Gray hair is known to be more prone to dryness, which makes proper moisturization vital. Luckily, you can keep your curls looking their best by using nourishing hair care products that cater specifically to curly hair. With the right products and styling techniques, your gray curls will maintain their bounce, shine, and overall health.

🤗 Thanks to Lisa Fennessy of The New Knew and Joli Campbell of QuickSilverHair for contributing to this post. These women both rock their gorgeous gray hair and help others do the same.

Understanding Gray and Curly Hair

Melanin and Aging Process

As you age, your hair gradually loses its pigment called melanin, resulting in gray or white hair. The process is natural and occurs due to a decrease in melanin production within the hair follicles. Embracing this change can be a beautiful journey, as gray curly hair can make a unique and stylish statement.

Premature Graying

While graying is often associated with aging, sometimes it can happen prematurely. This could be due to genetics, lifestyle factors like stress and diet, or even certain medical conditions. Understanding the cause of premature graying can help you better care for your hair and manage its texture.

Texture of Curly Hair

Gray hair might appear curlier than your younger hair, as the absence of melanin can affect its structure. This change in texture can be embraced by learning how to care for your gray curly hair. Remember to:

• Use moisturizing products to combat dryness
• Regularly trim your hair to get rid of split ends
• Experiment with different styles to find the perfect look for you

When you look after your gray curly hair, it will reward you with a beautiful and unique appearance.

Caring for Gray Curly Hair

Hydration and Moisturizing

Proper hydration and moisturizing are essential for maintaining the health and appearance of your gray curly hair. Gray hair can be dry and delicate, so keeping it moisturized is crucial. Make sure to use nourishing shampoos and conditioners designed for curly hair. Opt for sulfate-free products, as they are less harsh on your hair. Additionally, consider incorporating a leave-in conditioner or hair oil to lock in moisture and add extra shine.

Lisa Fennessy, CEO & founder of The New Knew, recommends shampooing less often, regularly deep conditioning, and using a heat protectant.

Shampooing daily cleanses off the protective layer of sebum that covers the hair, causing the shaft to dry out. Try shampooing your hair less and use a moisturizing shampoo that will clean hair but won’t strip it. I like doubling down and using a moisturizing purple shampoo which also helps cancel out any brassiness at the same time.

Use a hair mask weekly to deep condition hair. Choosing a protein-based treatment (soy, rice, quinoa, or other plant-derived proteins) can help improve strength, shape, volume, color, smoothness, gloss, and moisture. 

Use a hair protectant after every wash. Hair exposed to sunlight is more brittle, stiffer and drier and has a reduced water-absorption capacity. And light colored hair (including gray hair) is more susceptible to this.

Lisa Fennessy – The New Knew

Styling Gray Curly Hair

I polled my readers in 2022 about their grey curly hair and 62% said they have some trouble with styling their grays.

When it comes to styling your gray curly hair, it’s essential to work with the changes in texture that can accompany gray hair. Use products like curl-defining creams, gels, or mousses specifically designed for curly hair to enhance your natural curls and maintain the desired style. Don’t forget to be gentle when detangling – use a wide-tooth comb or your fingers to avoid causing breakage or damage.

To protect your hair from heat damage, always use a heat protectant spray before applying heat styling tools, such as curling irons or flat irons. Additionally, try to limit the use of heat tools and embrace your natural texture as much as possible.

Maintaining the Natural Color

If you’re embracing your natural gray color, it’s crucial to maintain its vibrancy and prevent yellowing. To keep your gray hair looking its best, use a purple shampoo once or twice a week. This will help neutralize any yellow or brassy tones that may develop over time.

Additionally, consider protecting your hair from environmental factors that can contribute to discoloration, like pollution and sunlight. Wear a hat when spending extended periods outdoors, and try using hair products that contain UV filters to minimize sun damage.

Joli Campbell of QuickSilverHair adds:

The best simple advice I can give for silver hair: always use products that are clear, white, or slightly off-white, and steer clear of products with most any other color to them; this includes green tints from olive oil or avocado oil, which are now in abundance in the curly world. 

I always say use heat and UV protection, and use your heat tools on the lowest possible setting. Try to avoid issues before they start because once your hair starts yellowing it can be very difficult to stop it and reverse it.

Joli Campbell – QuickSilverHair

Best Products for Gray Curly Hair

Shampoos and Conditioners

Gray curly hair requires special attention and care, with its unique structure and potential dryness. It is important to use shampoos and conditioners specifically designed for gray and curly hair. Look for products that are sulfate-free and deeply moisturizing.

Joli’s go-to products include the SEEN fragrance free shampoo, SEEN fragrance free deeper conditioner, and By The Way Fragrance Free Purple Conditioner.

Here are Lisa’s top product recommendations, which you’ll love if you’re looking for organic products:

👉My top purple shampoo pick for this is BRUNS N°24 SILVERSCHAMPO. This is a very gentle shampoo that is a good fit for gray hair that is on the dryer side and needs more moisture. 

👉If you have thicker or more oily gray hair, OWAY Silver Steel Hair Bath will be a better fit for you. 

P.S. I’ve tried pretty much every natural purple shampoo on the market. Come see my before and after pics here. 

👉I love OM’s Coconut + Pracaxi Deep Conditioning Hair Mask which will have you at hello with it’s coconutty-dreams-really-do-come-true scent. But it’s also a beast at moisturizing and leaving hair feeling super soft and conditioned without feeling weighed down.

👉For a purple hair mask I like the OWAY HMELT MASK in Mysterious Purple which is specifically designed to nourish, strengthen and protect gray hair. Leave this one on a little longer to drive pigment. 

Lisa Fennessy – The New Knew

Other products I recommend for gray curly hair include:

Kerotin Purple Shampoo and Conditioner Set

$51.00 ($3.19 / Ounce)

Use code HE15 to save at kerotin.com

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12/17/2023 02:21 am GMT

Kerotin Purple Hair Mask

$21.00 ($5.25 / Ounce)

Use code HE15 to save at kerotin.com

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12/17/2023 02:36 am GMT

Styling Products

To keep your gray curls looking fresh and defined, it’s essential to choose the right styling products. Avoid products with harsh chemicals or alcohol, which can cause your curls to lose their shape and become frizzy. Instead, opt for curl-enhancing creams, gels, or mousses that contain nourishing ingredients.

I like to keep it simple. My waves get very easily weighed down and my style only lasts a day. I only wash every other day or sometimes I can stretch it one more day depending on what I started with.

I typically only use shampoo, conditioner, a leave-in of some sort, and gel. If I need it I will seal my dry hair with an oil. So most days I only use 3-4 products.

By The Way Life Changing Leave-in, is a great leave-in for straight to curly silvers, really helps fight frizz. Bounce Curl Moisture Balance Leave-In Conditioner with UV and heat protection is another good option.

Loma Firm Hold Gel is the ONLY gel that I have ever found to do the job on my finicky silver waves.

I diffuse with the Laifen Swift Hair Dryer. I love the oscillating temperature setting that autocycles through cool, medium, and hot, that way my hair never gets too hot.

I seal my hair once it is 100% dry with Loma Nourishing Oil. I don’t do this every washday but it really helps with shine and holding the style just a wee bit longer.

Joli Campbell – QuickSilverHair

Top Pick

EVOLVh WonderBalm Magic For Curls

$59.00 ($17.35 / Fl Oz)

This is the best serum for smoothing, controlling frizz, and adding shine and definition. It makes a great finishing product for all hair types but helps with humid and dry conditions, and has heat protection. It's pricey but there really is nothing else like this.

Use code HE to save on your first order with EVOLVh.

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12/17/2023 02:51 am GMT

Top Pick

TWIST Curl Goals Moisture-locking Leave-in Conditioner

$5.93 ($0.56 / Fl Oz)

Lock in moisture and softness with this lightweight leave-in.

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12/17/2023 10:31 am GMT

TWIST Boss Bounce Light as Air Buildable Styling Cream

$15.69 ($1.85 / Ounce)

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12/18/2023 03:21 am GMT

TreLuxe Curl Defining Mousse

$23.00

I love this ligthweight mousse for defintion, volume, and hold.

Use code holisticenchilada15 to save from TreLuxe's website.

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LUS Brands Irish Sea Moss Gel

$24.00 ($3.00 / Ounce)

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12/17/2023 04:21 am GMT

Heat Protectants

Gray hair is often more susceptible to damage from heat styling tools, so it’s crucial to protect it from potential harm. Whenever you use a hairdryer, flat iron, or curling wand, be sure to apply a heat protectant beforehand. These products usually come in a spray or serum form that can be easily applied to your hair before styling. Using a heat protectant will not only shield your gray curls from high temperatures but also help prevent breakage and frizz.

👉I adore EVOLVh’s SuperFinish Polishing Balm which defrizzes, adds moisture, softness, shine, strength, prevents breakage, splitting AND provides UV and heat protection.

Lisa Fennessy – The New Knew

Other options include:

CURLSMITH Miracle Shield, Protein-Rich Hair Protection Spray for All Curl and Hair Types

$25.99 ($3.25 / Fl Oz)

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12/17/2023 07:31 pm GMT

Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Primer Heat & UV Protection

$27.50 ($3.24 / Fl Oz)

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12/17/2023 04:01 pm GMT

Hairstyles for Gray Curly Hair

Embracing your gray curly hair can be both stylish and liberating. There are plenty of options for you to choose from, whether you prefer short, long, or medium-length hairstyles.

Short Grey Curly Hairstyles

The Pixie Cut: If you’re ready for a bold change, consider a pixie cut for your gray curly hair. This style is perfect for a low-maintenance, yet chic look. It’s also a versatile option, as you can play around with different lengths and textures.

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The Short Bob: A short bob is a fantastic option for showcasing your gray curls. This timeless style frames your face and gives your hair more volume. Plus, it’s easy to maintain and works well with various face shapes.

• Layered Swing Bob: For those wanting a more dynamic, edgy look, try a layered swing bob. This style adds depth and movement to your curls, making them stand out even more.

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Long Grey Curly Hairstyles

Grey Balayage: If you have long curly hair and want to add a touch of elegance, go for a grey balayage. This coloring technique creates a stunning effect by blending your natural gray color with varying shades of grey, resulting in a fairytale-like appearance.

Long Layered Shag: A long layered shag is perfect if you want to keep the length of your hair but still achieve a more structured shape. This style provides volume and dimension to your gray curls while maintaining a free-flowing look.

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Hairstyles for Curly Grey Hair Over 50

For women over 60, embracing your naturally gray hair doesn’t have to look outdated. Here are a couple of stylish options:

• The Short Lob: The short lob is a modern take on the traditional bob, combining elegance with a sleek, edgy feel. By keeping the hair slightly longer in the front, the short lob adds face-framing, cascading layers which enhance your gray curls.
• Layered Shag: A layered shag is an excellent option for curly gray-haired women looking for a more youthful and playful style. The layers add definition while giving your curls a flattering shape. To complete this look, consider adding bangs or a curtain fringe for added depth and texture.

Regardless of your hair length or age, there’s a stylish hairstyle just waiting for you to try. So go ahead, show off your gray curls with confidence and make a bold statement!

Common Challenges and Solutions

Gray curly hair has its own unique set of challenges, but don’t worry. There are solutions to help you maintain the health, strength, and shine of your beautiful silver locks.

First, you might find that your gray curls are prone to dryness. As curly hair is naturally drier than other hair types, graying hair can become even more parched, leading to frizz, breakage, and dullness. To combat this, ensure you’re deeply moisturizing with hydrating conditioners and sealing your hair with nourishing oils. This will help keep your gray curls soft, smooth, and manageable.

Brassy tones can be another issue for gray hair. Sometimes gray strands can take on a yellow or brassy hue, which is not always desirable. Regular use of heat protectant and purple shampoo can help counteract this brassiness and restore your hair to a cool, silvery shade. Just be sure not to overdo it, as overusing purple shampoo can cause your hair to become too cool-toned.

When it comes to gray strands, you might find that they have a stubborn mind of their own. Gray hairs tend to be thicker and coarser than pigmented hairs, making them harder to style and manage. Using a gentle heat styling tool can help you create uniform, healthy curls, while a quality hair mask can restore shine and smoothness to your gray curls. Remember to always use a heat protectant when using heat styling tools to prevent damage.

Finally, as you age, your hair might experience some changes that make it harder to look after. With age, your scalp may produce less oil, leading to increased dryness. Additionally, the texture of your hair might change, becoming more fragile and susceptible to breakage. It’s important to tailor your hair care routine to meet your changing needs. You might want to switch to gentler shampoos, use more nourishing conditioning treatments, and avoid harsh styling products or techniques that can damage your curls.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How to style short curly gray hair?

Short curly gray hair can be styled in various ways to enhance your natural curls and bring out the beauty of your gray color. One option is a simple gray curly hair with bangs. You can also try a pixie cut or a short bob to enhance your curls and keep maintenance minimal.

What are some trendy gray curly haircuts?

Trendy gray curly haircuts include the gray balayage for a fairytale-like look, a layered bob for extra volume, or even a long and wavy style if you prefer more length. The key is to find a cut that complements your face shape and works with your curl pattern.

How to maintain and care for gray curly hair?

To keep your gray curly hair looking its best, it’s essential to have a nourishing hair-care routine. Limit heat exposure, focus on moisturizing products, and avoid those that can coat the hair (like silicones or mineral oil). Additionally, regular trims can help prevent split ends and maintain the overall health of your curls.

What are the best products for gray and curly hair?

It’s crucial to invest in high-quality hair products to keep your gray curls looking vibrant and healthy. Look for sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners, as they are less harsh on your hair. Regularly use a heat protectant if you heat tyle your hair. Additionally, consider using a purple shampoo to neutralize brassiness and maintain your gray color. Leave-in treatments and deep conditioning masques can also provide extra hydration to keep your curls looking their best.

How to keep gray curly hair looking vibrant?

Keeping gray curly hair looking vibrant involves maintaining a proper hair-care routine, and using the right products. As mentioned earlier, a purple shampoo is an excellent option to neutralize brassiness. Deep conditioning treatments and moisturizing styling products can also help maintain the vibrancy of your curls. Ensuring that your hair remains well-hydrated and protected from heat and other environmental factors also contributes to a more vibrant appearance.

Can gray curly hair be highlighted?

Yes, gray curly hair can be highlighted! Highlights can add dimension and depth to your gray, making it look even more stunning. A skilled colorist can help you choose the right shades to complement your natural gray color. However, be cautious of over-processing your hair, as this can damage both your curls and the overall health of your hair.

Conclusion

As you embrace your gray curly hair, it’s important to remember that healthy hair begins with proper care and maintenance.

Gray hair is a natural part of the aging process and can be a stunning style statement when embraced with the right attitude and care regimen. So go ahead, celebrate your gray curly hair and rock your unique look with confidence!

The post Gray Curly Hair: The Ultimate Care Guide appeared first on The Holistic Enchilada.

This guide will give you all the information you need about toners for brunette hair. You’ll discover how to tone brassy brown hair, what toner does to brunette locks, and some different options for toning brunette hair. 

And we’ll also share some tips that make it easy to tone brown hair and some product recommendations to help you choose the best toners for brown hair.  

What Is a Hair Toner?

Hair toner is a temporary or semi-permanent hair color treatment that either minimizes or emphasizes certain color tones in your hair strands. They’re more commonly used on lightened hair, as the bleaching process can leave behind warm undertones that give a brassy appearance. 

Hair toners deposit color pigments onto your hair strands to neutralize unwanted undertones in your hair. They work on color wheel theory, where shades cancel out the color lying directly opposite on the wheel. This means that you can use purple and violet toners to neutralize yellow tones or counteract orange undertones with a blue-based toner or blue shampoo. 

Some toners are mixed with a weak developer, but the ammonia in this won’t be strong enough to penetrate deep into your hair strands. The color pigments remain on the surface of the hair follicle, and their effect will last a few weeks. Other toning products, such as color-depositing shampoos and conditioners, have a temporary effect that lasts only a few days. 

When you tone brown hair, you won’t see results as dramatic as on blonde hair, especially if you opt for toning shampoos or conditioners. And you can’t use a hair toner to completely change your natural hair color or lift your locks from brown to blonde. However, they can help remove unwanted undertones and improve the look of your brown locks.

Can You Tone Brown Hair?

Now you know what toners do, but what does toner do for brown hair colors?

Toners can have different effects on brown hair:

• They can reduce warm tones for a more neutral look
• They can add more warmth to brown locks
• They can add fun fashion tints to brunette locks

Some toners will only work on hair that has been lightened to a certain level first. Generally, you’ll need to lighten dark hair to one level higher than the shade of toner you want to use.

Can Toner Lighten or Darken Brown Hair?

Toners deposit pigment into your hair strands, and although some toners need to be mixed with a developer, it tends to be a weak 10% developer. That means toners won’t lighten your hair like hair dye or bleach.

Some toners might darken your hair, and they can give your locks a warmer or cooler tone, but they can’t lighten your locks.

Do You Need To Use a Toner for Brown Hair?

You might love the color you see in the mirror at the end of your salon visit, but that feeling doesn’t always last until your next visit. It’s likely that you notice the color changing over the weeks, and if so, a hair toner could help keep it looking great.

If your stylist used a blend of colors to give your colored hair a more natural look, you might find some of the shades look too subtle or too prominent. A toner can minimize any brassy hues and make others pop.

And if you want to give your hair dye a boost between salon appointments, a hair toner can help you maintain your look for longer.

What Does Toner Do to Brown Hair?

Toners are a great way to balance your hair color. Stylists often include them in hair color treatments at the salon, where they’re sometimes referred to as a gloss or glaze.

You can also buy DIY hair toners to keep your color looking great for longer. 

All of these toners have three main effects:

1. Counteracts the Ammonia in Hair Dye

Ammonia in semi-permanent and permanent hair dye oxidizes the melanin in your hair, which lightens the strands. But it often leaves behind red, orange, or yellow undertones, leaving your hair brassy. 

Hair toner counteracts these undertones to give your hair a cooler, more neutral tone. 

2. Corrects Color Changes From Sun Exposure

The sun can give your brunette hair some gorgeous natural highlights. But the sun’s UV rays can also enhance the orange and red undertones in color treated hair and give you brassy locks.

Using a toner for dark brown hair can neutralize these undertones to keep your hair looking great until your next color treatment.

3. Changes Color Quality

If you want to change your brunette color without going blonde, an ash brown toner can make a dramatic difference to your hair’s tone. It will remove warm undertones to give your hair a more neutral ash brown color that looks very stylish.

Choosing a Toner for Brown Hair

If you’re ready to start using a toner on your brown locks, how do you begin to choose the best toner? 

Your first decision is whether to head to the salon or tone your hair at home.

Hair Toning in the Salon

Your stylist or colorist is an expert in hair care, so you should feel confident about trusting them to choose the best hair toner for you. 

They will be able to select the best toner for brassy brown hair and they’ll know which product will give you the result you’re looking for. They’ll also be able to advise you on whether you can achieve your hair toning goals at home.

Toning Your Brown Hair at Home

If you decide you want to take the DIY route, the three main options are:

• Toning Shampoo: This can be used instead of your regular shampoo, and the effect usually builds up over a few washes.
• Toning Conditioner: You can use this after your regular shampoo and leave it on your locks for a few minutes so the pigments can be deposited on your strands.
• Hair Toner: Salon-style toners must be mixed with a developer before application. This makes them harsher on your locks than the other options but results in a more even and longer-lasting color.

It’s essential to work out which shade of toner will give you the look you want. If you pick a toner designed to work on light hair, it won’t make any difference to brunette hair, which wastes your time and money. 

And because any chemical treatment can potentially damage your hair, take care to choose the right shade of toner so you avoid unnecessary chemical processing.

Toners for brassy brown hair will usually last for 3 to 4 weeks between applications, while shampoos and conditioners can generally be used multiple times each week. Whichever options you choose, be sure to follow the instructions carefully to get the best results.

What Is the Best Toner for Brown Hair?

If you’ve decided to opt for the DIY hair toning option, these are some of the best toners for brown hair:

Best Toner for Dark Brown Hair

If your dark brunette hair looks brassy, you can neutralize this with a green shampoo and conditioner to counterbalance orange or red undertones in dark brown hair.

MATRIX Total Results Dark Envy Color-Depositing Green Shampoo and Conditioner

$40.00 ($5.00 / Count)

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12/18/2023 04:21 am GMT

Best Toner for Light Brown Hair Color

You’ll see the effects of toner on light brown hair more clearly than on dark hair. Blue shampoo, conditioner, or toner will help minimize orange undertones and eliminate any unwanted brassy tones in light brown hair. 

Fanola No Orange Shampoo With Blue Pigments

$16.77 ($1.42 / Fl Oz)

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12/18/2023 04:26 am GMT

Best Toner to take Warm Brown Hair to Ash Brown Hair

If you want to cool the warm tones of your brown hair color, an Ash Brown hair toner will help you achieve a more neutral shade.

L'Oreal Paris Le Color One Step Toning Hair Gloss

$11.00 ($2.75 / Fl Oz)

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12/17/2023 12:16 am GMT

Best Toner for Brown Hair with Highlights

If you have platinum highlights in your brown hair and want to remove yellow undertones, a platinum toner will restore the icy blonde look you want.

L'Oreal Paris Le Color Gloss One Step In-Shower Toning Hair Gloss, Platinum Pearl

$9.59 ($2.40 / Fl Oz)

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12/17/2023 11:31 pm GMT

Alternatively, purple shampoo and conditioner will neutralize yellow undertones without using a developer. This option is gentler on your locks but won’t last as long as a toner.

Luseta Purple Shampoo and Conditioner Set for Blonde, Gray Color Treated Hair

$35.00 ($1.04 / Fl Oz)

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12/18/2023 04:31 am GMT

How to Tone Brown Hair at Home

Applying a DIY hair toner is a hair treatment you can easily carry out at home. It’s a simple process with just a few easy steps:

Shampoo your Hair

For the best possible results, it’s essential to apply toner to clean locks. So first, wash your hair with your regular shampoo – using a sulfate-free shampoo will reduce the risk of natural hair drying out. 

Blot your hair dry with a microfiber towel or cotton t-shirt afterwards. It’s best to apply toner to damp hair, not dry hair or hair that is still soaking wet, as this will help your hair absorb more of the toner’s pigment and give a more even result.

Apply the Toner

Put on latex or vinyl gloves and then mix the toner with a developer, following the packet instructions carefully.

Next, use a color brush to apply the toner to the areas where you want to correct the color. This might mean covering all your hair or just a few specific sections. 

Then set a timer for the length of time that your toner needs to develop, which could be as little as 5 or 10 minutes but could be longer. Wearing a shower cap will help to get a better result as it keeps heat in and allows the toner to penetrate your strands more easily.

Rinse the Toner Out

When the time is up, you can do a spot check by wiping the toner off a few strands of hair with an old towel. If the color doesn’t look right, you might need to leave the toner on for a few more minutes.

Once you’re happy with the color, rinse your hair thoroughly with warm water and then wash it with a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner, finishing with a cool water rinse.

Hair toner can have a drying effect on your locks, so you might also want to use a deep conditioning treatment. 

Toning Your Brown Hair: Before and After

Before and after photos can be one of the best ways to decide if a hair toner would be right for you.

FAQS

Looking for more information about toners for dark hair? These are some of the questions we get asked most often:

Is Brown Hair Toner Permanent?

Toner for brown hair is a semi-permanent treatment, generally lasting around 3-4 weeks. You’ll need to apply the toner regularly to maintain your desired color.

What Toner Gets Rid of Orange in Brown Hair?

Hair toners and toning shampoos neutralize the color opposite them on the color wheel. Orange sits opposite blue on the color wheel, so to get rid of orange tones in brown hair, you need to look for blue shampoo, conditioner, or hair toner.

What Happens if You Put Blonde Toner On Brown Hair?

Purple toner is used to cancel out yellow undertones on platinum or very light blonde hair. So if you have platinum blonde highlights in your brown hair, the purple toner will give them a cooler tone. 

If you apply it to brunette hair without any blonde highlights, the purple toner will have no effect at all. 

Is Toner Better for Your Hair Than Hair Dye?

Toner for brown hair is gentler than hair dye because it uses less hydrogen peroxide. However, that also means that the results don’t last as long, so you’ll need to refresh your toner every 3-4 weeks to keep your color looking great.

Final Thoughts on Toning Brunette Hair

Now you have all the information you need to know about how to tone brown hair, from whether to visit the salon or do it yourself at home, to how to apply toner and the best toning products for brown hair.

With just a few simple steps, you’ll soon be able to remove unwanted brassy undertones and keep your brunette locks looking better than ever.

The post Toning Brown Hair: Stunning Techniques, Tips, and Tricks appeared first on The Holistic Enchilada.

This hair coloring technique gives a stunning, natural-looking effect that causes less chemical damage than traditional highlights, and many stylists now offer partial balayage as well. Understanding the difference between partial balayage vs full balayage can help you to decide which technique to choose. 

In this guide, we’ll look at the differences between the techniques and the pros and cons of each one. We’ll also share some tips to help you keep your balayage highlights looking gorgeous for longer.

Partial Balayage vs Full Balayage – What Are They?

Traditional balayage is a hand-painting hair coloring technique that gives natural-looking highlights.

The stylist paints individual sections of your hair with a bleaching solution, which allows the look to be customized to suit your face shape. The contrast between your natural hair color and the balayage highlights will give the impression of thicker, more voluminous hair. 

This also means that the color won’t leave an obvious line as your hair grows, so you can leave it longer before your next appointment.

What Is a Full Balayage

If you opt for a full balayage, your stylist will hand-paint the bleaching solution along the entire length of strands across your whole head, leaving the roots untouched. This gives a sun-kissed effect but without the harsh regrowth lines and frequent maintenance associated with traditional highlights.

Because the lightener is applied across your full head of hair, not just to the top layers, a full balayage can give you a dramatic change of color. Your base color will still show through, giving you a full head of gorgeous multi dimensional tones.

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What Is a Partial Balayage

Partial balayage means creating face-framing partial highlights and lightening the ends of your hair, and the upper layer around your crown. 

If you’re nervous about having your hair highlighted for the first time, the subtle change of a partial balayage is an ideal first step. This color technique is also easy to maintain or grow out.

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What’s the Difference?

If you’re unsure whether to choose a full or partial balayage, here are the key differences between the two techniques.

Coverage

Full and partial balayage both lighten the areas of the hair that the sun would touch. But a full balayage will lighten everything except the roots, while a partial balayage will only highlight certain areas like your hair’s ends and top layer.

Application time

As you’d expect, a full balayage is more time-consuming than a partial balayage. The exact time will depend on how long and thick your hair is, but you can expect your appointment to take around three to four hours. If you choose a partial balayage, you will probably spend around an hour in the salon. 

Cost

In general, you can expect a partial balayage cost to be less than full highlights. Depending on the salon’s location and how experienced your stylist is, you could spend around $300 to $500 on full balayage or about $100 to $200 on partial balayage.

Maintenance

Both balayage styles are fairly low maintenance, but you will need more frequent hair appointments to maintain a full balayage.

The Balayage Application Process

Whether you have full or partial highlights, the balayage technique is gentler on your locks than traditional foil highlights. 

Your hairdresser will paint the bleach solution onto specific sections of your tresses instead of totally saturating your strands in the solution. This also means that your stylist can more easily customize the look to suit your face shape, hair color, and hair texture. 

After applying the color, your stylist usually sits you under a heated dryer while the color processes. Next, your hair will be rinsed and then conditioning treatments and toners will be applied to perfect your color and leave your locks shiny.

The length of your salon visit will depend on factors like your hair length and how many levels you want to lighten your hair. But you should reckon on spending at least an hour in the salon for partial balayage and up to four hours for the full technique.

Partial vs. Full Balayage Pros and Cons

Full balayage and partial balayage both give a beautiful, natural look and cause less damage to your hair than foil highlights. So how do you choose which one is right for you? 

Considering the advantages and disadvantages will help you make your decision:

Full Balayage

This technique has become one of the most popular ways to highlight hair in recent years. 

Pros

• Classic balayage highlights can give you a noticeable change of color, but the balayage technique is still subtle enough to look natural.
• Your stylist can customize your look to suit your hair’s style, type, and texture.
• This technique is ideal if you want to take your hair color a few shades lighter or cover gray hair.
• Full balayage is less harsh than foils, as the strands aren’t saturated in the bleaching solution.
• Regrowth is less obvious than with foil highlights, so you will only need to touch up a full balayage every 12-14 weeks, compared to 4-6 weeks for foilyage.

Cons

• Full balayage lightens more hair than partial balayage, so you should expect to spend up to four hours in the salon chair.
• This also makes the treatment more expensive than a partial balayage, costing around $400 to $500 on average.
• Although you can leave several months between touch-ups, you will still need to bear in mind the cost and time involved in these appointments.

Partial Balayage

The subtle style of partial balayage can be an ideal way to try out a new look before upgrading to the full process.

Pros

• Partial balayage lightens less hair than full balayage, so there’s less risk of chemical damage. 
• Applying a partial balayage takes less time, making it easier to fit into your busy schedule.
• Partial balayage is less expensive, costing around $100 to $200 on average.
• Most of your mane will still be your natural color, so the subtle highlights will look softer.
• Regrowth looks less obvious with a partial balayage, so you can leave it longer than 12 weeks before topping up your highlights.

Cons

• You can’t achieve a dramatic color change with the partial balayage process.
• Regular salon appointments will still be needed, so you need to factor in the time and expense of maintaining your look.

How to Choose Between Full and Partial Balayage?

Full balayage and partial balayage can both give you beautiful results. Choosing the right option for your hair will depend on several factors:

When to Choose Full Balayage

Full balayage gives you a dramatic color change without lightening your roots. Opt for full balayage if:

• Frequent salon trips aren’t a problem.
• You can afford the cost of your color treatment.
• You want a bright, sun-kissed look.

When to Choose Partial Balayage

Partial balayage brightens your hair without dramatically changing the color. Choose partial balayage if you want:

• A subtler change of look, especially on virgin hair
• Less damage to your hair
• Less time in the salon

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Tips For Making Your Balayage Last

These simple steps will help keep your color looking great for longer:

Minimize heat

Blow drying and using heated styling tools will fade your color and leave your locks feeling dry. It’s best to air dry your hair and avoid hot tools like curling wands, but if this isn’t possible, apply a heat protectant first and fit a diffuser to your blow dryer.

Minimize washes

Shampooing your hair will strip color out of your strands and can also make your hair drier. So try to leave longer between washes to keep your color looking fresh.

When you shampoo your hair, rinse it with cool water to stop the color from washing out. And use a microfiber towel or cotton t-shirt to dry your hair, rather than rubbing your locks with a cotton towel.

Choose high-quality hair care products

Look for sulfate-free, color-friendly hair products to keep your color vibrant and your hair shiny. Purple or blue toners and shampoos can also help reduce brassy undertones.

Matrix Brass Off Blue Shampoo and Nourishing Conditioner Set

$40.00 ($1.98 / Fl Oz)

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Hydrate with hair masks and deep conditioners

The chemicals that your stylist uses to lighten your hair will dry out your tresses, which can leave your hair brittle and prone to breaking. Hair masks and deep conditioning treatments can help to restore moisture to your color-treated locks.

Arvazallia Hydrating Argan Oil Hair Mask and Deep Conditioner for Dry or Damaged Hair

$12.95

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Limit sun exposure

Sun exposure will fade your color and leave your hair feeling dryer, so avoid sun exposure to keep your balayage looking fresh. 

Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Primer Heat & UV Protection

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Balayage vs Highlights

Highlights are created by saturating sections of hair with bleach and wrapping each in foil to develop. The size, placement, and number of sections determine how bold the effect is, and curly hair highlights often leave a harsh line where the unbleached root begins.

On the other hand, balayage gives a more natural, sun-kissed effect, thanks to the hand-painted technique. It’s easier for your stylist to customize the look to suit your preferences, and balayage is more gentle on your locks. This makes it more suitable for dry and damaged hair.

Partial Balayage vs Full FAQs

If you’re considering a partial or full balayage, these frequently asked questions will help you get the perfect look to suit your personal style.

Is a Balayage the Same as an Ombre?

These are similar techniques, but the sectioning processes are different, which gives different results. 

Ombre gives you a gradual vertical change from light to dark or vice versa, while balayage will give you a more blended finish. Although there will be some graduation of color, it won’t be as striking as the graduated color of an ombre.

Does Balayage Damage Hair?

All chemical processing can cause some damage to your hair, but balayage is gentler on your hair than traditional foil highlights or an all-over color. That’s because the color is hand-painted onto specific areas, and the technique also needs less frequent maintenance.

Does Balayage Work for Every Type of Hair? 

Balayage works well on pretty much every hair type and can be customized to suit straight, wavy, or curly hair. 

However, the technique works best on hair that’s at least chin-length, as the results don’t show up so well on short hair. And if you have dark hair, you might need more than one session to achieve your desired outcome. 

Partial Balayage vs Full Balayage – The Bottom Line

Both of these options give you a low-maintenance, natural-looking result with less damage than traditional foil highlights. Although there are a few differences, like the cost and the length of your salon visit, these two techniques are pretty similar. 

Your main decision is whether you prefer the more dramatic color change that full balayage gives or the more subtle look of a partial balayage. Whichever you choose, it’s essential to visit a skilled colorist who can tailor the technique to suit your hair and give your desired look.

The post Partial Balayage vs Full Balayage – How to Know Which Is Right appeared first on The Holistic Enchilada.

As long as you visit a colorist who understands curly hair, highlights can really make your curls pop, and there’s a massive range of colors to choose from. 

So this guide will tell you all you need to know about the different highlighting techniques and how to choose the right highlights to suit your curls. We’ll also give you some hair color inspiration for your curly hair highlights, tell you how to prep your hair beforehand, and help you keep your highlights looking fresh for longer.

Getting Highlights for Curly Hair: Is it Better than All-Over Hair Color?

However you choose to color your naturally curly hair, the chemicals in hair dyes will have an effect on it. They can make your strands drier and more brittle and can also affect your natural hair texture, making your curly hair less curly. 

Instead of covering your entire head of hair with the dye, highlights pick out smaller areas for coloring. And you can generally go longer before your dark roots need touching up, which makes highlights a gentler way to color your hair compared to an all-over color. 

And you can minimize damage to your brunette curls by choosing a colorist who is experienced in curly hair highlights and ensuring that your hair is in excellent health before coloring it.

Highlighting Application Methods

Coloring techniques have advanced a great deal in recent years, and the days when highlighter caps were the only option are far behind us, thankfully.

Nowadays, you have several options to choose from, which are much more suitable for curly hair.

Pintura Highlights for Curly Hair

Pintura is a special technique used to highlight curly hair. The name means ‘to paint’ in Spanish, and describes how color is painted by hand from the tips of the hair upwards. 

The pintura technique mimics how light naturally falls on dark brown curly hair and gives a natural appearance that accentuates your curls. No heat or foils are involved in the hand painting process, so it’s gentler on your locks.

Curly Hair Balayage

Balayage is one of the most popular coloring techniques and balayage on curly hair creates a very natural look. The name comes from the French word ‘balayer’ meaning to sweep, and it describes a technique where the color is swept along the surface of the hair.

Whether you want a subtle, sun-kissed look with a few golden highlights or a complete change of hair color, balayage is ideal for curly hair. The stylist can paint individual curls to create an effect that highlights the texture and really makes your curls pop.

Foil Highlights

The foil highlighting technique, also known as foilyage, is a great way to achieve a precise, defined highlighting effect on curly hair. 

Your colorist will paint hair color onto your curly locks in a similar way to balayage. But instead of letting the hair air-dry, they’ll wrap each section in foils, which gives a more intense lightening effect. 

This technique also gives excellent control over the intensity of the highlights. The more foils the stylist uses, the more intense your final result will be.

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How to Choose Highlights for Curly Hair

When you’re choosing curly hair highlights, there are several factors to consider. 

Your hair type and texture will be most important, as different curl patterns suit different highlighting techniques. Thick, tight curls need bold slices of highlight if you want them to be clearly seen, but if you have fine hair that falls into loose curls, your colorist may suggest delicate hand-painted highlights placed around your hairline.

It’s a good idea to wash and air-dry your hair the day before your appointment so your colorist can see your natural curl pattern. But avoid applying styling products as these can prevent the color from penetrating the strands.

And be sure to describe your usual styling routine to your stylist, whether that involves air-drying or diffusing your curls, or getting a regular blow-out. This can also affect the technique that your colorist chooses.

Types of Curly Hair Highlights

When it comes to curly highlights, there’s a world of options for curly haired girls to choose from. From bold slices of hair color to delicately painted individual curls and from icy blonde to a rainbow of pastel colors. 

To help you make your choice, here’s our pick of hair color ideas for curly hair highlights:

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Caramel Highlights Curly Hair

Bring out the rich color of your dark brown hair by adding caramel balayage for a natural, sun-kissed finish. The warm, subtle shade of caramel highlights will add depth and definition to your curls and make your natural hair color pop. 

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Blonde Highlights on Curly Hair

High contrast highlights in blonde shades will add interest and texture to your locks. Light blonde highlights are an eye-catching option and make your hair look full of volume and bounce.

Golden highlights will give your hair a summer sun glow and accentuate your natural color.

Subtle Blonde Highlights on Curly Hair

If you want a more subtle effect, opt for hand-painted honey blonde balayage highlights to make your hair shine. This rich, warm tone adds lightness to your natural hair and looks stunning against dark brown hair.

Or if you have dark blonde or light brown curly hair, a pretty ash blonde balayage will catch the sun in a subtle way that’s ideal for first-time highlights.

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Red Highlights Curly Hair

Dark brown hair and black hair have natural red undertones, so red highlights work really well on dark hair. Red tips look amazing on African American hair and darker skin tones, and the effect fades beautifully for easy maintenance.

Go for a bright red to make darker hair pop, create a warm look with auburn highlights, or use a mix of dark red low lights and strawberry blonde highlights for a multidimensional finish that adds shine, depth and movement.

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Copper Highlights in Curly Hair

Copper highlights give a soft, sun-kissed look that almost looks natural and will lift your skin tone with a golden glow as well. 

This color looks amazing on long curly hair or wavy hair, making your locks look bouncier and full of life.

Low lights for Curly Hair

Dark brown low lights add depth to a dark base for a head-turning effect, especially on long curly hair. 

Lowlights are created with the same techniques as highlights but use darker shades to add dimension to your dark hair. Your stylist can also mix highlights and lowlights throughout your tresses to really make the color pop.

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Dark Curly Hair With Highlights

Balayage highlights look fantastic on black natural curls, creating a subtle and stylish look that’s easy to maintain as the color fades. 

Try warm tones of copper or light mahogany for a subtle look, or brighten your dark curls with warm blonde highlights that will bring your curls to life. 

Front or Bang Highlights for Curly Hair

If you’re nervous about committing fully to highlights or want a subtle effect, you don’t need to have a full head of highlights. 

Partial highlights on your bangs or the front of your hair will give you a new look without totally changing your hair color. This effect looks great if you have long curls with eyebrow-grazing bangs and partial highlights also work brilliantly on a pixie cut with bangs.

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Gray Curly Highlights

Silver gray pintura highlights are a great way to embrace the gray hair trend and give a unique look that will make your curls shine.

And if you have naturally gray curls, why not add a bright flash of color and personality to your locks with hot pink or purple highlights.

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Pink, Purple, or Blue Curly Hair Highlights

Bright highlights in fashion colors like pink, purple, or blue are guaranteed to turn heads and blend beautifully with dark curly hair. 

Techniques like pintura and balayage are less damaging than an all-over color, so curly haired ladies can blend a rainbow of pastel shades for a fun look without ruining their curls. 

Preparing for Curly Hair Highlights

Curly hair highlights are one of the best ways to freshen up your look and make your curls pop. But it’s essential to prep your hair carefully to minimize damage and keep your locks looking healthy. 

Make sure your locks are in the best possible condition before you treat it by pampering it with deep conditioning treatments and masks in the weeks before your color session.

Arvazallia Hydrating Argan Oil Hair Mask and Deep Conditioner for Dry or Damaged Hair

$12.95

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Fresh hair will give more even results and help your color last longer, so wash your hair the day before your salon appointment using a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner. 

If you use silicone-based products regularly or have hard water at home, remove any buildup with a clarifying shampoo before your salon appointment.

Top Pick

Malibu C Un-Do-Goo Clarifying Shampoo

$17.00 ($1.89 / Fl Oz)

This is my top pick for clarifying all hair types. It removes buildup the best and is still gentle on curly hair.

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Remember to let your curls air-dry without styling products so your colorist can see your natural curl pattern. 

If you wear makeup regularly, wear your usual day-to-day look to your color appointment so that your colorist can match your highlights to your look. And if you don’t wear makeup much, let them know that too so they can choose a color that suits your skin tone. 

Maintaining Curly Hair with Highlights

Nothing beats the vibrant look of a fresh color, so after your curly hair has been highlighted, you’ll want to keep it looking fresh for as long as possible.

Wait a few days before washing your hair to allow the cuticle layer to close fully and secure the color in your strands.

Use color-safe, sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner to avoid leaving your color faded and dull. 

Nexxus Color Assure Shampoo And Conditioner For Color Treated Hair

$29.40 ($1.09 / Fl Oz)

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Minimize washing to keep your curls healthy and your color vibrant. Check out our hair texture guides to discover the best wash day routine for your hair type.

Use silicone-free conditioning treatments, hair masks, and oils to keep your curls luscious and full of life.

Let your tresses air-dry as much as possible, as heated styling tools will quickly fade your color. If you want to blow-dry your curls or use hot styling tools, apply a heat protectant first and use a diffuser on your blow dryer.

CURLSMITH Miracle Shield, Protein-Rich Hair Protection Spray for All Curl and Hair Types

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Sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase, and use a microfiber towel to avoid frizz, tangles, and breakage. 

ZIMASILK 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase

$19.19

Everyone should have one of these! They prevent wrinkles, frizz, tangles, and feel luxurious. A basic necessity for anyone with curly hair but also skincare lovers.

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Top Pick

Tee-Owels T-Shirt Towel

$28.99

Reduce frizz and speed up drying time. Every curly girl should have one. Use code HOLISTICENCHILADA to save 15% at teeowels.com.

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FAQs

If you still need help making a decision about curly hair highlights, here are some of the questions we get asked most often:

Will Curly Hair Highlights Ruin My Hair?

The chemicals used in highlights can dry and damage any hair type. Curly hair is often dry and can be fragile, so highlights on natural hair will cause more damage than on straight hair types. 

Preparing your hair carefully before the color treatment and using high-quality hair products afterward is vital.

Are Highlights or Lowlights Better for Curly Highlighted Hair?

Highlights and lowlights look great on naturally curly brown hair, but highlights tend to be more popular. It really depends on the look you want to achieve and your color preferences. 

What Type of Highlights Are Best for Wavy Hair?

Hand-painted balayage and pintura highlights will both work really well on wavy hair, but you could ask for foil highlights if you prefer.

What Color Makes Curly Hair Pop?

The best color for curly hair highlights really depends on your personal choice. Hand-painted caramel highlights will make your curls pop, or for a more eye-catching look, you could accentuate your curls with red highlights!

Do Highlights Look Better on Straight or Curly Hair?

Highlights look gorgeous on straight, wavy, or curly hair. But they really bring out the texture of natural hair and catch the light as it bounces off your ringlets, curls, or coils. 

Curly Hair Highlights – Final Thoughts

Highlights for curly hair are an ideal way to update your look without the damage that an all-over color can cause.

Techniques like balayage and pintura can look very natural on curly hair, and there’s a wide range of colors to choose from. So whether you go for a subtle honey blonde balayage or eye-catching copper highlights, you’re sure to find a shade you love.

Highlighted curls are pretty low maintenance, and with just a few simple steps, your highlighted curly hair will look gorgeous for weeks.

The post Curly Hair Highlights: Tips and Tricks You Must Know appeared first on The Holistic Enchilada.

Blue hair has been popular for a long time, and dying your hair blue is a fun way to give yourself a funky new look. Lots of celebrities have embraced the blue hair trend, including Lady Gaga, Rihanna, and Kylie Jenner.

There’s a huge range of blue hair shades to choose from, ranging from pale ice blue, through vibrant electric blue to mysterious midnight blue. And one of the best things about blue hair is that you can try this hair trend on any natural hair color.

If you have dark hair, you might think that the blue hair trend isn’t for you. But luckily, there are plenty of products you can use to get this look.

So this guide will help you choose the perfect blue hair dye for dark hair. You’ll discover the different types of hair dye, the best home dye kits to try, and how to keep blue hair vibrant for longer. 

The Challenges of Dying Dark Hair Blue

If you’re thinking of dying your dark hair blue, you face two main challenges.

The first challenge is that some blue hair shades won’t show up well on dark hair. You may find that they only give your hair a hint of blue, which shows up better under bright lights. That’s not really a problem, as long as you’re happy with the results you get. 

If you want a brighter, bolder or paler shade of blue, you can get round this by pre lightening your hair to a level 9 or 10. This will make your chosen shade look much more vivid, but it will also dry and damage your hair, so you will need to give it lots of extra moisturizing treatments.

Your second challenge will be keeping your blue hair looking great for as long as possible. Fashion colors, like blue, purple, or pink, tend to fade very quickly, so without proper care, your hair could look faded and dull within just a week or two. 

Good hair care will help you avoid this, so make sure you follow our tips for keeping blue hair vibrant, a little further on in this guide.

Selecting Your Perfect Shade of Blue

There are so many blue hair shades available, and the choice can feel overwhelming. Here are some of the most popular shades of blue hair, to help inspire your next color change.

Dark Blue Hair Dye

If you have medium-brown or darker hair, a dark blue temporary hair dye is a great way to start experimenting with different blue hair shades. You won’t be committed to the shade long term, and you won’t need to lighten your hair before applying the blue dye.

But if you do decide to take the plunge and apply a permanent blue dye, remember that lighteners and permanent dyes will dry your hair out. So make sure you pamper it with all the deep conditioners, hair oils, and hair masks.

Blue Black Hair Dye

Your skin’s undertone will help you find the best shade of blue for your locks. If you have a cool or neutral skin tone, this cool-toned blue black hair color will look amazing, while warmer skin tones suit rich, purple-based blue hair shades.

And if you’re nervous about going totally blue, why not leave some sections in your natural hair color?

Bright Blue Hair Dye

If you’re going to have blue hair, you might as well go all the way and make it bright. This color will stand out in a crowd, but it needs careful attention to keep the color vibrant for longer. Minimize washing and keep any sulfate-based products far away from your locks to prevent fading.

Light Blue Hair Dye

If you’re tempted by rainbow hair colors, a pastel blue hair dye provides the perfect contrast against all of the cotton-candy hues. Add this shade to your wishlist for your next spring hair color change.

Midnight Blue Hair Dye

A rich, deep blue that has all the mystery of the night sky. Midnight blue hair color is often designed to work really well on dark locks, or you can apply this dye to lightened hair for a more vivid shade. 

Navy Blue Hair Dye

Navy blue hair shades can be chic or casual, depending on how you style them. You could also add some black slices through your hair for a cool, neutral look.

Silver Blue Hair Dye

A cool ice blue looks stunning, but it will also fade fast. So limit the number of washes each week and opt for color-safe, sulfate-free shampoos to avoid stripping the color from your locks. Keep the dry shampoo handy to freshen up your locks between wash days.

Royal Blue Hair Dye

A semi-permanent hair color in a vibrant royal blue would be ideal if you don’t want to schedule a trip to the salon. This shade will show up best on lighter hair, and will give a subtle tint on dark hair. If you want to achieve a brighter shade without the need for bleach, try using a temporary color wax which is also gentle on curly hair.

Types of Hair Dye

As well as the hair color, you’ll also need to decide what type of hair dye you want to use. 

Whichever option you choose, experts recommend carrying out a strand test and patch test and strand test 24 hours before coloring your hair. This will let you see the color you can expect to achieve and and rules out any dangerous allergic reactions.

Permanent

Permanent box dyes lift the cuticle and deposit color inside the hair shaft. This means that the results will be long-lasting, but it can leave your hair dry and brittle. 

Demi-Permanent

Demi-permanent box dyes use a weaker developer than permanent color treatments, which is gentler on your hair. But you should still get even coverage and long-lasting color.

Semi-Permanent

Semi-permanent dyes are gentler than permanent or demi-permanent dyes because they only deposit color on the outside of your hair strand. They’re also easier to apply but the color won’t last as long. 

Temporary

Temporary hair colors are also known as wash-in-wash-out colors. They’re gentle on your hair and easy to apply but will wash out quickly. This makes them a great choice if you are experimenting with color or want a color just for a few days.

Professional Vs. Box Dye

Alternatively, you could visit the salon for a professional hair color treatment. This can be a great option if you have damaged hair, as the colorist will be able to give you advice on the gentlest color treatment for your locks. 

7 Best Blue Hair Dye for Dark Hair

So you’ve decided to go ahead and you’ve chosen your blue hair shade and type of hair dye.  

There’s a massive range of blue hair dyes out there. So to help you make your choice, here are 7 of the best shades of blue hair dye for dark hair:

Manic Panic Blue Amplified Hair Color, Blue Moon

This semi-permanent dye will give you a vibrant true blue color, even on dark hair. But for the best results, it’s best to lighten your hair to level nine or ten and use a toner to remove yellow undertones before applying your blue dye.

Like all Manic Panic colors, this dye is vegan and cruelty free, and you can mix it with any other Manic Panic colors to create your own custom shade. It will give you some of the most vibrant results of any blue hair dye, but does bleed a lot and stains skin and clothes easily.

With good care, this color will stay looking good for up to six weeks. 

MANIC PANIC Blue Moon Hair Color - Semi-Permanent Hair Dye - Bright Cool True Blue

$17.99 ($4.50 / Fl Oz)

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Schwarzkopf Live Intense Color Cosmic Blue 090

This Schwarzkopf permanent hair dye will give you a subtle blue/black shine on dark hair, so it may not be for you if you’re looking for a very bold color. 

The dye contains a Vibrancy Serum which gives great depth of color and fade resistance, and leaves your hair feeling smooth and shiny. 

Schwarzkop Live Color XXL 90 Cosmic Blue

$19.00

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Kiss Tintation Semi Permanent Hair Colour Blue Moonlight T223

If you want to achieve a bold blue hair color without compromising your hair health, this semi-permanent hair color from Tintation might be ideal. The natural formulation contains conditioning agents like argan oil, collagen, and keratin to give you vibrant color and leave your hair feeling healthy and conditioned. 

And all of Tintation’s 48 vivid colors can be mixed to create your own personal shade. 

This deep blue color will leave a subtle hint of blue on dark hair, but will give a vivid blue color on blonde hair or hair that has been pre-lightened. With good care, your blue hue could las

Schwarzkop Live Color XXL 90 Cosmic Blue

$19.00

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12/18/2023 02:36 am GMT

Lime Crime Electric Blue Hair Dye, Mystic (Electric Blue)

Lime Crime’s vegan hair dyes are known for giving vibrant color and great shine. They’re easy to use at home, and the range of shades makes it easy to achieve the bold color you’re looking for.

This bright blue semi-permanent hair dye will give vivid, super-saturated color on pre-lightened hair, or a more subtle tint on dark blonde and light brown hair. It’s free from harsh ingredients like ammonia, peroxide, and bleach, so it’s kind to your locks as well.

Lime Crime Unicorn Hair Dye Full Coverage, Mystic (Electric Blue)

$16.47 ($2.44 / Fl Oz)

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Garnier Nutrisse Hair Colour, Intense Indigo

Garnier Nutrisse Intense Indigo is a permanent hair dye that will give you intense, midnight blue hair with pure indigo reflects. It’s ideal for use on hair shades between light brown and darkest brown.

Garnier Nutrisse is a popular hair dye brand which is formulated with a blend of three fruit oils: avocado oil, olive oil, and shea oil. This means it delivers bold hair color while also nourishing and protecting your locks. And Garnier’s Colorboost technology gives you high impact color that lasts up to 8 weeks.  

Garnier Nutrisse Ultra Color Nourishing Hair Color Creme, IN1 Dark Intense Indigo

$8.47

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L’Oreal Paris Hicolor, Black Sapphire

This L’Oreal Paris Excellence Hicolor shade is a dark blue/black permanent hair dye that’s formulated specifically for dark bases and gives great lift and color with no brassiness.

You will need to buy a separate developer to mix with this hair dye. 30 volume is recommended for natural hair and 20 volume for relaxed hair.

This hair color does have a drying effect, so be sure to give your hair plenty of pampering with moisturizing conditioner and hair masks.

L'Oreal Paris Excellence Hicolor Permanent Hair Color, Black Sapphire

$6.96 ($4.00 / Ounce)

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12/18/2023 02:51 am GMT

L’Oreal Paris Colorista Midnight Blue Hair Dye

A semi-permanent dye is a great way to try out a color without a long-term commitment. This L’Oreal Paris Colorista Midnight Blue hair dye is free from ammonia, bleach, and peroxide, so it isn’t harsh on your locks.

It’s a rich, conditioning hair dye that gives brunette hair a subtle tint of deep blue with gorgeous reflects and then gradually fades with each wash. 

L'Oreal Paris Colorista Semi-Permanent Hair Color for Brunette Hair, Midnight blue

$5.75

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Keeping Blue Hair Vibrant

Like all ‘fashion’ hair colors, blue hair color tends to fade fast. However, it should still last around four to six weeks if you follow these simple tips to keep your blue tresses looking gorgeous for longer. 

Use Color-Protecting Products

Always look for color-safe, sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner for blue hair. These won’t strip the pigment from your hair as quickly as regular hair products, and they’ll also help to prevent additional dryness.

Nexxus Color Assure Shampoo And Conditioner For Color Treated Hair

$29.40 ($1.09 / Fl Oz)

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Then once a week, you can give your color a top-up with a color-depositing blue conditioner that will help keep the hue looking rich.  

Keracolor Clenditioner BLUE Hair Dye - Semi Permanent Hair Color Depositing Conditioner

$22.00 ($1.83 / Fl Oz)

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Minimize Washes

Even if you use color-safe shampoo and conditioner, washing your hair frequently will quickly fade your color, especially if you’ve opted for a bright blue color. 

Many people wash their hair too frequently anyway, so it’s better to try and minimize your washes and freshen up your locks with dry shampoo in between wash days. Our hair type guides will help you find the best wash frequency for your hair type.

Minimize Heat

Heated styling tools like blow dryers and curling wands will dry out your locks, especially if you have natural hair that tends to be dry anyway. 

If you have colored hair, the heat from your styling tools will make your color look dull and faded. So for the sake of your hair color and the health of your hair, it’s best to avoid hot styling tools as much as possible. If you really want to use your heated styling tools, be sure to apply a heat protectant before you start.

CURLSMITH Miracle Shield, Protein-Rich Hair Protection Spray for All Curl and Hair Types

$25.99 ($3.25 / Fl Oz)

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Avoid Chlorine Exposure

The chlorine that’s added to swimming pool water can affect the color of your hair and build up on your strands. If you want to preserve your blue color, it’s best to avoid chlorinated water completely. 

If you don’t want to give up your daily dip, always wear a swim cap and rinse your hair thoroughly when you get out of the pool. 

FAQs

If you’re nearly ready to take the plunge with blue hair, here are the answers to some of the questions you might still have.

What Is the Best Shampoo for Blue Hair?

Always use a color safe shampoo on blue hair and minimize how often you wash your blue tresses. 

Nexxus Color Assure Shampoo And Conditioner are sulfate-free and enriched with argan oil to keep your hair hydrated and your color looking fresh and vibrant for longer.

Do You Need to Bleach Dark Hair to Dye It Blue?

Some hair color kits are designed for dark hair, so you won’t need to bleach dark hair before you apply the blue dye. 

But to achieve a really bright or ice blue color, you will need to lighten your hair first. 

How Long Will My Blue Hair Color Last Before Fading?

This depends on the color you choose and how well you look after it. Brighter colors tend to fade quicker than dark blue shades, and a bright blue shade might only look fresh for a week.

But if you don’t wash your hair too frequently, and use color-safe hair care products, you will keep your hair looking vibrant for longer. You can also use a hair gloss every two weeks to refresh your hair’s color and shine.

The Bottom Line

Blue hair looks amazing, and with so many different shades to choose from, you’re sure to find one that you love. 

There are plenty of blue hair shades that you can use directly on dark hair. And if you decide you’d love to rock a bright or pale shade of blue, you can achieve this by pre lightening your locks first.

It can be difficult to keep blue hair looking vibrant, but with the right hair care products and some simple hair care tips, your blue locks will be turning heads for longer!

The post Blue Hair Dye for Dark Hair: Colorful and Creative Options appeared first on The Holistic Enchilada.

In this guide, you’ll discover what turns your hair orange, the best box dyes to fix orange hair and some alternative methods you could try using.

Once you’ve read this guide, you’ll be ready to tackle your orange hair and have your locks looking fantastic again!

What Is Brassy Orange Hair and What Causes It?

When dark hair is lightened, the melanin that gives dark hair its natural color is oxidized. Bleaching dark brown hair will give you a lighter hair color, but the melanin left in the hair strands often shows through and makes your hair turn orange or yellow.

You might get brassy orange hair because you haven’t left the bleaching agent on your hair long enough. Orange hair can also be a reaction to chemicals in water, heated styling tools, or some hair care products. 

It’s important to note that orange tones in lighter hair can also result from a mineral build-up from hard water. If this is the cause of your orange hair, you should use a chelating shampoo to cleanse the build-up from your hair.

Colors That Fix Orange Hair

If you need to know how to fix orange hair with box dye, there are few color options that will either cancel out the orange tones or cover them up entirely. 

Red

Red is an excellent option to cover orange hair color. If you choose an orange-toned red dye, your orange tones will make the red dye even more fiery and vibrant. 

On the other hand, if you’d prefer to cancel out the orange tones, a purple or blue-based red dye will give you a more neutral red hair color.

Black

Black hair color covers orange hair very effectively. But while you might be tempted to fix orange hair with black dye, you need to think carefully about whether you want to keep a darker shade long-term. 

Black dye is very difficult to remove. If you decide you want to go lighter again in the future, you will need to use lightening treatments that can seriously damage your hair.

Brown

If you want to cover your orange tones, you can use any brown hair dye that is the same level or darker than your existing color. But using brown hair dye to cover orange hair gives results that aren’t as easy to predict as black hair dye, so you should do a strand test to check first.

A shade that’s described as warm may accentuate the warm orange tones in your hair, whereas an ashy or cool brown shade will neutralize them. If you use a light brown hair dye on medium or dark orange hair, you can end up with a strange mix of brown and orange hair.

Blue

Blue cancels out orange because they are opposite each other on the color wheel. So applying a blue box dye will fix orange hair and give you a natural shade of brown hair.

However, picking the right shade is essential, as dark blue could give you a muddy brown color or even very blue hair. For this reason, it’s vital to do a strand test to see the results you’ll likely get before applying the dye to your entire head of hair.

Read more: What Is The Best Blue Toner For Orange Hair?

Blonde

Applying a cool-toned or ash hair dye on light orange hair will give your hair a light brown shade. Ash blonde hair dye is probably the best option to neutralize orange hair without darkening your locks.

Fixing Orange Hair With Box Dye

Although you can use a toner to correct orange tones on light blonde hair, they will only correct dark orange hair to a light brown color. Achieving a golden blonde or lighter shade means lifting the color of your brassy hair further, which can cause even more damage to your locks. 

Covering orange color hair with a darker box dye may be better to keep the additional damage as low as possible. This option can also give your hair time to recover so that you can try again to lighten it in the future.

Choose a Boxed Dye – Color and Permanency

First, you must decide if you will use a permanent, demi-permanent, or semi-permanent dye and buy your preferred brand and shade.

Permanent box dye will fully cover the unwanted orange tones and give long-lasting color. However, they can also cause more damage to your strands as they lift the cuticle to deposit the color inside the hair shaft.

Demi-permanent box dye is gentler on your locks because it uses a weaker developer. But they will still give you good, even coverage of your unwanted orange tones.

Semi-permanent dyes deposit color on the outside of your hair strand. This means they are gentler than permanent or demi-permanent dyes, but the color won’t last as long, generally around 24-28 washes. They are also easy to apply. 

Whichever option you choose, it’s recommended to carry out a patch test and strand test 24 hours before you plan to color your hair. This will show you the expected color result and rule out potentially dangerous allergic reactions.

Gather All Required Materials

You will need the following materials to dye orange hair at home:

• Hair dye
• Petroleum jelly
• Gloves
• Hair clips
• Applicator brush
• Processing cap

Some or all of these may be included in the box dye kit, so check the packaging before you make any additional purchases.

Prepare According to Instructions

Wear old clothes, cover surfaces you don’t want to get stained, and apply petroleum jelly around your hairline and ears.

Put on a pair of vinyl or latex gloves; these may be included in your box dye kit.

Mix the hair dye and developer according to the box dye instructions and shake well to combine.

Hair Parting and Application

Part your hair into four quadrants, using a hair clip to secure each one. Divide each quadrant into smaller sections and apply the dye to the last inch of your roots in each section.

Once you’ve applied the color to the roots in each section, you can apply the color to the rest of your hair.

Processing and Aftercare

Pop on a shower cap and let the color develop according to the box dye instructions. Setting a timer is best to ensure you get the timing right.

Once the dye has finished processing, rinse your hair thoroughly with cool water.

Then apply a conditioner that’s suitable for colored hair. Leave it on for 5 minutes before rinsing the conditioner out and allowing your hair to air-dry if possible.

6 Best Box Dyes to Correct Orange Hair

Now you know how to fix orange hair with box dye, choosing a high-quality hair dye is essential. This will give you the best possible results and help minimize further damage. Here are some of the best box dye shades for neutralizing unwanted orange hair.

Naturtint 10A Light Ash Blonde

If choosing vegan, cruelty-free hair care products is your priority, the Naturtint range is an excellent option. This plant-based permanent dye is free from harmful ingredients like silicones, heavy metals, and petroleum derivatives. 

Naturtint ash blonde hair dye contains up to 92% naturally derived ingredients and is easy to apply for great color and shine. The kit also includes a quinoa hair mask to nourish your locks after coloring.

Naturtint Permanent Hair Color 10A Light Ash Blonde

$23.16

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Revlon Colorsilk Natural Blue Black

If you want to cover your unwanted orange locks with dramatic color, Revlon Colorsilk Natural Blue Black is an ideal option. It’s a long-lasting, permanent hair color enriched with keratin and silk amino acids to carry the pigment deep into your hair strands. 

Revlon Colorsilk is ammonia-free, so it’s gentle on your locks and will give you amazing, long-lasting results.

Colorsilk Beautiful Color Permanent Hair Color with 3D Gel Technology & Keratin

$5.39

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12/17/2023 10:41 pm GMT

Clairol Natural Instincts 6A Light Cool Brown

Clairol Natural Instincts is a demi-permanent dye with a gentle, nourishing formula and 80% vegan ingredients. The non-drip formula is free from ammonia and parabens and contains nourishing ingredients like aloe and coconut oil. 

This gentle hair color will last up to 28 washes, and the cool brown tone will help fix your unwanted orange hair. 

Clairol Natural Instincts Demi-Permanent Hair Dye, 6A Light Cool Brown Hair Color

$7.57

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12/17/2023 10:51 pm GMT

Garnier Nutrisse 51 Medium Ash Brown

Garnier Nutrisse is a popular permanent hair dye kit that delivers bold, long-lasting color. The moisturizing creme dye contains nourishing ingredients like avocado, olive, and shea oils that nourish your strands and keep them looking great. 

This box dye also includes a post-color conditioning treatment to help maintain your color for longer.

Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Hair Color Creme, 61 Light Ash Brown (Mochaccino)

$10.25

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12/17/2023 10:56 pm GMT

Wella Color Charm 7A Medium Ash Blonde

Wella Color Charm is a rich, creamy ammonia-free dye enriched with shea butter. 

This semi-permanent dye will give you a great fade-resistant color that lasts up to 24 washes, and the ash-blonde shade will neutralize your unwanted orange color. 

And if this color isn’t quite what you’re looking for, all colors in the Wella Color Charm range are mixable, so you can create your own custom shade. 

WELLA colorcharm Demi Permanent Hair Color

$7.83 ($3.92 / Fl Oz)

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PRAVANA ChromaSilk Vivids in Blue

This semi-permanent hair dye is richly pigmented to give longer-lasting results than other semi-permanent colors. PRAVANA ChromaSilk Vivids also contain keratin and silk amino acids to help carry the color deep into the hair shaft. 

You can use this color straight from the tube or lighten the shade by mixing it with a conditioner before application.

PRAVANA ChromaSilk Vivids Creme Hair Color with Silk & Keratin Protein (BLUE)

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Using Hair Toner for Orange Hair Correction

Toners work on the color theory of contrasting colors. Colors that lie opposite each other on the color wheel will neutralize each other, so blue neutralizes orange hair, and purple neutralizes yellow tones.

Using a blue or purple toner can help tone orange hair without causing the same damage as a second hair dye application. It can be used directly after bleaching your hair, and you can top up the effects by reapplying the toner regularly.

As well as salon toner treatments, blue and purple shampoo, glosses, and masks can also work on the same basis. Let’s take a look at some of your options:

In-Salon

The easiest and more reliable way to fix orange hair is to visit your professional colorist at the salon, especially if your hair shows signs of chemical or heat damage. 

Your colorist will be able to mix the precise formula needed to neutralize your orange hair color while also minimizing any further damage to your locks.

Hair Gloss

If you only have subtle orange tones, a hair gloss can quickly and easily correct your hair color. 

L’Oreal Paris Le Color Gloss comes in a range of colors and takes just 15 minutes to work. The formula is free from parabens and ammonia, and it will smooth and condition your hair while neutralizing brassiness.

L'Oreal Paris Le Color Gloss One Step In-Shower Toning Hair Gloss, Platinum Pearl

$9.59 ($2.40 / Fl Oz)

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Blue Shampoo

Blue will neutralize orange hair, so you could try a blue shampoo if bleaching your hair has left orange pigments in your strands. 

Simply use the blue shampoo instead of your regular shampoo, leaving it to work for up to a minute. Then rinse out the suds to reveal a cooler, more neutral shade of blonde or light brown.

MATRIX Total Results Brass Off Color Depositing Blue Shampoo

$20.00 ($1.98 / Fl Oz)

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Purple Shampoo

If your undertones are more yellow, you can use a purple shampoo to neutralize yellow tones and give you the cool blonde shade you were hoping for.

Use a sulfate-free purple shampoo like L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Brass Toning Purple Shampoo and follow up with the matching conditioner for best results.

L'Oreal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Brass Toning Purple Shampoo

$14.39 ($0.63 / Fl Oz)

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Hair Mask

If you have bleached, highlighted, or silver hair, a purple mask like L’Oreal EverPure Sulfate-Free Anti-Brass Purple Mask Treatment will help to neutralize yellow tones and nourish dry locks.

L'Oreal Paris EverPure Ultra Pigmented Anti Brass Purple Rinse-Out Mask

$12.99 ($4.33 / Fl Oz)

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Post-Correction Care

Everyone wants their hair color to last as long as possible, and following these simple tips will help to keep your color looking vibrant for longer.

Limit Washing

Keeping your hair and scalp clean is important, but overwashing will fade your color more quickly and can also make your hair dryer. So try to wait 72 hours after coloring your hair before washing it, and after that time, don’t wash your hair more often than necessary. 

It’s best to apply shampoo to your roots only, letting the suds clean the mid-lengths and ends as you rinse your hair. And if you feel your hair needs a refresh between wash days, applying dry shampoo will absorb excess oil and freshen up your locks.

Avoid Styling With Heat

Heat styling damages your hair, making it dryer and increasing your hair porosity. It’s best to avoid hot styling tools as much as possible, but if you want to use your blow dryer or curling wand, use the lowest heat setting possible and apply a heat protectant before you start styling.

Treat With Deep Conditioning

Chemical processing makes your hair more porous, so it struggles to retain moisture and loses color more quickly. Regular deep conditioning treatments will give you healthy hair and keep your color looking great for longer.

Arvazallia Hydrating Argan Oil Hair Mask and Deep Conditioner for Dry or Damaged Hair

$12.95

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Color Safe Shampoo and Conditioner

Regular shampoos contain harsh ingredients like sulfates and alcohol that can strip the dye from your hair and make the color fade quicker. So always choose hair products designed for color-treated hair whenever you can. 

How to Fix Orange Hair With Box Dye: The Do’s and Don’ts

Here are a few simple dos and don’ts that you should remember when you’re preparing to use a box dye to fix orange hair.

Dyeing and Toning Do’s

Do avoid colors described as ‘warm’ as these will enhance the orange tones in your hair.

Do choose a cool, ashy, or blue-toned shade of dye to neutralize the brassy tones.

Do remember that the results you get may not exactly match the photo on the box.

Do follow the instructions on your box dye precisely.

Do visit a professional colorist at your salon for the best results.

Dyeing and Toning Don’ts

Don’t mix different brands or different types of dye like permanent and semi-permanent colors.

Don’t use permanent color on hair that’s already damaged; semi-permanent dyes are gentler.

Don’t rinse your hair with hot water to avoid further damage.

Using Boxed Hair Dye to fix Orange Hair- Pros and Cons

It’s important to consider all the pros and cons before fixing orange hair with box dye. Here are some of the main advantages and disadvantages you need to consider:

Pros

• Quick results: Box dye kits will fix orange hair in just a few minutes, and the results will last for weeks.
• Color options: You have hundreds or even thousands of different shades to choose from.
• Convenient: If you don’t want to visit the salon, home dye kits have everything you’ll need to fix your orange hair at home.

Cons

• Risk of damage: Permanent dyes contain harsh ingredients like ammonia and peroxide, which can make your hair dry and fragile.
• Unreliable results: It can be hard to get even results from a box dye, especially if you’re using it on hair that has already been colored.
• Unsatisfying results: If you want to lighten your hair more than 4 levels, a box dye may not give you the results you’re looking for.
• A messy process: It’s easy for hair dye to stain your skin, clothes, and surfaces.

FAQs

Still curious about how to fix orange hair with box dyes? Here are some of our readers’ frequently asked questions:

Why Does My Hair Turn Orange After Dyeing It?

The melanin in your hair is what gives it its color, and this melanin is oxidized by hair dyes and bleaches. This process lightens the color of the hair strand but if the melanin isn’t removed entirely, it can leave behind brassy orange or yellow undertones. 

Will Vinegar Get Rid of My Orange Hair?

If you prefer a natural approach to dealing with brassy hair, try mixing two tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) and a couple of drops of food coloring into a cup of water. Use blue for orange undertones and purple for yellow undertones.

After washing and conditioning your hair, apply the ACV mix and then rinse it out. Doing this every two weeks will help tone down the brassy color and smooth your hair, but the results take longer and may be more uneven than a commercial hair product.

Can You Dye Your Hair Two Consecutive Days in a Row?

You can, but it’s not generally recommended. Chemical treatments like permanent hair dye can damage your hair, leaving it dry and brittle. So it’s best to leave at least two weeks before dying your hair again and give your hair some moisturizing treatments in between.

How to Fix Orange Hair With Box Dye – Final Thoughts

Coloring your hair is a fun way to update your look, and there will probably be some mistakes along the way. But now you know why your hair can have unwanted orange undertones after bleaching and how you can use box dyes to fix orange hair. 

We’ve also shared some tips on how to apply your box dye, along with some alternative ways to fix brassiness, like toners, hair masks, and blue or purple shampoo.

Remember that color processing can damage your locks, so if you decide to fix your orange hair with a box dye, follow up with plenty of deep conditioning treatments and steer clear of heated styling tools.

Want to remember this? SaveA Correction Guide: How to Fix Orange Hair With Box Dye and Toner to your favorite Pinterest board!

The post A Correction Guide: How to Fix Orange Hair With Box Dye and Toner appeared first on The Holistic Enchilada.

Many people love using henna hair dye, as it gives you shiny auburn hair that looks thicker and healthier. But is it really as good as people say?

There are some downsides to using henna hair dye, and it won’t be right for everyone. So in this guide, we’ll take a look at the pros and cons of henna, and share some tips for using henna so you can get the best possible results.

What Is Henna Hair Color?

Henna is a plant-based dye made by drying and powdering leaves from the henna plant (Lawsonia inermis). The powder is mixed into a thin paste with water, tea, or coffee to create a colorant that will stain hair, skin, and pretty much anything else it touches.

The lawsone molecules that make henna act as a colorant also give it antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. 

The Cultural Context of Dying Hair With Henna

For thousands of years, powdered henna plant leaves have been used to create body art all around the world, including North Africa, East Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. 

Henna is applied during Hindu weddings and religious festivals like Diwali, and South Asian Muslims apply a henna tattoo known as mehndi during weddings and religious festivals like Eid al-Fitr.

Considerations Before Using Henna for Hair Color

Before you start dying your hair with henna, here are some factors you need to consider.

Your Hair’s Color and Porosity

Henna hair dye gives different results for everyone, but it works best on dark hair with high porosity. If your natural color is light brown, the final result will be more noticeable and may not last as long. 

Not sure if you have high porosity hair? Our guide to hair porosity will help you check.

If you have blonde hair, using natural henna hair dye could result in a bright orange tint. So be sure this is the result you want before you apply the dye.

Dryness Prevention

Henna can sometimes leave your hair feeling dry, but you can help this by adding a natural moisturizer like aloe vera or coconut oil to the henna mix before you apply it. 

Duration and Frequency of Application

Leaving henna hair dye on for too long, or applying it too frequently, can cause the protein molecules to build up on your hair strands. This can make your hair feel heavy and weigh your curls down. 

Product Quality

There are so many products on the market, and choosing a henna hair dye can be confusing. It’s best to stick to high-quality products with no harmful additives. If you don’t have a personal recommendation for a brand, try to buy henna that has great reviews online. 

Potential Allergy Risks

Although they’re rare, henna allergies do happen occasionally. If you’ve used red henna, the symptoms are usually mild irritation, redness, or swelling.

However, some black henna contains PPD, which can cause chemical burns and severe allergic reactions, including breathing problems.

It’s always safest to check with a patch test 24 hours before you apply henna dye. 

Post-Dyeing Aftercare

It’s essential to practice good aftercare when you’ve colored your hair with natural henna. 

Rinse the henna out thoroughly and then leave your hair for 24-72 hours to let the color settle and oxidize. Afterward, you can shampoo and condition your hair with sulfate-free products and follow up with a hydrating hair mask for an extra moisture boost.

The Pros and Cons of Henna Hair Color

Like any other hair treatment, there are pros and cons of henna that you need to consider before you take the plunge. Let’s take a look at the advantages first:

Henna Pros

People have been using henna to dye hair for thousands of years, and with all of these benefits, it’s easy to see why!

All Natural Hair Dye

One of the main benefits of using henna hair dye is that it’s an all natural hair dye containing plant-based ingredients.

If you buy a good quality henna dye, it will contain no harsh chemicals, toxins, or preservatives, which is excellent news for anyone with a sensitive scalp or damaged hair. 

And because there’s no ammonia or peroxide in henna, there’s less chance of a bad reaction. 

Works Well on Early Grays

The reddish-brown color of natural henna is great for covering early gray hairs. However, the color becomes a bright orange on salt-and-pepper or predominantly silver hair, where a high-quality chemical dye would work better. 

Hair Growth

The phenolics and tannins in henna can stimulate hair follicles and support healthy hair, while the high nutrient content will help to fuel new hair growth. 

Repairs and Strengthens Hair

Henna is packed with nutrients like proteins, minerals, antioxidants, and vitamin E, which makes it a great way to boost hair health. And it binds to the hair follicle, helping to fill in any gaps in the cuticle, mend split ends, and make your hair stronger and healthier.

Removes Dandruff

As well as being rich in proteins and antioxidants, the natural properties of henna also give it an antifungal effect. This means that if you have an itchy scalp or dandruff, henna’s antimicrobial efficacy could help to improve your condition.

Long Lasting Color

If you love the color that henna gives you, the good news is that these auburn/red tones will last much longer than regular chemical dyes. That means you probably won’t need to dye your hair every 6-8 weeks.

In fact, if you have dark hair, you might only need to touch up the color once or twice a year. 

Healthy Looking Hair

Henna is packed with vitamin E, which will help to make your hair feel softer. It also coats your hair, binding with the keratin in your hair follicles to fill gaps in the cuticle. This forms a barrier that protects against damage and reduces breakage.

Henna Cons

Henna has some great benefits, but it isn’t ideal for everyone. Here are some of the disadvantages of henna for hair:

Messy and Time-Consuming Dying Process

Henna application is a messy task because the thin texture of the paste makes it easy to spill and splash. Applying henna evenly is also tricky, and poorly applied henna can give a blotchy finish to your color. 

Then you have to leave henna on for much longer than box dyes. The minimum is at least three hours, but some people leave it on to develop overnight.

It’s best to apply henna in your bathroom, where you can clean up splashes more easily, and wear old clothes that you don’t mind getting stained.

Be sure to wear gloves when applying henna, and cover your hair with a shower cap or plastic wrap while the color develops. 

Impossible to Remove or Change 

Henna is a permanent dye that penetrates deep into your hair follicles. It also interacts with chemical dyes, causing uneven results or dry hair. 

So if you don’t like your henna-dyed hair, it can be extremely difficult to change to a different shade. Bleaching it could result in a bright red-orange hue and leave your hair dry, brittle, and inelastic. 

Generally, the only way to remove henna is to wait for the colored hair to grow out. 

Stains Skin and Hairline 

Henna hair dye will stain your skin and any clothes or surfaces it touches. This bright orange henna stain will be obvious on the skin around your hairline and on your scalp, and it’s not easy to cover up.

Potential Altering of Hair Chemistry (Curls)

Some people report that their natural curl pattern changed after they applied henna. This can depend on several factors, like your natural hair texture and how often you use henna dye.

In most cases, it seems like the henna paste weighs down the curls, and the effect is only temporary.

However, if you have wavy hair or loose curls and use henna frequently, you may see a change in your curl pattern. 

May Create Dry Hair

Henna can have a drying effect on your hair, but you can counteract this by adding moisturizers to the paste. Rinsing your hair thoroughly will also help by removing any excess henna that is clinging to your strands. 

Once you’ve let your color oxidize for 1-3 days, you can use a hydrating hair mask to revive your hair. 

Can Only Darken Hair

Henna can’t lighten your hair, but you can use it to darken it. Henna works best on dark hair as it enhances the warm brown undertones, but if you use henna on blonde or gray hair, you will get more of an orange tone than a red/auburn color. 

Beware that if your hair has previously been chemically colored, you will get uneven results. So it’s best to only use henna on virgin hair or to plan multiple applications for the best chance of an even finish. 

Generally, henna can only give your hair a natural-looking deep red or auburn tint. You can try adding cassia for a lighter shade or indigo for a darker shade, but henna can’t be used to give your hair a bold red shade or any color other than red. 

Strong Smell

Henna has a distinctive, earthy scent that lingers in your hair for days after using it. If it bothers you, you could try using a sulfate-free conditioner to mask the smell. 

Risk of Side Effects

Coloring your hair with pure henna won’t cause hair loss, but using henna paste containing additives or applying it incorrectly can cause a dry scalp and hair. This may lead to hair loss. 

Allergic reactions to henna are rare, and most involve mild skin irritation or allergic contact dermatitis. However, in severe cases, an allergic reaction to black henna can be extremely dangerous and involve chemical burns or life-threatening injuries.

Tips for Using Henna Hair Color

How henna reacts with your hair depends on factors like hair porosity, the dye quality, and whether you add any conditioning agents.

Here are a few tips on getting the best results from applying henna dye:

Start With a Patch Test 

Every time you color your hair, it’s essential to do a skin test and strand test 24 hours beforehand. The strand test will show how the dye will interact with your hair, and the patch test will help to rule out any allergic reaction. 

Avoid Black Henna

Although it’s pretty rare, some people do have allergic reactions to henna. This is particularly true with black henna products, as some contain PDD (paraphenylenediamine).

Using low quality black henna to color your hair or for a black henna tattoo can cause severe allergic reactions, including redness, swelling, burning, and skin blisters. 

Unless you are sure the product you buy doesn’t contain PDD, it’s safer to stick to red henna.

Avoid a Reaction with Metal

Most natural henna dyes won’t react with metal containers, but it isn’t easy to know for sure. Some types of henna will oxidize metal bowls, leaving stains or tarnishing. Mixing your henna dye in a plastic, glass, or ceramic bowl is the easiest way to avoid this problem.

Be Cautious With Ready-Made Henna Paste

There are lots of henna powders and ready-mixed henna pastes available, so be sure to choose a high-quality product. 

Some manufacturers may add chemicals to reduce production costs, and it’s important to buy a product free from additives, pesticides, and PDD.  Some low quality henna powders and pastes contain dangerous chemicals that can cause allergic reactions. These include:

• Carmine
• Chromium
• Disperse Orange dye
• Pyrogallol
• Silver Nitrate

You should always buy pure henna and check to ensure your product doesn’t contain any of these ingredients.

Leave Your Hair Alone for 24 Hours After Rinsing

Once you’ve thoroughly rinsed your hair, it’s important to leave it alone for at least 24 hours, preferably three days or even longer, to let the henna oxidize. Then you can shampoo and condition your hair as usual and maybe use a moisturizing mask to boost hydration. 

FAQs

Just in case we haven’t covered all of your queries, here are are few of the questions we get asked most frequently:

Does Henna Damage Your Hair? 

Henna won’t damage your hair if you choose a good quality natural henna and apply it according to the instructions. It’s a completely natural dye, free from any harmful chemicals, and contains nutrients that can even help to improve your hair’s health. 

Who Is Henna Good For?

Henna is great if you prefer to use natural products, want to dye your hair auburn-red, and feel confident that you won’t want to change your hair color too soon.

Will Henna Thicken Your Hair?

Because henna coats the hair shaft, it can make your hair look thicker and more voluminous. It can also help to make it look shinier and reduce flyaways. 

Final Thoughts – Is Henna Good for Your Hair?

Overall, the pros of using henna outweigh the cons. It is safe, long-lasting, and has other benefits, like being packed with hair-friendly nutrients. It can also leave your hair shiny and more voluminous.

But, as with any color treatment, buying high-quality henna and doing a skin test to rule out allergic reactions is essential. You also need to be confident that you’ll be happy with the color, as removing henna from your hair is almost impossible.

Henna hair color is a commitment, so consider all the advantages and disadvantages before you take the plunge!

Want to remember this? Save Does Henna Damage Hair? Henna Cons to Know Before Dyeing Your Hair to your favorite Pinterest board!

Sources:

• Is Henna Hair Dye a Bad Idea? Here’s What the Experts Have to Say – Healthline
• Henna – Uses, Side Effects, and More – WebMD

The post Does Henna Damage Hair? Henna Cons to Know Before Dyeing Your Hair appeared first on The Holistic Enchilada.

This is a common problem, so our guide will look at some questions you might have, like ‘How long should you wait before bleaching your hair again?’ and ‘Can I bleach my hair twice in one day?’

We’ll take you step by step through safe hair bleaching, and let you know when it’s safe to dye unevenly bleached hair. And because after-care is so vital for bleached hair, we’ll also give you some great tips for caring for your blonde locks.

How Often Can You Bleach Your Hair – Bleaching Guidelines

Hair bleach contains oxidizing chemicals like ammonia and hydrogen peroxide which penetrate the hair follicle. This lightens the color of the strands, but these bleaching agents also damage your hair’s protein structure and lift the cuticle, so it loses moisture more easily.

This damage occurs every time you bleach your hair, which is why color experts recommend only bleaching your hair once every eight to ten weeks at most. If you can leave it longer between treatments, that’s even better.

If your hair is already damaged, you should stop bleaching treatments for several months while new, healthy hair grows. This will also prevent further damage and give you time to get your damaged hair healthy again. However, it’s better to avoid the damage caused by repeated bleaching.

Hair Bleaching Step by Step

First you need to be sure your hair is healthy enough to go through the bleaching process. If your hair shows signs of damage, like dryness, breakage, or frizz, it would be safer to visit a professional colorist for advice. 

You should do a strand test before bleaching your hair to see how the chemicals affect your locks. If you want to achieve a platinum blonde color on dark hair or use a really bold hair dye like an electric shade of blue, you need to go through several stages of lightening dark hair. In this case, you should leave several weeks between bleaching sessions. 

Applying extra virgin coconut oil to your hair two or three days before bleaching can help protect damaged hair from the harsh effects of hair bleach. And always read the product instructions carefully before you start to avoid any nasty surprises along the way!

Prepare to Bleach

First, you should gather everything you need to bleach your hair, including:

• Hair bleach or bleach powder and developer
• Toner
• Gloves
• An old T-shirt
• An old towel
• Hair clips
• A rat tail comb
• A non-metallic bowl and application brush
• Shampoo and conditioner
• A timer (you can use your phone!)

Cover your floor in case of splashes, and cover your shoulders with an old T-shirt or towel. 

Mix Products

Once you’re ready to get started, mix your lightener (bleach or bleach powder) and developer together. Be sure to follow the instructions exactly. 

Part Hair

Next, part your hair into four quadrants and then divide each into smaller segments.

Apply the Bleach

Use the brush to apply the hair bleach mixture, avoiding the last inch of your hair closest to your roots as the heat from your scalp will make the bleach process quicker.

Apply the bleach evenly and saturate each section of hair thoroughly. It’s best to start at the back of your head and move toward the front, and you’ll probably need some help with the back.

Once you’ve covered your hair, go back and start applying bleach to the roots

Leave to Process

Let the hair bleach process for the recommended time according to the instructions on the bleach bottle. How long you need to leave the bleach on your hair varies depending on your natural hair color and the results you’re looking for, but the bleaching process will probably take 20-45 minutes. 

Remember that new hair growth will react differently to hair that’s had repeated bleaching, and be sure to set a timer!

Once your timer goes off, wipe a little bleach off a few strands with your old towel to check the results. You may be able to leave the bleach on a little longer if necessary but don’t exceed the packaging instructions.

After-Care

Shampoo your hair straight away, being sure to rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. Follow it up with a hydrating conditioner, and then allow your hair to air dry before applying a toner.

Second Bleach Hair Prep 

Ideally, you should leave several weeks between bleaching sessions. But sometimes your first bleaching session doesn’t give you the right color or you want to fix unevenly bleached hair. 

Colorists generally recommend waiting at least two weeks before you bleach hair again. You should treat your previously bleached hair very gently and use protein- and moisture-rich products to replace the lost hydration and nutrients so that it’s in the best shape possible before you apply bleach again. 

Fixing a Bleach Mess Up

Although the guidelines say that you can bleach your hair safely after a few weeks, hair varies in how much processing with harsh chemicals it can take. So here are a few ways to see if your locks are ready for more bleach.

Strand Testing 

A strand test is where you snip a few strands from your underlayers and apply hair bleach to them. This shows you exactly how your hair will react to the bleach and what it will look like afterward. If your test strands feel too brittle or start to snap, you don’t want to apply bleach to the rest of your hair. 

Even if your hair feels and looks like you can safely bleach it, it’s still better to wait a few more weeks, if possible. This will give your locks time to recover before the next bleaching session.

Assess Your Hair’s Condition

Before you apply bleach to hair that has already been bleached, you need to check your hair’s condition. Be honest with yourself because processed hair can only take so much damage before it starts to snap off or even fall out. 

Bleach naturally dries your hair, and if it was already dry and damaged before you bleached it, a second session could be too risky. 

Wait As Long As You Can

Applying hair bleach again too soon will cause more damage to your already fragile locks. So the longer you can leave between bleaching sessions, the better.

Unless your problem is urgent, it’s better to give your hair time to recover and explore alternative ways to correct your color.

Bleach Alternatives 

If your first bleach application left your hair with minor discoloration or undertones, you don’t need to reach for the bleach right away. These treatments could help to fix your hair color without causing as much damage as a second bleach application.

Color Shampoo

If you notice undertones showing through right after bleaching your hair, a purple or blue shampoo could help you achieve the desired color. 

They work by canceling out the tones on the opposite side of the color wheel, so you need to use purple shampoo if you have yellow undertones or blue shampoo for orange tones. 

Toner

A toner is a gentler way to color your hair that works on the same principle as a purple or blue shampoo. It won’t properly lighten your hair color because it stays on the outer layer of your hair shaft, but it will help to maintain your bleached color and remove unwanted undertones. 

Although they aren’t as harsh as bleach or hair dye, it’s a good idea to use a deep conditioning product or mask afterward to hydrate and nourish your locks.

Maintaining Bleached Hair 

Bleached locks need gentle care, and you’ll need to choose your hair care products carefully to avoid causing any extra damage. 

But caring for bleached locks doesn’t need to be complicated. Here are a few simple steps to help you pamper your blonde tresses:

Alternate Shampoo and Conditioner

Dry, damaged blonde hair needs both moisture and protein, but not too much of either. So alternating between hair care products that deliver either protein or hydration is a great way to find the perfect balance for your locks.

It’s best to choose a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner, as sulfates also have a drying effect.

Nexxus Color Assure Shampoo And Conditioner For Color Treated Hair

$29.40 ($1.09 / Fl Oz)

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Stretch Out Your Washes

Shampoo strips moisture from your locks and the friction caused by massaging in the shampoo can cause damage to weakened strands. 

In the first few weeks after bleaching, your hair is at greatest risk of breakage and you should only shampoo your hair every three or four days. You can stretch out your washes using dry shampoo to freshen your hair in between wash days.

The Key to Conditioning

Good conditioning helps to reduce the risk of breakage and hair loss. Pamper your hair regularly with leave-in conditioners, weekly hot oil treatments or hair masks, and your regular in-shower conditioner.

Alternate Hair Treatments

Alternating between a protein mask and a moisturizing mask each week will rehydrate and strengthen your hair. Apply the mask to freshly washed hair and pop a shower cap on to help it absorb better, but follow the timing instructions carefully to avoid hygral fatigue. 

Purple Shampoo or Toner

Bleached blonde hair is prone to brassiness, those unwanted orange or yellow undertones that often show up after bleaching. A purple toner or shampoo will neutralize the yellow tones in pale blonde hair, or you could use a blue toner for orange hair tones on hair that’s a darker color.

Schwarzkopf BlondeMe Blonde Toning Creative Pastel Tones Steel Blue 60ml

$11.33 ($5.55 / Fl Oz)

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Bond Builder

A bond builder treatment helps to restore the protein bonds in your hair that the bleach has damaged, leaving your hair stronger, shinier, and less prone to breakage. You can ask your stylist for an Olaplex treatment at the salon or use Olaplex No. 3 at home. 

Olaplex No. 3

$60.00 ($7.06 / Fl Oz)

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Use Hair Oils

A good quality hair oil will nourish and moisturize your fragile strands. Avoid argan oil or olive oil, as these can stain pale blonde hair, and instead opt for a marula oil hair treatment which you can apply to the ends of your hair after washing. 

Luseta Marula Oil Hair Treatment

$19.95 ($5.90 / Fl Oz)

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Use Hair Gloss

A hair gloss treatment will smooth out your hair’s rough cuticles and give it a healthy-looking shine. Your stylist can apply a gloss treatment when you visit the salon, or you can look out for a DIY gloss treatment to use at home. 

L'Oreal Paris Le Color One Step Toning Hair Gloss

$11.00 ($2.75 / Fl Oz)

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Use Quality Products With Multi-Tasking Formulas

A simple hair care strategy will minimize further damage to fragile hair. So look out for multi-tasking products like a detangling conditioner that also acts as a heat protectant, like Eva NYC Mane Magic 10-in-1 Primer.

Eva NYC Mane Magic 10-in-1 Primer

$12.99 ($2.41 / Fl Oz)

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Regular Haircuts

Regular haircuts will help to remove split ends before they can work their way up through the hair strands. It’s a good idea to have your hair cut straight after using bleach or hair dye to seal the ends, then schedule a trim every six to eight weeks.

Practice Careful Styling Habits

Bleached hair needs to be handled gently, so take care when brushing or styling your hair. 

Detangling gently from the ends up to the roots will help avoid breakage, and you should avoid wearing tight ponytails or other styles, as it can cause breakage around your hairline.

Check your water hardness

The chlorine and mineral deposits in hard water can leave blonde hair dull and brass. If you see calcium building up around your shower head, it’s a good idea to fit a shower head filter to remove the minerals from the water before they build up on your locks.

AquaBliss High Output Revitalizing Shower Filter

$35.86

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Silk Pillowcase and Microfiber/T-Shirt Towels

A satin or silk pillowcase is an excellent investment for your hair. They don’t draw moisture out of your strands like a cotton pillowcase will, and they help to reduce tangles, knots, and breakage.

ZIMASILK 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase

$19.19

Everyone should have one of these! They prevent wrinkles, frizz, tangles, and feel luxurious. A basic necessity for anyone with curly hair but also skincare lovers.

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And microfiber towels are fantastic for all hair types but especially for delicate bleached strands. Remember to gently squeeze or blot the water from your locks rather than rubbing.

Top Pick

Tee-Owels T-Shirt Towel

$28.99

Reduce frizz and speed up drying time. Every curly girl should have one. Use code HOLISTICENCHILADA to save 15% at teeowels.com.

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Avoid Additional Damage With Heat

Finally, avoid heated styling tools like curling irons and blow dryers. Bleached locks are already dry, porous, and vulnerable to damage, and adding heat will cause even more damage.

Air drying is the safest option, but if you can’t live without your hot tools, apply a good heat protectant first. 

FAQs

If you still have questions about bleaching your hair, these answers may help:

What Effects Can Bleaching Have On Your Hair?

Hair bleach lifts the outer cuticle of your hair follicle. If you bleach your hair repeatedly, the cuticle may stay permanently lifted, and your hair will lose moisture very quickly. This will make it dry, brittle, and prone to split ends and breakage.

Hair bleach also makes the strands more porous, leaving them at greater risk of chemical and heat damage. It also damages the protein structure of your hair strands.

Every time you bleach your hair, you will cause further damage to the strands, so it’s important to avoid frequent bleaching. 

Can You Bleach Your Hair Twice in One Day?

The one hair bleaching rule you must never break is this: never bleach your hair twice in one day, because you risk causing serious damage or even hair loss.

So even if bleaching hair twice in 24 hours is tempting, try to take some time and let your locks recover before you re bleach them.

How Long Should You Wait to Bleach Your Hair Again?

Even if you’re desperate to fix your bleached hair, you should still wait a few weeks before you bleach it again. The absolute minimum is two weeks; ideally, you should wait four or even six weeks. 

How Often Can You Bleach Your Hair – The Bottom Line

Hair bleaching is a quick way to update your look, but hair bleaching agents like hydrogen peroxide can make your hair dry and brittle, and the results can sometimes be unreliable. 

So if you’re considering bleaching your hair multiple times, it’s essential to give your processed hair time to recover before further applications. Waiting four to six weeks or more before your next bleaching session will allow you to nourish and moisturize your locks so that damage is kept to a minimum. 

Gentle after-care with the right products will also help to keep your new blonde tresses looking great!

Want to remember this? Save The Inside Scoop- How Often Can You Bleach Your Hair? to your favorite Pinterest board!

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Reaching for the box dye used to be the only way to color gray hair, but block coverage can look very harsh and needs regular maintenance. Modern gray blending techniques make dealing with gray hair easier, less damaging, and more flattering for your skin tone.

Whether you’ve just found your first grays or have reached the ‘salt and pepper’ look with flecks of silver throughout your hair, these clever coloring techniques can help you to transition to gray hair at your own pace.

This guide will help you to discover how to gradually go gray, the different techniques that are available, and the best products to look after your gray blended hair.

All About Gray Blending for Dark Hair

Gray blending is a way to combine your natural color and gray hairs for a flattering look. It adds complementary shades that fit with the natural colors of your hair to create beautiful texture and shade. 

This technique means you can grow out colored hair without your gray hair growth at the roots looking messy.

It’s ideal if you’re not quite ready to go fully gray yet, or if you have only just started going gray and want a stylish way to incorporate your silver locks into your natural hair color.

Letting Your Hair Go Gray

Not everyone is ready to embrace gray at the first glint of a silver strand. But these days, there are more ways than ever to go gray gracefully and gradually. Searching for hashtags like #GoingGray or #GrayHair on Instagram brings up thousands of images with hundreds of likes, and there’s even a term, grombre, to describe the transition to silver locks.

Suddenly, silver hair has become a style choice, with some people choosing to enhance their grays or even have extra gray hairs added in. And more techniques and tools are available to make your transition from dark hair to gray as subtle or dramatic as you wish.

A few years ago, I interviewed Katie Emery of Katie Goes Platinum about her process embracing her curls. She talks about her transition and offers some advice to anyone considering taking the plunge.

Best Way to Transition to Gray Hair

Going gray is a gradual process, as production of the natural pigment melanin slows down and eventually stops, giving your locks a gray color.

For many years, women covered their gray with an all-over color, but this can look unnatural. It’s often difficult to grow out, and the color can look harsh against your skin tone, which also changes with age. 

The growing popularity of the body positive movement has led many women to embrace their silver hair. This has coincided with the development of gray blending techniques as a way of transitioning to gray hair more gently.

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How Gray Blending Transforms Your Hair

Gray blending mixes your natural hair color and silver hairs with complementary shades, to create a subtle blend that celebrates your silver strands.

The color treatment can be tweaked over time as you develop more gray for a gentler transition into gray hair. You’ll be able to get used to your changing look rather than trying to hide it, which is a powerful form of self-acceptance.

Advantages of Gray Blending

Gray blending is a great way to soften the look of your initial silver hairs, allowing you to get used to them gently. It’s more subtle than an all-over color, so you won’t have a harsh line where your roots start to grow out. 

Grey blending is a pretty low maintenance look and can give your hair incredible shine and movement. It is also gentler than an all-over permanent color on coarse, dry graying strands. 

Cons of Gray Blending Techniques

Gray blending doesn’t have many disadvantages, however, it can take multiple visits to the salon to achieve your final result. Gray blending is only a temporary measure and the cost can soon add up when you are scheduling regular color treatments.

And gray blending doesn’t completely cover up grays, so it doesn’t suit everyone.

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Gray Blending Methods

Gray blending is a low-maintenance hair color technique. It helps you to transition to gray by incorporating colors that complement your natural hair color. 

For the best possible results, it’s essential to find a stylist with plenty of experience in gray blending. They’ll be able to create a personalized color treatment to suit your hair color and condition, the amount of gray hair you have, and how much gray you want to be included in your final look.

Best Colors to Cover Gray Hair

Grey hair is already drier and coarser than pigmented strands, so they struggle to hold onto the color pigments in permanent dye. So if you want to use an all-over color to blend with your grays, it’s better to use a semi or demi-permanent hair dye. These deposit color on the outside of the gray strands and are less damaging than permanent hair colors, a major benefit for dry, coarse gray hair. 

Choosing a lighter shade of your natural tone will make the gray less visible, so go for a pale brunette, ash brown, golden brown, or light auburn for a seamless look.

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Balayage vs. Highlights vs. Lowlights

These are the three main gray blending techniques, and each has advantages and disadvantages.

Foil highlights and lowlights allow the gray hairs to blend into the base hair color. The highlights or lowlights can be concentrated around the hairline, which gives a natural effect as this is where most women first start graying. But it can be hard to cover a large area with highlights and lowlights, and they won’t give full gray coverage.

Balayage can cover a larger area and gives a more natural look. It’s also easier to customize the look by spot-treating areas, which is handy if you need more coverage in particular areas. The transition at the root is more natural looking than with highlights.

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Balayage Transition to Gray Hair

Balayage is a fantastic technique for gray blending because you can either camouflage your grays or illuminate them depending on the shades you choose. Cool tones like ash gray will bounce light away from your natural grays so they become part of your overall look, while silver and ice blonde balayage will draw attention to your natural silver hairs.

Either way, balayage gives a natural look that’s easy to maintain or grow out if you change your mind.

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Growing Out Gray Hair With Highlights

Blending gray hair with highlights for dark hair will show off your silver streaks in a way that complements your natural color. Your grays become a glamorous part of your look instead of something to conceal.

If you only have a few gray hairs, you can try baby highlights, which is a subtle coloring technique. If your amount of gray hair is more significant, classic silver highlights would work better for you, and you could try having highlights placed around your face for a brightening effect.

Highlights are very easy to maintain. You will only need to have them touched up every three to four months, compared to every few weeks for an overall color.

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Transition to Gray Hair With Lowlights

Using low lights on gray hair instead of highlights to blend grays and darker hair can give you a more dramatic look. You’ll still avoid a harsh regrowth line, but the low lights will add depth and lift the grays while still looking more natural. 

Choosing lowlights will create a multi-tonal look and give your locks a darker tone overall.

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A post shared by S A L O N S A R D I S (@cece_stylist)

How to Ask for Gray Blending at the Salon

Your first step is to speak to your stylist about gray blending, highlights, lowlights, or balayage. But it’s important to remember that gray blending is not simple and not all colorists are experienced in this technique. If your stylist can’t help, it’s better to find an experienced colorist at a different salon.

How to Blend Gray Hair With Dark Brown Hair at Home

Although you’ll get the best results by visiting an experienced colorist, it’s possible to achieve gray blending at home if you are comfortable applying highlights yourself.

You’ll need to use a mix of bleach and developer, and you should plan out your highlights before starting to apply the bleach. Place the thickest highlights so that they frame your face, and add thinner highlights as you move up toward your crown. Placing highlights closer together will give a lighter effect overall. 

Use a rattail comb to pick out thin sections of hair, then paint on the bleach and wrap in foil to stop the bleach from transferring onto other sections. You might need help with the back of your head.

Once you’ve washed out the bleach, use a purple toner to remove any yellow undertones that the bleach leaves behind, and then you can apply a gray semi-permanent dye. You’ll only see the color on the highlights, so don’t worry about it getting on the rest of your hair.

Grey Hair Blending Tips from A Stylist

Products for Gray Blending

One of the best ways to maintain the look of your gray blended hair is to use specialist products designed to look after colored hair. Regular shampoos and conditioners will fade the color quickly, sending you back to the salon for a refresh much sooner.

Shampoos for Gray Blending

Look for color-safe shampoos that will keep your color looking vibrant for longer. You could also try using color-depositing shampoos to refresh your color or toning shampoos to remove any brassy tones. 

Nexxus Color Assure Shampoo and Conditioner 

These color-safe hair care products contain Elastin Protein and Quinoa, to nourish your tresses and replace the proteins lost during coloring. They are salon-quality products that will extend the life of your color and keep your locks shiny and full of life.

Nexxus Color Assure Shampoo And Conditioner For Color Treated Hair

$29.40 ($1.09 / Fl Oz)

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12/18/2023 06:21 am GMT

Bold Uniq Purple Shampoo

This plant-based, vegan, and cruelty-free shampoo deposits purple pigments on lightened strands to refresh the color between salon visits. It’s sulfate-free and contains plant-based oils to soften your mane. 

Purple Shampoo for Blonde & Silver HairHair

$29.99 ($3.55 / Fl Oz)

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12/17/2023 06:11 pm GMT

Jhirmack Purple Shampoo and Conditioner

Purple toning shampoo will remove yellow tones from gray hair, as purple and yellow are opposite each other on the color wheel. This purple shampoo is enriched with collagen and macadamia nut oil to moisturize coarse gray hair, while the conditioner contains collagen and green tea extract to add shine and soften your locks. 

jhirmack Silver Brightening Purple Shampoo and Conditioner Set

$30.99 ($15.50 / Count)

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12/17/2023 06:36 pm GMT

Conditioners for Gray Blending

As well as using a regular conditioner after shampooing, gray hair will benefit from a weekly deep conditioning treatment. This will keep your color looking great while softening and strengthening your hair. 

Arvazallia Argan Oil Mask

This hair mask is an ideal deep conditioner for dry and damaged locks. It’s sulfate- and paraben-free, so it’s excellent for colored and textured hair. It also contains argan oil that nourishes your locks, leaving them strong and silky-soft. 

Arvazallia Hydrating Argan Oil Hair Mask and Deep Conditioner for Dry or Damaged Hair

$12.95

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12/18/2023 06:26 am GMT

Colored Hair Products

Although highlights and lowlights damage your hair less than an all-over color, your hair will still benefit from regular intensive treatments. Protein and bond treatments will help improve the texture of your hair and make it easier for it to hold color. 

SUNATORIA Keratin Hair Mask

This rich hair mask is enriched with keratin, Vitamin E, and Omega 3 and 9, making it a deeply nourishing treat for damaged hair. It will repair and condition your locks, restoring shine and bounce to stressed locks and leaving your hair looking healthy. 

SUNATORIA Keratin Hair Mask

$19.99 ($2.35 / Fl Oz)

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12/17/2023 06:41 pm GMT

5 Examples of Gray Hair Transformation

Check out the pictures and videos below showing different gray hair transformations on dark hair.

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A post shared by Gaby | Curly Hair Blogger (@gabysilvercurls)

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A post shared by Alessandra (@sassy_silverlinings)

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A post shared by Lisa (@shadesofgray75)

Gray Blending for Dark Hair: The FAQs

If you’re still keen to find out more about gray blending and gray hair, here are some of the most frequently asked questions on the topic:

What Causes White Hair?

The melanocyte cells in your hair follicles produce two types of melanin: eumelanin and pheomelanin. The proportions of these two pigments determine your hair color. Black hair and brown hair contain mainly eumelanin, while blonde hair has very little eumelanin and red hair has a mix of pheomelanin and a little eumelanin. 

As we age, melanocyte cells stop producing this natural pigment, resulting in the hair strands losing their color. There is very little melanin in gray hair, and white hair contains none at all. 

So what is the primary cause of gray hair? 

Age is a significant reason, while genetics contributes to this natural phenomenon too. As well as the natural aging process, other factors like smoking, stress, and some medical conditions can also cause gray or white hair.

Is Gray Blending Right for Me?

Gray blending is ideal for anyone who wants to embrace their new gray hairs and blend them beautifully with their original hair color. It is more gentle on your hair than applying an all-over dye and is easier to maintain, so you’ll need fewer visits to the salon for color touch-ups.

It’s also a really great way to get used to the idea of gray hair and embrace this new phase in your life.

How Expensive Is Gray Blending?

The cost of gray blending will vary depending on several factors, including your location, the color technique used, and how experienced your stylist is. 

How to Pick a Stylist for Gray Blending?

If you’re new to the gray blending technique, it’s usually better to visit a professional stylist to get the right color pattern and style for your hair. 

The key to a good result is finding an experienced colorist who is skilled in this technique. A personal recommendation is best, but you could also use online reviews to help you decide.

TLDR: How to Grow Out Gray Hair Gracefully

Now that we don’t all immediately run for the box dye at the first sign of silver hair, growing out gray hair has become a genuine style option. But if you don’t totally love your grays just yet, there are coloring techniques that can help you to embrace your grays gradually. 

Gray blending is a fantastic way to combine the natural shades of your hair with complementary tones for a flattering look. Techniques like balayage, highlights, and lowlights will allow you to go gray at your own pace and in the most stylish way possible.

Want to remember this? Save Gray Blending for Dark Hair to your favorite Pinterest board!

The post Gray Blending for Dark Hair in 2023: Trend Details appeared first on The Holistic Enchilada.

You’ll need to consider a few factors, like your hair porosity and the products you can use to lighten your hair. Knowing how to care for hair after lightening is also important, as the process can leave you with dry and fragile hair.

So in this guide, you’ll find all the information you need to transform your gorgeous dark hair into the blonde locks you’ve been dreaming of. We’ll share the different options for lightening hair, how to care for it afterward, and those all-important seven stages of lightening dark hair.

Hair Lightening Basics

Although lightening brunette hair is possible, you can’t just pile on the bleach and leave your hair until it’s the right shade. In fact, that’s a recipe for dry, frizzy hair that snaps as soon as you touch it!

Changing your hair color from dark to light without ruining your hair takes patience. Major color changes, like taking dark hair to platinum blonde, could take 6-12 months of salon appointments to reach your chosen color. 

That’s quite a commitment, so you need to think carefully before starting the journey to platinum hair. Here are some of the main factors to bear in mind:

Virgin vs. Processed Hair

Virgin hair (unprocessed or natural hair) can be lightened with just one or two sessions, whereas processed hair needs to be lightened more cautiously over several sessions to avoid overprocessing. 

Lightening color-treated hair is also more complicated as it can be a much lighter color at the ends than at the roots. This means that the lightening product will need to be left on for different lengths of time. 

For best results, you should avoid any processing treatments before you lighten your hair. Professionals recommend leaving your hair to recover for about three months before lightening it. 

Hair Levels

Hair color is described using Levels 1 to 10:

• Level 1: Black (darkest red undertones)
• Level 2: Brown/Black (dark red undertones) 
• Level 3: Dark Brown (red undertones)
• Level 4: Medium Brown (red/orange undertones)
• Level 5: Light Brown (orange/red undertones)
• Level 6: Dark Blonde (orange undertones)
• Level 7: Medium Blonde (orange/yellow undertones)
• Level 8: Light Blonde (yellow/orange undertones)
• Level 9: Very Light Blonde (yellow undertone)
• Level 10: Lightest Blonde/Platinum/White (pale yellow undertones)

Before you lighten your hair, you need to know your current hair level and the level you aim to reach. The difference between these will determine how many levels you need to lift your hair color.

Choosing the Right Shade

If you don’t lighten your hair enough, the color you apply afterward won’t show up. If you lift your natural hair color too much, there won’t be enough pigment left in the strands for the color to grab hold of.

As a general rule, you need to go lighter for more vibrant or pastel colors, but Level 8 on the color scale is generally a good point to aim for. If you only want to apply a tint of color, Level 4 on the color scale is fine. 

Porosity

Porosity describes how easily your hair absorbs and retains moisture and products. If you have high-porosity hair, your hair will absorb bleach faster than low-porosity hair. This means that it will get lighter more quickly, but it also means that it’s easier to cause severe damage to your locks. 

Which do you have? Check out our Ultimate Guide to Hair Porosity to find out.

Processing Time

Leaving bleach on your hair for longer will give lighter results. So if you have lighter hair, you may only need to leave the product on your hair for 15-20 minutes, but darker hair can be left for up to 30 minutes.

Don’t leave bleach or any other hair lightening products on your locks for longer than 30 minutes, as this can cause serious damage to your hair. Instead, give your bleached hair time to recover from the process and then schedule another lightening session.

Product Type and Strength

Some products can lift color more easily than others, and this will determine how quickly your hair lightens. For example, a 20-volume developer will lift two levels, so it’s great for touching up roots. But a 30-volume developer can lift three or more levels, and a 40-volume will lift your hair color by as much as eight levels.

Carrying out a strand test will help you to decide how long you need to leave the product on. But to be sure you aren’t going to cause serious damage to your hair, it’s better to seek professional advice. 

Lightening Dark Hair Strategies

There are several ways of lightening black hair, whether you go to a salon or do it yourself at home. 

Natural Options

If you’d prefer to avoid bleach or hair dye, you’ll be happy to hear that there are some natural alternatives for lightening your hair. These include soaking your hair with a diluted apple cider vinegar rinse or using a paste of peroxide and baking soda to lighten your hair.

These may be gentler, but they also have more unpredictable results and won’t lighten your hair as much as bleach will. If you have hair that is damaged or color-treated, you should proceed with caution and may prefer to visit a professional.

Hair Dye

A box dye can lighten hair by 2 or 3 shades, but they will only work on your natural hair color and will dry out your hair.

Just using a box dye on its own isn’t as effective as lifting the color with bleach, but it won’t damage your hair as much, either. 

Bleaching hair

Bleach is the most effective way to lighten dark hair, but it’s also a very aggressive process and the most damaging method. 

Bleaching dark hair could take your natural hair color from Stage 1 to Stage 6 or 7 with just 2 or 3 bleaching sessions. However, the bleaching process will strip all moisture and natural protectant oils from your hair, leaving it dry, brittle, and likely to break.

Lightening Hair Professionally

Lightening is the process of dissolving and reducing pigments in the hair and can only be carried out on virgin hair. 

Having your hair lightened professionally by an experienced stylist is the safest way to lighten your hair with minimal damage. They can also advise you on aftercare to keep your locks as soft and healthy as possible.

The 7 Stages of Lightening Hair

The number of steps in your own hair lightening process will depend on what hair color you have at the start of your hair coloring journey and how light you want your hair to be. 

But in general, there are seven stages of lightening dark hair from black to platinum blonde:

Stage 1: Black Hair

Stage one is black or very dark brown, which is where many people start lightening hair. 

You can only go lighter from here, and some permanent dyes will be effective. However, semi permanent dyes will only work if you use use bleach first. 

Stage 2: Dark Brown Hair

Stage 2 will give you dark brown locks around level four. You can probably achieve this at home in one session with powder bleach and a 20-volume developer. 

No dark brown pigments should be left at this point, but you may see red undertones. This will be a good base color for red or copper colors, or you could neutralize the red tones with a blue-based toner to give a cool ash-brown color. 

Stage 3: Light Brown Hair

Stage 3 will take your hair to levels five or six, which is the most common result when you use a 30-volume developer on dark hair. You will still have some red undertones, and applying other colors over this shade can be difficult. 

Stage 4: Dark Blonde Hair

Stage 4 will take you to levels 6-7. It can be tricky to tell the difference between light brown and dark blonde, but dark blonde (or dirty blonde) has yellow pigments compared to the red undertones in light brown hair. You can apply a strawberry blonde color over this shade of blonde.

Stage 5: Medium Blonde Hair

Medium blonde is around level eight, and this is where the true blondes begin, so pretty much any shade can be applied over this color. 

You have probably been through several rounds of lightening by now, and damage may be starting to set in. You might want to visit a salon to ensure you get the right amount of lift and deal with any yellow pigments.

Stage 6: Light Blonde Hair

This stage of lightening your hair will take it to Level 9 on the color scale, and will allow you to apply pastel or silver colors. 

Reaching Light Blonde at home is very tough to achieve without causing extreme dryness, breakage, and even hair loss.

Stage 7: Platinum Blonde Hair

The final stage is platinum or icy blonde. This is the very palest shade of blonde which can look stunning on some skin tones but doesn’t suit everyone.

Lightening your hair to this stage can cause a lot of irreversible damage, but a professional hair colorist will know how to lighten your hair with as little damage as possible.

Caring for Lightened Hair

You’ll likely see some damage from the chemicals used to lighten your hair. It may feel rough and dry, look frizzy and brittle, and you might see more breakage than usual in the worst cases. 

Here are some simple tips for caring for lightened or bleached hair. 

Fewer Hair Washes

Washing your hair can remove the natural sebum, causing your hair to dry out. 

After lightening your hair, you want to keep as much moisture as possible, so shampooing less frequently will give your natural oils more time to travel down the strands from your scalp and replenish lost moisture.

Protein-Rich and Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner

Lightening your hair can remove moisture and protein from the hair strands, which causes it to lose elasticity. Alternating between protein-rich and moisturizing shampoo and conditioner will help to add moisture and protein back without causing an excess of either.

Redken Extreme Shampoo and Conditioner will help to replenish the lost protein from your already fragile hair, while the Maui Moisture Heal & Hydrate Shampoo and Conditioner will help to add moisture to your curls.

It’s also a good idea to use a weekly deep conditioner. This will penetrate the hair shaft to add moisture and nourish the hair, making it look healthier and reducing frizz. 

Try using Marc Anthony Deep Conditioning Hair Mask, which contains caffeine, ginseng, and hydrolyzed keratin to restore shine, softness, and elasticity.

Limit Heat

Using heated styling tools will expose your fragile locks to even more damage. So it’s best to avoid using heat styling tools, flat irons, and blow dryers as much as possible.

If you really must use them, apply a heat protectant like CHI 44 Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray first. 

Regular Trims

Any chemical process can make your locks drier and causes more split ends than usual, which can then lead to further breakage. 

It’s essential to have regular trims to remove split ends as soon as possible to keep breakage to a minimum.

Aftercare

Investing in intensive bond-building treatments is also a good idea, as it will rebuild the broken bonds and strengthen your hair. You can have this done at the salon or use Olaplex No 3 Hair Perfector at home.

Stages of Lightening Dark Hair FAQs

Now you know the basics of lightening dark hair, but if you still need more information, these frequently asked questions may help:

How Can You Bleach Dark Hair Without Turning it Orange?

Bleached hair will have undertones ranging from dark orange to pale yellow, depending on the shade of blonde. You can use a blue toner to neutralize these orange undertones in your bleached hair and leave your desired color. Using a purple shampoo or toner will help cancel out any yellow tones.

How Many Levels Can You Lighten Hair in One Session?

Most experts recommend lightening your hair by no more than four levels in one session. You should also leave 4-8 weeks between sessions and use a weekly deep conditioner between lightening sessions. 

How Many Sessions Does It Take To Lighten Dark Hair?

This depends on how dark your natural hair is and how many shades lighter you want to take it. It will also depend on the condition of your hair, as you will need to leave longer between sessions if it is in poor condition.

In general, going from black to dark blonde will take two to three sessions and going from black to icy blonde will take up to seven sessions.

How Damaging Is Lightening Your Hair?

This will depend on the lightening method you use, the condition of your hair and how you care for your hair in between lightening sessions.

But hair experts agree that bleaching your hair will permanently damage the natural texture and condition of your locks.

The Best Way to Lighten Dark Hair: Key Takeaways

Lightening dark hair is certainly possible , but it takes care and patience and isn’t something that you should do on impulse. Rushing this kind of color change can cause serious damage to your locks.

Knowing your natural hair color level and the different stages of lightening jet black hair to icy blonde will help you to achieve the gorgeous color you are aiming for. You should also consider your hair porosity and the type of lightening product you plan to use.

Once you have all this information, you can work out the safest way to achieve gorgeous blonde locks and still have healthy hair.

Want To Remember This? Save From Black To Blonde: The Stages Of Lightening Dark Hair To Your Favorite Pinterest Board!

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