Do you want to go longer between coloring your hair? Do you like to highlight your hair but want a livelier look? A root stain Could be the missing step in your hair color journey!
Here we are going to learn what root stain is, when to use it, and most importantly, give you the steps to do it yourself at home. Let’s get into it!
What is a root stain?
A root stain is exactly what it sounds like! When you think of the word stain, you think of blurring something or making it softer and less obvious. A root stain is usually done right after a hair lightening service.
For example, you can apply root stain after getting traditional foil highlights or balayage. A toner in your natural hair color or a lighter shade is applied to damp hair right at the root and stained about an inch down using a comb or paint brush.
The root stain will work for about 15 minutes and then be washed out of the hair. The root stain blurs the highlights and your natural hair color, creating a softer, more vibrant look. The root stain uses toner It will only deepen the roots a little, so it doesn’t completely cover the highlights at the root.
They also work really well to soften the line as your hair grows out and allow you to get longer before your next salon visit because your roots won’t be hard or obvious.
When should you use root stain?
There are several reasons why you would want to use a root stain on your hair.
Reason #1: You want a softer look at the root
For a long time, it was very popular to have bold or chunky highlights right at the root, but this look has fallen out of fashion over the years. Many people today prefer a softer and more natural look after lightening their hair.
Now, that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to see the highlights at the root. This means that the root stain will tone down those fresh highlights, making it look more like hair that could have grown straight from your head!
You will still feel that your hair looks freshly dyed and still has that fashionable and lively look.
Reason #2: You want to go longer between salon visits
You may be asking how exactly a root stain can help you go longer between salon visits or at-home hair color.
When you’ve had a lighter highlight on your root in the past (ones that weren’t treated with a root stain), you may have noticed that you can already see your roots just a few weeks later!
This is because the contrast between your natural color and Blonde highlights It is tall and because the accent lines have not softened.
when you Apply root stainYou lower the contrast between your light hair and your natural hair color by using a toner the same or slightly lighter than your natural hair color.
You also soften the look of the highlights. This will make the roots less prominent and allow you to dye your hair less often!
Reason #3: You want to stay on trend
it’s simple. Over the past few years, we’ve seen these vibrant hair colors take hold and become the thing The hottest hair color trend. A perfect root stain to give the natural, vivid and even beachy hair color we all love!
Should you try a root stain at home?
Yes! This is a fairly simple process and you can definitely do it yourself at home! Follow our steps to make a foolproof root stain at home!
Stages of root stain
Step #1: Choose your toner
The first thing you need to do is choose a toner that will serve as your root stain. Toners are Semi permanent (Don’t use permanent color for this!) and come in a wide variety of shades. You can order them online or pick them up at your local beauty supply.
Choose the same shade or one shade lighter than your natural color. For example, if you are naturally a level 6, you will want to choose a level 6 or level 7 toner.
Step #2: Highlight your hair
The best time to apply root stain is shortly after making Highlighted hair at the hairdresser Or you just highlighted your hair at home. Either way, starting with fresh highlighted hair is a must!
If you wait a few weeks after getting highlights and hope to blend out the line of demarcation that has started to form, you can also follow the same steps to blend out that line.
Step #3: Wash your hair
You’ll want to apply your root stain to a clean, damp hair. Right before applying the toner, wash your hair (without conditioner!) and then towel dry Your hair is very good. Comb the hair and divide into 4 quarters while securing clips.
Step #4: Apply the toner
The most important part! Using a bowl and paint brush, start at the back of your hair and start applying the root stain to the first back quadrant, first apply right at the root and then smooth the color about an inch with your paint brush.
It doesn’t have to be completely accurate like a Root touch with permanent or semi-permanent color Toner on wet hair He is much more forgiving. Working back to the front, take half-inch sections and apply the color to the root and feathers down. Use a mirror to see the back of your head if you need extra help with application.
Pro tip: Once you’ve finished applying the color in one quadrant, use a wide-toothed comb to gently comb through the color to give that super soft, orange effect!
Step #5: Let the color process
Most toners process in about 15 minutes, follow the instructions for your specific toner.
Pro tip: Many toners look very dark while they are processing. It’s because of oxidation, it doesn’t mean your color will come out so dark! Do not panic! If you chose a color that is the same or lighter than your natural, you will have a great result
Step #6: Wash off the toner
wash off the toner Well and follow with shampoo and conditioner! Be sure to use a colored shampoo and conditioner, as this will help seal in the color. Dry and admire the beautiful work you did!
How long will my root stain last?
A root stain will last anywhere from 2-6 weeks. How long the root stain lasts depends a lot on how often you wash your hair, if you use quality, color-safe hair products and if you heat style often.
The less you wash your hair and use less heat, the longer your root stain will last. Using quality salon products will always make your color last longer and look better.
Key things to remember:
- A root stain will give you natural and vivid hair color.
- This is done after getting highlights or balayage.
- A root stain will allow you to go on longer before dying your hair again.
- This is a simple technique that you can do at home.
- How you treat your hair after the root stain determines how long it lasts.
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