How to Apply a Color Rinse

A “color rinse” is a hair tint, or in other words, a non-permanent way to color your hair. This is particularly useful for covering gray hair, or for evening out highlights. A color rinse can also be a great option for a special night where you'd like your hair to have a little more pizzazz. Depending on the particular color rinse product, your color should last for 6-8 shampoos.

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Determine Your Coloring Time

  1. Image titled Apply a Color Rinse Step 1
    1
    Separate out a test strand. Take a small area about the width of your finger from your under layer on the back of your head and clip the rest of your hair up away from the strand. This hidden strand will let you test the color in an inconspicuous place.[1]
  2. Image titled Apply a Color Rinse Step 2
    2
    Apply color. Place the swatch of hair in a plastic bowl. Apply the color rinse solution to the hair evenly, using enough product to completely saturate it. Be careful not to get any on your hands or clothes.[2]
    Advertisement
  3. Image titled Apply a Color Rinse Step 3
    3
    Wait 10-15 minutes. If the hair you are coloring has been permed, relaxed, or previously dyed, wait for only 10 minutes. If the hair you are testing has not been chemically treated, wait for 15 minutes. Use a kitchen timer or set a timer on your phone.
  4. Image titled Apply a Color Rinse Step 4
    4
    Remove color rinse solution. Take the swatch of hair out of the bowl, and using a paper towel, wipe the color rinse solution away. Dampen your paper towel with a tiny bit of water, and wipe it a second time.[3]
  5. Image titled Apply a Color Rinse Step 5
    5
    Add more color. If you are not yet satisfied with the intensity of the color, return the swatch of hair to the coloring product left in the bowl. Continue checking the strand of hair's color every few minutes. Make a note of your hair's coloring time. This is the length of time you will color the rest of your hair.
    • In general, you should only about 20 more minutes.
    • However for stubborn gray hair, this could take up to 45 minutes.
    6. Advertisement
Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Preparing for Your Color Rinse

  1. Image titled Apply a Color Rinse Step 6
    1
    Wash your hair. Shampoo your hair with a clarifying shampoo 12 to 24 hours before doing the color rinse. This will remove any build-up from styling products and allow for a nice even color. For best results, use a clarifying shampoo (such as Neutrogena Clarifying Shampoo) to remove build-up.[4]
  2. Image titled Apply a Color Rinse Step 7
    2
    Dry your hair. Hair should be completely dry when applying color to it. Wash your hair with enough time to allow it to air dry (thus inflicting less damage on your hair), or if you are short on time, use a blow dryer.[5]
  3. Image titled Apply a Color Rinse Step 8
    3
    Change your clothes. Any type of hair dye, including a color rinse, can seriously damage your clothes. Change into clothes that you are not afraid to ruin, such as an old t-shirt you no longer wear.
    • You can also put on a cape or smock to help protect your clothes or give your skin an extra layer of protection. These are available from most beauty supplies stores.
  4. Image titled Apply a Color Rinse Step 9
    4
    Create a “hair dye” area. Just as with your clothing, color rinse products can damage your home. Place an old towel under your feet and another one on your bathroom counter. This will help you avoid dying your bathroom the color of your hair.[6]
  5. Image titled Apply a Color Rinse Step 10
    5
    Wear gloves. Anytime you are dealing with dye products, it is a good idea to wear rubber gloves. Color rinse solution can stain your hands (particularly your fingernails) for several days or even a week. Be sure to wear some kind of gloves. Disposable rubber gloves or plastic dishwashing gloves will work great.[7]
    6. Advertisement
Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Performing the Color Rinse

  1. Image titled Apply a Color Rinse Step 11
    1
    Apply color. Begin by applying color at the temples, hairlines, or wherever your hair is most gray. Then, parting your hair in ¼ inch sections, apply the color to your roots, and then work through to the ends. Use your gloved fingers to help distribute the color throughout your hair, but do not rub the color into your scalp.[8]
    • If you have long or thick locks, try separating your hair into four sections before coloring. This give you more control while you color, and a more even rinse afterwards.
  2. Image titled Apply a Color Rinse Step 12
    2
    Remove any excess product. Use a damp paper towel to wipe away any color product that gets on your skin or a household surface. Pay particular attention to an excess product around your hairline, on the top of your ears, or on the back of your neck.[9]
  3. Image titled Apply a Color Rinse Step 13
    3
    Set a timer. Let the color remain on your hair for the length of time determined by your color test. (Remember, in general, chemically treated hair will need less time than non-chemically treated hair.) Set a timer and wait the allotted time.
  4. Image titled Apply a Color Rinse Step 14
    4
    Lather your hair. After waiting the appropriate time, add a little bit of warm water to your hair. Massage your hair gently to work the water and hair coloring product into a lather.[10]
  5. Image titled Apply a Color Rinse Step 15
    5
    Rinse. Dip your head into the sink, under running water. Use your gloved hands to guide the product out of your hair. Rinse your hair thoroughly until the water looks clear.[11]
  6. Image titled Apply a Color Rinse Step 16
    6
    Condition your hair. If your hair is dry, has been chemically treated, or is otherwise damaged, you will probably need to condition. Add conditioner to your hair, focusing on the tips, and avoiding the scalp. Allow the conditioner to set for a few minutes before rinsing.[12]
    • Once the conditioner has set, rinse it out using cool water. This helps close the cuticle of the hair, keeping it soft and shiny longer.
    7. Advertisement

Expert Q&A
Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow

  • Question
    How long do you leave color on your hair?
    Laura Martin
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.
    Laura Martin
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer

    Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

    You should follow the instructions. Most colors process for 15-30 minutes, but some need up to an hour.
  • Question
    Do you wash your hair after you dye it?
    Laura Martin
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.
    Laura Martin
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer

    Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

    Yes, you should always wash the dye out of your hair after the recommended processing time. Leaving it in could irritate your scalp and result in unexpected shifts in the color.
  • Question
    What is a color rinse for hair?
    Laura Martin
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.
    Laura Martin
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer

    Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

    A color rinse is a type of semi-permanent color that works with your natural hair color. It is designed to provide a subtle tonal change.
Advertisement

Warnings

  • Do not use coloring on your hair if you experience any itching, burning, develop redness, a rash or any other allergic reaction on your skin or scalp.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
  • After applying color to your hair, do not shampoo your hair again until at least 24 hours later to help the hair color last longer.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
Advertisement

Things You'll Need

  • Shampoo
  • Scissors
  • Clips
  • Tape
  • Plastic bowl
  • Clock
  • Plastic or rubber gloves
  • Hair color rinse product
  • Old towel
  • Paper towels
  • Running water
  • Conditioner

You Might Also Like

Dye Your Hair an Unnatural Color
How to
Dye Your Hair an Unnatural Color
How to
Dye Hair
Enhance Your Hair Color Using Tea
How to
Enhance Your Hair Color Using Tea
Mix Hair Dye
How to
Mix Hair Dye
Dye the Underlayer of Your Hair
How to
Dye the Underlayer of Your Hair
Dye Bleached Hair Brown
How to
Dye Bleached Hair Brown
Dye Bleached Hair Back to Your Natural ColorHow to Dye Bleached Hair Back to Your Natural Color
Lighten Dyed Hair
How to
Lighten Dyed Hair
Dye Red Hair Brown
How to
Dye Red Hair Brown
Treat an Itchy Scalp After Using Hair Dye
How to
Treat an Itchy Scalp After Using Hair Dye
Dye Your Hair Brown After It Has Been Dyed Black
How to
Dye Your Hair Brown After It Has Been Dyed Black
Dye Buzzed Hair
How to
Dye Buzzed Hair
Dye Your Beard
How to
Dye Your Beard
Dye Hair Black Naturally
How to
Dye Hair Black Naturally
Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ https://www.esalon.com/faqs/question/35/how-do-i-perform-the-strand-test
  2. ↑ https://www.esalon.com/faqs/question/35/how-do-i-perform-the-strand-test
  3. ↑ https://www.esalon.com/faqs/question/35/how-do-i-perform-the-strand-test
  4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztKH4VHu3Qc&ab_channel=Sw33tSparkl3
  5. ↑ http://www.bigen-usa.com/sp-how_to_use
  6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztKH4VHu3Qc&ab_channel=Sw33tSparkl3
  7. ↑ http://www.bigen-usa.com/sp-how_to_use
  8. ↑ http://www.oprah.com/style/how-to-dye-hair-at-home
  9. ↑ http://www.oprah.com/style/how-to-dye-hair-at-home
  1. ↑ http://www.oprah.com/style/how-to-dye-hair-at-home
  2. ↑ http://www.bigen-usa.com/sp-how_to_use
  3. ↑ http://www.bigen-usa.com/sp-how_to_use

About This Article

Ashley Adams
Co-authored by:
Ashley Adams
Professional Hair Stylist
This article was co-authored by Ashley Adams. Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016. This article has been viewed 288,473 times.
12 votes - 92%
Co-authors: 10
Updated: January 31, 2023
Views: 288,473
Categories: Coloring Hair
Article SummaryX

A color rinse is a temporary hair tint that’s useful for covering gray hairs or evening out highlights. Coloring your hair should take between 15 and 30 minutes, but it’s best to do a strand test first so you can get the color just right. All you’ll need to do then is apply the color rinse to your clean, dry hair, working from your roots to your ends. Then, leave it in for as long as you determined from your strand test, and rinse it out with warm water. You should also condition your hair when you’ve finished, which helps to protect your hair from the chemicals in the color rinse. The tint should last for about 6 to 8 washes. For more tips from our Beauty co-author, including how to avoid making a mess when applying your color rinse, read on!

Did this summary help you?
Advertisement