Can You Mix Adore Hair Dye With Developer?

Can you mix Adore hair dye with developer? No, there is no need! One of the great things about Adore hair dye is that you do not need developer or any other additives that other types of dye require. The reason you do not need to use a developer when using Adore hair dye is because it is a semi-permanent dye.

In this post, I will explain how to mix hair dye and developer, the best practices for mixing, and how to use mixed dye in order to give your hair a new look. First, let’s see why you should not mix Adore hair dye with developer. The main reasons are discussed below.

Can You Use Developer With Adore Dye?

No, developer is not recommended to be used with Adore dye, so you should steer clear of mixing it in. A primary reason Adore hair dye and other similar semi-permanent dyes are not intended to be used with developer (also known as an activator) is because they are not intended to permanently alter the natural pigment of your hair.

When you use a developer, you are opening the cuticles of your hair to allow the color to penetrate and bond with your hair cortex. In the case of using semi-permanent dye, you do not want this to happen as you would intend to be able to eventually wash the color out.

Most semi-permanent hair dyes last between four and eight weeks, depending on the frequency at which you wash your hair. This being so, Adore offers versatility that is not achieved through permanent dyes where a developer is required.

Adore dye has “No Ammonia”, “No Peroxide”, and “No Alcohol”; they are proud of their natural ingredients and it is because of this unique formula that adding a developer can prove disastrous.

The formula was not made to include peroxide (hydrogen peroxide being a key ingredient in developers), so adding it could ruin your hair dye altogether.

How Do You Use Adore Hair Dye At Home?

Good news for all you DIYers out there: Adore hair dye is incredibly easy to use at home. Since there is no developer needed, you do not have to worry about mixing or measuring products.

This is also a massive plus to your hair—no matter if it’s natural or bleached—since it removes the damage risk that a developer would provide.

If you are trying to save your hair, another plus that comes with using Adore hair dye is the brand’s “extra-conditioning semi-permanent” options that include Argan Oil, vitamin E, and aloe vera to help nourish brittle hair.

Generally speaking, there is no right or wrong way to apply your Adore semi-permanent hair dye: Some people prefer working on wet hair, damp hair, or dry hair to start; some may apply the dye with a professional-style hair dye brush, a comb, or just their gloved hands.

What really matters when dyeing your hair with Adore is the time you leave it in for. To achieve the color advertised on the box, you would want to leave the color in for only ten minutes. If you desire a more vibrant color, then it is safe to leave Adore in for fifteen to twenty minutes.

If you leave the dye in for more than twenty minutes, you risk oversaturating your hair with pigment. This will cause tons of color to bleed out every time you wash your hair.

Since it is important to let the color settle in your hair, you would want to wait at least two days before any serious washing. After your desired time frame, you simply rinse the remaining color out, dry it, and you’re good to go!

Can You Mix Developer With Semi-Permanent Dye?

No, you cannot mix developer with semi-permanent dye. Doing so can ruin the dye, and your final look would end up appearing patchy. What’s worse is that your dye may not even take hold.

By adding developer to a semi-permanent dye you will not suddenly have a long-lasting look, but rather a weak and uneven color. This would be a total nightmare. If your intention would be to lighten the semi-permanent dye, this would definitely not be the way to go.

While developer can be used to lighten your hair on its own, accompanied by bleach, or if mixed with a light permanent color, it will not have the same outcome with semi-permanent dye. You should never take the risk of mixing any developer with your semi-permanent hair dye, regardless of the volume or form.

Can You Put Developer In Permanent Color?

Yes, absolutely! Developer reacts specifically to improve the application process as well as the final look of permanent color. Since a developer would lift the hair cuticle a vibrant, long-lasting look is guaranteed.

Lifting hair ensures that the hair dye will penetrate through to the hair cortex, where the pigment of your natural hair is stored. Permanent colors rely on the infiltration of the hair cortex to effectively deposit the hair dye.

By using a developer with your permanent hair dye, you want to make sure that the color can survive multiple washings. Depending on your product of choice, you may want to use a developer with a higher peroxide content—or, on the other hand, a developer with a low peroxide content.

Can You Use Developer By Itself?

Developer is a valid way to lighten your hair if you are looking for a more natural lightening. The change will be gradual, and will only lighten your hair by about a single level at first.

When using a developer on its own, you will want to use a 20 volume developer instead of a 30 volume, and apply it in the same way you would if bleaching your hair. While a negative impact on your hair health may still occur, the damage done will be significantly less than if you bleached your hair.

The most damaging part of bleaching your hair is the bleach powder used—it dries out your hair and leaves it vulnerable to breaking. Using a developer to lighten your hair will not create such drastic damage after a single use and is safe to use by itself.

What Type Of Developer Is Used With Demi-Permanent Colors?

Developer with a low volume of peroxide (think a 10 volume) is used when handling demi-permanent colors. While demi-permanent hair dye must be mixed with a developer in order to activate and take effect, you generally want to keep the developer at a low volume or risk oxidizing and ruining your dye.

The risk of oxidization is present with demi-permanent color because they are ammonia-free. Oxidization is another huge reason why mixing a developer with Adore semi-permanent hair dye is a no-go. While both products are free of ammonia, their intent with your hair is not quite the same.

Demi-permanent dyes are not often bombastic, as one would see with many semi-permanent hair dyes, with them affecting the undertones of the hair rather than the overall color.

Can You Mix Developer With Different Brand?

While it is possible to mix developer with different brands, it is not recommended unless a trained professional is doing so. Hairstyling is more of a science than people give it credit for. Stylists use a variety of chemicals and need to measure them out to a ‘T.’

They need to mix them and be confident that what they are doing is right. You definitely would not see just anyone mixing sort of similar vials in a lab setting.

Even the most seasoned of stylists can accidentally turn someone’s hair green by misreading a label or using the wrong brand of something that interacts negatively with another product in use. In this case, it is better to be safe rather than sorry.

Final Thoughts: Can You Mix Adore Hair Dye With Developer?

Developers are a must for anyone looking to permanently—or, in the case of demi-permanent color, subtly—change their style. However, caution should always be practiced.

For the sake of your hair, developer should never be mixed with semi-permanent hair dyes like Adore. Remember to read all instructions on at-home dyes if they are present and when in doubt, go to a professional.