Today’s post is a bit more practical and significantly more superficial than most of my other posts.
As many of you know, I recently dyed my hair red.
TA-DA!
Maybe it’s because I was born with cheese-doodle colored hair and thus have natural ginger tendencies, but I think it really suits me and I can’t imagine changing it any time soon. I abso-freaking-lutely love it.
That being said, I’d like to take a moment to share a poem about my freshly dyed hairz with y’all:
Roses are red
Violets are blue
‘Tis a bitch to maintain
My red hair hue.
SERIOUSLY, anyone who has ever dyed their hair red or is at all familiar with hair color knows that red dye fades ridiculously fast. So imagine everyone’s surprise when my hair color seemed to intensify over time, rather than fade. I started getting a lot of questions asking about my secret, so I thought I’d share it with y’all, since it is applicable to anyone who deposits color onto their hair (sorry blondes — to my knowledge, this technique doesn’t work with the bleaching process.)
First, I try to follow these basic rules to preserve the intensity and tone of my color:
- Wash your hair with lukewarm or cool water, not hot
- Shampoo and condition with color safe products
- Don’t wash it too often — go at least every other day, if not more!
- Keep your hair hydrated — dry hair doesn’t hold color as well as healthy hair
So that’s all pretty mainstream knowledge, right? Right.
The real secret lies in my homemade color depositing conditioner. Almost immediately after I left the salon with my original dye job, I went out and bought a color depositing shampoo, thinking it would help preserve the bright red hue. To be honest, I was not thrilled; my color faded fast and the tone began to shift. Being a little ballsy and mostly just curious, I did some googling to find out the scoop on homemade color depositing hair care. I came across a few different suggestions, mixed ’em up and slathered them on, and here I am, with super intense, glossy color nearly three weeks after my original dye!
Homemade Color Depositing Conditioner Directions
Ingredients and tools:
- Deep conditioner, or a conditioner that’s thick enough to not drip off your hair. Or now that it is exists and is the BEST PRODUCT EVAR, use Olaplex.
- Semi or demi permanent, ammonia-free dye. I use Ion Brilliance demi permanent color from Sally’s Beauty Supply and have really liked the results. Note: my formula does not require developer, so don’t buy any.
- Vaseline or similar emollient
- Mixing bowl and utensil
- Gloves (if you want to avoid stained hands)
Directions
- Mix the color and conditioner together at a 1:3 ratio (that is, one part color to three parts conditioner) — make enough to saturate all your hair, but don’t make all of it because it will not keep
- Gently wash your hair with shampoo, then towel dry
- Apply vaseline or some other protectant to your hairline to keep color from staining
- Begin adding the color to your roots, working your way down the ends of your hair — saturate evenly
- Leave on for 15-40 minutes
Play around with it! If you want the color to be more intense, use a 1:2 ratio, or a permanent hair color, or leave it on longer.
I do this at least once a week, if not each time that I wash my hair. My color looks amazing, I can correct the shade if I’m unhappy with how it’s fading, and I have not seen any damage to my hair. In fact, it looks shinier and feels healthier than ever before, probably because it’s being deep conditioned weekly. The absence of a developer and using an ammonia free dye keeps the solution from ravaging your hair. That being said, if for some reason your hair can’t tolerate it, obviously don’t keep doing it!
Hmmm….might have to try. I would probably be the one that ends up with damage or wrong color:)
Although I’m not your target audience for this post, I love your blog! Very well done.
Love the homemade color refresher!
Some salons will send you home with a vial of your colour to mix with shampoo or conditioner for in between appointments. However I choose to use 1 part double red pigment:2 parts thick conditioner. Protect sections with foil and use flat iron to heat in. run iron through 2x each section. Let cool. rinse cool water. Conditioner with cool water closes cuticle too!
I’m confused! Do you mix together all the ingredients in the hair coloring box and then mix in the conditioner or do you just use the coloring?
Hi, Raechel! I don’t use coloring from a box — I just buy my own professional grade (still cheaper in the long run!) from Sally’s Beauty Supply. I’m not positive how you would use box coloring with the conditioner, so I would suggest finding some stand-alone dye.
Haha I’m back and I have one more question! My hair should be dry when I put the conditioner on right?
What do you mean by 1 part color and 3 part conditioner I guess I am confused as to how much 1 part actually would be?
I say one part versus an actual amount because some people need more product than others. In other words, 1/4 of the mixture should be color dye and 3/4 conditioner. Does that help?
Great blog! The color I have been trying to achieve is very similar to your picture above. Which shade of the ion brilliance do you use? Thanks!
I mix a combo of Light Red Brown and Manic Panic’s InfraRed depending on the tone I’m going for.
Sorry for the slow turnaround btw – I don’t know how this slipped through the cracks 🙂
I do this and been doing it for a whole year I use the brand adore semi permanent it’s very intense colors and long lasting this brand is the best for a color depositing conditioner because the color itself conditions the hair it leaves it smelling like roses too I have a dark auburn and of course the red times fade quickly and I used a magenta type semi permanent and it makes my hair a mahogany color I love it of cause cause my hair is dark to show the magenta but I wanted a different tone once the red tones fades and it works it gives me like a dark mahogany and in between a cherry wood it’s so pretty in the light everyone ask what color I use so if you guys ever need a brand get adore they come in every color or tone you want to deposit color
This is such a great idea,now I don’t have to buy expensive color depositing shampoos! Question-you said semi or demi-permanent color,mine is permanent,can I not use that?
I recommend semi and demi just because it is easier to adjust should you want a different tone or shade. You can definitely use permanent, especially if it’s a color that you have used before and know that you like! Good luck 🙂
Late to the story and this is a super great recommendation but you can also buy it made from ROUX for temporary color and for natural products AVEDA has a range of color depositing. There red is very nice, as is the roux. 🙂 Although, not for blondes I’ve heard, it can turn pink! There are loads of other brands too but I like the combination with manic panic and ion myself as well! 🙂
*their !! haha
I really really loved your post… I mean I’m a new ginger lol and my color faded like weeks ago… I bought john frieda radiant red for the second time I did my hair… Did it work? Well kind of …It helps but is not like a deposit color conditioner… YOU GO GIRL!
thanks so much for this post! I have dyed reddish copper blonde hair (which I adore, but it fades SO QUICKLY). can’t wait to try this out! I do have a question though: is this something you can make a big batch of and it will keep over time? or should I only make one batch at a time because the dye would go bad? also, is there a difference between Demi and semi dye? which one did you use? 🙂 fhanks!
Love this post! Popped up first in my search and I don’t need to look further. Wondering what kind of deep conditioner you used. I haven’t been able to find one with a thick enough consistency. Thanks in advance ?
This didnt work for me. I used Redken Shades EQ, which is Demi-permanent…. did I just choose the wrong type of color for this?
In what way didn’t it work? If you give me some details I can try to help!
So, even though the ion Demi permanant tube says to use 10 developer, I skip that, right? Just color directly from the tube + deep conditioner? I just need clarification before I do this magical upgrade. 🙂 also, can I make a bigger batch and keep it in my tub in the shower?
Sometimes dye expands and almost explodes once it’s mixed. I’m assuming this is an ammonia + developer combo situation or something, which doesn’t apply with the materials this calls for.
I just picked all the stuff up from Sally’s. Going to wait for info from you to try. Thanks for this post! Genius!
-Sarah
Yep – just the dye and conditioner, no developer needed! I don’t think they’ll mix and keep well, because there have been times when I’ve left it out and it starts developing on its own (it turns darker and the color becomes bolder) so I think it would become a little wonky. Excited for you – let me know how it goes!
Also, the Demi permanant is so smart. I can’t wait to try this.
I used to use Artec depositing shampoo years ago until they discontinued it to refresh my highlighted hair and I’ve been doing something similar ad you, using the semi-permanent(The premixed with a twist off cap, Clairol Professionals Beautiful Colors from Sally’s (about a quarter-sized amount) and mixing it with shampoo, instead of conditioner. Leave on for a few minutes then rinse off. I will try your advice and mix it using a thicker conditioner .
Awesome post with good explanation. Now, I can also do it myself. Thanks.
Hi! I recently dyed my hair magenta and it looked great the first time, but it washes off so quickly! I can’t wait to try this technique! One thing–do I apply it like conditioner (on wet, freshly shampooed hair) or like hair dye (on dirty, dry hair)? It doesn’t say on the above post.
Whoops. Just read the post again and it does say to apply to towel dried hair. Sorry!
Awesome! My big thanks to you (and my fellow posters) for your more-affordable creativity. 😎
Here’s another great tip, one that also can be used when you’re just separately coloring or separately deep-conditioning your hair:
After saturating your hair with the color mixture, cover your entire head with a clear plastic processing cap (“Diane”‘s are great – get ’em from Amazon/Ebay/other) or an unused shower cap.
Then, leave it on for that 15-40 minutes, thoroughly rinsing your hair afterwards.
Your scalp/body heat will help your hair take the color better.
HTH!
I have a question.The mahogany red that I like to use is not red until it is mixed with a developer. It is a honey hue.I mixed just the Dye with my conditioner and nothing happened. So in order for this to work, I have to use a dye that is already red, right?
You have to use a semi color. Any color that has ro be mixed with developer (demi or permanent) does not work for this.
I can not thank you enough, this is Amazing my hair looks like i just dyed it without all the harsh chemicals. I am so glad I came across this blog. Thank you so much???? I am So happy with my Vibrant Red Hair
Hi! This is exactly the advice I was looking for, thank you so much. If you get around to answering questions, do you use the Ion Brilliance liquid or cream? I have half a tube of permanent IB cream left in my current colour, but feel a bit anxious about trying to use it without developer. Alternatively, have you ever tried Davines Alchemic Red Conditioner and if so, what do you think?! Cheers =)
I use the cream in a tube! I haven’t tried the conditioner – do you like it?
This HAS to be done with a SEMI perm color NOT DEMI, NOT PERMANENT. Semi permanent colors do not require developer and essentially ‘stain’ the hair… they do not penetrate the hair. Permanent color penetrate the hair, the developer, in simple terms, raises the cuticle of the hair allowing the permanent color inside the hair. Demi colors also penetrate, but not as deep. Since a demi color penetrates it also requires developer. The two will do NOTHING without developer. And in case anyone is wondering, no you should not add developer to conditioner and make this with a demi or permanent color. Just use a semi color, any deposit only color, that does not require Developer…that is how this will work.
Sorry … I realized that maybe this may come across as rude. I don’t mean it to be! Just don’t want anyone wasting money or being disappointed. Been there, done that 😉
No no I appreciate the info! If i update the article, is there a link or name that I can give you credit with?
Late to the party (as usual 😉
But…. Have you tried the Tressa Watercolors Shampoo or Evo Fabuloso Conditioner?
These are both a bit on the pricey side (25 – 40 per bottle – depending on where you look) HOWEVER I think they work absolutely fantastic. I mix both with my color fade protection shampoo and conditioner (separately, of course) to get a nice lather; the shampoo you leave on for 2 minutes and the conditioner for 3 minutes (much less time than 15-40 min!) I use them 2 times per week (only wash my hair every other day) and it looks fresh every time and my hair feels great.
I use the Tressa in Crimson Splash and the Evo Fabuloso in Mahogany (ordered the wrong one … have purple/red on the way) but both have a multitude of available shades; especially the Tressa Watercolors.
I wonder how well it would work if I mix my John Frieda Colour Refreshing Gloss with Colour Protecting Conditioner. I use brown.
Hmmm, I’m not sure! Worth a try, right? If you give it a shot, report back haha
Hi Sarah, I’m trying to keep my hair a rich dark red, using a permanent color brilliance dye from Sally’s also and read in another blog to keep the color mix conditioner with a semi permanent dye to deposit color with every shower or every other shower, well I got a Demi permanent instead on accident and decided to try it anyways… Well, it’s not changing the conditioner a different color… Will this still work? Or should I give it some time alone (mixed already with conditioner)? ..help 🙂 thank u!
This design is incredible! You definitely know how to keep a reader entertained. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Great job. I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool!|
How do we know this won’t work with demi or permanent hair color? has anyone tried it?
I realize you made this post years ago, but I found it while desperately searching how I can maintain my red hair in between expensive trips to the salon. It worked perfectly! I use the Madison Reed Hair Gloss, which is a semi-permanent hair dye. It has less harsh chemicals which I prefer. Thank you for the advice, and great blog!
I’m using the ION Demi in Chrome with conditioner on my blonde/turning grey hair. I’ll let you know how it turns out. I’m trying to grow up my grey/silver because the color looks really shiny and pretty, but my blonde highlights look tacky, so I”m trying to blend it all together in a silvery tone.