Hello, lovely readers!
Is your hair color on its last leg, but you can’t go to the salon? Do you feel physical pain when shelling out your hard-earned cash on a touch-up? If you’re anything like me, these are common occurrences. But how can we maintain our hair color at home? In the search for a better option, I’ve found the perfect solution – a DIY color conditioner!
Think of those Overtone conditioner tubs that have graced your Instagram feed. Who wouldn’t want something as simple as a one-and-done treatment that provides both moisture and color? Then you see it. SHOCK. The $40 price tag! What is a fabulously frugal gal to do? Give up and cry at her faded strands? Not on my watch. Let’s kick it into high gear and DIY!
These steps are to be used on blonde/bleached hair. Click here to read a guide on hair bleaching. Also, some of the links in the article are affiliate links, of which I may receive a percentage of the sale to support my blog.
What you’ll need:
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1 Deep conditioner
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1 Bottle of semi-permanent hair dye
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1 Pair of gloves
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1 Hair color brush
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1 Roll of paper towels
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1 Tarp or old towel to protect the surface from possible staining
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1 Old t-shirt
The Steps:
1. Buy a cheap tub of deep conditioner from your local drugstore.
My favorite deep conditioner is the L’OREAL Paris Elvive Hair Mask. That baby stands up to most of the expensive brands I’ve tried and always leaves my hair healthy and shiny. The best part? It’s only $6 on Amazon! I highly recommend it for a quality hair mask at a low price.
2. Pick out your semi-permanent dye color.
Struggling with which color to choose? Some things to consider when deciding are the undertone of your skin, what colors you wear every day, and how the color will fade. Blues tend to fade to green, and reds tend to fade to pale pink. Considering this is imperative to determine which color to choose.
Once you have chosen your hue, look for a bright or dark color, not a pastel. This is because the color will be diluted in the conditioner. My favorite semi-permanent hair dye brand is Iroiro Colors because the color lasts many months without touching up. I personally love the Violet and Pink shades!
3. Set up your station.
Before you shower, set up your station with your new products. Make sure to protect the surface underneath with a tarp or old towel. Staining your countertop is not a requirement! Trust me; learn from my (many) mistakes.
4. Squirt your dye into the conditioner and mix in until you get the desired color.
Time to break out those gloves! You don’t want hands that look like Barney (or maybe you do? No judging). Remember to brush the conditioner onto a paper towel to ensure you have the desired color.
5. Hop in the shower and shampoo those locks.
The best-starting canvas is clean hair because you need to wash the oils and grime off to absorb the product better. You can either dry your hair or leave it wet. Drying your hair will give you the best color payoff, but if you’re a bit impatient like me, leaving it wet is fine, too.
6. Take a seat, and apply the color to your hair.
While wearing your gloves, dip your brush into the conditioner and apply it to your hair, starting at the roots. Although tedious, the results will be worth it!
To protect your shirt, place a towel around your neck. You can also rub vaseline on your skin to prevent staining.
7. Wait 30-45 minutes (or more) for the conditioner to absorb.
To prevent boredom, take a page out of my book and put on a show or listen to music while you wait. I like to watch a comedy because it’s engaging, which makes the time go by quickly. Whatever you choose, don’t forget to set an alarm!
8. Rinse out the color.
Now that the conditioner is fully absorbed, it’s time to rinse! For warning, it can take a while to rinse out, depending on the color and brand of dye. Although tempting to cut it short, your pillows will thank you for sticking it out.
9. Style your hair as usual and look at the gorgeous girl in the mirror!
Congratulations, lovely reader! You’ve just successfully dyed your hair at home on a budget! Not only do you look absolutely beautiful, but now you have a reusable color conditioner for touch-ups.
Let me know what you think in the comments below. I can’t wait to read your responses!
For more beauty on a budget, read my article, 5-Step Affordable Skincare Routine to Beat Dry Skin.
As always, I love my lovely readers!
xx,
Lauren Hochman
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