Of course, we also want to see how long each dye lasts, so we put them through 20 wash and dry cycles and 10 hours of UVA light exposure. When we test hair dye in the Lab, we dye uniform hair swatches with different dyes and see how well each covers stray grays. The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab regularly tests at-home hair color, both in our Labs and by sending out blinded products to our consumer testing panel.

Korab suggests touching it up about every four weeks and consistently using a shampoo formulated for silver or gray hair, like Oribe Silverati Shampoo or Redken Color Extend Graydiant Shampoo. Korab advises 'to either let your natural hair grow out fully or see a salon professional who can guide you in the right direction.' While going gray or silver can be fun and a welcome change, it does require some maintenance and upkeep. Many colorists get asked how to transition to gray if you've been coloring your hair for years. How do you transition to gray (and keep it fresh)? 'If you have dark hair - brown or even black - I would recommend getting a consultation with a professional, as darker hair requires more steps and can be a little tricky to achieve.' That being said, there are products out there that will work if you have brunette or black hair, you just may need to put in the time and work to get your desired shade. 'Light blonde, platinum or natural gray hair are the ideal shades to start with before dyeing hair silver,' says Jennifer Korab, a celebrity hair stylist and colorist.

Just keep in mind that for the ultimate color payoff, many silver dyes require starting with light-colored or bleached hair - which means you will likely want to proceed with caution if your hair isn't already one of those shades. Whether you're a Gen Z-er who wants to mix up your look by going prematurely silver or you're someone who simply wants to make a seamless transition to gray hair for the first time, there are plenty of options for going silver at home. Attaining an enviable shade of chic shimmery platinum, smoky gunmetal or stylish silvery blue might be just a bottle of hair dye away! When you’ve landed upon the right product, follow the same steps listed above, using the toner in lieu of bleach, and waiting 20 minutes before rinsing instead of 30-45 minutes.If your mind jumps to a dreary, dishwater color when you think of gray hair, it's time to reconsider going gray. Should you want to apply toner, be sure to seek out a quality product, and read every last detail on the label. Using toner is basically the same as using bleach, and the risks of damage or undesirable outcomes are just as great. Enter toner, which converts any of the remaining pigments into a more natural colour. How to Apply Toner | Image: ActionStore How to Apply TonerĪfter your DIY bleach session, you might notice that your hair is left with brassy, copper, orange, or yellow hues. Use a balancing shampoo and follow that up with a protein balancing conditioner. Step Six: Wash Your HairĪfter 30-45 minutes have concluded, hop into the shower and rinse out the bleach. If you have darker hair, don’t worry if you notice an orange tone developing, as this is a normal part of the process. Keep checking your hair in the mirror as you wait, to make sure the colour is lifting properly. Leave the bleach in your hair for 30-45 minutes, and not a minute longer. When you’re done bleaching every last follicle, cover your hair with the shower cap. Go from front to back and consider leaving your roots for last. Using the tinting brush, apply the bleach to your hair as quickly as possible. The consistency should be like whipped yoghurt, with no lumps. In a non-metallic mixing bowl, add two parts of developer for every one part of bleach powder.

Step Three: Mix the Bleach Powder with the Developer (Peroxide) Make sure you can get to every area with ease. Partition your hair and tighten it in bunches as if you were straightening it. Now, put on your plastic or latex gloves. You should be wearing throwaway clothes when you step into the bathroom or wherever it is you’ll be getting your bleach on. It comes in a variety of volumes, ranging from Vol.

Developer/Peroxide – When mixed with the powder, this liquid activates the bleach.

Try to use bleach powder that’s either blue or purple in colour.

Bleach Powder – Get a quality product from a brand you can trust.

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