For the final post about colors, I'm going over hair color. Changing your hair color is fun, but can be a challenge depending on your hair type, base color, and goal color.
Not my real hair color!
Quick Tips
I color my hair frequently, so I've got a few experiences to share. First, let me set up some basic things about hair color.
It's easier to color light-colored hair than darker hair. So, to get a vibrant color, first, a dark-hair person will need to bleach their hair. Bleaching your hair can also cause hair or skin damage. It's better to work with another person. For your first bleach, I recommend getting it done at a salon. You don't need to go to a high-end place, some places will even let you bring your own box of bleach.
Personally, I'm not the biggest fan of the "drug-store box hair color". Not only because I had a rough experience but there's a pretty big challenge coloring your own hair. Having another person to help is good but sometimes the chemicals can be pretty rough. I prefer vegan hair colors as they are usually gentler with your hair.
The other thing with colors is you want to test for a "reaction". Yes, you can be allergic to the hair dye or it can cause some serious skin irritation. Read all instructions before starting!
Check out Brad Mondo's advice for at home hair coloring.
But wait, there are much easier ways to change your hair color for a costume. So before getting too deep into hair color chemicals, let's look at some other methods.
Use your own hair color
This is a cheap bit of advice but if you can use your own hair, you should! It's so simple. ;) But the next best thing is...
A Wig
Proof I graduated something...
Yeah, this one seems to be the MOST common method of changing your hair without changing your actual hair. There's a lot we can talk about with wigs such as materials, extensions, price, and dying. (Actually, the Brad Mondo YT channel I've linked to up there has lots of resources about wigs too.)
I want to dedicate a full blog post just about wigs so I'm going to leave things here.
Temporary Hair Colors
These products are very much temporary, one night only type hair colors.
These colors fade quickly or easily wash out in the shower. The color coverage and vibrancy can be tricky and take time to really look good. But the plus side is that these colors are fairly gentle on your hair. For the most part, your base hair color does not matter.
The downside is that they are very temporary. Hair chalk can come out easily by running your fingers through your hair too much or getting your hair wet. Hair spray can make your hair feel very sticky and stiff. The pomade/wax will also have a similar issue with a strange texture especially with long hair.
The range of colors may not meet your needs and usually are best for unnatural, vibrant colors.
Semi-permanent Hair Color
I got this done at a salon.
This is the stuff you usually see on the shelves at your local grocery/drug store for the unnatural, wild colors. The term you'll usually see on the box is "semi-permanent". This means that the color fades with every wash and fades over time.
Vegan stuff - there are brands that are specifically vegan and cruelty-free. On a personal note, I've had good results with my hair using these types of semi-permanent hair dye. My favorite brand is Manic Panic. I was able to get some nice purple bangs for awhile.
Box stuff - These are getting better and more varied as time goes on. But in my experience they can be pretty harsh on your hair. I recommend looking into brands beyond what you see on drug-store shelves not only to find the right color but the right dye for your hair type.
Permanent Hair Color
It was supposed to be "copper".
Honestly, this is a misnomer in a way since it doesn't really change your true hair color. The roots still grow, but the thing is that no matter how much you wash your hair, the color does not fade or come out. (Although, it may fade a bit depending on the shampoo you use.)
Now for me, I'm picky about my hair and prefer to get this kind of coloring done by a professional stylist/colorist. I've been getting my hair colored professionally for nearly a decade now and most salons do have colors beyond the "natural" hair colors. The dyes they use at salons are generally much higher end than what you get off the store shelves or even online. (Generally, sold only to salons.)
However, hair salons can be pricey so if you are looking for more budget friendly methods you could also look into:
- Budget Hair Cuts - they may not have a wide range of colors but they are usually able to color hair. (You could bring your own box of color.)
- A Beauty School - having a student work on your hair is usually discounted. Again you can bring your own box of color.
- At home - Check out the tip video above, but you can do this in your home. It's best with a friend to help or lots of mirrors. Follow the safety instructions on the box and test for a reaction.
And that will do for hair colors. I'm sure there are other dyes that people have tried like using lemons or lemon juice to lighten your hair. I didn't really dig too deep into natural hair dye methods, but I might in a future post.
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