Curly hair is beautiful but can also be tricky to manage. Many curly haired people love experimenting with different hair colors to change up their look. However, chemical processing like hair color can damage curls and cause frizz. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll discuss how hair dye affects curls, tips for coloring curly hair safely, and how to care for colored curls.
How Hair Dye Affects Curly Hair
Curly hair tends to be drier and more porous than straight hair. The natural oils from the scalp have difficulty traveling down the hair shaft due to the twisty shape of curls. This means the hair cuticle is more prone to damage from chemical processing. Here’s a look at why coloring can mess up curls:
- Stripping of natural pigment – Bleach and ammonia in hair dye remove the natural melanin pigment from the hair to allow new color to deposit. This process is drying and damaging to the cuticle.
- Cuticle damage – When the cuticle is damaged, moisture escapes leading to dry, frizzy hair. The damaged cuticle also has gaps that allow more color pigment to enter, sometimes leading to unwanted tones.
- Loss of elasticity – Curly hair needs good elasticity to maintain its springy curl shape. Chemicals break down the internal protein structures like keratin that give hair stretch and bounce.
- Loss of curl pattern – Over processed curls may lose their natural curl pattern or go limp and straight. This occurs when the internal cystine bonds that form the coils are broken.
Tips for Coloring Curly Hair
If you decide to color treat your curls, there are ways to minimize damage:
- Space out color treatments – Wait at least 6-8 weeks between appointments for hair to recover.
- Use semi-permanent or demi-permanent color – These deposit color without bleaching and are gentler on hair.
- Do a strand test – Test color on a small hidden section first to check for undesirable results.
- Use lower volume developer – 10 volume developer is less damaging than 20 or 30 volume.
- Avoid touching up roots – Touch up just the roots rarely. Do an all-over color to blend the shades.
- Deep condition after coloring – Use a moisturizing hair mask to nourish hair and smooth the cuticle.
- Get a professional color – Have color done at a salon versus trying box dyes at home.
- Use Olaplex – This professional bonding treatment minimizes damage during the coloring process.
Caring for Colored Curly Hair
It’s extremely important to practice good curly hair care when rocking colored curls. Here are some tips:
- Wash in cool water – Hot water fades color faster. Lukewarm or cool water helps color last longer.
- Use sulfate-free shampoo – Sulfates strip color. Use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo.
- Add a gloss treatment – A semi-permanent gloss adds shine and helps keep color vibrant between salon visits.
- Protect hair from sun – UV rays fade hair color. Wear a hat outside or use a protective spray.
- Use microfiber towels – Gentle microfiber towels create less friction and frizz than terry towels.
- Avoid heat styling – Limit use of hot tools like blow dryers, flat irons and curling irons.
- Do regular trims – Get a hair trim every 8-12 weeks to remove dry, damaged ends and keep curls healthy.
- Deep condition weekly – Weekly hydrating masks boost moisture and help colored curls pop.
Permanent vs. Semi-Permanent vs Demi-Permanent Color
There are three main types of hair coloring processes. Here’s how they differ:
| Type | How it Works | Lasts | Damage Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permanent | Penetrates cortex completely and changes actual pigment | 4-6 weeks root regrowth, color doesn’t fade | High damage |
| Semi-Permanent | Coats cuticle only, no lightener | 4-6 shampoos | Minimal damage |
| Demi-Permanent | Partially penetrates cortex with low peroxide | Up to 24 shampoos | Moderate damage |
Best Hair Dye Brands for Curly Hair
Choosing a gentle, high-quality hair color brand can make a big difference in how your curls react. Here are some top recommended hair dye lines for curly hair:
- Overtone – Conditioner-based semi-permanent colors that gradually wash out. Great for vibrant fashion shades.
- Celeb Luxury – Uses a gentle coconut oil base. Their Viral line includes bond-building Olaplex.
- Madison Reed – Ammonia-free hair dyes with keratin, argan oil, and ginseng extract.
- John Frieda – Salonist-preferred drugstore brand with conditioning formulas.
- Clairol Natural Instincts – Permanent dye line free of ammonia and peroxide.
- Naturtint – Vegan, ammonia-free permanent colors with organic ingredients.
- Overtone – Conditioner-based semi-permanent colors that gradually wash out. Great for vibrant fashion shades.
How to Dye Curly Hair at Home
Coloring curly hair at home can save time and money when done carefully. Follow these steps for best results:
- Prepare your workspace – Cover surfaces with old towels and wear an old shirt you don’t mind staining.
- section hair cleanly – Part hair into 4 sections and clip up top layers.
- Protect skin and hairline – Apply petroleum jelly to hairline and ears to avoid staining.
- Mix color and apply – Mix the hair dye following directions and apply to bottom layers first.
- Work in small sections – Only color 1-2 inch sections at a time to ensure even saturation.
- Rinse thoroughly – Rinse until water runs clear. Leave on a cap for deeper conditioning.
- Style as usual – Apply your favorite curl cream and style hair. Air dry if possible.
- Wait 48 hours before washing – Let color fully oxidize before shampooing.
How Long Hair Dye Lasts on Curly Hair
Curly hair holds onto hair color differently than straight hair. Here’s an overview of dye duration for curls:
- Permanent color – Will remain until roots grow out, usually 4-6 weeks.
- Demi-permanent color – Lasts through 15-20 shampoos, around 6-8 weeks.
- Semi-permanent color – May fade after just 4-6 shampoos or up to 6 weeks.
- Root touch up – When just touching up roots, permanent color lasts about 4 weeks before fading out.
- Gloss treatments – Adds shine and pigment for 6-8 shampoos or 2-3 weeks.
Best Hair Color for Curly Hair
Certain hair dye shades tend to suit curly textures better. Here are some of the top colors for curly hair:
- Golden blonde – Warm golden blondes flatter a range of skin tones and make curls pop.
- Buttery brunette – Rich chocolaty bronde with butterycaramel hues.
- Red hues – From bold copper to strawberry blonde, red tones liven up dark curls.
- Glossy black – Inky shades of black add depth and accentuate coiled texture.
- Deep chocolate – An overall rich chocolate brown plays up natural dimension.
- Spicy auburn – Cinnamon and clove hints spice up medium brown curls.
Best Curly Hairstyles for Dyed Hair
Show off your fresh curly hair color with these fun styling ideas:
- Defined corkscrew curls – Embrace natural texture with defined ringlets.
- Textured top knot – Pull back colored curls into a messy knot.
- Curly faux hawk – Tease and spike up the center for punk edge.
- Beach waves – Scrunch mid-lengths for surfer-chic texture.
- Braided crown – Intertwine small braids along the hairline and pull back.
- accessoShort curly bangs – Choppy bangs soften facial features.
- Pinned-up ringlets – Twist and pin back sections for a graceful updo.rize
Fixing Color Damaged Curly Hair
If a color treatment leaves curls damaged, try these remedies:
- Protein treatments – Weekly restructuring protein treatments rebuild bonds.
- Moisturizing masks – Nourish hair with moisturizing masks like shea butter or coconut oil.
- bond Multiplier number one – Olaplex and Brazilian Bond Builder repair broken bonds.
- Leave-in conditioner – Hydrating leave-ins boost moisture levels.
- Deep conditioner – Use a intensive deep conditioner under heat 1-2 times a week.
- Get a dusting trim – Snip off any split ends to prevent more damage.
- Protective styling – Wear hair in lower-manipulation styles while repairing.
Conclusion
Hair color can be damaging when not done properly, but curly hair can handle it in moderation. Minimize risk by only coloring every 6-8 weeks, using a gentle formula, and intensely conditioning after processing. With the right hair color techniques and products, you can rock gorgeous dyed curls without sacrificing the health and beauty of your hair.
