Color Change: Natural Blue Black

After years of brown and red shades of dye I was ready to revisit black hair. I purchased Clairol Nice n Easy Natural Blue Black from Walgreen's for my new shade. Prior to dyeing my hair I read the instructions and saw that it was not recommended to use the dye on hair that was previously treated with henna. The instructions did not say why so I had to do my own research. I came across these two articles:

Henna & Traditional Color

Hair Color Removers

I did not do the remover instead I opted to take my chances with the color over the henna.

The steps I follow for dyeing my hair include:

1. Application of the dye according to the instructions

2. Leaving the dye on for 40-45 minutes

3. Rinsing thoroughly

4. Deep conditioning for a very long time. I prefer to DC overnight

5. Styling my hair in a style that embraces the natural curl

Why?

Dye on my hair can be very drying and it can also stretch out the curl pattern. By DCing for a long time the dryness I experience is drastically decrease. Styling in a curl embraces style helps keep my curls from stretching - preventing a change in my texture. If I style correctly I will have major shrinkage and that is my sign that my curls still love me.

How I dye my hair

***this dye job was done before I started my healthy care/growing regimen****

I wanted a light bright reddish color and because my hair is so dark and resistant to color I had to go bold. I used SoftSheen-Carson Dark & Lovely in Vivacious Red. I applied the dye to the front section of my hair and let sit for 45 mins. I know that is longer than the instructions but I also know my hair-any less would have been a waste of time. I rinsed the dye out with cool water until the water ran clear.

Then I did a co-wash with Suave Coconut conditioner all over my head but paying close attention to the recently dyed portion. After the co-wash I applied leKair Cholesterol Plus and left on for 30-40mins. Rinsed and style as usual.

I didn't want to do anything that would be strenuous on my hair after dying so I did a twist out and wore that for 4 days. The twist out allowed me to open my sunroof when I got off work and let the sun do it's magic with brightening up the color a little more. I have been dying my hair myself for years now and I finally found a routine that helps me maintain my texture and curl pattern while still giving me the color I want. Works for me!

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