I am not allowed to dye my hair at work, but I love changing up the color of my hair. How can I hide the color of my hair while still looking presentable?
There are ways to hide the color of your hair at work and look presentable while still allowing yourself to show off who you indeed are.
Why Can’t You Dye Your Hair at Work?
Well, there are many reasons for this. It could be because it’s distracting or against your employer’s dress code; color clashes with the uniform; clash of colors with other employees’ uniforms; too loud and gaudy; not neat enough for the environment, etc.
Whatever the reason may be, what needs to be done is to find a way to hide that colored hair so that it doesn’t stand out in the office. Here are some ways how you can achieve that.
Ask the Head of HR for Permission First
Before anything, it is essential to consult your HR department for advice. Try asking your boss or the HR department if they have any rules against hair color.
This is something that they may not have even thought about, so they will probably say yes, but don’t worry, there are more steps.
You may not even be able to tell it’s there until you are inches away. After that, you can start the process.
How to Hide Colored Hair at Work (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Conceal Hair Roots Using Makeup
Whether or not your company allows color, hiding your hair roots can be challenging. You can try using makeup to conceal the roots, but you only have 10 minutes before it starts wearing off. So look for products that will hold up longer than that.
Step 2: Get Hair Dye That Matches Your Scalp’s Skin
Hypoallergenic dyes are an option if you’re worried about allergic reactions or chemical sensitivities. Still, there are many other options out there to camouflage your color with your natural shade. For instance, John Frieda produces two types of “in-between” shades – light brown and dark brown – to cover gray hair in between dye jobs (which come with matching conditioner). The company also has “dip dye” kits which you can use to dye hair gray to match roots.
Step 3: Get Temporary Dye
According to the FDA, only dyes intended for direct application to human hair or eyelashes must be “tumultuous permanent” (can’t be washed off). For instance, Wella has a line of products called EimiColors, which include temporary colors like Tango (red), Shockwaves (orange), and Wild Stylers (purple). Another option is ColorBug ‘s microwavable Hair Chalk. The chalk shavings stick in your hair, so you can style it however you want – don’t disturb them too much!
Step 4: Spray-On Hair Powder
Spray hair powder can give you a natural look. Make sure to use translucent and not dark ones, as you’ll need to apply lighter shades first if your hair is dark.
Step 5: Bright Hair Scarves/Ties
If you don’t mind a bright color on your head, tie a bright-colored scarf around your updo or bun to cover the roots of your colored hair if allowed at work; this scarf is all day long.
Step 6: Wear Natural Looking Wigs
You could also wear wigs during work hours to hide those colorful locks underneath. Many styles are available, from short spiky ones to long, beautiful braided ones. You could even dye them so they match your natural color!
Step 7: Try Hair Extensions
Extensions are easy to attach and remove from your hair. You can purchase them online or at a beauty supply store.
They come in many different colors and lengths that you can match to your real hair.
To ensure they stay put, use some extra-strong glue or double-sided tape.
Step 8: Wear a Hat
Make sure to wear hats whenever you leave the house so that people don’t see those roots of yours glowing out of embarrassment!
Step 9: Try Henna Tattoos
Henna tattoos work as a great solution if you want to dye your hair but don’t take the risk. Just ensure the henna is natural and doesn’t include other harmful dyes and chemicals. Another option would be Mehndi (henna used for wedding ceremonies).
Step 10: Try Hair Glitter
If you really can’t stand those roots growing out, try using hair glitter instead of having full-blown colored hair. It’s cheap, easy to use, and comes in many different colors & styles! Don’t rub it too much, though, as it will come off.
Step 11: Try Cotton Swabs
Take cotton swabs and dip them into either a temporary or semi-permanent dye. Then apply the cotton swab on your roots and hairs that need to be colored without too much pressure.
Step 12: Try Using a Temporary Root Touch-up Spray
These sprays come in many different colors and work well if you want temporary color. They also wash out easily, so don’t worry about it sticking around for all eternity!
Step 13: Try Washing Your Hair Less
If you really can’t stand those roots, then try washing your hair less! This way, you’ll avoid having to shampoo your hair as often, preventing it from getting oily faster, making the oil stick around longer, and preventing any new dye from seeping into the hair shafts. You can switch out your shampoo for a dry shampoo, so you don’t have to wash it as often.
Step 14: Try Washing Your Hair in Cold Water
This is the secret hairstylists use when coloring hair to prevent your hair from getting its usual grease after shampooing. It’s better for colored hair because it prevents the oils in the scalp from mixing with any new dye color and helps maintain those pretty colored locks longer.
Step 15: Tips for Colored Men
If you’re a guy trying to hide your roots, then tips will help you out. Men should always keep their hair short since it makes applying temporary dyes easier and helps prevent hair styling too much, leading to damage. If your hair is long, keep it in a ponytail or bun.
Step 16: Try Vinegar and Baking Soda
Mixing vinegar and baking soda can help. Pour some onto your hair, massage it in, let it sit for about 10 minutes, then rinse with water. Just make sure to use apple cider vinegar since it is the most effective one for this technique.
Step 17: Try Tomato Juice or Mustard Packets
Apply tomato or mustard juice onto your hair, massage it in, and leave it for about half an hour. Rinse with cool water.
Step 18: Try a Clarifying Shampoo
You can use a clarifying shampoo to try and reverse the effects of regular shampoos on color-treated hair. It’s designed to remove product build-up, built-up minerals in the water, and chlorine.
Step 19: Try on Water & Salt Mix
Mix warm water with salt and soak your hair for about 30 minutes. Rinse with cold water afterward to lock moisture into your hair shafts.
Step 20: Tips for Colored Women
If you’re a woman trying to hide your roots, then here are some tips that will help you out. Women with darker-colored hair can use a temporary black dye on their roots, so it looks like they have highlights, while women with lighter-colored hair should use a brown or blue temporary dye instead.
Step 21: Get Alternative Options
If none of these work for you, try experimenting with things like clip-in colors to see what works best for you.
Clip-ins are an excellent way to experiment with color without a serious commitment.
Step 22: Don’t Get Discouraged
Even if none of these ideas works for you, it isn’t the end of the world. There are plenty of jobs that won’t care what your hair looks like, and this is something you should keep in mind when looking for employment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Some people recommend you should ask your boss before coloring your hair. Others think it is better to experiment with colors until you find one they don’t mind. It is up to you, but either way is fine; they will not punish you regardless of the outcome!
Ans: If you want to avoid commitment, it is probably not the best idea. Temporary colors are an excellent option because you can have fun with different colors but will never be stuck with ones you don’t like. I mix my color, letting me experiment without holding me back from taking other jobs.
Ans: You can find great temporary colors for as little as $5. If you are worried about commitment, it’s best to stick with temporary colors because they are cheap and fun. If you want a long-term option, you will probably have to spend more money, but it will still be cheaper than drying your hair every few weeks.
Even if you find a company that doesn’t mind, it’s probably best to keep things relatively tame. Applying highlights to cover up roots is an excellent option because even if the color washes out, no one will notice, but it may be risky if you want to get a full head of color.
If you are going to work where they don’t allow hair dye, there’s not much you can do about it—wearing a hat or bandana while at work is probably your best option.
You can dye your hair at most jobs, but if you are in a place where people must keep things professional, it might be better to avoid it. Jobs that are okay with personality are probably the best option.
Yes, as long as you’re not washing it, or styling/curling it too much, you should be fine doing what you usually do. Just don’t forget to apply a lot of styling products.
Yes, if you don’t disturb the chalk much, ensure not to mess with it too much after applying it. These types of dyes are meant for temporary application only.
Ans: If you’re going from one color to another, this will cause damage if done too often or excessively. And if your hair is already colored, then yes, it can lead to damage because there could be chemicals used in those colors that may harm your scalp and hair, causing split ends and breakage, especially when overheated by a dryer, etc.
Final Word
If you want to experiment with color without committing, temporary colors are a great option. If you don’t want to commit to a particular color in the long term, a good idea may be to use clip-in hair. It’s important that this article helps solve the problem of hiding colored hair at work and remains on topic throughout.
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