Dying your hair at home is easy, cheap and can be very rewarding as you get to be as creative as you want. Check out this guide to get the best results with Manic Panic, Directions, Crazy Colour (and similar) semi permanent hair dye.

Prep work

When it comes to dying your hair for the first time, it can be a bit scary. What if it doesn't turn out right? What if it looks like shit? Well, we've put together a guide to help you get the best results.

Before you do anything, you'll want to make sure you're prepared. You'll need a few things before you start:

• You've read the Best Way to Prepare your Hair for Dying?
• Your chosen colour- make sure you have enough (around 1 jar for short hair and 2 jars for med lengths and longer. You can save leftovers so it's best to have a bit more than less in this case)
• Gloves (it's just way easier to clean up)
• A tint brush
• Plastic bowl
• A rag, or something to clean up splatters

Your hair should be clean and dry. If you want to avoid getting colour on the skin, use Vaseline around the hair line, but avoid it getting into the hair as the colour won't take in these spots. 

Mix it up

Mix your colour in the plastic bowl to whichever shade you want. Have fun with it!

If you're only doing one colour, you can usually use it straight from the tub (depending on the size of the tint brush. If you have more than one container of colour, open them all now to avoid making a mess later. DO NOT ADD ANYTHING TO THE BOWL ESPECIALLY PEROXIDE.

It's easiest to section the hair into manageable pieces.

Time to Rock n Roll

Using the tint brush, apply the hair colour, starting around a half of an inch from the scalp and working it evenly through, all the way down to the ends. All of the hair strands need to be covered for them to be coloured.

Comb the colour into all of the hair, or work it in with your fingers. It may become frothy- this is a good sign that it's being thoroughly absorbed.

Cover your hair with a plastic bag/ cling film. This is a good time to clean up any splatters and any skin that was dyed. Not sure how to do that? Check out How to Clean off Hair Dye Stains.

Leave the hair colour on for at least 30 minutes, but it can be left on for longer. Some lighter colours are best to be left on for longer. 

Rinse

Rinse with cool water. Unless you want your face/ back to be the same colour- rinse away from the skin. Holding your head over a bat tub works well, just try to avoid letting the water go over your face.

Don't wash with shampoo...your hair was already clean, remember? The hair colour will condition those locks, so no need for conditioner either.

Dry and style as normal.

Have you dyed your hair a fabulous colour? We want to see it! Head to instagram and tag us #darkheartslonfon in your post to be featured on our website!