Home Root Retouch
This might seem scary, but don’t worry. You can do this! If your hair is growing at a frequency that is causing you to see those roots more quickly than is reasonable for you to come in the salon, I’m going to give you the tools you need to do it yourself. You can always spot cover where it’s visible (on your hairline & temples) between appointments.
What you’ll need:
You can get all of this at Sally Beauty or order online
Color & Correlating Developer
From your House:
You can always change into a button down shirt or robe before starting, so that when you go to rinse in the shower you don’t have to pull your shirt over your head and risk getting it stained. Remember, it will be covered with a cape! You can also forgo the cape and just wear an old shirt.
Clorox Bleach Spray & Paper Towels (If you’re doing the color in your bathroom for any drops of color that get on the counter, spray them as soon as you see them so they don’t set in and stain)
Vaseline (To cover your hairline so you don’t get color stains on your skin)
Optional: plastic grocery bag- a chic way to keep your hair from dripping color after you apply it. Make yourself an elegant garbage’ cap!
DIRECTIONS:
I always go ahead and clear any bathroom rugs off the floor or anything porous that can’t be wiped off. Give yourself a clean surface to work on in the bathroom and keep your spray bleach handy for any color droplets. You can always lay down an old beach towel under you and on the counter if you want to be on the safe side!
Using either vaseline or a thicker oil (like castor oil), apply to the tops of your ears and about half an inch underneath your hairline. This will protect you from any chemical damage and also keep your hairline from staining.
Check the mixing instructions to see what the ratio of color to developer is. You can use a food scale to measure or visually approximate. For example, if the ratio is 1:1, you’ll do equal amounts of both the color and the developer. Also check the processing time for the color you’re using. Note: The color will oxidize and time out. It will NOT continue to get darker with more time, it also won’t absorb better or hold longer with extended processing time. It doesn’t hurt to leave it on longer, but there isn’t necessarily a benefit. Most color is a 20-30 minute processing time.
Section your hair into 4 sections, using your sectioning clips. This may be difficult if your hair is shorter, but making smaller sections will keep you organized.
Wrap a smaller/darker towel around your neck and then layer your cape over top of it.
Apply your gloves
Mix the color with the developer per mixing instructions in the color bowl. You can use the color brush to mix them together to an even consistency.
Working in quarter inch sections, paint the color only on the new growth. As much as you can, try to avoid overlapping it on the already colored hair.
Watch this video so you can see a visual and step by step instructions!
Once you’ve worked all the way around your head, you can put a plastic grocery bag on and use the handles to tie the front to tighten into a cute little bonnet.
After the processing time (Typically 30 minutes) you’ll get in the shower, rinse thoroughly, shampoo and condition! You did it!