Types of hair dye – Guide

Considering all of the options available today, selecting the perfect hair color can be intimidating. Every need and style can be met with a different type of dye, which comes in both permanent and temporary fixes, as well as natural shades and vibrant colors. Making the best decision for you starts with being aware of the various types of hair dye.

Whether your goal is to cover up gray hair, try a new look, or just change the color of your hair, understanding the benefits of each type of dye will help you get the desired results. Before choosing, it’s critical to understand the advantages and disadvantages of each option.

You will learn about the most common types of hair dye in this guide, along with their functions, best uses, and descriptions. You’ll know more clearly by the end what kind of hair color best suits your requirements and preferred look.

What is hair dye and its types

A cosmetic product called hair dye is used to give hair shafts the desired shade or alter their natural color.

Origin-wise, dyes are:

• Natural – these are cosmetics of natural origin. By them is meant henna or bass;
• Chemical – this is an industrial product created on the basis of chemical compounds that, as a result of their interaction, regulate the color of the hair shaft;
• Physical – these are also artificial dyes, but they work not due to their chemical composition, but due to physical processes – attraction of ions of the substance to the hair.

Paints are numbered and categorized based on their durability, with 0 denoting the least stable paints and 3 representing the most durable paints.

Every dye has a color tone as well as durability, and each color tone is assigned a number between 1 and 10, with 10 being the lightest.

Recall that paints are separated into the following categories based on the area they are applied in:

• Household – paints for home use;
• Professional – for use in beauty salons and hairdressers.

Paint is available in various formats:

• Cream;
• Gel;
• Mousse;
• Specific forms – spray, mascara, crayons.

After outlining the primary categories of hair colorants, let’s take a closer look.

Types of paint by origin

Dyes come in three different origins: physical, chemical, and natural. Every class of dyes has unique characteristics and interacts with the hair shaft in a different way.

Natural

Natural dyes are made from natural sources. The pigments found in certain coloring plants, or even homemade methods, are what give hair its color. They alter the color of the hair by clogging the cuticle layer with their pigment.

• Henna;
• Basma:
• Chamomile;
• Onion peel;
• Coffee;
• Lemon.

Natural dyes can be made at home on their own or purchased as ready-made, specialty hair products like henna and basma. For example, girls can lighten their hair slightly by using lemon, and coffee can give their curls a golden hue.

Natural dyes’ primary drawback is their unpredictable nature. It is just not possible to predict with any degree of certainty what color henna, basma, or onion broth will impart. Furthermore, it goes without saying that these dyes won’t produce a drastically different image; at most, they’ll alter the hue slightly or add some expression.

Physical

Paints that rely on physical processes for their operation are classified as physical dyes, thus the name. The positive ion-charged coloring agents in these paints are drawn to the negatively charged hair, settling on its surface. Nearly innocuous for the structure of hair.

Another term for them is direct dye or dyes for direct coloring.

Cons of using physical dyes:

• Do not cover gray hair;
• Not suitable for a radical change in hair color;
• Last up to 1-2 washes.

Several tint shampoos and tonics are examples of physical dyes.

Chemical

As their name implies, chemical processes are what make chemical dyes function. An oxidizer and the paint itself make up this type of paint.

The procedure starts when the paint and oxide are combined, and the composition is applied to the hair:

1. The oxide oxidizes the dye, activating the pigments;
2. Hydrogen peroxide opens the hair cuticle and removes the natural hair pigment;
3. The activated pigment penetrates deep into the hair shaft along the prepared path and occupies all the voids formed as a result of the destruction of the natural hair pigment.

Chemical hair colorants consist of:

• Permanent – resistant;
• Semi-permanent – semi-resistant.

Because permanent dye is absorbed into the hair’s deep layers, it is long-lasting and the particles wash out slowly. They use hydrogen peroxide or ammonia as active ingredients and function in accordance with the previously mentioned plan.

Semi-permanent dyes don’t penetrate the hair shaft’s core and operate with less vigor. Ammonia analogues, such as ethanolamine, typically cause the reaction because they produce an environment that is marginally alkaline and insufficient for deep, long-lasting coloring. They do not last as long as permanent dyes, but they do last longer than physical dyes, especially when compared to the latter.

Semi-permanent dyes frequently have caring ingredients added to them to offset the negative effects of chemicals. One such dye is KEUNE from the So Pure line; it contains plant extracts, phytocarotene, and argan oil and is used for SPA hair coloring.

Bleaching

Bleaching compounds belong to a different group. They are isolated in a different category in the professional setting, but they are fundamentally chemical since they function through chemical processes.

Bleaching dyes are chemicals that remove the hair’s natural pigment, leaving it a great foundation for subsequent color-dying. The compositions function because of the high concentration of hydrogen peroxide and ammonia, which totally dissolve the hair shaft’s natural pigment and turn it blond.

Bleaching is a harsh process that severely ruins hair, making it porous, brittle, and dry. However, bleaching is a must since it enables you to satisfy a variety of girl demands, such as painting over gray hair or creating chic highlights or eliminating dull dark color.

By level of durability

The paint’s origin determines the degree of durability; the longer the result, the deeper the dye penetrates.

However, there is also a different category for dyes based on durability, and it is assigned a number:

• 0 – temporary. These are short-term dyes that provide coloring until the first or second hair wash. Temporary hair dyes work by creating a color film on the surface;
• 1 – weak. Paints with resistance level 1 – these are tint dyes. They are used to refresh the color of previously made persistent staining or to give light halftones to natural hair. Hold a little longer than the previous ones and are completely washed out for 4-6 wash procedures;
• 2 – semi -resistant. Such dyes are kept up to 28 washing procedures, but much depends on the original structure of the rod. Work due to hydrogen peroxide;
• 3 – persistent. Give the longest result. Hold on for a long time, change the color well, as they penetrate into the deep layers of the hair rod. The result is achieved due to the reaction of peroxide and ammonia.

You can see the degree of resistance in dyes with different origins on the diagram below.

By color tone

There is a color tone to all hair dye, professional or drugstore brand. Every dye manufacturer labels their products using the International Scale of Natural Tones, which has ten points that indicate the intensity of each tone.

1. Black;
2. Very dark chestnut;
3. Dark chestnut;
4. Chestnut;
5. Light chestnut;
6. Dark brown;
7. Blonde;
8. Light brown;
9. Blonde;
10. Light blond.

The color of the paint in front of you is always determined by its tone level, which is the number that comes first.

Additionally, some manufacturers mark with the numbers 11 and 12. These paints have the ability to lighten hair by four to five tones, whereas ordinary paints can only lighten hair by two to three tones.

There are other digits used in addition to the primary, first one. Via a separator, they follow the tone level. Different manufacturers offer different options for dashes, slashes, commas, and periods.

The primary tone is indicated by the second number, and the additional pigment, or tint produced by the dye, is indicated by the third.

Root tone:

• 0 – Natural;
• 1 – Blue-violet;
• 2 – Green;
• 3 – Yellow-orange;
• 4 – Copper;
• 5 – Red-violet;
• 6 – Violet-blue;
• 7 – Red-brown.

More shade

• 1 – ash;
• 2 – violet;
• 3 – golden;
• 4 – copper;
• 5 – red-brown, mahogany;
• 6 – red;
• 7 – brown.

Professional dyes and even many common household dyes may have markings that don’t line up with the above decoding. Prior to making a purchase, it is advisable to become familiar with the tonal classification system used by some companies.

Choosing the right hair color can completely change the way you look, but there are a ton of options to choose from, so it can be difficult to know which one is best for you. This guide will assist you in selecting the ideal hair color for your needs and style by dissecting the various types of hair color, ranging from temporary to permanent, and explaining the benefits of each.

By place of application

The area where paint is applied, such as a hair salon, beauty salon, or residential settings, is known as the place of application.

Household paints

All that is required to use household hair dye is to dilute it as directed before applying it to the hair. It is a simple coloring product.

The dye typically comes with everything you need:

• Dye;
• Oxidant;
• Gloves;
• A portion of balm or mask to soften hair after dyeing.

It seems simple to use such paint; instead of spending a lot of money at a hair salon, you can purchase a pack of paint for 200–500 rubles and complete the task at home. However, household paints are actually far less functional and significantly worse for hair.

• Household paint does not solve complex problems. Its main purpose is to give hair the shade stated on the package. It is not aimed at adjustable darkening, you cannot adjust the color saturation with it, you cannot add the desired halftones or tints;
• The harm to hair is much higher. It"s all about the pigment. For household budget paints, poorly purified pigment is used – it is toxic and very harmful to hair. It is the properties of low-quality pigments that are associated with the difficulty of "removing" many years of home dyeing.

Professional paints

Professional hair dyes: these are now designed products rather than pre-made kits. The master can alter the composition’s aggressiveness for various tasks by using an oxidizer with varying hydrogen peroxide contents at his discretion.

• The pigment for professional paints is much cleaner, which means it harms hair less;
• Professional hair dyes can be mixed, getting unexpected and creative shades;
• Another plus in favor of professional dyes is the caring components in the composition. They are also added to household paints, but in minimal quantities.

Naturally, not all professional hair dyes are created equal. Yes, they cause damage to the hair shafts as well, but not nearly as much as household appliances—even the priciest ones.

By release form

Hair dyes come in various forms, contingent on where they come from and how long they last. The coloring product’s properties and application method are determined by its consistency:

• Cream paint. Thick paints, do not spread, are well distributed, laying down in a dense layer. Characterized by high consumption;

• Gel paint. Unstable consistency, prone to spreading. Requires special care in use, otherwise it can color everything around;

• Mousse paint. Has a light, weightless structure and is well distributed over the hair.

Additionally, paints come in particular formats:

• Spray – packaging with a fine spray;

• Shampoo or balm – liquid gel product, similar to regular hair shampoo;

• Mascara, crayons and other forms.

Temporary dyes with zero durability typically fall into these three categories.

Choosing paint based on hair characteristics

The best hair dye is impossible to recommend because it all depends on your objectives and the original quality, condition, and color of your natural curls.

Hair dye for uncolored hair

If your hair is natural and has never been colored, then:

1. Determine which color tone from 1 to 10 corresponds to the color of your hair;
2. Imagine what color you would like to get at the end: dye your hair tone-on-tone, that is, enhance your natural color, make your hair darker or lighter, radically change the color.

The solutions listed below are chosen in light of the response to the second point:

• If your goal is to make the color lighter by more than 4 tones, you cannot do without preliminary hair lightening. For such significant changes, it is better not to use household paints, but to contact a hairdresser;
• Make the color lighter by 1-3 tones. Choose a paint whose color tone is lighter by no more than 1-2 color tones. For tone 7 – light brown, paints 8 and 9 are suitable;
• Enhance your own color, make it rich and deep. Choose among tinting dyes or semi-permanent dyes of the desired color tone. They will highlight the beauty of the color, make it multifaceted and will not spoil the hair;
• Re-dye dark. Choose a dye within 1-2 shades from yours. That is, if your natural color corresponds to the color tone 5 – light chestnut, for coloring choose a dye with a tone of 4 – chestnut or 3 – dark chestnut.

It won’t be unnecessary to consider the color type of appearance when selecting a dye color, particularly if you intend to make drastic changes.

Dye for colored hair

You must assess your current hair and determine the desired outcome before selecting a dye for colored hair.

It will be challenging to drastically alter your hair’s color because the new and old dyes’ supplementary tones may blend together and add unneeded undertones.

• If you have light roots and dark length and you just need to refresh the color, choose a paint of the same shade that was before. Apply the dye first to the roots and only then to the length. In such cases, dyes without ammonia, that is, semi-permanent, are suitable;
• Dark regrown roots, lighter than the length, if you want to make a uniform dark color, are dyed with a dye close to the natural shade or darker within 1-2 tones. First, the length is dyed, and then the root part of the hair;
• Dark dyed hair with a uniform color along the entire length can only be made light by washing off – simply dyeing the hair with dye is pointless. It is not recommended to do bleaching at home – you can burn your hair.

Using home dyes and experimenting is not advised when working with dyed hair if you want to drastically change the color, such as from blond to dark or vice versa.

Dye for gray hair

It is impractical to condense the myriad nuances of the gray hair prevention process into a single, succinct point. We’ll take a quick detour into paint selection for painting gray hair, but remember that these are general examples.

• With a percentage of gray hair less than 50% and natural dark hair, use paints with a color tone from 7 to 1. Choose that color from this range that is more suitable for yours or darker in 1-2 tones;
• If gray hair on the head is greater – up to 80% use light color tones 7.8, 9. This will help maintain the presentability of the hairstyle when growing;
• When gray hair affects more than 80% of the head, focus on light permanent or semi -permanent dyes – 10.9.8. It is better not to take dark colors, but the shade of the hair can be given by tint dyes.

Remember that the color you see on a box does not necessarily correspond to the color you will receive when selecting a color for any kind. The layering of the original background of clarification and dye pigment is the outcome of staining.

Choosing a paint manufacturer

If you’ve made up your mind to use household paint to dye your hair at home, be careful when selecting a brand and the guarantees offered by the manufacturer.

Things to be mindful of:

• Packaging. It should include text in Russian, expiration date, as well as introductory information on shades and the result;

• Durability. The packaging rarely contains information about the level of durability of the paint, as well as its origin. You need to figure this out yourself. All chemical paints, that is, the most durable ones, include ammonia and hydrogen peroxide, and if the composition is ammonia-free and contains its analogs, the paint will last less, but will not damage the hair as much;

• Oxide percentage. Oxidant – an oxidizer that starts a chemical reaction can be of different concentrations – 1.5, 3, 6, 9, 12 percent. The higher the percentage – the higher the percentage of peroxide, the stronger the reaction, the richer the result. Highly concentrated oxides also have another side – a destructive effect on the hair shaft.

Because of this, you should select the best oxide rather than chasing a higher number in the hopes of achieving a better result. Weak oxides of 1.5–3% are used for tone-on-tone coloring and minor color changes, and 6-9% are used for more dramatic color changes. It is only used in severe situations because 12% oxide causes terrible damage to hair.

Regarding particular brands, your options are limited by the manufacturer’s reputation and financial resources. The likelihood of receiving a safe product increases with brand volume.

Well-known producers:

• Schwarzkopf – also produces Palette and Igora paints;
• Londa;
• Lebel Cosmetics;
• Kapous;
• Matrix;
• Estel;
• Wella;
• Loreal – they also produce Garnier paints.

Both professional and household paints are produced by the brands on this list.

Questions

Which hair color is the safest?

The safest dyes are those that are temporary and unstable, acting only on the surface of the hair rather than penetrating it. While natural dyes like basma or henna are safe enough, they can cause curls to become brittle and dry out.

Ammonia-free dyes that contain ammonia analogs as an active component fall under the second category of safety. Compared to ammonia permanent dyes, they are significantly softer, but they are already more aggressive toward the hair shaft.

Which color of hair dye is the most harmful?

Black dye is the most dangerous since it contains more dyes that can poison the body. Furthermore, the composition of black dye contains a higher amount of the potent allergen paraphenylenediamine than other shades.

Which hair dye without ammonia is the best?

Ammonia-free hair dyes all perform similarly and affect hair in essentially the same way. It all comes down to spending limits and brand loyalty. The Zero paints from "Oreal Inoa, BES Zero, or Vitality" are appropriate for use at home. Experts are able to examine Selective Professional in greater detail.

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Type of Hair Dye	Description
Permanent Dye	Long-lasting color that stays until the hair grows out or is cut. Ideal for covering gray hair.
Semi-Permanent Dye	Offers a temporary color change that lasts for several weeks. It gradually fades with each wash.
Demi-Permanent Dye	Lasts longer than semi-permanent but not as long as permanent. Fades gradually and is good for blending grays.
Temporary Dye	Washes out after one or two shampoos. Perfect for a quick, fun change.
Natural Dye	Made from plant-based ingredients like henna. Provides a subtle color and is gentle on hair.

The color of your hair can have a significant impact on how you look and feel. Knowing the various types of dyes can help you choose the best color for your hair type and lifestyle, whether you’re looking to make a dramatic change or just touch up your hair.

Everyone can find something they like, from long-lasting permanent dyes to temporary ones that allow you to experiment without committing. If you want to stay away from harsh chemicals, natural dyes offer a gentler alternative. Semi-permanent and demi-permanent options give you flexibility.

The best hair dye is ultimately the one that works best for you and helps you get the look you want. With the correct information, you can choose a product with assurance that enhances your hair’s natural beauty and gives your style a truly unique look.

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