts up to 8 weeks.

Garnier Black Naturals – This ammonia-free hair color packet is infused with the goodness of almond oil and black tea extracts to cover 100% greys and give you a natural-looking hair color in just 15 minutes.

Garnier Men Shampoo Color – With this shampoo hair color for men, you can touch up your roots, cover your greys, and refresh your hair color in just 5 minutes. And it is as easy to use as a shampoo!

Here is a quick tip for coloring your hair at home - if the different hair color shades overwhelm you, and you can’t make up your mind, use the Virtual Try-On tool to see how the different shades look on you and pick one that complements your skin tone.

Step 2: Plan ahead

When working with an at-dhome hair coloring kit, it is important to perform a patch test at least 48 hours before you color your hair, especially if it is your first time learning how to apply hair color. It might be tempting to skip this step and go straight to coloring your hair, but a patch test is important to check if you have any allergies or negative reactions to the dye you are planning to use.

For the patch test, clean a small section of your skin behind your ear, apply a small amount of the unmixed colorant cream, and wait for 48 hours without washing it off. Monitor the area for any allergic reactions or irritations. If you do not notice any skin reaction, you are all set to color your hair! When using a hair color shampoo, perform a patch test 24 hours before using the product. For more detailed information about any product-specific patch test, remember to always read the instruction leaflet before each use.

Step 3: Keep all supplies ready

Now that you are ready to sit down and experience an at-home hair coloring session, set up your area before you begin so you won’t have to run around midway to look for a hair clip! Make sure you have the following supplies within arm’s reach every time you color your hair.

• Hair coloring kit with the colorant, developer, and gloves
• A glass or plastic bowl to mix the hair color
• A brush to apply the color
• An old (preferably dark-colored) towel to drape around your shoulders
• Hair clips to section your hair
• Petroleum jelly or oil to protect your skin

Another tip for coloring your hair at home is to wear an old and dark-colored T-shirt, one that you won’t mind getting stained.

Drape a towel around your shoulders and secure it in place with a hair clip to protect your clothes. If you have thick or coarse hair and hair that is longer than shoulder length, you most likely will need two boxes to cover all your hair. The last thing you want to do is run out of hair color halfway through your process, so have an extra box handy just in case.

Step 4: Prep your hair and skin

Probably the only difficult thing about an at-home hair coloring guide is getting the hair dye off your skin if you accidentally stain it. To prevent any mishaps, apply a generous amount of petroleum jelly or baby oil along your hairline and on your ears to protect your skin and reduce the chance of the dye staining your skin. When coloring your hair, make sure it is not freshly washed. Wash and condition your hair at least a day before coloring to give your hair an extra boost of moisture. The natural oils from your scalp will shield your hair and make it easy to apply the hair color uniformly and without damaging your luscious locks. And do not forget to wear your gloves before you begin!

Step 5: Read all instructions

If this is your first time learning how to apply hair color at home, take some time to read the instructions and familiarize yourself with the process. Each hair coloring guide is different and might have a few additional steps that will help you get the most out of the hair dye. From how long to keep the hair color on to how to correctly rinse the product, all the information about your hair color is included in the instruction leaflet, so do not ignore it.

Step 6: Divide and conquer!

It is finally time to get started – divide your hair into four to six sections, depending on the volume and length of your hair, and twist and clip the extra sections on top of your hair using a sturdy hair clip. Mix the developer and hair colorant in a non-metallic bowl in a 1:1 ratio. Once the two products are thoroughly and uniformly mixed, use your brush to start applying the color at your roots, and work your way towards the ends. Work in sections, and once all your hair is colored, gently massage your hair and scalp to spread the color evenly throughout your hair. Leave the color on for the specified amount of time.

If using a shampoo color, pour the shampoo color directly from the hair color packet into gloved hands and massage the mix on dry hair. Spread evenly and massage for two minutes and then wait for 5 minutes before washing the men’s hair color off like regular shampoo.

Step 7: Rinse and rejoice

Once the time is up, rinse thoroughly with water until the water runs completely clear. Apply a color-protecting conditioner, wait for a couple of minutes, and rinse again. Do not shampoo your hair for at least 48 hours after you color your hair to allow the hair color to be fully sealed into your hair strands.

Coloring your hair at home for the first time can be daunting, but with this women's and men’s hair coloring guide, you will be on your way to rocking a new hair color shade in no time. Learn how to color dark hair without bleaching and more with the hair color tips by Garnier India.