Dyeing strands is a fairly popular procedure. Nowadays, girls who prefer natural hair color are very rare. However, not everyone knows how to mix professional hair dye.
When dyeing their hair, ladies do not take into account basic things and often do not follow the instructions included with the product. As a result, the curls acquire curious shades that are far from the color declared by the manufacturer.
The fact is that when applying dye to their strands, women do not take into account the natural pigmentation of their curls, which leads to unexpected results. To get the desired effect, you need to know color. In this article, we will tell you how to properly dilute hair dye so that the result does not disappoint you.
To achieve the desired hair color in the end, you need to properly mix all the components for coloring.
Estel is not Chinese black paint
The paints are produced by a Russian company. The color palette is the same as the previous manufacturer, but the markings of the shades are different. In particular, red and purple tones are labeled 5 and 6, respectively. Brown color is in the seventh position, and the number 8 indicates a pearl shade.
Advice! To remove yellowness from hair, use purple shades. The natural copper color of the hair is neutralized by green dye. Additionally, mixing hair dyes helps create richer colors.
How to choose an oxidizing agent for hair dye
You can change your hair color in a salon or at home. In one or the other case, you need to know how to correctly combine all the components of the dye. Quite rarely, manufacturers offer completely ready-made products; most often you have to mix them yourself. To obtain a rich and lasting color, you need to choose the exact ratio of the pigment itself and the oxidizing agent. The oxidant is necessary so that the shade can appear; without it, you will not be able to dye your curls. We will consider all the features of this substance, its composition and selection rules.
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Schwarzkopf - correct proportions
This German company labels its products similarly to previous manufacturers. However, here the number 1 denotes the shade “Sandra”, golden and brown tones occupy the 5th and 6th positions, and the number 8 denotes the purple color.
Schwarzkopf is quality proven over the years
In principle, almost all companies involved in the production of coloring products have the same labeling. Therefore, it is useful to know about the products of the joint production of CHI Ionic and ISO. This American brand uses a letter designation to label its palette.
- A - Ash.
- AA - Deeper shade of ash color.
- B - Beige.
- C - Copper.
- G - Golden.
- CG - copper-golden.
Popular brands
Choosing among the abundance of hair coloring products exactly those that will help you acquire a beautiful and fashionable shade is not so easy. If we take into account that the oxidizing agent and the pigment must be from the same manufacturer, the search range narrows a little. Try to give preference to professional series from brands you trust. We will look at the most popular lines that have stood the test of time and salon use:
- oxidizer from “Londa” 3%, 6%, 9% or 12% is suitable for coloring, 1.9% and 4% - for tinting;
- L'Oreal oxidizers 3%, 6%, 9% and 12% are intended for coloring, developers contain 1.8%, 2.7% and 4.5%; perhydrol;
- Estel oxidizers are produced in a standard line: 3%, 6%, 9% and 12%, there are also 1.5% activators and activators for pastel toning;
- Matrix oxidants 3%, 6%, 9% and 12% are intended for standard coloring; the line also includes promoters for maximum lightening.
Choosing an oxidizer or color activator is a responsible task that should be taken seriously. If you want to take a risk, you can purchase a standard dye kit at any store and experiment on your own.
To get a good result, it is best to contact a qualified technician. Only a professional will be able to choose an oxidizing agent with the correct ratio of peroxide and combine it with pigment in the proportion required specifically for your hair.
Use only high-quality products, and changing the shade will be painless for your hair.
Immediately pour the oxidizing agent into the container, and only then add the dye. The reaction occurs almost instantly, so you need to stir the composition quickly. There should be no lumps or irregularities in it.
What you need to know about oxidizing agents
Professional hair dye must be diluted with a special composition - an oxidizing agent. This substance, entering into a chemical reaction with the dye, helps to obtain the desired shade. Usually the oxidizer and paint are sold as a set, but this does not give buyers the right to choose. Therefore, most women prefer to dilute the paint with a more concentrated oxidizing agent (from the same manufacturer), obtaining deep shades and bright colors.
Mix ingredients carefully
All commercially available oxidizing agents differ in the content of hydrogen peroxide in their composition. This figure varies between 3-12%. As an example, we will give how to dilute Estelle hair dye. It all depends on the expected result. To make hair darker (1-2 tones), use an oxidizing agent containing 3% active substance. For slight lightening, use a 6% oxidizing agent. To lighten strands along the entire length by 3-4 tones, it is recommended to dilute the maximum concentration of the substance.
Proportions of paint and oxidizer
Different manufacturers indicate different percentages of pigment and oxidizing agents. In packages for self-use you will find a separate tube with paint and oxide; most often they are combined in a 1:1 ratio.
If we are talking about a professional product, then the components are sold separately; they need to be diluted as written in the instructions for coloring or on the bottle of oxidizer. Depending on what shades you want to get, the amount of oxidizing agent may vary, but the manufacturer must warn you about this.
Carefully study all the information on the packages to get the desired result.
How to breed
The procedure for connecting components also has some nuances. First of all, choose only non-metallic equipment; the mixing container should be ceramic, glass or plastic, and the spatula should be made of plastic or silicone.
Immediately pour the oxidizing agent into the container, and only then add the dye. The reaction occurs almost instantly, so you need to stir the composition quickly. There should be no lumps or irregularities in it.
After joining, the paint is carefully applied immediately to the roots, and then along the entire length. Stir the mixture from time to time, this will help avoid incorrect development of the shade.
Common Mistakes
Many girls do not get the results from coloring that they expected, judging by the photos on the Internet. This happens due to improper use of the oxidizing agent. It must be added exactly as much as indicated in the instructions. Otherwise, you will get a completely unexpected shade.
Let's consider what the consequences may be if the composition is not diluted as it should be.
- Too much oxidizing agent. Hydrogen peroxide dehydrates hair, makes it brittle and leads to hair loss. If you use a large amount of developer, you risk damaging your hair, and it will take a lot of time to restore it.
- Too little oxidant. If you use the developer in insufficient quantities, the pigment simply will not penetrate the hairs. You will get uneven coloring, a very dull color, or no result at all.
- Using paint and oxidizer from different manufacturers. The most important rule when choosing a developer is that it must be the same brand as the pigment. If you buy an oxidizer from another company, it is quite possible that the percentage of perhydrol in it will be less or more than needed to develop a particular tone. In this case, the proportion of components will have to be calculated independently. But the use of oxidizing agents with different percentages of peroxide from the same manufacturer is allowed; such combinations help to achieve new interesting shades.
- Incorrect holding time of the composition. Even if your hair color is too dark, you should not leave the dye on for longer than indicated on the package. This can only damage the strands. The higher the percentage of peroxide in the oxidizing agent, the less time is required for its interaction with the hair. It is also impossible to wash off the composition ahead of time, as the pigment may appear unevenly.
Learning to mix ingredients in simple dishes
Manufacturers usually indicate how to properly mix hair dye. The packaging contains recommended proportions. Please note that the minimum oxidizing agent content in the mixture is 1/5 of the amount of paint. You need to mix professional hair dyes according to the following scheme:
- Prepare a shallow bowl for mixing the ingredients, and put rubber gloves on your hands.
- Mix the necessary ingredients (in the proportions recommended by the manufacturer).
- Mix thoroughly in a circular motion.
- Apply the prepared mixture to the strands.
Carry out the dyeing procedure carefully
By following the mandatory requirements, you can give the strands the desired shade without the risk of disturbing the pigmentation of the hair.
Additional Oxidant Abilities
Oxidizing agents are used not only for painting, but also for pickling. This is a procedure that allows you to remove the pigment of the previous dye from the hair. Most often, it is used before re-dying, after receiving an undesirable shade, or to return the curls to their natural color.
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Picking is carried out exclusively in salons; for this purpose, professional products are used, which contain more than 12% perhydrol. Such compositions can cause serious harm to curls if used without following all the rules. Apply them for just a few minutes so as not to spoil the hair structure, and then wash off under running water with shampoo.
Stylists do not recommend carrying out the procedure too often, as it destroys the structure of the curls, makes them lifeless and dull, and in some cases can even lead to hair loss.
How to thin the paint?
If there is not enough coloring suspension, you can resort to dilution with several products that are available in every home. The easiest way is to dilute it with water. A concentrated suspension is applied to the roots. The remains are diluted with a small amount of water and applied to the curl with a spray bottle. Massage the entire head with gentle movements.
You can dissolve the paint to the desired volume:
Most sources suggest a 2:1 ratio. In which two parts refer to paint, and one portion belongs to shampoo or balm. Adding balsam softens the effect of paints. Some brands of emulsions become half a tone lighter, for this reason it is necessary to pay attention to the percentage of ammonia. Low content paints change color towards a lighter shade.
How to choose a paint thinning method
The dyeing method depends on many factors. The original shade matters. For example, it is much easier to lighten brown hair than brown or black hair. In the latter cases, you cannot do without using a brightening paint. It is this composition that allows you to obtain the most durable shade that can last for a long time.
Such coloring products are a whole set of different bubbles and tubes. And it’s not so easy to understand exactly how to use them if you haven’t had to deal with such tools before. You should start from a few of the simplest requirements. In particular, it is necessary to dilute the paint, taking into account such aspects.
- The final shade of the hair depends on how much oxidizing agent is added to the dye. The more it is, the stronger the effect will be. And therefore, for women with especially dark and coarse hair, it is necessary to add more oxidizing agent when diluting the dye. And, accordingly, vice versa. When not too much lightening is required, you can get by with a small amount of this substance.
- If you have to dilute with a large amount of an oxidizing agent, it is advisable to initially use a product with various useful additives. Modern dyes, for example, are saturated with herbal extracts, plant proteins and other substances that have a positive effect on hair health. These components help cope with the negative consequences of using chemical paint.
- It is not recommended to heavily dilute the dye with an oxidizing agent if the hair is damaged. A bleaching composition that is too aggressive can damage your curls. It is best to wait until your hair returns to normal. After this, they begin painting.
It is also necessary to recall that there are a lot of options for lightening paints. In addition to ordinary ones, there are also professional ones. Breeding them yourself is not only difficult, but also dangerous. As a result, you can get a composition that is highly aggressive and can harm not only the hair, but also the scalp. If you decide to use just such a composition, you need to check that the skin reacts to it normally. Otherwise, there is a danger of harming yourself.