Hair dyeing kits are popular worldwide, from the United States to Asia. In Vietnam, do-it-yourself hair coloring kits are popular among youth who want to keep up with hair trends.
In America, they are used by older women who want to cover up their grey hair. Coloring your hair at home is cheaper than having it done by a professional, but it can be tricker, especially if you are new to the process.
Here are some things you must have at home to ensure a mess-free, smooth hair coloring process.
1. Hair coloring kit
The hair coloring kit is the most obvious thing you need before you start coloring your hair. You can easily find one on the shelves at your local drugstore or beauty supply store.
However, there are so many options to choose from. You might get overwhelmed and make the mistake of choosing the wrong kit.
Some tips you should keep in mind before you make your purchase include finding the color you want and looking at the photo example provided on the box to get an estimate of how the color will look on your hair. Get the closest shade if you cannot find the exact color you want.
Do not mix two different hair dyes just because you cannot find the right color. Once you have chosen your hair coloring kit, it is recommended that you get two boxes so that you can reapply for a more saturated color.
2. Moisturizer and petroleum jelly
Dyeing your hair at home can get messy, and if you accidentally get some of the product onto your skin, it can be difficult to get it off.
One way to prevent the hair dye from staining your skin, especially in the face area, is to coat it with a layer of petroleum jelly.
The idea is that the petroleum jelly will protect your skin, and once you are done with the coloring process, you can wash off the jelly, and your skin will remain clean.
If you do not have petroleum jelly, you can also try using a face moisturizer or a lotion. Both have a similar consistency to petroleum jelly and will also protect your skin from the hair dye.
3. Colour-safe hair products and treatments
Once you have dyed your hair, the next thing to do is to maintain the color so it can stay vivid for a long time.
Most professional hairstylists will tell you not to wash your hair often if you want to maintain the color of your freshly dyed hair, but that might not be practical if you live in a hot and humid place or if you sweat a lot.
If you want to wash your dyed hair but keep the color bright, try using color-safe shampoos and conditioners that are specially formulated to help the colors of your dyed hair last longer.
Another thing you need to remember when maintaining your dyed hair is to keep it hydrated because dry hair can cause the colors to fade faster. Try using hair oils before styling your hair, and use hair masks and treatments once a week to maintain a good hydration level for your hair and provide nourishment.​
4. Heatless hair tools and hair dryers with cool air setting
If you enjoy styling your hair with straighteners and curling irons, you will be disappointed to know that these tools are unsuitable for colored hair because they can dry out your hair and cause the colors to fade quickly.
Instead, try out heatless hair styling methods, which are safer for dyed hair and will not cause hair damage.
It would be best if you also switched out your hairdryer with one with a cool air option because the cool air will keep hair cuticles from rising, keeping the color intact.
The Xiaomi hairdryer is just one example of a dryer with a cool air setting, and it is trendy in Singapore, where the weather is hot and humid all year long.
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