Leah LOVES hair. So much so, she dedicated an entire website to it! One of the founders of Hair Everyday and Chief Editor, Leah enjoys reviewing all the hair products and showcasing the best. She believes her most underrated articles are her hair care tips!
Here’s how to dye curly hair at home in 3 easy steps! Check out how to give curly hair colour highlights and what are the steps for dying curly hair blonde!
Isn’t curly hair dyeing supposed to have the same method as dyeing any hair type? Why does curly hair require additional hair care when dyeing it at home?
Well, dyeing curly hair is definitely a challenging task compared to dyeing straight or wavy hair.
Since curly hair is more prone to damage because it gets dry very easily, it requires using the right methods to dye it.
What’s important in the curly hair dyeing process when you do it at home is that you need to understand how to work with curly hair.
And what could be the challenges you will face along the way, so you can then equip yourself with the right information and products to go through the hair dyeing process smoothly.
So, if you are one of those people who want to try dyeing their curly hair at home, this article has all the information you need to help you sail smoothly through this challenge!
Check out the details below.
Related: How To Dye Hair Silver At Home
What is hair dyeing and how does it affect curly hair?
When the hair is colored or dyed, there is a chemical reaction that takes place inside the hair, changing the color of the hair.
First, bleach will be used to lighten the hair. The chemicals in the bleach will react with the hair pigment (melanin) and lighten the color of the hair irreversibly.
After the hair color has lightened, the hair is then dyed. That’s when the cuticles get raised for the color pigment to enter.
But when it comes to dyeing curly hair, the hair is already very delicate and naturally dry in nature.
Therefore, when the hair is dyed and if it isn’t done in the right way, it can change the curl pattern permanently and cause extensive hair damage.
How to Dye Curly Hair at Home
Make sure that your curly hair is in a healthy condition before dyeing your hair because the hair dyeing process is very damaging.
If your hair isn’t healthy yet, wait for a few weeks or months, rejuvenate your hair and nurse it back to life by using good hair care methods and once your hair has regained its health, you can dye your hair.
Well, let’s get into the 3-step process.
Step 1: Hair Prep
Clarify your hair and scalp
Your hair prep process before dyeing your curls should start a couple of weeks before you actually dye your hair.
So, a couple of weeks before you dye your hair, you could use a clarifying shampoo on your hair (totally optional) in order to get rid of any excess product buildup on the scalp and hair.
After you have clarified your scalp and hair, make sure to deep condition your hair a couple of times before you decide to dye it to restore the health of your hair.
Avoid shampooing your hair before dyeing it
Most often most hair dyes are made to work on hair that is not freshly cleansed and this is because when the hair has just been washed, the hair’s natural oils are removed and therefore the chances of the chemicals affecting the hair is more.
If the hair is washed a couple of days before you actually dye your hair, the natural oils of the hair will seep down over the length of your hair strands and coat them, acting like a natural hair barrier for when the hair is dyed.
This can prevent the chemicals in the dye from extensively damaging the hair.
Step 2: The Dyeing Process
Work with dry hair
Make sure that your hair has been air dried before you color it. Working with wet hair isn’t advisable because it can dilute the color and will lighten its final appearance.
When the hair is dry and color is applied, it will soak into the hair strands better and get colored evenly.
Protect your hairline before you start dyeing your hair
There are chances that the dye can stain your skin at the hairline. Therefore, before you start dyeing your hair, apply a layer of petroleum jelly at your hairline, so that your skin is safe from dye stains.
Do a strand test before you start
Test the dye for any allergic reactions by doing a strand test before you start. A strand test will also ensure that you’re using the shade of your choice. You can strand test a small portion of your hair on the inside.
Divide your hair into sections and begin to dye it
Do not dye all your hair at once. Divide your hair into four sections and begin to dye your hair section wise.
If you require to bleach your hair before dyeing it, then you would have had to complete the bleaching process before applying the dye.
Remember to start applying the dye an inch away from the roots and dye the length of your hair first. Once you have applied color over the length of your hair, then apply the color on your roots.
This is because the roots catch the color way quicker than the length of the hair and if done at first, your curls will get unevenly dyed.
Also remember that when you are applying the dye on the roots, do not overlap it on the already dyed portions of the hair strands as it will darken the color wherever it has overlapped and look uneven.
Clock your dye leave-in process
It is essential not to leave the dye in for more time than recommended in the instruction manual. So, clock the time and work according to the instructions.
You could even leave the dye on your hair for a little lesser time than recommended on the product box, but never leave it in for longer than the time mentioned.
Rinsing out the hair dye
Use cold or lukewarm water to rinse off the hair dye and do not shampoo thereafter. All you need to do is keep rinsing your hair till the water runs clear and colorless.
Step 3: The Aftercare
Deep conditioning
Most of us focus on the hair dyeing process and often forget about the after-hair dyeing care. Hair dyeing is a process that strips the hair off all its hydration and natural oils and is one that extensively damages the hair.
Therefore, deep conditioning the hair after it has been dyed is very essential to help nourish the hair and regain hair health.
Hair washing
Once you have dyed your hair, wait for at least 2 to 3 days before you shampoo wash it, giving the dye sufficient time to set into your hair.
If you wash it immediately after it has been dyed, it can rinse off some of the color and will make your hair color look faded.
Using a color-preserving shampoo
After your hair has been dyed, using sulfate shampoos aren’t recommended because it can further damage your hair and also make the color fade faster.
Therefore, using a shampoo specifically meant for dyed/colored hair is always recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about dyeing curly hair at home
1. Can you skip the bleach part and directly dye your hair?
Yes, this is definitely a possibility depending on what color your hair currently is and what color are you planning to color your hair.
There is something called single process and double process hair dyeing. So the single process hair dyeing involves no bleach used while the hair is directly dyed.
If your hair is a lighter shade and you want to go darker, then you can use the single process hair dyeing method.
As for the double process method, if your hair is a darker shade and you want to go lighter, then it will involve bleaching your hair first before dyeing it.
So therefore, if you choose to go darker, it will damage your hair lesser, because going lighter will involve bleaching your hair and this means that your hair color has to be lifted first before it is dyed.
2. Why do they say not to use products with emollients after the hair has been dyed?
Well, products that contain emollients or oils will slowly begin to extract the color from the hair and lighten it over time.
Therefore, while oiling your hair is necessary, it is important not to overdo it.
3. How many shades darker or lighter can I dye my hair at one time?
Do not go too many levels darker or lighter in one attempt. Going a maximum of two levels darker or lighter during one session is advisable.
4. Why do they recommend rinsing off dye with cold water?
When cold water (or you can even use lukewarm water if you wish to) is used to rinse out the dye, it will help lock in the dye and seal the cuticles on the hair shaft, making the color look more vibrant once your hair dries.
Strictly do not use hot water, as it will open the cuticles on the hair shaft and will cause the color to escape from the hair strands as your hair has just been dyed.
The final takeaway
I hope this article has made it easier for all you curly-haired people out there to take up the challenge of dyeing your curly locs at home.
It may not be the easiest thing to do, but it is definitely possible.
Take your time and work your way through the process over the span of a few weeks following the three steps – the prep, the process and the aftercare.
Also Read:
How To Care For Color Treated Hair
To Summarize
