Home Hair colouring kits have come a long way since their inception. These days the kits are not only technologically advance but give fool proof results. It is easy to colour your hair but if you don’t do it properly results won’t match your expectations.
So here are some fail safe tips and products to achieve that luscious head of shiny hair you have always desired.
-Read instructions on box thoroughly
-If you have short hair one colouring kit is sufficient
-Mid to long hair two kits are required because you need your hair to be saturated with product to get an effective result.
-Check your new growth at the scalp or eyebrows to determine your natural hair colour. With a home colouring kit you should only attempt to go up to two shades darker or lighter than your natural colour. If you are colouring your hair for the first time do not go too light or dark
-Never wash or brush hair just before colouring hair as this will prevent the colour from adhering to your hair and it will make your scalp extra sensitive.
-Do not perm or straighten your hair for several weeks after colouring.
-Avoid swimming in pools for at least a week, even then take precautions and wear a swim cap.
What you need:
-Bowl and Brush
-Some old towels
-Old shirt
-Cape
-Plastic/latex gloves
-Kitchen timer
-Time – about 2 hours for a novice
-Tub of Vaseline
-Rubbing Alcohol/ perfume
What to do:
1. Put on your old shirt and have a couple of old towels handy. Part your hair into four sections (like a hot cross bun!) from front to backdown the centre, and from ear to ear.
2. So where do you start the colouring process? This varies with the kit you choose so be guided by the Instruction Leaflet as some require roots first and others mid lengths and ends first. When covering grey it is best to start at the whitest area first
3. Coat nape, hairline and ears with Vaseline to avoid staining
4. Then apply the colour section by section and this will ensure even coverage.
5. Use a kitchen timer for exact timing of the processing
6. After the allocated time is up, apply any leftover colour to the ends. Use a wide toothed comb to pull the colour through the entire hair shaft, from the roots to the ends.
7. Leave colour on the ends no more than five minutes. After this time is up, add a little water to your hair and lather the colour mixture through it like a shampoo.
8. Rinse your hair thoroughly in tepid water until the rinse water runs clear and absolutely no colour mixture remains in your hair
9. If your kit comes with a conditioner, apply it now. Leave it on for two-three minutes and then rinse thoroughly in tepid water. You may use a deep conditioning treatment instead of the boxed kit conditioner.
10. Some women prefer to shampoo their hair after rinsing out the color and before conditioning. I don't recommend this. Waiting at least24 hours to shampoo allows the colour to "set" in your hair and helps to stop the colour fading
1. Do not blow dry immediately – air drying is best but if you must use a hairdryer do so on the low heat setting
12. To help preserve the vibrancy of your colour, subsequent shampooing and conditioning should be done using cool water and with a colour protective shampoo and conditioner. Hot water will strip colour from your hair.
13. If staining has occurred on skin use a dab of perfume or rubbing alcohol to remove it
14. If the floor or tiles and grouting are stained a spot of bleach will remove the stains, but always patch test first.
15. If you think the resulting hair colour is too dark use a medicated shampoo to balance it – the active ingredients in the shampoo can calm the colour but not too much.
How to pick the right colour:
-Never be swayed by the photograph, read the instructions! The photographs on the kit are an indication of the colour only.
-What might work for your friend might not work for you – keep in mind your hair type, length, facial structure and colouring.
-Decide what you want to do - covering grey hairs, a change of shade or both
-General rule of thumb permanent colours are best to cover greys, semipermanents are better for a quick touch-up between visit to your colourists.
Best Grey Coverage:
-L’Oreal Paris Excellence Crème
-Garnier Nutrisse
-Clairol Nice’N Easy
Best Grey Coverage and Fashion Colours - Mid Thirties
-L’Oreal Superior Preference
-Garnier 100% Color
Best fashion colours for 18-25
-L’Oreal Paris Feria Color 3D
Best Semi Permanent Colouring kit
-L’Oreal Casting Crème Gloss – lasts for 28 shampoos
Excellent Idea and Best Kit for Root Touch Ups
-Clairol Nice’N Easy Root Touch-Up
Best Colour Safe Shampoos and Conditioners
-Aveda Color Conserve and Conditioner is a marriage made in heaven for colour treated hair
-Alchemy Ylang Ylang Shampoo is free from parabens and sulphates making this the most natural and gentle way to care for your colour treated hair
-Sebastian Laminates Cellophanes Shampoo and Conditioner - a great team for maximum colour protection and shimmer, comes in three shades blonde, red and brunette
-Herbal Essences Colour Me Happy Shampoo and Conditioner is the best budget care you can give your coloured hair for shine and moisture.
-Hamadi Shea Spray - An excellent product for shine, de-frizzing and protection against the sun’s rays.
TIP: The L’Oréal Advisory Bureau -1300 659 359, is one of the best places to call about
any problems or queries about colouring your hair at home
Stockist:
Alchemy – 1800 631 283
Aveda - 1300 555 058
Clairol – 1800 226 524
Garnier- 1300 651 743
Hamadi – www.adorebeauty.com.au
Herbal Essences – 1800 028 280
L’Oreal Paris – 1300 659 359
Sebastian – 1300 728 333
Dhav Naidu
* This information was sourced from '9am with David and Kim'.
