Mel’s guide to anime-colored hair

Mel’s guide to anime-colored hair

A friend recently asked me for advice on how their kid could have hair colors like mine. I thought I’d compile my experiences and thoughts into a blog post, rather than just an individual email response.

Question 1: Do I get it professionally done, or DYI?

For the last 5-6 years, I’ve primarily relied on the talents of my hairdresser Cara Doig, over at Robert Leonard.  Ever since I decided to force my brunette/auburn hair (or at least I’m pretty sure it’s my natural hue, not having seen it unmolested since 6^th grade) to be platinum plus 2 different shades of strategically-placed unnatural, I have the very definition of “high maintenance” blonde. The roots need to be touched up every 6-8 weeks even if the blue is still strong. It’s also expensive.

That said, when I had less money, I used to go to Vain or Scream where they’d do it for about $70 and then I’d do a lot of touch ups on my own.

Whenever I was broke or (more likely) impatient, then I’d dye/touchup myself and with good results. It is a lot easier when it was a single process, all over dye. It requires more patience and precision when touching up multi-dyed hair. Some streaks in otherwise natural hair is pretty easy to achieve.

Question 2: Any tips? (pun intended!)

Here are my experiences and thoughts based on nearly 20 years of living through anime hair.

·         Regardless of whether it’s a few streaks or the whole head, bleaching is a requirement to get super-fun-anime colors.

·         Putting blue or purple over your darkish hair will give subtle highlight (think black-blue or plum) but it’ll fade really quickly.

·         Have someone help with bleach placement in the back of the head. It sucks to miss a spot.

·         Tons of advice, tips and photos can be found at this site: http://haircrazy.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=1&chapter=0&zenid=c6a69d3ab60c2278199f416f6f97b819  

·         Hot Topic, Vain, and Scream all sell the "bleach kits." It really isn’t scary if you follow instructions on the box.

·         Said establishments also sell the anime dyes.  They’re all semi-permanent, vegetable based. The best in breed is Special Effects. It lasts the longest (4-6 wks before touchups) and more saturated than Raw, Fudge or Manic Panic.

·         My favorite shades of blue are Blue Mayhem and Fishbowl. Examples here: http://haircrazy.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1_7

·         Before you go blue, invest in a couple of black towels and pillowcases.

·         The first couple of days post-dye the hair "bleeds." It still happens to me with the professional dyes.

·         Also invest in soft scrub or some other bleach-based tub and sink cleaner. You don’t want to Smurf/Kool-Aid Man/Barney up your bathroom do you?

Finally, “Yay” for encouraging self-expression! What’s the worst that can happen? She has to dye it normal again before school or getting a job?