1. Preparation
Have the right amount of tubsβ¨If you're wondering how many tubs of Directions you'll need to get the best coverage, go by our rule of thumb: we recommend one tub for hair that's shoulder length.β¨β¨Apply Pre Colour Shampooβ¨DirectionsΒ Pre Colour ShampooΒ has been especially formulated to give you soft, shiny and manageable hair to work with.β¨β¨Make use of multiple mirrorsβ¨While youβll no doubt want to admire yourself from all angles once your vibrant new look is in place, this tip is about practicality, not vanity.β¨β¨Read the instructionsβ¨Whenever youβre looking to try out a new colour, spend some time browsing the instructions so youβre perfectly prepared.β¨β¨Brush and dry hair properlyβ¨Knots in hair can obscure certain strands and result in areas being missed. Tackle any tangles early on to leave your hair in the best state for complete coverage. No knots β no problem!β¨β¨Test and test again!β¨First, do aΒ skin patch testΒ to avoid any irritation or allergic reactions. Then, do aΒ strand testΒ on a small, hidden section of hair to find out if the colour will come through as you expect.β¨β¨Section out your hairβ¨Divide your hair into multiple segments using hair clips or bands so you can get full colour coverage of your hair.
2. Keeping colour on your hair
Wear loose-fitting, protective clothingβ¨Avoid wearing your favourite shirt or dress and instead stick to old clothes you wonβt mind getting a little messy.
Have an extra pair ofΒ latex glovesβ¨You donβt just need to wear these for applying your colour β youβll also want to have them on when youβre rinsing to stop your hands getting stained.
Protect your surroundingsβ¨Use old towels or clothes to protect floors, walls and carpets. But, if you donβt want to waste any of these, bin liners, newspapers and other materials can offer great cover for your surfaces.
Cover and clean your skinβ¨Covering your hairline, neck and ears with vaseline or petroleum jelly will make excess colour far easier to clean off later on.
Make use of Directions accessoriesβ¨Perfect hair colouring is all about precision. Approach it like a professional with aΒ bowlΒ and aΒ brushΒ to mix and paint on the colour. This makes colour mixing easy and less messy!
3. Extending your range
Try out multiple colours at onceβ¨One colour not enough? If you want to embrace every shade of the rainbow and beyond, make sure the different sections of your hair are washed and dried separately.β¨β¨Create dreamy pastel coloursβ¨Diluting your chosen colour withΒ white tonerΒ orΒ conditionerΒ can introduce you to a whole new selection of pastel shades.β¨β¨Get professional help to go lighterβ¨The level of your hair might restrict the number of colours you can apply and how successfully they come through. Speak to your hairdresser about options for lightening your hair, before you get to work with the colour at home.β¨β¨Experiment with colour mixesβ¨Did you know that you can mix Directions colours together to make your own unique shades? Craft your own colours and share your results with us β we love to see people getting inventive with our vibrant range!
4. Preserving your colour
Pay close attention to your rootsβ¨Always start from your roots when colouring your hair, as this is the area where regrowth will happen fastest and is the least damaged part of your hair.
Use specific colour-preserving shampoos and conditionersβ¨Not all shampoos and conditioners are created equal, and some are far from friendly for coloured hair.Β Shampoo less regularlyβ¨Over time, any and all water or shampoos on your hair will cause colour to fade away faster.
Wash with cold or lukewarm waterβ¨When you do have to brave the shower and put your hair on the line, wash with cold or lukewarm water. Colder water will keep your hair cuticles closed up, stopping colour from running out as quickly.
Protection from swimming and sunlightβ¨Bad news for swimmers and sunbathers β hair colour doesnβt react well to either of these. If you really care about your colour that much, then sun hats, swimming hats and UV hairsprays are highly recommended.
