How to make coloring at home on light or dark hair? Step -by -step instructions for beginners

Without going to the salon, coloring your hair at home can be a fun and inventive way to switch up your appearance. With the correct technique and some planning, you can get amazing results whether you have light or dark hair.

On the other hand, the thought of coloring hair at home can be intimidating for novices. There are a lot of things to take into account, such as picking the appropriate shade and being aware of the coloring procedure. But don’t worry, you can confidently do it yourself if you have the correct guidance.

For both light and dark hair, this tutorial will take you through a straightforward, step-by-step procedure to help you achieve gorgeous, even color. Also, you’ll discover the resources and advice required to ensure the procedure runs as smoothly and successfully as possible.

Step	Description
1. Prepare Your Hair	Wash and dry your hair. Do not use conditioner, as it can affect the coloring process.
2. Choose the Right Dye	Select a hair dye suitable for your hair color (light or dark). Make sure to read the instructions on the box.
3. Section Your Hair	Divide your hair into small sections to make applying the dye easier and more even.
4. Apply the Dye	Start applying the dye from the roots, working your way down to the ends. Ensure each section is fully coated.
5. Wait for the Color to Develop	Leave the dye on your hair for the recommended time (usually 30-45 minutes), checking the color occasionally.
6. Rinse and Condition	Rinse your hair with lukewarm water until it runs clear, then apply the conditioner provided in the dye kit.
7. Style Your Hair	Dry and style your hair as usual to reveal the new color.

What is coloring? What is different from highlighting?

Coloring involves lightening or partially coloring hair. It adds visual shine and volume to the curls.

A lot of people mix up highlighting and coloring. The primary distinction between the first is its multicoloredness. Usually, three to four shades are used. You can use up to twenty shades to create an opulent image. A softer kind of coloring is called coloring. With the use of this technology, you can adjust the complexion to become less pale or darker. Only a lighting composition is used when highlighting. The process of highlighting is easier. This kind of coloring is applied to gray hair or to give thin hair more volume.

You will save money and anxiety if you color at home instead of going to a salon, where the cost is high and the outcome is frequently not what you want.

Whether you color it light or dark, coloring your hair at home can be easy and effective if you follow the right instructions. With a little patience and attention, even beginners can achieve salon-quality results, from choosing the right dye to prepping your hair and applying color evenly. Regardless of the color or type of your hair, you can confidently change the way you look by following the simple instructions in this guide.

Preparation for the procedure

The procedure must be planned ahead of time in order for it to be successful. This includes gathering supplies and tools, selecting a shade, and deciding on an execution strategy.

Tools and materials

You must get ready the following supplies and equipment for coloring:

1. Non-metallic dishes for diluting the paint. You will need a separate bowl for each shade.
2. Combs.
3. A brush for applying pigment.
4. Clips for curls.
5. A cape to protect clothes from paint.
6. Foil.
7. Protective gloves.
8. Several dyes.
9. Fat cream or petroleum jelly to protect the skin from paint stains.
10. Dyes, lighteners, shampoos and balms.

Which shade to choose

The color of the hair should be taken into consideration when selecting shades.

For dark hair

Brunettes are able to give individual strands vivid hues. On dark hair, warm and cool color schemes look great. The following color schemes work well on brunettes:

• dark chestnut;
• bronze;
• soft honey;
• bright burgundy;
• platinum;
• red.

For light hair

On light strands, any paint works well, and the shade usually matches expectations. Women with light brown hair and blondes should select the following shades:

• platinum:
• pearlescent;
• peach;
• pink;
• lavender;
• ultraviolet;
• violet-lilac;
• honey;
• golden-pink;
• turquoise.

For gray hair

The following stylish tones work well with gray hair:

• ash;
• silver;
• dark gray;
• charcoal-gray;
• light blue;
• golden-pink;
• turquoise;
• black-brown fox;
• silver-violet;
• pale pink.

For red hair

To achieve a striking red-haired look, select the following shades:

• copper;
• orange-brown;
• red-brown;
• scarlet;
• bronze;
• golden;
• honey;
• caramel;
• milk chocolate;
• coffee.

For dyed hair

If you’ve already had your hair colored, you should be aware of the following information:

1. If your hair has been dyed with henna or basma, you should not do coloring, since the strands can be dyed unevenly.
2. In order to lighten dark hair, several steps are required. It is necessary to alternate coloring with care procedures. This will reduce damage to the hair and achieve the desired result.
3. You cannot dye hair that has already been dyed blonde in lighter colors, as this seriously damages it.
4. Dyed hair is first bleached and then dyed again.

Coloring methods

Prior to coloring your hair, you must select a dye application method. There are two methods you can use to alter the strands’ color:

1. Longitudinal. This dyeing along the entire length of the hair. The dye is applied in long thin strokes along the hairline. When using natural tones, this method visually increases the volume. If contrasting shades are used, then you get a bright and saturated color.
2. Transverse. This method involves dividing the hair into sections from the root to the tip. The lightening and coloring composition is applied perpendicular to the hair growth. This is a more complex method. Several shades of pigment are applied to the curl, resulting in a soft gradient. Most often, the root areas are dyed in darker tones, the middle part is one tone lighter, and the ends are lightened.

Which technique to choose

There are currently a number of methods that vary in their degree of complexity and their end product.

Bangs

Women whose hair is curly or straight can use this method. Coloring is only applied to the bangs. Its shape determines the coloring’s zoning. The entire bangs are colored, as well as individual curls. To create light coloring, separate curls from the bangs at the same distance are chosen, and a contrasting tone of paint is applied.

IMPORTANT!

Radial

The parietal and crown regions of the hair are treated with this method. The strands on the back of the head should first be dyed. After that, wrap them in foil and divide the hair on top into radial sections spaced 1.5 centimeters apart. These sections are individually painted with contrasting tones and covered in foil. Wash every area one by one.

Crucial! This technique produces an image that is bold and colorful. It is preferable to select colors that are closest to your skin tone in order to avoid the hairstyle appearing overly ornate.

Zigzag

It is advised that owners of medium-length straight hair choose this option. This method’s distinctive feature is that the parting placement can alter the color of the strands.

The hair is dyed a vivid color and combed with a zigzag parting that separates it into strands that resemble thin plates along the contour. For brunettes, the curls’ shade should be lighter than the primary color; for fair-haired women, it should be darker. After the dye is applied, foil is placed over each strand. This keeps a gradient from forming. The outcome will be more remarkable the thinner the strands. It’s not essential to comb your hair straight or in a side part after coloring. You don’t need to part it to comb it.

IMPORTANT!

On a parting

Medium-length and long hair, both straight and curly, can use this technique. This type of coloring adds volume.

Color the hair that shows through the parting. You can dye the remainder in the primary hue. A few chosen strands are foil-wrapped and dyed.

Centric pattern

Although this technique is challenging to use, it can produce an excellent toning effect. This technique works well for people with long, straight hair. The hair is separated into strands in a circle away from the crown. Only certain sections or circles of curls are dyed.

Crucial! This technique produces the illusion of a play of shades while highlighting the haircut’s structure and line.

Watercolor

The parietal area is colored using multiple strands using this technique. Every strand receives a different dose of the dye. The strands are then covered with foil. The dye is what makes this technique unique. In one container, at least three shades are combined for it. The primary options for blending shades are listed in special catalogs along with illustrations of the finished products.

Crucial! When coloring with watercolors at home, it’s best to stick to shades that are similar to the primary color.

Mosaic

This method of coloring involves the use of stencils. In order to achieve a deep coloring effect, stencils are applied to various hair layers. Use spray paints to apply the paint more quickly.

Snail rings

This method combines transverse and longitudinal techniques. There are two by two squares on the hairy portion of the head. In a checkerboard pattern, the strands are taken. A gradient from dark to light is used to dye the first strand, and vice versa for the second. Instead of being wrapped in foil, the dyed hair is twisted into rings that resemble snails. You can also use this technique to add subtle shading to specific sections of the curls.

Curled strands

This technique, which is limited to the lower section of long hair, is similar to the "Snail Rings" technique.

Balayage

Light hair looks fantastic with balayage. Your hair needs to be combed, divided into curls, and pulled back into ponytails. You’ll need a bleach if your hair is light red or brown. After ten minutes, it should be removed from the ponytails using a sponge. You can then go ahead and dye your hair. The desired tone of paint is applied to light areas, and they are left for 20 minutes. Next, take the elastic bands off and give your hair a shampoo and conditioner wash.

Ombre

You can achieve ombre at home using just one lighter. There are four sections of hair, each held in place with a clip. Apply the lightener to the lower portion with a brush, working your way from the center to the edges. Cover the colored hair with foil. After 20 to 25 minutes, take off the foil. For eight to ten minutes, the composition should be applied above the bleached hair line. The process should then be repeated on a higher section. Rinse after ten to eight minutes.

Hair dye can also be used to create a colored ombre. By leaving the composition on the hair for varying lengths of time, the gradient is created.

Sombre

With the sombre technique, only individual strands are dyed, resulting in a smooth darkening or lightening. Burnt-out hair is the result of this. It is nearly impossible to see the line where one shade ends and another begins. By leaving the dye on the hair for varying amounts of time, different shades can be achieved. Stepping back five centimeters from the roots, dye is applied to the top portion of the hair. Rinse the hair and let it air dry after 10 minutes. Immediately below the area that has already been colored, apply the coloring composition. 30 minutes later, rinse and pat dry. Paint the remaining ends after that, and then give them 40 minutes to dry and wash off.

Glare

The glare coloring technique produces the appearance of sun-bleached hair. It is important to keep an eye on the shades that were achieved during the first bleaching when employing this method. When coloring hair, it’s important to prevent the appearance of a red or yellow tint and to try not to damage the hair.

Several examples of a smart choice

Prior to beginning, observe how coloring appears on other women in order to select the best coloring method, shade, and technique for you.

For brunettes and women with brown hair, partial coloring of specific regions or thin strands works well. They work well with techniques like sombre, ombre, balayage, shatush, and rainbow.

Women with fair hair and blondes look good with highlights, balayage, rainbow, and pixels.

Other preparatory measures

Experts recommend waiting two to three days before coloring your hair. This is required in order for the hair to develop a protective layer that shields it from the damaging effects of chemical dyes. Additionally, styling products are not permitted prior to the procedure.

Make sure you have everything ready before beginning the process by dilution of the pigments in various colored containers and placement of combs and clips in close proximity. Remember to change into old clothes that you don’t mind ruining before coloring.

If this is something you have never done before, find a training video online, watch the instructions step-by-step, look through pictures of various techniques, and select the one that works best for you.

Precautions

1. Follow everything written in the instructions exactly. It describes in detail how to prepare the mixture, all proportions are precisely indicated, and it also indicates how long to keep the dye on the hair.
2. Do not keep the dye longer or shorter than the time specified in the instructions. You risk overdrying your hair or getting a result that is completely different from the desired one.
3. Calculate how much dye you need. For long and thick hair, you need at least two packs.
4. First treat the roots and only then proceed to tinting the remaining length.
5. Do not mix the composition in a metal container. The paint reacts with the metal. This leads to an acceleration of the oxidation process.

Step-by-step instructions for beginners with photos and a detailed description of how to do coloring yourself

For dark hair

1. Prepare everything you need and carefully read the instructions.
2. Do an allergy test on a small area of ​​​​skin.
3. Smear the skin with a thick cream or petroleum jelly along the hairline.
4. Cover your shoulders with a cape.
5. Apply the bleaching composition. Keep it on the hair for half an hour, after wrapping each strand in foil.
6. After 30 minutes, start coloring with the main and additional shades. Apply the paint to your hair with a brush, then wrap each strand with foil. Keep the paint on for 30-40 minutes.
7. Remove the foil and wash your hair.
8. Apply conditioner.

For light hair

1. Prepare everything you need and read the instructions carefully.
2. Check your skin for sensitivity.
3. Lubricate your skin with a thick cream or petroleum jelly along the hairline.
4. Cover yourself with oilcloth.
5. Apply the main color to your locks and wrap them with foil. Keep for half an hour.
6. Apply additional shades to your strands and wrap them with foil. Keep for 40 minutes.
7. Remove the foil. Wash each strand separately.

For gray hair

1. Lubricate your skin with a thick cream or petroleum jelly along the hairline.
2. Test for allergies.
3. Using an oxidizer and lightening powder, wash off the dark pigment.
4. Separate a section of your locks, apply dye and wrap in foil for half an hour.
5. After 30 minutes, remove the foil and thoroughly wash each curl.
6. Apply the dye to the remaining strands, wrap in foil and rinse off after 40 minutes.

For red hair

1. Do an allergy test.
2. After lubricating the scalp with a rich cream, apply the lightening composition to the strands.
3. Apply the dye to some of the strands, wrap in foil. Rinse off the dye after 30 minutes.
4. Apply the dye to the remaining hair and rinse off after 40 minutes.

For dyed hair

1. To avoid damaging the skin, lubricate it with cream.
2. Do a sensitivity test.
3. Apply the hair lightening composition to the hair.
4. Rinse off the bleaching agent from the hair and dry it with a hairdryer.
5. Divide the hair into strands and apply the dye to some of them. Cover with foil and leave for 30 minutes. Rinse off the dye.
6. Apply the dye to the remaining hair. Wrap in foil. Rinse off after 40 minutes.

What is the difference in the procedure for self-coloring for hair

Of different lengths

Experts advise people with short hair to use coloring techniques like "Multicolor," "Zonal," and "Avant-garde." To accomplish this, you must perform the following actions:

1. Prepare each shade in a small container, cut the foil into small pieces, throw on an oilcloth.
2. Comb your hair and secure the strands with clips or hairpins.
3. Changing colors, dye the curls and wrap them in foil. First dye the back of the head, then the crown, sides and bangs.
4. After 30 minutes, remove the foil and wash off the dye with warm water.
5. Wash your hair again with shampoo.

Short, light hair looks best with an ombre. Lightly highlighted hair will also have an intriguing appearance.

Crucial! It is advised to use the transverse type of coloring, splitting the hair into equal strands and dyeing in two or three shades at the same time, to produce an intriguing color flow.

Short, dark hair works well with balayage and ombre styles.

You can create various hairstyles by coloring long and medium-length hair. The "balayage" technique works best. You can easily color your hair at home in this manner. The steps in the process are as follows:

1. Prepare everything you need.
2. Divide your hair into several strands and apply the dye to the inside from the roots to the tips.
3. Do not dye the outer strands.
4. Rinse off the mixture after 30-40 minutes with warm water, then wash your hair again with shampoo and conditioner.

Different haircuts

Coloring contributes to the hairstyle’s intriguing shape emphasis.

The zonal coloring technique works well on a bob. Comb the hair, separating it into strands, to achieve this. The ends of each strand are dyed and covered with foil. Beginning at the base, work your way up to the sides, bangs, and crown.

The curls are dyed in a transverse fashion.

A technique known as patterned coloring is applied to asymmetrical haircuts. After lightening the hair by three to four tones, specific areas are tinted. The dyed curls are wrapped in foil that has been folded in half to keep the composition from getting on nearby areas.

Common mistakes when coloring yourself

1. Work without preparation. You should choose the method, technique and shades in advance.
2. Incompatibility of colors. To understand how your hair will look after coloring, it is recommended to carry out the first procedure with tonics. They are easily washed off.
3. Performing the technique on damaged hair.
4. Ignorance of the technique and its incorrect execution. Before starting the process, you need to read the instructions and carefully watch training videos on the Internet.

Hair care after coloring

You must properly take care of your hair after coloring in order to maintain both its health and color for an extended period of time. Experts advise making the following changes:

1. In order to preserve the color for a long time, use shampoo for colored hair.
2. Use a special balm to protect your hair from brittleness and dryness.
3. To restore your hair, do masks once a week.
4. In order to protect your curls from ultraviolet radiation, apply a special product before leaving the house.
5. Reduce the number of heat treatments of strands.
6. Before using a hair dryer or iron, apply a heat protectant.

If you do it correctly, coloring your hair at home can be enjoyable and satisfying. It is possible to achieve vibrant results on both light and dark hair with the right preparation and supplies.

Take your time and carefully follow the instructions, regardless of whether you want a subtle change or a bold new look. Consider the needs of your hair when selecting products, keeping in mind the type and color of your hair.

Recall that practice makes perfect. You’ll grow more assured that you can achieve salon-quality results at home the more you experiment and learn about your hair.