How to choose the right hair dye: key features and criteria
Hair color is an important means of self-expression. By changing the shade, you can influence your mood, behavior style and even your internal state. To achieve the desired result, you need to take a responsible approach to choosing a coloring agent. We turned to Tatyana Lisina, an international trainer-colorist, to find out how to choose the right paint and get the perfect effect.
Contents of the article:
according to Tatyana, first of all, it is important to decide on the type of paint. There are permanent, semi-permanent and temporary dyes. Permanent dye ensures deep penetration of the pigment and preserves the result for a long time, but it is more aggressive for the hair structure. Semi-permanent and temporary paints are less harmful, but their effect lasts much less, and they are suitable for those who prefer to change their look frequently.
It is also necessary to take into account the original color and condition of the hair. When lightening or radically changing the shade, you should choose professional products and not neglect the consultation of a specialist. Tatyana advises paying attention to the composition – avoiding products high in ammonia, hydrogen peroxide and other aggressive ingredients to minimize hair damage.
Another important criterion is choosing a shade that harmonizes with your skin tone and eye color. Tatyana Lisina recommends using test strips or test strands to evaluate the color before full dyeing, which will help avoid unwanted surprises.
It is equally important to properly care for colored hair, using specialized shampoos, masks and conditioners that maintain color intensity and maintain healthy curls.
As a result, choosing the right dye is a combination of knowledge about the composition, type of dye, the characteristics of your hair and careful planning of the desired result. If all these conditions are met, the coloring will please you for a long time and look natural.
Painting a house: what to consider
Despite the abundance of professional services in salons, many women continue to dye their hair on their own. This is quite possible thanks to the wide range of high-quality professional paints presented in stores. However, in order for the coloring to be successful, you should remember several important nuances. Professional paints are most often sold separately from the oxidizing agent, and this is their key difference from mass market products. Such products usually have a reduced amount of ammonia and higher levels of pigments, which guarantees rich, long-lasting color and minimal damage to the hair.
Before purchasing paint, it is important to decide on the desired effect. If your goal is to remove yellowness, maintain naturalness and give the color a slight expressiveness, then the tinting procedure is suitable. For this task, there are special paints with a reduced ammonia content, which are gentler compared to conventional store-bought products.
When tinting, it is recommended that the difference between the original and the desired shade does not exceed two tones. The best option would be to use an oxidizing agent with a concentration of 1. 5% to 1. 9%. It is worth remembering that the smaller the proportion of oxidizing agent, the softer the effect on the hair and the better the final result.
If you purchased paint in a supermarket, please note: such compositions, as a rule, are not divided into permanent and semi-permanent. They usually contain a high amount of alkalis, thanks to which they cope with 100% of gray hair. However, in this case, the hair receives a dense, “concrete” coating of paint.
In addition, to avoid unwanted consequences and maintain hair health, it is recommended to test for an allergic reaction 48 hours before dyeing. Apply a small amount of paint to the inside of your elbow or behind your ear and observe how the skin reacts. The absence of itching, redness or rashes will allow you to safely begin the procedure.
It is equally important to properly prepare your hair before dyeing. A few days before the procedure, you should stop using shampoos with sulfates, masks with silicones and other aggressive products. Hair should be clean, but not freshly washed – the best option is when 1-2 days have passed after washing, so that the protective layer of the scalp is normal.
When applying paint, follow the exposure time specified in the instructions. Exceeding it can lead to dryness and damage to the hair. At the end of the procedure, be sure to use a special balm or mask, which often comes with the dye – they will help close the hair cuticle and preserve the color longer.
For home coloring, it’s also worth having simple equipment on hand: disposable gloves, an application brush, a magnifying mirror and a towel that you won’t mind getting dirty. Take your time and apply the paint carefully, especially if you are planning lightening or complex highlighting.
And finally, if you are going to dye your hair at home for the first time or are planning a radical color change, it would be a good idea to first consult with a professional. This will help you choose the right shade and determine your dyeing technique, minimizing risks and maintaining healthy hair.
Tips for blondes
There is a fundamental difference between lightening and bleaching. Lightening involves the use of dyes, and bleaching involves the use of powders. Dyes cause less damage to the hair, but are not able to make the color completely platinum. If you want to increase the natural shade by about three tones, choose a paint from the 12th level series (often marked on the packaging as 12. 0 or 12. 1). For this procedure, oxidizing agents with a concentration of 9% or 12% are suitable. In this case, it would be a good idea to consult with a specialist who will recommend the correct paint dilution and mixing proportions.
Discoloration is a much more traumatic process for hair therefore, it should be treated with extreme caution. It is best to entrust this procedure to a professional colorist rather than trying to do it yourself to avoid serious hair damage.
Careful study of the composition of paints and powders
If you decide to use a lightening powder, be sure to read the ingredients. The presence of potassium persulfate in the first positions of the composition indicates the high aggressiveness of the product. The best option is when the first component is ammonium persulfate, and there are other substances between it and the potassium. This powder is considered medium-hard and more acceptable for use.
It is very important to maintain exact proportions when mixing the powder with the oxidizing agent. The ratio should be 1:2 by weight, and not 1:1, and especially not “by eye.” This approach ensures the correct concentration and optimal staining results.
As for oxidizing agents, it is recommended to choose formulations with a concentration of no higher than 9% or 12%. If we are talking about a powder for treating roots, you can consider using less concentrated ones – 3% or 6%.
When dyeing at home, it is more important to pay attention not so much to the dye itself (this parameter is best understood by a professional), but to the composition of the oxidizing agent. The higher its percentage, the deeper it affects the hair structure and the more it can damage it. This is another reason to make purchases in specialized stores where paints and oxidizers are sold separately – this way you can select the appropriate components of the desired concentration. If you want to get a bright platinum blonde, it is better not to take risks and contact an experienced hairdresser-colorist, since independent experiments with high percentages of oxidizing agents can lead to undesirable consequences.
