There’s nothing quite like a home hair dye job. In fact, there’s nothing like one. They are disastrous, they’re getting between friends and breaking up families. OK, maybe they’re not that bad but still. If you’ve gone a bit too cray with the bleach or ended up with stripes to rival that of a zebra, you need to check out the 18 odd mistakes we all make when dying our own hair:
Dying it too often without giving it TLC
You’re addicted to making sure your hair is always the colour you want. So addicted that you’re totally oblivious to the fact that you’re ruining your hair. Before it starts falling out, give your hair the TLC it needs. This will make sure your tresses are perfect in the long run.
Trying to go from dark to light in one go
Hellooo, orange hair! If you’re keen on rocking that look for at least three weeks, then go for it. But if you’d rather not look like the top of a Duracell battery, it’s best to take it slow. There’s no rush here! It’s all about baby steps.
Forgetting about your eyebrows
So you’ve decided to go from black to blonde (see above for how that’s going to turn out). How are your eyebrows looking? Or maybe you went from platinum to black? I’m sorry, I can’t even find your eyebrows. Don’t forget that if you’re making a drastic change, your eyebrows might not be looking as on fleek as you’d hope. Don’t forget about them!
Believing the box
A box is not a salon. The chick on the box has the most perfect hair. Shiny. Smooth. Sleek like a dolphin. You’re going to look just like her. WRONG. The box is not an actual human with tonnes of knowledge about how to get your hair looking flawless in the safest way possible. Beware
Making a quick change
Having unreal expectations isn’t going to do you any favours. Why you think one box dye is going to have your hair looking red carpet-ready in just a couple of hours is beyond me! Sure, you can have goals, but make them achievable.
Dying your hair when you’re emotional
No one told you life was gonna be this way. Your love life’s DOA, you just lost your job, you gained two kilos and you’re not having a bar of it! So what do you do? You take it out on your already perfect hair. Girl, take a breather and STEP AWAY FROM THE DYE! You’re overly emotional and you’re not in the right mindset to start changing your look.
Trying to fix mistakes without professional help
“Ah, this will be fine. No problem. I can do this. I don’t need Julie from the hairdressers down the road to do it for me.” Next thing you know, you’re phoning Julie in tears saying you need her more than anything right now. Didn’t work out so well, did it?
Choosing colours that are too harsh for your skin tone
WOAHHH! What happened to YOU?! I’m so sorry, girl, but I think you may have gone a little too far with your hair dye. I need sunglasses when I look at you. You’re like Medusa, I can’t look at you! Go sort your hair out.
Over-toning blonde hair
“I’m just going to tone it and OH NO! What colour is that? I don’t even think that’s a colour. Maybe I over-toned it.” Sound familiar? Doing this isn’t going to help your hair. Leave it up to the pros. They are professionals for a reason.
Trying trends without knowing the techniques
Changing your hair to suit a trend is all well… unless you do it yourself and mess it up big-time. Trust me, I’ve seen Instagram videos of some of these techniques and it’s sorcery. There’s no way you can master this without help. That is not a challenge. Don’t do it.
Washing your hair in the sink, not the shower
You’re not in a salon. You’re in your one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment trying this box dye you got on sale. Don’t go washing your hair in the sink when you can quickly hop in the shower and get it over and done with. The water pressure isn’t even the same and you’ll have water spilling all over your floor.
Adding dodgy streaks that look like a zebra crossing or dip dyes that don’t blend
You see, there’s more technique needed to pull off complex styles. Adding these cool features or streaks to your hair is best done by a professional. Unfortunately, having visible lines across your hair isn’t really ‘in’ these days.
Wrapping your hair in al-foil because that’s how the professionals do it
Oh yeah, aluminium foil makes your lunches fresh, so obviously wrapping your hair up in it is going to do the same. Yeah, it’s fun to play PRETEND hairdresser. But when you go using their tools without any knowledge, you’re going to be pretty disappointed.
Getting the dye everywhereeeee
It’s on your face, it’s on your white carpet, it’s on your dog. It’s a messy job trying to dye your hair on your own and it is NOT going to come out easily. This is why you book in with a professional to make sure you don’t even have to touch it. How good would that be?!
Not having enough dye
You’re halfway through the dye job before you realise you’ve run out. Now you have to do a walk of shame to the chemist to buy more. That half-blonde, half-black look is giving off Cruella de Vil vibes and that ain’t cute.
Leaving it in longer, because you want it darker or lighter or to last longer
Uh, that’s not how it works, guys. Best not fry your hair and leave it to the people who know what they’re doing. There’s no reason for you to cross your fingers for hours on end in the hope it will turn your hair from a caterpillar into a butterfly.
Not reading the instructions
Blah, blah, blah. Instructions are lame and you know what you’re doing. Until you break down in tears because you wish you’d read the instructions. Now your hair is absolutely screwed and you have to go on an embarrassing fix-it trip to the salon.
Dying it then neglecting aftercare
“Now that it’s all dyed, I can just chill. There’s no need for all the products that do all the things.” And then your hair snaps off right in front of your eyes. Your hair is precious, look after it!
Fabrik Hair, Fortitude Valley
fabrikhair.com
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