Article: Put on an old shirt that you don't mind staining, or cover your shoulders with an old towel. Pull on a pair of plastic or rubber dyeing gloves, and cover your counter with newspaper or plastic. If you plan on dyeing your hair all the way up to the roots, apply some petroleum jelly to the skin around your ears and hairline. It's best if you wait 24 hours before dyeing your hair, especially if it feels dry. If you are using dye that came in a tube, you should mix it with developer. If you are using a punk dye, such as Manic Panic, consider mixing it with white conditioner or a diluter to get the exact shade you want. Stir each color with a separate plastic spoon or tinting brush. This will prevent color transfer. Different brands may have different mixing instructions, so be sure to follow those carefully. Use your thumbs you part your hair at about ear level. Gather everything above your thumbs, and pull it into a bun on top of your head. Secure the bun with a hair clip or hair tie. You don't absolutely have to do this, but it will help keep yourself more organized. It is highly recommended for those with thick hair. Gather a 1in (2.5cm) wide strand of hair from the left or right side of your head. Use a tinting brush to apply your desired color to the strand. Use your gloved fingers to work the dye into the hair to ensure that it is completely saturated. For an all-over dye job, apply the dye to the entire strand, starting from the roots. For an ombre look, start applying the dye about halfway down the hair shaft. Let go of the 1in (2.5cm) section of hair you just dyed. Pick up another 1in (2.5cm) wide section from right next to it. Choose your next color, and use a clean tinting brush to apply that color to your hair. Again, be sure to work the dye into your hair. Once you applied the third color, go back to your first color, and continue the pattern. After you finish the first row of hair, let down another row of hair, and continue to apply the dye. You do not have to wrap the previous sections with plastic wrap. Some color transfer is perfectly fine for the unicorn look. You can apply more than 1 color to a section of hair. Be sure to blend the 2 colors together by rubbing them with your fingers. This can take anywhere from 25 to 30 minutes to as long as 2 hours. Some dyes need to be rinsed out as soon as they are done processing, but some dyes can be left longer for a more intense hue. Read the instructions that came with your dye. They will tell you how long the dye should be left in your hair. You can have someone help you do this over a sink, or you can do it yourself in the shower. Do not use any shampoo--not even sulfate-free or color-safe shampoo. Simply rinse your hair with cool to lukewarm water until the water runs clear. If your hair feels soft, you can wash your hair with regular conditioner--simply leave it on for 2 to 3 minutes before rinsing it out. If your hair feels dry, however, it might be a better idea to apply a deep conditioning mask instead. You should continue to use cool to lukewarm water for this step. Read the instructions on the container of deep conditioner. Some deep conditioners need to sit in your hair for only 5 minutes, while others need to sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Protect your skin, clothes, and counter from stains. Mix your dye colors in separate, non-metal containers. Divide your hair in half, like creating a half-up ponytail. Use a tinting brush to apply some dye to a 1in (2.5cm) wide strand of hair. Apply the next color to the next 1in (2.5cm) section of hair. Continue to apply the dye to your hair in 1in (2.5cm) sections. Leave the dye in your hair for the time recommended on the package. Rinse the dye from your hair with cool water until the water runs clear. Follow up with some conditioner.