You can easily mix semi-permanent hair dye with a hair mask or your favorite conditioner to create custom colors, dilute shades, and add an extra conditioning boost.
Diluting semi-permanent dye is one of the easiest ways to create a custom color. As referenced, you should add a hair mask or your favourite conditioner to dilute your dye. Products like the Bleach London Reincarnation Mask are excellent for this because they not only help in diluting the color but also deeply nourish and strengthen the hair while coloring.
Why Dilute Your Dye?
Mixing your semi-permanent dye with a conditioner or hair mask offers several benefits:
- Create Pastel Shades: Transform vibrant dyes into beautiful, softer pastel hues.
- Achieve a Subtle Tint: Get a less intense color result for a more natural or understated look.
- Extend Dye Longevity: Make your dye last longer, which is both economical and practical.
- Condition Hair While Coloring: Many hair masks and conditioners provide beneficial ingredients that nourish your hair during the coloring process, helping to maintain its health and shine.
How to Mix and Apply
Achieving your desired custom shade is simple, but always start small and test your mixture.
- Choose Your Diluter: Select a plain, white, or light-colored hair mask or conditioner. Avoid products with heavy oils, silicones, or strong fragrances that might interfere with the dye's performance, and definitely avoid anything with color.
- Start Small: In a non-metallic bowl, begin by adding a small amount of semi-permanent dye to a larger amount of conditioner or mask. The more conditioner you add, the lighter and more pastel the final color will be.
- Mix Thoroughly: Stir the mixture until you achieve an even, consistent color. The color you see in the bowl is generally a good indicator of how it will look on your hair, especially if your hair is pre-lightened.
- Perform a Strand Test: This step is crucial! Always apply a small amount of the mixture to a hidden section of your hair (e.g., behind your ear or at the nape of your neck). Leave it on for the recommended processing time, rinse, and dry to see the true color result before applying it all over.
- Apply Evenly: Once you're satisfied with the strand test, apply the mixture to clean, damp hair, ensuring even saturation. Follow the dye's instructions for processing time, then rinse thoroughly until the water runs clear.
What NOT to Mix with Semi-Permanent Dye
While diluting semi-permanent dye is beneficial, it's equally important to know what you should never mix with it to avoid damage or unpredictable results.
- Peroxide/Developer: Semi-permanent dyes do not require peroxide or developer. Adding these can damage your hair, alter the dye's formula, and will not make the dye permanent.
- Bleach: Never mix semi-permanent dye directly with bleach. This combination is unsafe, can cause severe hair damage, and will not effectively lighten or color your hair simultaneously.
- Other Hair Dye Types (Unless Specified): Avoid mixing semi-permanent dyes with permanent dyes, demi-permanent dyes, or box dyes unless explicitly stated by the manufacturer. Different dye types have varying chemical compositions that can react unpredictably.
- Harsh Chemicals or Oils: Do not mix your dye with household chemicals, strong oils, or other non-hair products. Stick to reputable hair care products designed for conditioning.
Summary: Mix & Don't Mix
| What to Mix | Why | What NOT to Mix | Why Not |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hair Mask | Dilutes dye, creates custom colors, nourishes hair. | Peroxide/Developer | Unnecessary, damaging, unpredictable results. |
| Conditioner | Dilutes dye, creates custom colors, conditions hair. | Bleach | Unsafe, damaging, ineffective. |
| Other Dye Types | Unpredictable reactions, potential damage. |
