Ion permanent brights are a line of vibrant, long-lasting hair dyes from Ion. They allow you to achieve bright, eye-catching hues that won’t fade out quickly. Using permanent bright hair color requires a bit more care than regular dye to get the best results. In this article, we’ll walk through how to properly use ion permanent brights dyes for stunning, lasting color.
Preparing Your Hair
The first step is preparing your hair for the permanent bright dye. This lays the groundwork for the color to take evenly and last as long as possible.
Remove Buildup
Any product buildup on your hair can prevent the bright dye from properly absorbing. Clarifying your hair is recommended before using permanent brights. Use a clarifying shampoo or do an apple cider vinegar rinse to deep clean your hair and remove styling products, oils or minerals from hard water.
Lighten If Needed
Permanent brights show up best on light or pre-lightened hair. If your base is more than two shades darker than the bright color you want, you’ll need to pre-lighten your hair first. This opens up the cuticle so the bright pigments can saturate your strands better. See a colorist for a professional bleaching session.
Strand Test
It’s wise to do a strand test of the ion permanent brights on a small section of hair before coloring all of your locks. This gives you a preview of how the shade will take to your exact hair color and texture.
| Steps | Instructions |
|---|---|
| 1 | Mix a small amount of color as directed on the box. |
| 2 | Apply to a 1 inch section of hair near your neckline. |
| 3 | Time for 20-30 minutes. |
| 4 | Rinse thoroughly and dry. |
| 5 | Evaluate how the color took and if you want to adjust the timing or shade choice. |
Applying Ion Permanent Brights
When you’re ready to apply the ion permanent brights to all of your hair, follow these steps:
Mix the Color
Put on the gloves provided in the box. Mix the color in a non-metal or plastic bowl. Start with 1 part bright dye to 2 parts developer or peroxide. Mix thoroughly until a smooth, creamy consistency.
Section Your Hair
It’s easier to apply the vivid dye neatly if you work in sections. Use clips to section off your hair cleanly from root to tip.
Brush On Color
Use the application brush to paint on the mixed bright color starting closest to your scalp. Apply down the entire length of each section fully saturating your hair.
Set the Time
Once all sections are coated, set your timer according to the product directions based on your hair type and condition. Most bright shades require 25-45 minutes of processing time.
Rinse Thoroughly
When time is up, rinse with warm water until the water runs clear. Make sure all excess dye is removed to prevent uneven fading.
Deep Condition
Follow up with a hydrating deep conditioner. Vibrant dyes can be drying, so its important to maintain moisture.
| Helpful Tips |
|---|
| – Wear an old shirt or robe to avoid dye stains. |
| – Keep your hair saturated evenly during processing time. |
| – Strand test first for best shade choice and timing. |
| – Precondition and protect hair from damage. |
| – Apply petroleum jelly around hairline to avoid skin staining. |
Caring for Ion Brights
To keep your new ion brights hair color looking freshly-dyed, you’ll need to take extra care with at-home maintenance:
Shampoo Less Often
Only lather up 2-3 times a week max to prevent excessive fading. Use a color-safe, sulfate-free shampoo.
Use Cool Water
Rinse and wet hair with the coolest water temperature you can stand. Hot water opens the cuticle causing color molecules to escape faster.
Deep Condition
Nourish and protect dyed strands with weekly reparative hair masks. Avoid moisturizers with mineral oils that strip color.
Limit Heat Styling
Cut back on hot tools like blowdryers, flat irons and curling wands. The high heat causes oxidative damage and color fading. Let hair air dry when possible.
Rinse After Swimming
Chlorine and salt water can strip bright hair dye quickly. Always rinse immediately after swimming and follow up with a deep conditioner.
Touch Up Roots
When your natural roots start growing in, promptly touch them up to prevent a obvious contrasting line. Follow your colorist’s advice on timing.
Use a Gloss
Refreshen your bright color monthly with a semi-permanent gloss or toning treatment. This helps keep vibrancy going strong between full dye sessions.
Correcting Common Issues
Sometimes ion brights don’t turn out perfectly on the first try. Here are some troubleshooting tips for common problems:
Uneven Color
If some sections are lighter or darker than others, try mixing your dye a bit thicker next time. Thinner dyes can separate onto hair unevenly.
Too Dark
Rinse hair with a diluted solution of 1 tsp vitamin C crystals in 2 cups warm water. This helps draw out excess dark pigment.
Too Light
Buy an ion demi-permanent color close to your target shade. Coat hair, let sit 5-10 minutes to darken and even out tone.
Brassy Tones
Remove brassiness with an anti-yellowing toner or purple shampoo. These violet-hued products neutralize unwanted warm tones.
Fade Too Fast
Boost shine, hydration and color retention with weekly deep conditioning masks. Avoid washing too frequently and alternate with dry shampoo.
| FAQs |
|---|
| – How long does ion brights last? |
| 4-8 weeks depending on shade, application method and hair care. |
| – Does it damage hair? |
| It can dry out hair but isn’t as damaging as bleach. Deep condition regularly to combat dryness. |
| – Can you bleach right before using? |
| Yes but the bleached hair should be properly toned first to avoid issues. |
| – What volume developer should you use? |
| 20 or 30 volume is recommended. Higher can cause damage to your strands. |
Conclusion
Ion permanent brights allow you to make a bold, vibrant hair color statement. With some preparation and TLC, these dyes give you long-lasting, eye-catching results. Section, saturate, and soak your strands for even application and color longevity. Maintain your look with a color-safe routine focused on moisture, gloss treatments and minimal washing. Have fun expressing yourself with bright, beautiful hair color using ion permanent brights!
