How to Dye Your Own Hair Gray

Beauty & Fashion Blog

Everyone is going gray these days, and no, not naturally; think charcoal or smoky colored. A lot of female celebrities, like Pink and Kelly Osbourne, have gone starting going gray with their hair for a playful new look. You can have the same look, but it will take a little bit of time to get there, especially if you are doing it at home yourself. Before you decide to go gray, ask yourself if you are OK with stripping the color of your hair, as going gray means bleaching the color out. See below for instructions on how to dye your hair gray.

Before Dyeing

There are a few steps you need to take prior to dyeing your hair. 

• 6 Months Prior. Six months before dyeing your hair, you should try your best to grow out your old hair dye. This will help your hair when you go to bleach it, as the bleach will help you achieve an all-over even color. Allowing the old color to grow out also helps strengthen your hair before you dye it again later. Not growing the hair out can strip your hair and dry it out.
• 1–2 Weeks Prior. A few weeks before dyeing your hair, you should get a deep-conditioning treatment. The treatment will help repair damaged hair and add moisture to your hair to help prevent breakage. You can do a deep-conditioning treatment at home or have one done at a salon. You can find deep-conditioning treatments at your local salon supply store. Read the manufacturer's directions before attempting your own at-home treatment. You also should get a haircut prior to dyeing your hair gray. You may have some dead ends, and they should be cut beforehand. If your hair has a lot of damage, you may want to think about getting a few inches cut off so your hair is in the best health possible.
• 2 Days Prior. Stop washing your hair one to two days before dyeing it. This will help prevent the bleach from drying out your hair, as your hair's natural oils will protect your hair and scalp.

Dyeing Process

To get your hair to a gray color, you need to bleach the color completely out of your hair. This may take one or two (maybe even three) bleaching sessions to get to the blond color required to turn your hair gray. 

1. Bleach out the color in your hair using a bleach process. Look for a bleach powder at your local salon supply store and follow the manufacturer's directions. Apply it evenly to your hair so you have an even color. Allow it to sit on your hair according to the directions and then wash it out. Repeat the process if necessary.
2. Next, you need to get apply a purple-colored toner to help get rid of the yellow undertones in your hair. This will help give your hair the gray color you are looking for. Leave the toner on your hair (as instructed by the manufacturer's directions), then wash it out.
3. Finally, you can dye your hair the gray color. You can find color at a salon supply store or possibly at your local pharmacy. The color will look purple when you put it on, but it will leave your hair gray. Apply the dye in sections, beginning at the front and top of your head and working your way to the back of your hair. Apply the dye evenly, and use a few mirrors or a helper if you aren't able to get to the back. Twist your hair up so it sits on the top of your head so you can get to the back of your hair. Be sure to get all over from root to tip. Rinse out the dye after leaving it on for about 30 minutes.

You can achieve the gray-hair look at home, but this does take some preparation and some time. Talk to your stylist about going gray and the steps that you need to take in order to achieve this look. If this is too much work for you to do at home, you may want to have the job done by a professional, such as Town and Country Salon. 

13 July 2016