protect your hair

A color run with School-A-Thon is a whole lot of fun. What’s less fun? Not knowing how to get color run powder out of hair. Don’t worry — we have you covered. This guide will help you protect your hair before and after a color powder run to prevent the colored cornstarch from staining your strands. And if you do get “color run hair,” we’ve got some tips for removing color run stains that make repairing your hair a breeze.

What To Do Before The Color Powder Run

When preparing for your Color-A-Thon fundraiser, there are some simple steps you can take to give your hair the best chance of remaining stain-free. Bear in mind that when participating in a color run, it’s nearly impossible to keep dust color completely off your tresses.

Use A Deep Conditioning Treatment

A deep conditioning treatment restores the natural shine to your hair, moisturizing your scalp in the process. By using a deep conditioning treatment prior to the race, you’ll help to prevent your strands from absorbing the dyes from the color run powder.

Apply A Heavy Conditioner Or Oil

Right before the race, use a heavy conditioner or oil (coconut and olive oil work great). Apply the substance liberally into wet hair, brushing it to ensure it’s evenly distributed. For best results, soak a towel in hot water. Then, wrap it around your oiled hair and leave it on for about 30 minutes.

While this process will make your hair look a tad greasy, it will help to create a barrier between your hair and the dye, preventing the dreaded color run hair. It will also help the color to come off easier after the race. We suggest putting your hair into a pony or bun to keep it up out of your way and to make your hair look a bit more put together for pictures.

Cover Your Hair Completely

To fully protect your tresses, consider covering your hair completely using a hat, wig or bandana. It’s a fun (and smart) way to participate in the race while also protecting your hair. You can even get some through School-A-Thon’s numerous color run prizes and incentives. With each donation level achieved, students can win tye-dye bandanas, crazy hair headbands and even rainbow wigs!

What To Do After The Color Powder Run

So, the race is over and despite your best efforts, your hair is now covered in color. At this point, you’re probably wondering just how to get colors from a color run out of your hair. Following the race, you’ll want to take the following steps to thoroughly remove any color run paint powder that may have gotten into your hair.

Rinse And Shampoo Thoroughly

Once you get home, you’ll want to rinse your hair extremely well with cold water until the water begins to run clear. Avoid using any product at first. Plain water can get the bulk of the dry color out. After that, you’ll want to shampoo, condition and rinse.

If your hair is still stained, it will typically fade within a week or two. If you’d like to speed up the process, try using a clarifying shampoo or Dawn dish soap. Keep in mind that you’ll want to use Dawn sparingly as it can strip natural oils from your hair.

If All Else Fails — Use Ketchup

Have some persistent color that just won’t come out? Time to bring out the big guns. Glob some ketchup or tomato paste onto your hair. Yes, it’s very smelly. But this can be extremely useful in getting out the bulk of stubborn color run powder. Keep in mind that you may need to apply a few rounds of ketchup treatment in order to get all of the dust color out. Just make sure to use shampoo and conditioner afterward so you don’t smell like a stale hot dog.

Please note that you should avoid using any other outlandish or possibly damaging remedies to remove the color run paint powder. This can often do more harm than good. If you can’t wait a few weeks for the color to fade and need it out, set up an appointment with your regular hair stylist.

Bring A Little Color To Your Fun Run With School-A-Thon

School-A-Thon’s color run fundraisers are the new and safe way to raise money for your school or a good cause. We use non-toxic color run powder for the safety and well-being of participants and volunteers. Infuse a little life into your fundraising and make memories that will last a lifetime. Have a question about how our dust color can bring your school lots of green? Contact us today!

If you’re looking to create an engaging and unforgettable event, let School-A-Thon help. You can earn up to 70% profit when you hold a Color-A-Thon fundraiser. Take your fundraising to a whole new level with School-A-Thon!

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