Are you thinking about dyeing curly hair? Worried about how to dye curly hair without damage? In this post, you’ll learn how to dye curly hair at home without damaging it and how to take care of curly hair after dyeing it. If you’re looking for the best colour for curly hair, make sure you read to the end of the post. I’ve included a list of the best hair dyes for curly hair!

Here’s everything you need to know about how to dye curly hair at home.

Should I dye curly hair?

Some curly girls worry, “Is color going to ruin my curls and make them dry and frizzy?”

It’s a valid concern. Coloring your hair means exposing it to harsh chemicals.

But we’ve come a long way from fry-and-die color treatments of the past.

In her book Curly Girl: The Handbook, Lorraine Massey writes, 

“Contrary to what many people believe, color and curls do mix, especially with today’s available color processes that can keep hair healthy looking. You just have to take into account the special needs of curly hair and use color sensibly.”

Myth: Dyeing curly hair will cause your curls to become straight.

Fact: Dyeing curly hair can temporarily change the curl pattern and cause it to loosen. 

It depends on how tight your curl pattern is, the strength of your hair, and how much treatment/coloring your hair has already experienced. Some curly girls will notice looser curls; while others won’t notice a difference in curl pattern.

Myth: Curly girls should never dye their hair blonde.

Fact: Curly girls can go blonde.

But it should be done by a professional, in progressive steps. You need to gradually lighten your hair to minimize the damage.

How can color affect my curls?

Because curly hair is porous, it absorbs chemicals easily, including the chemicals in your color treatment. Later, I’ll share tips for minimizing potential damage with your color treatment.

In addition, coloring your hair can dry out the outer cuticle layer of your hair.

That’s why you need a good foundation of hydrated, healthy hair for best results.

If you have been following the Curly Girl Method for more than 6 months and your curls are well hydrated, your hair is ready to be coloured. 

But, if you haven’t been doing the Curly Girl Method, condition your hair daily a few weeks before colouring it. Avoid detergent-filled shampoos for a few weeks before colouring. Instead, use a gentle Curly Girl approved shampoo.

Highlights and curly hair

Although you may be dyeing curly hair just to cover the grays, you should also consider highlights for your hair. Curly hair can appear more 3-dimensional and defined with the addition of highlights.

If you are planning to get your hair colored professionally, you can get many different types of highlights including balayage, ombre, babylights, flamboyage, and more.

Did you know that there is a highlight technique created specifically for curly hair? The pintura technique was created at Devachan Salon almost 20 years ago. Pintura means “painting,” in Spanish. With this technique, stylists will paint color directly onto the curls to highlight their natural shape. It makes curly hair look simply gorgeous! 

How can I dye curly hair without damaging it?

Keep reading for expert tips on how to dye curly hair.

1. Don’t wash your hair right before colouring it.

Although opinions differ on this tip, the extra oils in your scalp will prevent irritation and soften the drying effects of color on your hair. Wash it 2-3 days in advance of coloring your curls.

2. Choose a semi-permanent, ammonia-free dye instead of permanent.

Semi-permanent dye will cause less damage, and it will still last 4-6 weeks.

3. Consider using a henna dye. 

Some curly girls dye their hair with a henna treatment. To use this method of coloring, henna powder is combined with an acidic liquid to release its color pigments. It is applied to the hair and allowed to sit for a period of time. Henna color stains your hair permanently, and it will also strengthen your hair. It can loosen your curl pattern as well. One good choice for henna hair color is the Reshma Beauty line of henna dyes. You can read more about henna treatments here:

Curly Nikki’s Abbreviated Henna Treatment

The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Using Henna on Natural Hair

4. Don’t go too dark or too light.

For at-home colouring, only color your hair one shade lighter or up to two shades darker than your current color. For a more drastic change, go to a professional stylist. 

5. Going blonde is a process.

If you’re going lighter, do it in several steps- not all at once. And bleach should not be used at home- unless you’re a professional!

6. Watch the clock.

Leave the color on your hair for slightly less time than the box recommends. And never leave it on for longer.

7. No overlapping!

If you are only dying your roots, don’t overlap the color onto the strands below. It will cause a dark band between your roots and curls.

How to take care of curly hair after dyeing it

After dying your hair, your top priority is to moisturize it. You can use the moisturizing conditioner that usually comes in the box with your dye, or you can use a super-hydrating curly girl conditioner.

To avoid drying out your hair, wait 2-3 days before washing your hair. If you wash it too soon, you can also rinse out some of the dye. This is particularly true for semi-permanent and demi-permanent dyes.

For blonde hair, use a purple shampoo to prevent brassy tones. SheaMoisture’s Purple Rice Water Shampoo and Conditioner are a great choice. 

After coloring your hair, keep a regular schedule of protein and moisture treatments for your hair. Try to deep condition weekly, and use a protein treatment every 3-4 weeks to strengthen your curls. One of the easiest protein treatments is a rice water rinse. You can read more about that here.

What hair dye is best for curly hair? 

Here are some of the best dyes for curly hair currently available. A few of these may be available at your local grocery or drugstore, and they are all available on Amazon.

Let’s Chat: 

Are you planning to dye your curly hair? If so, don’t forget to choose a semi- or demi-permanent dye. Make sure that your curls are well hydrated before coloring. And, after dyeing your curls, follow up with lots of hydration and a regular schedule of deep conditioning. This will keep your curls healthy and beautiful!

p.s. Some of the items in this post are affiliate links. I only post about products that I love + think you’ll probably love, too! As an Amazon Associate or affiliate for other programs, I earn from qualifying purchases. When you purchase through my link, I receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. Thank you SO much for your support!