Gothic Hair Color Tips with Semi-Permanent Hair Dye

There are two ways to achieve the brilliant contrasts of Gothic hair color: through clip-in Gothic hair extensions (hair falls) and through hair dye. Clip-in Gothic hair falls are the easiest and safest way to add thickness, change the texture of the hair, change the color, add highlights or add length to your own hair, without causing damage. They are available in a multitude of colors, a variety of lengths, human hair, synthetic fibers and one hairpiece to multiple-hairpiece solutions for gothic hair color.

The other method for achieving dramatic Gothic hair color is to use hair dye. For intense Gothic hair color results, your hair should be porous, bleached or tinted. When applied to virgin (unprocessed) hair, results will vary according to hair texture and color.

However, be aware that even if your hair doesn't appear to have any red tones in it, all dark hair contains some red pigment. Lightening your hair in one step will most likely turn your hair an unattractive shade of orange. In this case, you'll need to undergo what is known as a double process. The first step is to "strip" the hair of its pigment. The second step is to "add" the new color of choice with hair dye. A professional colorist can prevent this by using a toner to cancel out redness, thus providing a more attractive golden hue.

6 Tips for Semi-permanent Gothic Hair Color

1. Once your natural hair is sufficiently bleached, before using a semi-permanent hair dye, do a patch test to find out if your skin or scalp will have a reaction to the product.

2. Strand Test: To be sure that the desired results will be achieved, apply color in the manner described below using just a small lock of hair before attempting to dye a large area.

3. If you want your result to be bright and your hair to appear the color as it looks in the jar (or swatch) it is necessary to pre-lighten the hair. If you are going for a lighter color or a pastel shade, it is essential to lighten to a white/blonde.

4. Shampoo hair thoroughly using a pH acid balanced shampoo. The shampoo must not contain any conditioner in it at all for the dye the soak into your hair. Moisturizing your hair also means that the dye won't stick. If you are concerned about drying your hair, then condition after you've finished the dying process.

5. Make sure you have thoroughly shampooed all of the bleach in your hair. If you color immediately with bleach residue, this may prevent hair color from processing properly.

6. A trick to make your gothic hair color more permanent is to rinse your hair with vinegar immediately after coloring. This raises the pH level of the hair color and gives it more permanence. Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water, comb through hair and let sit for a minute or two, rinse out thoroughly.

For more information about gothic hair color and goth, read “Step-by-Step Essential Guide to that Elusive Gothic Look & Style”.

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