When you decide to grow a beard, you can never be sure what you’re going to get. Eventually, you’ll get some gray. Or you’ll simply get a color that’s lighter than the hair on your head and you want to change it. Beard hair is often redder or lighter than the hair on your head — and it sometimes goes gray quicker too. This can lead to an unattractive appearance that you may want to correct.
You can also have uneven coloring that simply looks bad, and you deserve to look good. You could just shave — or you could take action and get the beard color you want with this beard coloring guide.
Here are the steps to coloring your beard correctly:
1. Choose the right beard dye product. Most beard dyes aren’t permanent. That means they’ll wash out, so you don’t have to wait for the wrong color to grow out if you aren’t pleased with the results. The color will fade with each washing. While some recommend using regular hair dye on your beard, that’s not a good idea. Some regular dyes are permanent, and that can lead to disaster. The most popular brand of beard dye is Just For Men, and there are also chemical-free beard dyes that are mostly based on henna and can be reapplied as often as necessary.
2. Get the color right. You already know that beard hair is different from head hair. Usually, it’s rougher, coarser and drier. That means dye absorbs into it differently. For that reason, you may want to use a color that’s lighter than you’re expecting to need to prevent over-dying. Or you can try using a dark color but leaving it on for less time than recommended. Most people should avoid using black dye even if your hair is black because it’s just too dark. Try a dark brown for a more natural appearance that doesn’t dominate or overwhelm your other features and make your skin look unnaturally pale.
3. Prepare right for dying. First, test to see if you’re allergic to the dye by applying a small amount — perhaps just a half-teaspoon — to your arm in a location where your sleeve will hide it. See what happens. If any redness or a rash develops, try a different product. Don’t shampoo or condition your beard right before dying or the dye won’t stick. Apply Vaseline around your beard area and on your neck and cheeks to keep your skin from being dyed in these areas. Then, make sure you use the gloves provided with the dye to keep from coloring your hands.
4. Apply your beard dye correctly. In most cases, all you have to do is follow the directions provided with your product. This usually includes the use of an application brush or toothbrush, making sure you fully cover all hairs without treating your skin as well. Remember that repeat applications usually take less time to adhere, so plan accordingly. Go for a slightly darker shade if you like since it will fade some with the first washing. Be sure to fully rinse your beard until the rinse water runs clear to prevent any irritation or transfer to your clothing.
5. Reconsider the natural beard dye option if you have problems. If you aren’t getting the results you want or the irritation is too much to handle, consider a natural beard dye instead of one of the popular chemical products. Henna is the basis for this option in most cases, and it has been used without side effects as a hair and beard dye for centuries. It doesn’t cause irritation, blistering or other concerns. And it helps thicken and soften your hair instead of making it brittle as chemical dyes do. Results often last for 4 to 8 weeks or even longer, and you can reapply whenever you want.
When you take the right steps and use the right beard dye as explained in this beard coloring guide, you can get the results you want so that your beard will look as great as the rest of you does.