The Good. Clean. Fun.™ BLOG

At-home hair color is not a new concept, but it has certainly made a resurgence during the pandemic when taking salon quality maintenance into your own hands became the new normal. While you may feel comfortable stepping into the role of a self-made colorist (as you should), you may be considering whether or not you can dye your hair wet post-shower. If so, we’ve got you. Read on to see how you can enhance your color and protect your tresses at the same time.

So, Can You Dye Wet Hair? 

If your hair is healthy, meaning it’s not fragile and damaged, technically, you can dye it when wet. However, we recommend coloring hair when dry so you achieve a look that aligns with your desired results.

Why Would You Dye Your Hair Wet?

While we recommend applying color to dry tresses, here are a few reasons professionals might use the wet hair application method.

• Subtle Dimension: The wet hair application method is sometimes used to achieve a more subtle effect, especially when executing the balayage highlighting technique. 
• Enhanced Color Distribution: Additional moisture from water can help hydrate areas of your hair that are on the drier side, which can enable a more even distribution of color since the dye won’t be absorbed at different rates. 
• Less Product Is Needed: When the hair is wet with water, less dye is needed because it spreads more effectively on wet tresses.

Downsides of Dyeing Hair When Wet

Here are the main reasons why we advocate coloring on dry hair versus wet. 

• Uneven Color: Sure, water adds extra moisture that can help distribute the dye — but it can also put you at risk of getting a less precise result.
• Diluted Color: Water can have an adverse effect as well. For example, if your hair is damaged, it can absorb the water before the dye, resulting in a color that doesn’t reflect your desired result. If you aim to achieve a more vibrant color or a substantial change, you’re better off applying dye to dry tresses.

Dyeing Hair the Better Natured® Way

Most at-home hair color isn’t meant for wet hair, so we recommend opting for a dry hair coloring technique. We stand behind the results you can achieve with our Better Natured® Hair Color Kits. Simply decide if you want to use a bottle or a bowl and brush as your application method and follow our easy directions for achieving salon-quality results on your own. You’ve got this!

Coloring Prep

• Start with hair that’s dry, brushed, unwashed, and free of styling products.
• Wear a shirt that buttons or zips up the front and use a hair color cape (if you have one!)
• Protect clothing and surfaces with an old towel. 
• Depending on your hair length, divide it into sections and secure it with plastic clips. (Or our cute Better Natured® bobby pins!)
• Apply barrier cream to your scalp along the hairline to help protect the skin from color stains, avoiding the hair itself.
• Put on your gloves and you’re ready to go!

Mixing Your Hair Dye

Whether you choose to paint it on or bottle it up, achieving the ideal shade is all in how you mix it. Because of our formula's expertly engineered “not-too-thick, not-too-drippy” viscosity, either one works just as well and is just as easy — you do you.

Whichever mixing method you choose, stick to this color-to-developer ratio: 1:1 (2 fl oz/60 ml color and 2 fl oz/60 ml developer).

Team Bottle: 

1. Pour the developer into the applicator bottle.
2. Add hair color.
3. Shake well.

Team Bowl and Brush:

1. Pour the developer into the bowl.
2. Add hair color.
3. Mix well with the brush.

Root Touch Up

Follow these directions if you color every four to eight weeks with the same (or similar) shade.

Total Time: 35-45 minutes

Step 1.

Color your new growth (roots) using either the bottle or brush to apply the mixture onto vertical partings. Starting in the front, work your way down in rows about ¼” apart, and then repeat in the back. (Unclip and re-clip each section as you go if necessary.) You should use about half the color mixture, avoiding previously colored hair.

Step 2. 

Leave the color on for 30 minutes. If you’re wanting to cover stubborn grays or you’re using a vibrant shade, leave it on for an additional 10 minutes. Keep the good vibes going by doing something fun while you wait. (We suggest catching up on your favorite show. With snacks, of course!)

Step 3.

If necessary, apply the remaining color mixture to hair lengths and ends, starting where the roots stop. Massage color down the entire hair length to the ends, section by section, using a wide-tooth comb, color brush, or gloved fingers to distribute evenly. Leave it on for another five minutes.

Step 4. 

Rinse well with warm water until it runs clear, and then wash with Better Natured® Color Care Shampoo and condition with either Better Natured® Color Care Conditioner or Conditioning Balm. (FYI: Our color leaves hair so silky-soft you might feel like you’ve already conditioned!) Finally, use the cleansing wipe to remove any remaining color from the skin.

All-Over Color 

Follow these directions if you haven’t colored in more than three months or you color every 4-8 weeks with the same (or similar) shade.

Total Time: 35-45 minutes

Step 1. 

Color your new growth (roots) using either the bottle or brush to apply the mixture onto vertical partings. Starting in the front, work your way down in rows about ¼” apart, and then repeat in the back. (Unclip and re-clip each section as you go if necessary.) You should use about half the color mixture. Set a timer for 35 minutes.

Step 2.

Apply the remaining color mixture to hair lengths and ends, starting where the roots stop. Massage color down the entire hair length to the ends, section by section, using a wide-tooth comb, color brush, or gloved fingers to distribute evenly.

Step 3. 

If covering stubborn grays or using a vibrant shade, leave it on for an additional 10 minutes. 

Step 4. 

Rinse well with warm water until it runs clear, and then wash with Better Natured® Color Care Shampoo and condition with either Better Natured® Color Care Conditioner or Conditioning Balm. (FYI: Our color leaves hair so silky-soft you might feel like you’ve already conditioned!) Finally, use the cleansing wipe to remove any remaining color from the skin.

And there you have it! Ready to take matters into your own hands and dye your hair at home with one of Better Natured®’s Hair Color Kits? Start by taking our Hair Color Quiz to find the ideal hue for you! 

Images Sources:

• https://www.instagram.com/p/Ci2pIL1OopJ/
• gpointstudio/Shutterstock.com
• Vladimka production/Shutterstock.com