Hair color mistakes happen to the best of us. Whether you’re still new to at-home hair coloring or are a seasoned veteran, there’s always room to improve your technique and avoid common pitfalls and bad decisions when it comes to hair color at home. Here are the top 10 at-home hair color mistakes you’re probably making — plus how to fix them!
Choosing The Wrong Color
Choosing a hair color that doesn’t suit your complexion can lead to disaster. If you have dark skin and choose an ash blonde shade, for example, you’ll look washed out and tired. Instead, choose a hue that fits your overall skin tone. And if you don’t know which colors suit you best—that is, whether blue or green are better suited to your features—visit a professional colorist to get advice on what will flatter your face shape and complexion.
Putting It On Wrong
Many of us have tried at-home hair color and thought it was an easy process—paint on your roots, leave it on for a little while, wash out. But there are many things that can go wrong: painting too much color into your hair, not combing through your hair to make sure you haven’t missed any patches, or leaving it in too long.
Not Using Conditioner
Your hair will dry out, causing your color to fade quicker. If you’re using boxed dye and following instructions, there’s no need to use a conditioner. If you color at home regularly, invest in good deep conditioning treatment for weekly use. In order to be gentle on your hair and scalp, opt for a gentler treatment that doesn’t contain sulfates or parabens; coconut oil treatments are a great option.
Having The Wrong Expectations
What you think is going to happen often doesn’t. Expecting your natural hair color to match what’s on the box can lead to a major disappointment when it comes time for your touch-up appointment. Also, make sure that you have realistic expectations in terms of how long it will take your hair to get back to its original shade after coloring. Some colors can take up to six weeks or more, so be patient and remember that results vary based on skin tone and natural color.
Applying Too Much Developer
Although it may seem like a good idea to apply more developer if you think your hair isn’t lifting enough, too much of that formula can dry out your hair. The drying agent will cause your scalp to become itchy and red and could even lead to burning sensations. The dryness also increases your chance of getting an at-home hair color line on your neck or shoulders, because those areas don’t have as much oil or sweat glands like other parts of your body.
Not Rinsing Well Enough
The goal of rinsing out your hair color is to remove every last bit of dye. If you’re taking shortcuts or cutting corners during your rinse, your color isn’t going to look as vibrant or last as long as it should. The longer you leave color on your hair, the more damage you do to its texture and overall health. Rinsing well enough is simple: When in doubt, rinse some more!
Picking A Color That Doesn’t Suit You
Choosing a color that doesn’t suit your skin tone or eye color is an easy way to turn your hair into an eyesore. Likewise, picking too drastic of a change from your natural shade can make you look silly. Keep in mind: Subtle, tasteful, and flattering are always best when it comes to hair color.
Leaving It On Too Long
If you’re using a box dye at home, there’s no need to leave it on your hair longer than directed. While it may be tempting to just sit back and relax while you let your hair color develop, you could be doing more damage to your hair—and speeding up oxidation and fading.
Going Over With Hydrogen Peroxide More Than Once
Yes, you can go back to your roots a second time with peroxide but there’s no reason to do so. Peroxide has two purposes in an at-home hair color application: bleaching and oxidation. Only once does both jobs, so use it wisely. Hydrogen peroxide is damaging by itself, and leaving too much of it on your scalp will cause dryness and itchiness. If you want to avoid all that extra work, stick with one application of hydrogen peroxide from root to tip.
Not Mixing Well Enough
One of the most common at-home hair color mistakes is not mixing well enough. If you have box dye and a bottle of developer, mix them in separate containers. Never put them together in one container; even an extra minute of shaking can cause streaks and lines that are very difficult to fix.
Final Thoughts
If you’re new to at-home hair color, there are a few mistakes you should try to avoid, as listed above. Make sure to avoid those to get the best out of your hair color!
