Author Sabrina Cooklin
How to Get the Most Vibrant Hair Color
Whether you have virgin hair that has never been colored before or you’ve had a rainbow of colors on your head, getting the most vibrant hair color at home can be difficult. However, there are a few tips and tricks that should always be followed if you want a bright, head-turning style with a pop of color. Medusa’s Lunar Tide Hair Dye Collection features powerful, vegan, and semi-permanent.Lightener
Bleach can be damaging to your hair, especially if you don’t know what you’re doing. It’s totally okay to be daunted by this task, but having the lightest, least-yellow blonde is one of the only ways to get pastels and other light colors to show. Additionally, darker colors will pop much more if applied to lighter hair.Hair bleach strips the hair of its pigment so it can be replaced with something else. It can also remove the natural oils from your hair, leaving you with that notorious breakage and brittle hair. There are a ton of lightener brands available, though we currently don’t have a Lunar Tide bleach. The Manic Panic Flash Lightening Kit is a popular one. If you have virgin hair and have never bleached it before, we recommend getting it done by a professional, or at least by a friend/family member who has done it before. Bleaching ‘opens’ the hair cuticle and allows it to take color.
Some lighteners are designed for certain hair types and not for others, so read all the labels at the beauty supply store if you’re going to bleach on your own.
Make sure to saturate your hair enough for an even bleach and go in small sections. You will have to work quickly, so you don’t end up with half of your head being lighter than the other. Additionally, start at the ends and don’t touch your roots because they will ‘process’ (lighten) faster than your ends due to the heat your scalp emits. You may want to do a double process, especially if you have darker hair, to begin with. There are tons of videos online to help you bleach your own hair if you’re set on doing it yourself.
Think About Undertones
Each of us has a unique skin tone and undertone that some colors make pop and some wash out. Even with a perfect dye job, some colors might look bland or dull compared to your color scheme. Try using the color wheel to find the perfect shades for you!Pick the Right Dye
If caring for the environment is important to you, pick a vegan, cruelty-free brand, like Lunar Tides. Additionally, semi-permanent dyes are the way to go, especially if you want to change up your look in the future. Semi-permanent dyes are less damaging to your hair and scalp because they contain fewer staining chemicals. Look for before-and-afters on a dye’s website, so you have realistic expectations and read the reviews. That colorful dye you see on Instagram might look brighter than the sun, but chances are it’s edited or filtered, so keep that in mind.A strand test is important. Pick a strand at the back of your head that isn’t easily visible and color it with the dye. Wash it out, dry it, and check out the color. If it’s not what you imagined, you might want to try a different dye. A strand test will also let you know if you are allergic to a dye. Repeat this process with any other dyes you were planning on using if you’re doing an ombre or multi-colored look.
Dye That Hair!
After your strand test, use a tint brush to apply the color evenly over all areas you want to be dyed and let it sit for the designated amount of time. Wash it out as instructed by the packaging (usually a simple water rinse), and let it air dry or blow dry it to see the final results!Aftercare
Once you have your brightly colored locks, you’ll want to lengthen the life of the color as much as possible to avoid fading. The cuticle of the hair is still ‘open’ even after dyeing and must be closed to prevent damage. One way to do this is with an apple cider vinegar (ACV) rinse.Take one part ACV and eight parts water and mix. Dip your hair into the mixture and rinse it out with cool water. ACV has many good properties for the hair, including killing bacteria, increasing hair growth, and leaving your hair silky smooth.
Semi-permanent dyes will fade faster than demi-permanent or permanent dyes. One way to prevent quick fading is to avoid washing your hair with harsh, chemical-filled shampoos and conditioners. Some haircare brands have a shampoo and conditioner specially designed for colored hair, so look for a set like that. Additionally, washing your hair with cold water instead of warm/hot can prevent the hair cuticle from opening and removing the color. Using a UV hair protectant spray can also make a difference, especially in the summer months. Chlorine can turn your hair green (or a weird off-green if your hair is already green) so use a hair oil if you’re going to a pool or avoid dipping your head in the water.