Dyeing curls: Highlights and curlyage for curly hair

Curls are always an eye-catcher, but despite admiring our voluminous, tousled manes, many of us curlies sometimes long for a change.

A new hair color can be just the thing - perhaps brown curls with highlights in different colors or simply classic curls with blonde streaks? Color effects can look particularly beautiful and vibrant on curly hair. Dyeing curls and trying out a new look is therefore not an uncommon wish.

If it weren't for the fact that curly hair is so sensitive. We all know how susceptible natural curls and waves are to breakage and split ends .

Many of us therefore do not dare to dye our beloved curls for fear of hair damage and brittle hair.

But don’t worry: We will enlighten you about the

• facts,
• myths
• and tips on dyeing curls,

so that you can safely and confidently choose your new favorite hair color.

Can you dye curls at all?

It is basically possible to dye curly hair. However, there are a few important things to keep in mind to avoid putting too much strain on the hair or even damaging it.

Curly hair is usually drier than straight hair and tends to break quickly if not properly cared for.

Due to the naturally porous structure of natural curls, chemicals are absorbed particularly well by the hair. This can quickly have a negative effect when coloring the hair , as the chemicals quickly penetrate very deeply into the hair and remove even more moisture from the hair.

You can read more about hair porosity in this article.

Therefore, some precautions should be taken and you should make sure that your hair is well-conditioned and properly moisturized before treating your locks with hair color to minimize damage.

Expert tip: When dyeing curls, it is advisable to use gentle hair dyes that do not damage or dry out the hair too much. Also avoid harsh chemicals such as bleaching with ammonia as much as possible, as these can damage the hair.

However, if you want to bleach your hair or want light highlights for your curls , then you cannot avoid chemical bleaching.

In this case, it is especially important to care for the hair intensively with nourishing curl care products to mitigate the effects of the bleaching. In our Lockenbox shop you will find a large selection of gentle and safe hair care products that are really good for your curls.

Curlyage: Balayage for curls

Balayage is an extremely popular hair trend that has lost none of its fascination even after years. With the Balayage method, the color is applied to the hair with a brush, resulting in a particularly beautiful, sun-kissed look.

In contrast to the traditional foil highlighting technique, in Balayage the color is applied in a smooth transition from the hair tips to the roots, which creates particularly delicate and beautiful highlights .

Now the gentle and particularly natural hair coloring technique is getting an upgrade that will make the hearts of curly-haired people beat faster. The magic word is: “ Curlyage .”

This word mix of “curly” and “balayage” describes a special balayage technique for natural curls , in which light highlights are applied by hand with a brush.

It is particularly important to take into account the individual curl structure and the bounce of the curls in order to highlight them through balayage.

Care is taken not to strain the curls and to create soft transitions that put less strain on the hair than a complete bleaching. This also prevents unsightly color bars as the hair grows out.

The curlyage method gives balayage curls soft accents, shimmering highlights and a very natural look. The bright color accents give the curls more depth and your curls look like they have been kissed by the sun.

What do I need to dye my curls?

If you want to dye your hair yourself, you should have all the utensils and materials ready before you start so that the dyeing session goes smoothly and you don't get stressed.

Here is a list of some of the basic things you will need:

Hair color:

Choose a hair color that is suitable for curls and suits your type and skin tone. You should find out as much as you can about the product and read the package insert carefully.

To be on the safe side, you should carry out a compatibility test before you start coloring. Chemical hair dyes in particular can, in rare cases, trigger severe allergic reactions. Please take care of yourself and do not take any unnecessary risks.

Gloves:

Be sure to wear gloves to protect your skin from getting dyed. Hair dye often comes with a pair of disposable gloves.

Wipes for wiping:

If a blob of makeup does end up on your skin or bathroom floor, or if the color runs onto your face, it's a good idea to have wet wipes or makeup remover pads on hand.

Paint brush:

You will need a brush to apply the color to your curls. Make sure you choose a brush that is suitable for curls and whose bristles do not get caught in them. The brush will help you achieve an even application of color.

Bowl:

Depending on the product, you may need a bowl to mix the dye and developer.

Hair clips / hair clips:

To separate individual sections, it is helpful to pin them with hair clips so that they are not in the way and you can apply the color to your hair strands without hindrance.

Hand towel:

Cover your shoulders with a towel to prevent paint from getting on your clothes or skin. It often helps to spread an old bath towel on the bathroom floor to prevent dripping paint from staining the tiles.

Dyeing curls at home: Here's how!

1. Prepare your curls for coloring.

Start by washing your hair with a cleansing shampoo to thoroughly remove any styling product residue. Allow your hair to dry slightly after washing, as color is difficult to apply to soaking wet hair.

If you only want to dye your roots, you can protect the lengths of your hair with a leave-in conditioner to protect areas of hair that have already been dyed.

2. Section your hair

To make it easier to apply the hair dye, we recommend dividing your curls into several sections.

1. For this, it is best to divide the hair from the crown to the neck
2. and then pin each side vertically behind the ears. This gives you four sections.
3. You can use bobby pins to hold the sections in place and make it easier to work with each section of hair.

3. Mix the paint

Only now is the time to mix the color, because hair dye should not be left lying around for long, but should be used quickly.

Make sure that the bowl and brush are not made of metal, as this can react with the color. As an alternative to a brush, you can also use an applicator bottle, which is often included in hair dye sets.

4. Apply the paint

Depending on the end result you want to achieve, there are different ways to apply the hair color. For example, you can dye individual strands or apply the color row by row to your entire head of hair.

It is important to choose a coloring technique that is suitable for curls to ensure you achieve a satisfactory result.

If you are unsure, you should visit a professional hairdresser for help and advice or have the coloring done on site.

Expert tip: Please don't just dye your hair without knowing what you're doing! Many a hair dyeing project has ended in a hair disaster and your beautiful locks are far too precious for that!

5. Stick to the exposure time

Be sure to follow the exposure times for your hair dye indicated on the packaging. These are tried and tested and are specifically tailored to the hair dye. Due to the porosity of curly hair, the hair dye is usually absorbed extremely well.

For this reason, you should check the color result from time to time during the exposure time. If, for example, a bleached color already appears very light after a short time, it is advisable not to wait any longer and to wash it out straight away.

6. Wash out the paint thoroughly

Careful rinsing is very important to finish the hair coloring process and prepare the hair for subsequent care treatment.

1. Start by thoroughly moistening your hair with warm water
2. and gently lather the hair color.
3. Rinse your hair thoroughly with running water until the water runs clear.
4. Now your hair is ready for final curl care.

How to care for your curls after dyeing

After coloring, your hair needs a lot of attention and care . Chemical hair dye can weaken the structure of the hair and after a coloring procedure - especially after bleaching - the hair is often particularly brittle and dry.

Nourishing hair treatments and moisturizing masks help you to revitalize your curls and restore moisture to your hair.

Since coloring the curls damages the outer layer of hair (cuticle), after hair coloring it is not only important to smooth and close the roughened cuticle layer again using softening ingredients.

Especially after a coloring procedure, you should also give your hair plenty of protein . Proteins are useful building blocks for our hair, which can repair the damage that has occurred in the hair. This strengthens hair that has been damaged by coloring in particular.

In this article you can read when your hair needs moisture and when it needs protein .

The Bond Curl Rehab Salve from CURLSMITH is a real power pack full of superfoods and proteins that strengthen the inner hair fiber and give your curls new strength after coloring.

To keep your hair color vibrant and shiny for a long time, the Color Trio travel set from Innersense Organic is available in a practical travel set. This way, you always have a complete care set that is especially suitable for colored hair with you.

Curly Girl Method-approved curl care products are particularly suitable for use. We have put together a great selection of all our hand-picked hair masks for you here: Lockenbox Deep Conditioner .

Conclusion

As you can see, it is definitely possible to dye curls, but for optimal results and healthy and strong curls, it requires some extra considerations and precautions.

A professional hairdresser can also help you avoid unwanted damage or color accidents and get the most out of your curls.

If you follow our tips and don't overwhelm your curls with too many color treatments, you can give your curls a new shine with a fresh hair color.

Whether you choose a bold and eye-catching color or a subtle change with natural highlights, when you show off your new hair color to the world, your locks are sure to turn heads!

Frequently asked questions about dyeing curls

Does dyeing your hair damage your curls?

Dyeing your hair can put a certain amount of strain on your curls and can also lead to hair damage. The dye chemicals can affect the hair structure, which can lead to dryness, brittleness and split ends. You should therefore dye your hair carefully and with caution, especially if you have sensitive curly hair.

However, the effects on the curls depend on the individual hair type and the type of hair dye used. For example, there are gentle plant-based hair dyes that are less damaging to the hair.

Henna-based hair dye even has nourishing properties, but it should be noted that hair dyed with henna cannot be lightened.

To further minimize the risk of hair damage , it is advisable to

• to take good care of your hair before dyeing
• and be careful during the dyeing process.
• After coloring, the hair should be cared for with moisturizing products to strengthen its structure and give the curls their bounce back.

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Which color is best for curls?

There is no specific hair color that is best suited for curly hair. There are also no special “curly hair colors”. The choice of hair color depends on many factors, including your own taste, skin color and hair structure.

If you choose to color your locks, make sure the color is as gentle as possible on the hair and that you use a gentle coloring method to minimize damage.

It may also be helpful to seek professional advice from a hairdresser who specializes in curls to answer your questions about coloring curls.

Would you like to know more about curl styling and techniques ? Then visit our Curl Magazine .