Sectioning your hair before applying dye ensures even color distribution and prevents missed spots. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it, as often demonstrated by hair color experts:
1. Gather Your Supplies:
- Hair dye kit (including applicator bottle/brush)
- Gloves
- Towel (old, to protect clothing)
- Hair clips (plastic or non-metal)
- Mirror
2. Prepare Your Hair:
- Brush your hair to remove any tangles.
- It's generally recommended to dye hair that's a day or two dirty, as the natural oils can help protect your scalp.
3. Create the Initial Sections:
- Center Part: Use a comb to create a straight part down the middle of your head, from your forehead to the nape of your neck.
- Ear-to-Ear Part: Create another part, this time from the top of one ear, over the crown of your head, to the top of the other ear. This should intersect with your center part.
4. Create Quadrants:
- You should now have four distinct sections of hair: two in the front and two in the back. Clip each section up and out of the way using hair clips.
5. Dye Application (Example, Starting with Back Sections):
- Unclip one of the back sections.
- Thin Subsections: Take a thin (about 1/4 to 1/2 inch) subsection of hair from the back section.
- Apply Dye: Apply the hair dye to the roots of this subsection, working your way down to the ends. Ensure complete saturation.
- Repeat: Repeat this process for the rest of the back section, clipping dyed sections out of the way.
- Repeat the entire process for the remaining back section.
6. Front Sections:
- Repeat the same subsectioning and dye application process on the front sections of your hair. Pay extra attention to the hairline for thorough coverage.
7. Alternative Method: Using Dye as a Guide (as mentioned in the Reference):
- Instead of clips, some colorists use the dye itself to hold sections in place. This involves applying dye to a subsection and then carefully placing it so it stays separated from the undyed hair. This can be a more advanced technique.
Tips for Success:
- Precision: The more precise your sections, the more even the color will be.
- Mirror, Mirror: Use a hand mirror to check the back of your head and ensure you haven't missed any spots.
- Root Coverage: Focus on the roots, especially when touching up regrowth.
- Read the Instructions: Always follow the instructions provided with your specific hair dye product.
