I got a gig coming up this weekend (for those that don't know, I really am a musician ), and I'm ready to do something I've never done before.


I want to dye my hair red. But seeing as how I've never dyed my hair before I could use some tips on this new task. What products do I need? Which ones are the best to get that dark, blood red color? What should I do to achieve this goal and prevent any disaters or mishaps? Etc.

NWF said:

You'll have to bleach your hair first, so be prepared for some major damage.

Then add the strongest red dye you can find.

A friend of mine uses Special Effects. She's had a rainbow of colors in her hair
http://www.goodgoth.com/s...ffects.htm

IrresistibleB1tch said:

But wait a second, that would cost some money. I don't know how much, but I don't know if I'm prepared to shell out whatever they're asking for.

And can I expect some pain in the process?

NWF said:

ok, fair enough.

pain as in physical pain?? not unless you get dye in your eyes... and hey, if all else fails and you don't like the results, you can always shave your head!

NWF said:

I think its best to get it done professiionally,so your hair wont get damaged. It wont hurt.
Its gonna cost money either way

ThreadCula said:

He's a dude.

He could always just shave it off if he doesn't like it.

I say get a friend and have them help you do it at home.

my niece (21) has used koolaid to dye her hair... but when she wanted to do it nice there was a specific brand of extreme color she used. i'm sure you could get some hints from google?

but yeah, you have to strip all the color out of it first

What color is your hair now? If you're a blonde,I think u can try Manic Panic

http://www.manicpanic.com/howtouse.html

ThreadCula said:

You are SO into this.

2the9s said:

Im always here to lend a helping hand

where's deja? she has done her bangs red

ThreadCula said:

Currently my hair is exactly the same as my profile pic.

I highly, highly, highly recommend you go have it professionally done if you've never done your hair before ever.

That said, you could do it by buying bleach and a vegetable dye (like Manic Panic) at a beatuty supply store. Because your hair is so dark, you may even need to do more than one process of bleach to lift the color. YES it can hurt as it can burn your scalp and skin if you're not extra careful. The first process your hair will be a really ugly orange, the second a quite ugly yellow. THEN add the vegetable dye. It will take the color well, but Manic Panic isn't a permanent color so it will bleed onto your pillow cases and towels and fade with each wash. I know. I used to do this all the time.


SO - with all that said, you're really best off having it done somewhere unless you have a friend who is quite experienced to help you.

And how long will this process take?

NWF said:

Overall it's gonna take you at least 2 hours or so. You will need plastic gloves and maybe even a color brush to use. You'll leave the first process of bleach in 20-25 minutes, wash out, the second process about the same amount of time, then wash out, finally add the color and leave in 30-45 minutes to fully saturate the hair shaft. Then wash out.

If you do it, a little tip - grease the skin on your hairline up with vaseline to keep from having a ring of dye around your head. Very important!!

emm said:

When I was younger,
I would've done my bangs red for hours.

I just don't have that kind of stamina anymore.....

CarrieMpls said:

So would this work the same way if I were get it professionally done? And how much would this cost?

NWF said:

Professionally done would use MUCH better products and get much more even results. The first time you do it is always clumsy.

I haven't bought home products in a long time, but you'll need to get your stuff from a beauty supply store for the bleach, NOT just a bottle of blond at target. That will not work on your hair. You'll need 2 bleach powder packets and a bottle of 30-40 cream toner (you mix the product yourself), the manic panic, a couple pair of gloves, vaseline, color brush, etc. I'd estimate it'll cost roughly $30-40 for the supplies. Try calling a few salons and see what the cost might be... New York prices vary widely from place to place.

Also - You'll need to be extra careful to ensure the bleach is coating evenly everywhere. You will need help to make sure the back is done properly...

The reason for bleach, does it have to do with the person's original hair colour and/or the fact that he's dyeing it red? I'm a blonde but I dyed my hair a very vivid purple years ago and didn't have to bleach it at all... how come?

Teacher said:

I think blondes can color without bleaching. My friend Taylor has natural very light blonde hair and she can go get any color and dye her hair with no problems

I know people with dark hair have to have their hair lightened.
When I was a teen I colored my hair often,my mom bleached it and I could have any color I wanted.

ThreadCula said:

Thanks, I'm a novice to these things.

Thanks for the tips, guys.

Carrie sure knows what she's talking about!