How To Choose A Hair Dye For Natural Hair

Fall is here and it’s the perfect time for us curly girls to experiment with a little color. It’s also important to find a safe hair dye for natural hair that won’t damage our curls. 

But how does one choose the perfect hair dye for natural hair? With all the chemicals in boxed and professional dyes you may even be wondering whether or not you can dye your natural hair without losing your curl pattern. 

It’s wise to want to protect your hair and this article will help you make an informed decision about what type of hair dye to choose rather than feeling like you should exclude yourself from it all together. 

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Dye Options That Are Curl Friendly 

Coloring your hair is a chemical process and there are few options that don’t involve any chemicals at all. This does not mean there are no safe hair dyes for natural hair. Your prep and after care processes are what make coloring safe for natural hair.

Semi-Permanent or Permanent?

The difference between permanent and semi permanent hair dye is that permanent dye uses a developer and semi permanent does not. For long lasting color, the developer with permanent dyes will open up the cuticle and allow for a deeper deposit of color. Semi permanent dyes will deposit the color on the hair shaft and will fade over time.

Since most semi permanent options won’t lighten the hair, going this route when your natural hair pigment is darker is unlikely to show any significant color change. However, if your hair is lighter than the intended color choice, feel free to use the semi permanent. 

Choose an Ammonia Free Hair Dye For Curls

These days, companies are prioritizing more hair dye options that are ammonia free. Instead they use a gentler process to lift the color from the hair. In my opinion, a longer processing time is worth the trade off rather than using such a harsh chemical.

Naturally curly hair is already prone to dryness so take any chance you get to avoid ammonia. If you decide you want a more permanent color that uses ammonia, I suggest working with a professional hair stylist. 

Henna or Plant Based Dye 

Henna deposits color onto the hair but will not lift your original pigment. The results you get will depend on the color of your natural hair to begin with. This would be the most “natural” option that will stain the hair and provide lasting color. 

Preparing Naturally Curly/Kinky Hair For Dye

As with any process, starting off with a clean foundation is key. Proper hair prep will include clarifying the hair, deep conditioning and trimming off any damaged ends.

Clean hair is needed so that the color can deposit better. You will also need plenty of moisture to ensure your hair is protected from what can be a harsh chemical process. 

Next, you should apply a skin protectant around the hair line, ears and neck to keep the dye from staining.

Aftercare: Protecting Your Color and Curls

Moisture will be your best friend after color. Co-washing with conditioner only is a great option to clean your scalp without risking the suds of shampoo stripping your color away too soon. You can also try a low lathering sulfate free shampoo if you need a little more clarifying. 

This is also the time to up your deep conditioning game. Weekly deep conditioning sessions are a must to keep your hair moisturized and shiny. 

So, Can You Dye Natural Hair Without Losing Your Curl Pattern?

Yes! All processes that involve chemicals will introduce some risk of damage but proper hair care regimens will shield you from a lot of it.

It’s a great idea to stick to one process at a time. If you have naturally curly hair and you just experimented with using color, take it easy on the heat and up your moisture. 

Happy coloring!