Buzz
You can add vibrant streaks to your hair without dyeing it entirely. If you're confident in your at-home hair coloring skills, head to a beauty supply store to gather all the necessary materials. Typically, besides hair dye, you'll need bleach to lighten your hair enough for the color to show. Once you've chosen your desired shade and gathered your supplies, you can start the dyeing process.
Steps
Plan and Purchase Materials
Choose a hair color. First, decide on the color for your streaks. If this is your first time dyeing your hair, you might want to choose a shade slightly lighter or darker than your natural hair color. However, the final decision is yours. You can opt for blonde, pink, or purple streaks. If you're unsure, test your favorite color on a small section of hair. If you like it, you can always dye more.
- Some people dye a cute pink or purple streak on one side of their hair, adding a subtle touch to their style.
- For a bolder look, dye multiple streaks running from the top of your head to the ends. Consider shades like sky blue, green, or platinum blonde.
- If you want a blonde or lighter shade, you might only need bleach instead of dye.
Decide on the number of streaks you want. Think about how many streaks you'd like in your hair. You can create a few for a subtle effect or multiple streaks for a dramatic color change. It's important to plan your desired outcome before starting the dyeing process.
- If you're not confident about dyeing your hair at home, it's better to stick with just a few streaks.
Purchase bleaching and dyeing materials. The materials you need will partly depend on your natural hair color. If you have light hair and want darker streaks, you won't need to bleach beforehand. If you have dark hair and want bright or unconventional streaks, you'll definitely need to bleach first to ensure vibrant results. You can buy these materials at beauty supply stores like Sally Beauty. Essential items include:
- Bleach powder in packets or tubes. You won't need much if you're only dyeing a few streaks.
- Developer cream, which activates the bleach. Use 20 or 30 volume for light brown or blonde hair. Avoid anything above 40 volume to prevent damage.
- Red Gold Corrector to enhance the bleach's effectiveness, especially for dark hair, so you don't need to bleach twice.
- "Purple shampoo," a specialized shampoo that neutralizes brassy tones in bleached or lightened hair.
- Dyeing tools like a tint brush, bowl, rubber gloves, and foil.
Bleach the Hair
Start with natural hair. Bleaching and dyeing can dry out your hair, so ensure your hair is healthy beforehand. Avoid shampoo, hairspray, or other hair products a few days before dyeing. Let your hair's natural oils protect it from the chemicals you'll use. When ready, begin with completely dry hair.
- Some bleach packets may specify starting with clean hair. Always read the instructions carefully.
Section the hair you plan to dye. Separate the sections you want to bleach and dye from the rest of your hair before starting. You can use a highlighting cap or clips and foil.
- Beauty supply stores sell highlighting caps designed for this purpose. You'll pull strands of hair through the cap's holes using a hook. This method works well for all-over streaks.
- Clips and foil are better for a few bold streaks. Section off the hair you don't plan to dye and secure it. Place a piece of foil under the section you want to dye and fold it around the base to hold it in place.
Mix the solution. Combine the bleach powder, developer, and color corrector in a bowl. Carefully read the instructions provided with the bleach and developer to determine the correct mixing ratios. The amount you mix will depend on the size and brand of the products you're using.
- If you're only dyeing a few streaks, you may only need half the recommended amount since you're not bleaching your entire head.
- The final mixture should have a bluish-white appearance.
Apply the bleach to your hair. Use a tint brush to apply the bleach from the tips to the roots of the sections you're lightening. Use just enough bleach to fully saturate the hair. Ensure the bleach completely covers the strands.
- Always wear gloves when applying bleach, as the chemicals are strong and can stain or burn your skin. Avoid getting bleach near your eyes.
- If using a highlighting cap, wrap your head in plastic wrap while waiting for the bleach to process.
- If using foil, fold it over the bleached sections to protect and prevent drying.
Check your hair after 15 minutes. Wipe off a small section of bleach to inspect the color. If your hair has reached a pale yellow shade, the bleaching process is complete. If it still looks dark, reapply bleach to the wiped section, cover it with foil or plastic wrap, and wait longer. Check every 10-15 minutes until done.
- Do not leave bleach on your hair for more than 45 minutes, even if it still appears dark. Prolonged exposure can damage your hair.
- You may need to wait a day and re-bleach to achieve your desired result, especially if you have dark brown or black hair.
Rinse out the bleach. Carefully rinse the bleach from the treated sections, ensuring it doesn't spread to the rest of your hair. Rinse until the water runs clear.
Use purple shampoo. Purple shampoo is highly effective at neutralizing brassy tones and removing yellow hues from your hair. Use it immediately after rinsing out the bleach. Leave it on for about 5 minutes, then rinse thoroughly and towel-dry your hair.
- You can find various brands of purple shampoo at beauty supply stores.
Apply the Hair Dye
Prepare your hair and dye. Separate the bleached sections of hair. The preparation of the dye will depend on the product you're using. Sometimes you'll need to mix the dye with a developer in a bowl, while other times you can use the dye directly.
- If you're worried about the dye staining other sections of your hair, use a highlighting cap to pull the strands through the holes.
Use a tint brush to apply the dye. Apply the dye thoroughly from the roots to the tips of the bleached strands, ensuring no bleached hair is left uncovered. Repeat this process until all bleached sections are fully saturated with dye. Make sure no strands are missed before letting the dye set.
- If using foil for wider sections, replace the foil used during bleaching with fresh pieces for dyeing.
- Follow any specific instructions provided with the dye.
Let the dye process. The processing time depends on the product you're using. Typically, hair dye needs to sit for 30 minutes to develop and ensure even color, but check your hair every 10-15 minutes.
Rinse out the dye. Remove the foil if you used it. Otherwise, begin rinsing your hair thoroughly under water until the dye is completely washed out. Stop rinsing when the water runs clear.
Use a hair conditioner. The dyeing process can leave your hair dry, so it's essential to apply conditioner after rinsing out the dye. Any conditioner safe for colored hair will work, but a deep conditioning treatment designed for dyed hair is ideal. Leave the deep conditioner on for 5-10 minutes and use it weekly to maintain soft, healthy hair.
Maintain your hair streaks. Once your hair dries, the streaks will stand out vividly. Keep the color vibrant by using shampoos formulated for dyed hair. If you want to maintain the streaks long-term, you'll need to touch up the roots with bleach and dye as your hair grows.
- Most beauty supply stores and supermarkets sell shampoos and conditioners specifically for colored hair. If you're unsure which to buy, ask a store associate for recommendations.
Tips
- Follow the instructions on the bleach and dye packaging for the best results. These guidelines are tailored to the product's strength and will help you achieve salon-like streaks at home.
- Wear old clothes and drape a towel over your shoulders. Work in the bathroom or another area where spills won't damage furniture or flooring.
- If your parents don't allow you to dye your hair, consider purchasing clip-in hair extensions from a store or online.
Warnings
- Your skin may react to the hair dye. If this happens, contact the seller for advice and consult a doctor if necessary.
- Avoid applying too much product to your hair. Always follow the instructions on the packaging to determine the correct amount to use.
