Dab a small amount of dye onto a cotton adhesive pad and place it somewhere on your skin that isn’t too sensitive or typically exposed like your upper back. Leave the patch on for however long you plan on leaving the dye in your hair (usually an hour). Remove the patch and rinse the dye from your skin. Wait another 48 hours before dyeing your hair. Do not use this dye if your skin experiences itching, redness, or swelling. If your skin starts itching while the patch is still on, remove it immediately and scrub away the dye with soap and water. [5] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source

Wear some clothes that you don’t mind staining. Put a towel down on the floor in the area where you’re working. Wear exam gloves. Place a thin layer of petroleum jelly on the skin along your hairline.

Dye only your highlights. Many people with dark hair go for this look with bright colors. Dye just the ends. This is called the “dip dye” look, since it seems like the hair has been dipped in paint. Section off your hair with plastic clips and you can use multiple colors for this method. Two colors from the same brand can be mixed. You can dye your tips one color, the hair near your roots another, and mix the two in the middle for an “ombré” look. Try a wild, multi-colored look or make a pattern by keeping certain sections of your hair un-dyed. Put a little conditioner on the parts of your hair that you want protected.

If you’re dyeing a large area or your whole head, the best way to do this is by massaging the dye in by hand. Grab a palm full of dye and work it into your hair as if you were shampooing. If your hair is long, you will need to do this a few times with more dye to spread the color evenly throughout. You can also try dyeing thicker hair in sections. If you’re dyeing a smaller section, use a special tools called a tint brushes. Dip the brush into the dye and “paint” your hair. This will help you to both control where the color goes and make sure all your hair is coated. Go over each section a few times to make sure the dye is even.

Soak your hair thoroughly with running water. This is more important if you’ve left the dye in so long that it has dried out. Gently wash your hair with color care shampoo. Keeping your hair moisturized will help maintain the color. Keep rinsing your hair until the water starts running clear. If you leave any dye in, you will end up staining anything your hair touches. Apply conditioner. This will also help keep your hair moist. Allow your hair to air dry. Blow drying will dry out your hair too much and make your new color fade faster.

Sulfate-free shampoos that are complementary to your color are your best bet. For instance, a purple shampoo is great for blondes and silvers.