How To Dye Your Hair Gray Without Bleach?
It’s undeniable that we all go gray naturally as we age, but many are not waiting for the twilight of their years to come, as they are going out of their way to go after a huge trend which many has the urge to try; dying your hair gray. People of all ages are rocking the so-called ‘granny look.’ But there’s another ‘trend’; not wanting to bleach your hair or add any chemicals to your hair.
Dying your hair without using bleach can keep your hair away from any damage of excessive bleaching. Overbleaching your hair will experience brittle strands, split ends, and hair breakage, loss of natural oils and pigment. But, you don’t have to strop your hair to achieve a look you love and when you protect your hair’s integrity, you can try any color you want.
Some products on the market also color your hair without bleach. They are usually semi-permanent colors and many use color developers. You can use semi-permanent or temporary hair color straight from the applicator as they don’t have to be pre-mixed. According to Philip Kingsley’s trichological expert, Elizabeth Cuannane Phillips temporary dyes will fade gradually, that’s why they should be often reapplied, “They last for about six weeks and tend to fade progressively. As temporary colors don’t contain bleach, they can’t lighten your natural shade. Temporary dyes fade with shampooing and exposure to air. This means they need to be frequently reapplied, which can be damaging.” In other words, you’re still using chemicals on your hair, which will still cause some damage to your hair, but at a lower extent than bleach.
So, if you want to go gray, this is your best bet. And if you want to get your hair a few shades lighter without bleach before putting gray color on it, there are many natural options our nature and kitchen allows. Continue reading to find out more.
Source: Shutterstock
What to consider before you dye your gray hair without bleach?
Before jumping straight into the dying process, it’s important to understand what it’s actually going to take to bring gray hair to life. So, if you have naturally blonde hair or a light brown tone, you can get to gray color without making your hair suffer as much. But, if your hair is brown or black, creating a gray hair color will require stripping your hair of color with bleach in order for the light hue to show up on your strands. And the darker your starting color is, the more trips to the salon it might take to get this look since colorists generally recommend lifting hair only a few shades at a time.
However, the last thing we want is loose, dry, damaged hair that eventually will lead to an unwanted haircut. So, if you are not ready for the long bleachy haul, good things come to those who wait, right? The alternative options may not be as effective as bleaching, but your hair will appreciate and thank you later.
Photo by Anastasiya Lobanovskaya from Pexels
How to dye your hair gray without bleach?
Generally, even if your hair is a shade of blonde, you want the hair to go all the way to white before applying the gray color, to make sure the color shows through. And if your hair is naturally dark hair, you may want at least to lighten the color before going the ‘granny look.’ But, as we noted above, to get a fully light color would be impossible without bleaching it first. Since bleaching is ruled out of our options, there is a multitude of natural solutions to get your hair a shade lighter with natural ways, before putting gray color to your hair.
(Spoiler: You will take a trip to your kitchen.)
A 100% natural solution to lighten your hair color
Ingredients:
Honey
Olive oil
Coconut oil
Cinnamon
Cayenne pepper
How to apply:
1. Apply all over your dry hair the extra virgin olive oil and let it sit for about 20 minutes.
2. In a plastic bowl, mix cinnamon, honey, and cayenne with a plastic spoon or applicator brush (make sure not to use a metal one). You decide on the amount.
3. Apply the mixture to your hair and spread evenly. You will see the lightening process in literally minutes.
4. After the desired lightening is achieved, rinse your hair with water. Don’t forget to use a color-preserving conditioner.
5. After getting out of the shower, add coconut oil to your hair and the next day you will see a huge difference.
If you want some extra lift to lightening your hair, use lemon juice:
Source: Shutterstock
Lemon juice is a natural accelerant for lightening your hair. To use lemon juice, spray a diluted mix of 50% lemon juice and 50% water and expose your hair in the sun for 10 minutes. You can also use a blow dryer if you don’t want to sit outside. You can use the mixture every few weeks, and you will notice a change of hue within a short period of time.
Caution: It is not recommended to use this method repeatedly over a long period of time, because of lemon’s acidity which can lead to dry hair.
Gray hair dyes without bleach
This spray is a temporary color platinum. First, place a towel over your clothes, as the spray can leave stains. Shake the can vigorously before using it. Hold the can upright and spray it twelve inches from the hair. Always use the hair color spray on dry hair, not on your wet hair. Spray all over your hair. To remove the excess you can just use a damp cloth.
No matter how dark or light your hair is, Colorista Spray will help you achieve the gorgeous gray look from the comfort of your own bathroom.
First of all, make sure your hair is completely dry. Apply the spray 15 cm away from hair. For more color intensity spray longer. For a mermaid look, you can spray the color on separate strands.
Avoid contact with your eyes and face. Wash out with a L’oreal Paris cleansing shampoo to ensure full rinsing to your hair.
3. Arctic Fox Semi-Permanent Color
This semi-permanent color is made only from vegan ingredients. It doesn’t contain harmful chemicals, like peroxide, ethyl alcohol, PPD, or ammonia. Gentle for frequent use, with conditioning effect for your hair.
4. Mofajang Hair Coloring Material
This hair coloring pomade is non-sticky and has a pleasant scent. Except for coloring, you can also use it to style your hair. Easy coloring, easy washing and it does not damage your hair.
Before you apply it, make sure your hair is completely dry. If you have a lot of hair, it will take a decent amount to achieve the desired effect. Start spreading it on your hair with your hands until the desired gray hue is achieved. Remember to wash it off in the before sleeping.
How to maintain your new gray hair?
Loving your new gray hue? Well, just as you prepped your hair going into the process, it’s a good idea to switch up your hair care routine once you’ve dyed your hair. So, no matter how you dye your hair, you need to be aware of how to take the proper steps to hydrate and care for your hair afterward. Not sure what to do? We’ve got you covered.
1. Use a system of shampoo, conditioner, and hair mask designed for color-treated hair
Use hair products which are formulated for your hair type. After coloring, wait a full 72 hours before shampooing. Use sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner to keep your hair color from fading. L’oreal has great options for all hair types, so you may consider it as a go-to product. Choose the right shampoo, conditioner and hair mask designed for color-treated hair.
2. Turn down the water temperature when shampooing
Hot showers may feel amazing to many of us, but it’s not that great for your dyed hair. Hot water makes your hair cuticle to open, so the color may wash out easily. To avoid this, try shampooing with slightly warm water and after using conditioner use cold water. Cold water helps the hair cuticle to seal.
3. Wash your hair less often
Washing your hair every day won’t only wash away the natural oils, but will also wash away your dye. As an alternative option, try dry shampoo.
3. Air dry your hair
Gray hair looks gorgeous when paired with your natural texture, whether your mane is wavy, straight, wavy, or curly. So, put down the heat tools and air dry your hair instead.
Disclaimer: The contents of this article: text, graphics, images, and other materials contained are strictly for informational purposes only. The Content is NOT intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice, or treatment. Please ALWAYS seek the advice of a qualified health provider with all the questions that you have related to, or about, a medical condition.
You might also want to read: Hair Masks And Everything You Need To Know About Them