Dyeing the lower part of your hair allows you to try a new color, without fully committing. In addition, you can create very cool effects by combining different shades, for example by dyeing the hair below in black if it is platinum blonde or by adding a bright and original color. The process is more or less the same as if you dye your entire hair. However, you will have to draw a parting and raise the upper part of your hair.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: prep your hair and the workspace
Step 1. Wash your hair the night before you dye it
You should generally avoid washing your hair right away before coloring it. By allowing natural oils to build up on your scalp, it will be protected from the chemical components of the dye and will remain healthier. Additionally, most hair dye brands recommend applying the product to dry hair.
- Some semi-permanent dyes work best on clean hair, and some should definitely be applied to freshly washed hair. Read the instructions for your product carefully to find out how.
- If your hair is too dirty, the dye may not be able to penetrate the hair fiber evenly. Don't try to dye your hair if you haven't washed it for more than 2-3 days.
Step 2. Put on old clothes that you don't mind getting dirty
Hair dyes can leave stains, even if you treat them carefully. Since you will be dyeing the hair on the back of your head, it will be even more difficult to avoid sagging. To avoid damaging nice clothes, put on an old t-shirt and shorts or tracksuits that you don't care about. So if the dye stains your clothes, you won't worry about it.
You could also buy a barber's cape to wear over your clothes
Advice:
if you have one, wear an old shirt. This way, you won't have to pull the garment over your head to rinse your hair.
Step 3. Prepare towels, tongs, timer and comb
Once your hands or gloves are covered in the dye, it really won't be practical to have to go looking for a missing utensil. Prepare the area where you will settle down to dye your hair, having everything you will need for the operation. Cover the floor and surfaces with towels or newspaper. Also have towels available in case of spills or splashes.
- If your kit did not contain gloves, you will need to purchase some.
- The process will be easier if you set up in a bathroom and have 2 mirrors, for example a wall mounted mirror and a pocket mirror. This will allow you to see the back of your head. Use the rim of your sink as a work area.
Step 4. Comb your hair thoroughly to detangle it
If your lengths have knots, the dye may not saturate the fibers evenly. Take the time to detangle your hair thoroughly before you start.
It will also be more difficult to make a straight section if your hair is tangled
Step 5. Use a comb to draw a horizontal line
To separate the lower layer of your hair, draw a parting from the back of one ear, going over the back of your head and coming behind the other ear. Use 2 mirrors to check your work.
- If you want to color more of the hair, move the parting slightly upwards, for example at the most point of the ears. To dye less hair, go down the parting.
- You can even draw a circular parting, if you also want to dye the lower thickness of your bangs.
Step 6. Lift up the top part of your hair
Use a hair clip or a rubber band to hold the top part of your hair up to the top of your head. Make sure you pull your hair out enough so that the parting is visible, but not so much that it hurts you.
- If you want, you can wrap the top part of your hair in a scarf, but then use a scarf that you don't mind staining.
- If you have small strands around your face, secure them with bobby pins so that they don't get in the way.
Step 7. Apply petroleum jelly around your face
Dip a finger in the product and take a generous dose. Then apply it around your face, the base of your neck, from one side of the line to the other. The petroleum jelly will form a protective barrier that will prevent your skin from being stained by the dye drips.
If you want, you could even apply a little petroleum jelly to the hair just above the parting. However, be careful not to apply it to the strands to be dyed
Step 8. Bleach your hair to dye it a bright or pastel color
Unless your hair is naturally very light, you'll need to bleach it first if you want to dye it a bright or pastel color, like turquoise, pink, or purple. While it is always best to go to the hairdresser to have your hair bleached, you can do it yourself, purchasing a bleach kit and following the instructions included in the package to the letter.
Consult a professional before attempting to bleach previously dyed hair. The bleach could react badly to certain dyes and seriously damage your hair
Part 2 of 2: apply the stain
Step 1. Mix the dye according to the directions
Most brands' kits contain a developer bottle and a dye bottle. To activate the products, you will need to mix the contents of the two vials. However, be sure to read the instructions carefully, even if you have dyed your hair before, since the technique to adopt can vary from one brand to another and even from one range to another, within the same brand.
If you are using a semi-permanent dye, such as most bright and pastel shades, you might not have to mix products
Step 2. Put on gloves before applying the dye to your hair
Hair dye can severely irritate the skin. Even if you use a rather gentle product, your hands could still be stained if you are not wearing gloves.
Most commercial dye kits contain gloves, but if your kit does not contain gloves, you can buy them at a beauty store or drugstore. You could also buy an additional pair if your kit already contains one
Step 3. Apply the stain with the applicator bottle or with a brush
If your kit contains a bottle, you can mix the two substances in it and apply the preparation directly to your hair. However, you will have more control over the application by preparing the stain in a bowl and then applying it with a brush.
You can buy an applicator brush at any beauty supply store, but you can also use a sponge brush, which you can find at a hobby store
Step 4. Apply the stain from the roots to the tips
Once the dye is prepared and you've got your gloves on, you can start the fun part: applying the dye! Saturate the hair roots first, since this is where the hair color will take the longest to develop. Then work section by section, coating each strand of hair from roots to ends. If necessary, work with your fingers to work the product into your hair.
- Make sure to coat the top and bottom of the strands to be dyed with product.
- Unless your hair is very long, you probably won't need to use the entire dye bottle, since you will only be dyeing the bottom layer of your hair.
Advice:
to achieve a two-tone or dip-dyed effect, first apply a darker color to the tips. Then apply a light color to the rest of the strands as you work, all the way to the roots. Make sure to blend well the area where the two colors meet, to avoid showing a too sharp demarcation between the two shades.
Step 5. Cover your shoulders with a towel and set the timer
Once you are done applying the color to your hair, place a towel over your shoulders to protect your skin from the dye. Read the product leaflet carefully to determine how long you need to leave it on. Set your timer accordingly and wait!
- Don't lift the dye-coated strands with the rest of your hair, where the dye will stain them.
- Do not leave the dye on your hair longer than indicated on the package leaflet.
- If you want, you can use makeup remover to remove the drips from your skin while you wait for the color to develop.
Step 6. Rinse off the stain with cool water
Once the timer rings, rinse your hair with cool water to remove the dye. Run your fingers through your hair so you don't miss a strand. Rinse until the water flowing from your hair is perfectly clean and you no longer feel any dye on your hair.
Do not use shampoo and avoid using hot water. Otherwise, you risk opening the scales of your hair and removing pigments
Step 7. Apply a hair mask
If your kit contained a mask, apply it to your hair and let it act for the time indicated. If your kit didn't contain any, use your favorite conditioner or mask. Leave it on for about 5 minutes and rinse it off.