Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 2: Preparing your hair and workspace
• Part 2 of 2: Applying the hair dye
• Necessities
• Tips
• Warnings

Dyeing just the bottom of your hair is a great way to try out a new color without committing yourself completely. Plus, you can create some really cool effects by combining different colors, like dyeing the bottom of your hair black if it's platinum blonde, or adding a bright rainbow shade. The process is much the same as dyeing all your hair, except you divide your hair into two sections and keep the top part of the hair separate.

To step

Part 1 of 2: Preparing your hair and workspace

1. Wash your hair the day before. Normally, you shouldn't wash your hair right before dyeing it. Your scalp will stay healthier if it is protected from the dye with some of its natural oils, and if you wash the night before, those oils can build up again. In addition, most hair dye brands recommend applying the product to dry hair.
   • Some semi-permanent paints work best on clean hair or even require you to wash your hair right before dyeing it, so be sure to read the instructions that come in the paint box.
   • If your hair is too dirty, the dye may not penetrate your hair evenly, so don't dye your hair if you last washed it more than two or three days ago.
2. Put on old clothes that you don't mind getting dirty. You can easily make a mess with hair dye, even if you are careful. Since you are dyeing the hair on the back of your head, it will be even more difficult to keep the dye from dripping. Put on an old shirt and shorts or sweatpants to avoid ruining your fancy clothes. That way, you don't have to worry if a little paint gets on your clothes.
   • You can also buy a hairdresser's cap to wear over your clothes.

   Tip: If you have one, consider wearing an old shirt. This way you don't have to pull your shirt over your head when it's time to rinse the dye from your hair.

   
   
3. Prepare your workplace with towels, hairpins, a timer and a comb. It can be very annoying to have to search for something when your hands (or gloves) are covered in paint. Get everything you need to dye your hair ready where you will be working. Place towels or newspapers on the floor or counter. Also keep a few towels handy for easy cleaning in case of spills or splashes.
   • You also need gloves if they are not included with the paint kit.
   • The process will be easier if you do it in the bathroom and have two mirrors, one on the wall and a hand mirror so you can see the back of your head. Use the sink as a workplace.
4. Comb your hair thoroughly to detangle it. Knots and tangles can cause the dye to penetrate your hair unevenly, so take the time to comb it out before you start dyeing it.
   • It will also be more difficult to get a perfectly smooth part if your hair is tangled.
5. Use a comb to make a horizontal part just behind your ears. Make a line from ear to ear along the back of your head, which is actually your neck, to separate the underlay. Use both mirrors to get a good view of this area.
   • If you want to color a little more hair, part it a little higher, such as at the top of your ears. If you want to dye less hair, lower the parting.
   • You can even make a round part if you want to include the undercoat of your bangs.
6. Pin the top part of your hair out of the way. Use a hair clip or hair elastic to secure the top layer of your hair on top of your head. Make sure to pull it tight enough so that the bottom part is clearly visible, but not so tight that it is uncomfortable.
   • Wrap the top part of your hair in a scarf if you want, but use a scarf that you don't mind accidentally staining.
   • If you have small strands of hair near your hairline, pin them out of the way with hairpins.
7. Apply petroleum jelly along your hairline to keep the paint off your skin. Dip your finger in petroleum jelly and scoop up a generous amount. Then, smear along the hairline at your neck, from one side of the line to the other. This forms a protective barrier that helps protect your skin from discoloration if paint gets on it.
   • If you want, you can even apply a little Vaseline to the hair just above the line. However, don't apply it to the hair you want to dye.
8. Blonde your hair first if you are using a light color or pastel paint. Unless your hair is naturally very light, if you want to give your hair a light or pastel shade, such as teal, pink, or violet, you should bleach it first. While it is usually a good idea to go to the hairdresser to have your hair bleached, you can also do it yourself by purchasing a bleach and carefully following the instructions on the package.
   • Consult a hairdresser before attempting to bleach dyed hair. The bleach can react badly with some dyes, which can seriously damage your hair.

Part 2 of 2: Applying the hair dye

1. Mix the paint according to the instructions on the package. Many brands of permanent hair dye come with a bottle of developer and a tube of paint. To activate them, you have to mix them both together. However, make sure to read the instructions very carefully, even if you've dyed your hair before, as the exact technique can vary between brands or even products from the same brand.
   • With a semi-permanent paint, which includes most rainbow and pastel shades, you may not need to mix anything.
2. Before applying the dye to your hair, put on gloves. Hair dye can be very irritating to your skin. However, even if you use a product that is not that harsh, your hands can still get stained if you don't wear gloves.
   • Most hair dye sets come with gloves, but you can buy some at a beauty supply store or drugstore if no gloves come with yours. You may even want to buy an extra pair, even if your set comes with gloves, in case the first pair rips.
3. Apply the paint with the applicator bottle or with a bowl and brush. If the set comes with a bottle, you can mix the paint in there and then apply it directly to your hair. However, you have more control over the application if you first mix the paint in a bowl and then apply it with a paintbrush.
   • You can buy a paintbrush at a drugstore, or you can use a sponge brush from a craft store for it.
4. Apply the paint to your roots and work your way down. Once the paint is mixed and you have your gloves on, you can start with the fun part: applying the paint! First, saturate the roots of your hair because that's where the color takes longer to develop. Then work part by part, covering each hair from root to ends. If necessary, use your fingers to work the dye into your hair.
   • Make sure to cover the top and bottom of the bottom layer.
   • Unless your hair is very long, you probably don't need to use the entire tube of paint because you are only coloring the undercoat.

   Tip: If you want a two-tone or a faded effect, paint a darker color on the tips of your hair first, then apply a lighter color to the rest of the undercoat, all the way to your roots. Make sure to mix well where the two colors meet to avoid creating a hard line between the two colors.

   
   
5. Wrap a towel around your shoulders and set the timer. Put a towel on your shoulders when you are done applying the dye to your hair to protect your skin from the dye. Read the instructions on the package to know how long to let the paint sit, then set the timer and wait.
   • Do not pin the dyed hair together with the rest of your hair or the dye will run on it.
   • Don't let the dye sit on your hair longer than recommended in the instructions!
   • If you'd like, you can use makeup remover to remove any paint on your skin while you wait.
6. Rinse the paint with cool water until the water runs clear. After the timer goes off, rinse your hair with cool water to remove the dye. Run your fingers through your hair to make sure you don't miss any spots. Keep rinsing until the water is completely clear and you can no longer feel any dye in your hair.
   • Do not use shampoo and hot water as they can lift the hair shaft and rinse the dye out.
7. Apply a hair mask to your hair. If the paint set comes with a hair mask, apply it to your hair and let it sit for the recommended time. If not, use your favorite conditioner and leave it on for about five minutes before rinsing it off.
   • The conditioner smoothes your chemically-treated hair and helps close the hair shaft, making the color last longer.

Necessities

• Hair dye
• Old clothes
• Comb
• 2 mirrors
• Hair clip, hair elastic, etc.
• Vaseline
• Bowl and brush or applicator bottle
• Towel
• Timer
• Gloves
• Shower
• Hair mask

Tips

• This dyeing technique works best on hair that has been cut in layers, but you can apply it to all styles.

Warnings

• If you get hair dye in your eyes, rinse with cool water.
• Test a hair strand to see how your hair reacts to the dye.
• Don't let the dye sit in your hair longer than recommended.