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How to Dye Dark Hair a Lighter Color
How to Apply for a Visa for South Africa
How to Keep Ducks Out of a Pool

Posted: 11 Oct 2018 01:00 AM PDT

Changing your hair color is a great way to revamp your look! Dyeing hair a darker color is pretty straightforward, but if you want to dye your hair lighter than it currently is, you will probably need to bleach it first. Apply your chosen hair color to damp hair right after rinsing the bleach out. Don't forget to maintain your new color by deep-conditioning your hair weekly and keeping shampooing to a minimum!

EditSteps

EditBleaching Your Hair

Bleach your hair first if you have black or previously dyed hair. If you fall into one of these categories, there's no getting around pre-lightening with bleach before going lighter. If you have virgin hair, you can usually go a few shades lighter with a high-lift boxed dye. Going from dark brown hair to blonde with hair dye alone is probably unrealistic, but you can definitely lighten up virgin hair without bleach.^[1]
- For example, if you have light brown hair that's never been dyed, you can dye it blonde without using bleach.
- If you have dark brown virgin hair, you can dye it light brown or red without using bleach. Buy the dye that depicts the hair color you want to achieve on the box; you don't need to amend anything to account for darker hair as long as it's virgin.
Purchase a vol 20 or 30 bleach kit from a beauty supply store. If you have red, light brown, or medium brown hair, use vol 20 developer. If you have black or dark brown hair, use vol 30 developer. If you aren't sure, err on the side of caution and get the lower vol 20 developer. You can always bleach again if you need to!^[2]
- Avoid vol 40 developer, which is the strongest developer available. It's too harsh to use all over your head and is typically used by professional stylists or for highlighting small sections of hair.
Avoid washing your hair for several days before you bleach. Bleach can irritate and even burn your scalp, but the natural oils that build up when you don't wash it can add a layer of protection. At minimum, avoid washing for 48 honors before bleaching. You may also want to do several conditioning masks in the 2 weeks prior to bleaching to minimize damage and breakage.^[3]
- Go with intensely hydrating masks and conditioners with nourishing ingredients like shea butter and Argan oil.
Divide your hair into 4 sections. Part your hair down the center, vertically, from the crown to the nape of your neck. Then divide those sections in half, horizontally, from ear to ear. Clip each section in place on top of your head with a plastic hair clip.^[4]
- Don't use metal clips when you're bleaching your hair.
- Dividing your hair into 4 manageable quadrants makes the bleaching process easier and helps to ensure the color is stripped evenly.
Mix the bleach powder and vol developer together in a large bowl. Your bleach kit will contain both powder and developer, as well as an applicator and pair of plastic gloves. Put on the gloves and an old-t-shirt before you start mixing. Then, measure and pour both ingredients into a bowl. Mix them together until they're thoroughly incorporated.^[5]
- Make sure you follow the mixing directions on the packaging. You may need to combine them in a ratio of 1:1 or 1:2.
- Use the bleach immediately after mixing it.
- At this point, drape a towel around your shoulders to protect your skin during the process. You can also add a swipe of petroleum jelly along your hairline to protect the skin around your forehead and face.
Use the applicator to apply the bleach to the first section of hair. Start with the bottom sections before moving on to the top ones. As you work, separate each section into several smaller sections. Remove the clip to release the first section of hair, section it, and use the applicator brush that came with your kit to apply the bleach mixture onto each section from root to tip. Get as close to the roots as possible without touching your scalp.
- Once the section is saturated with the mixture, clip it back up and out of the way.
- Work as quickly as you can, since the bleach mixture loses strength the longer it sits out. The bleach will still work if you let it sit out for a few hours, but it will take longer to process your hair and generally be less effective.
- Dividing your hair into smaller sections will help you evenly apply the bleach. If your hair is thick, it's especially important that you make many small sections.
Saturate the remaining 3 sections of hair with the bleach mixture. Unclip the next section and apply the bleach mixture from root to tip. Clip it back up and continue the same process until all 4 sections are thoroughly saturated. Try to apply the bleach in thin layers to small areas at a time so that all of your hair gets coated evenly.^[6]
Let the bleach sit on your hair for the suggested amount of time. Check the bleach kit packaging for instructions about timing. In general, the darker your hair is, the longer the bleach mixture should sit on your hair. 30 to 45 minutes is pretty typical.^[7]
- You can put a clear, plastic cap over your hair while it processes. This helps control the bleach so it's less messy. Also, the cap traps in your head's natural heat.
- Be sure to check your progress every 5 to 10 minutes to avoid over-processing your hair.
- Never leave bleach on your hair for longer than 1 hour.
Rinse out the bleach thoroughly with cold water. The cold water stops the bleach from processing your hair, so try to rinse quickly and thoroughly for even results. Follow the rinse up by shampooing your hair twice in a row, rinsing thoroughly with cold water in between, to make sure you remove all of the bleach.^[8]

EditApplying the Hair Dye

Divide your hair into 4 sections. The process for applying hair dye is pretty similar to the bleaching process. Divide your hair into 4 sections, just like you did before bleaching, and clip those sections out of the way. Put on a fresh pair of protective gloves and drape a towel around your shoulders to protect your clothing and skin from being stained by the dye.^[9]
- To prevent staining on your forehead and face, smear a little petroleum jelly along your hairline.
Mix your chosen hair dye according to the package directions. Your boxed dye kit will come with a few liquid-filled bottles and instructions on how to mix them together, so follow the package directions. Every brand will be a little different, so read the instructions carefully.^[10]
Apply the dye mixture to the first section of hair. As you apply the dye, separate each section of hair into smaller sections. Use the applicator that came with the dye to brush the mixture onto damp hair from root to tip. Be sure to saturate your hair thoroughly and evenly with the dye. Clip the hair out of the way and unclip the next section.^[11]
- Smaller sections make it easier to completely saturate your hair.
- Continue in the same way until all of your hair is saturated with the hair dye.
Let the dye sit on your hair for the specified amount of time. Each brand will be different, but a processing time of 30 to 45 minutes is typical for hair dye. Check the package instructions for specifics. Set a timer to alert you when the time is up, just in case you forget!^[12]
Rinse the dye out of your hair with cool water. Be sure to rinse your hair thoroughly until the water runs clear. Your boxed dye kit should include a tube of intensely hydrating conditioner to apply from root to tip right after you rinse out the dye. Let the conditioner saturate your hair for about 5 minutes, then rinse it out thoroughly with cool water.^[13]
- Cool water seals your cuticle so your hair looks shinier. Also, a sealed cuticle cuts down on frizz. Additionally, hot or warm water may strip the fresh color out of your hair.
- Don't shampoo your hair before you condition it, since this will strip the fresh color out of your hair. Don't shampoo your hair for at least 24 hours.
- If your dye kit didn't come with conditioner, use a regular deep conditioner.

EditMaintaining Your New Hair Color

Keep shampooing to a minimum to prevent color fading. Hair color fades a small amount each time you wash it. Try to go a few days in between washings for the best color retention. If your hair gets oily fast, try using a dry shampoo on your off days.
- When you do shampoo, avoid clarifying products and opt for sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners to protect your color.
- Look for shampoos, conditioners, and other hair products formulated for use on color-treated hair.
Use a blue or purple color correcting shampoo if you experience brassiness. The lighter you dyed your hair, the more prone it will be to brassy yellow or orange tones over time. You can keep brassiness at bay with a color correcting shampoo purchased from a beauty supply store. Purple shampoos counteract yellow tones and blue shampoos counteract orange tones.^[14]
- You may be able to use the color correcting shampoo every time you wash your hair, but check the product directions to make sure.
Deep-condition your hair weekly to keep it looking healthy. After bleaching your hair, it will probably feel pretty dry and brittle. You may even experience some damage and breakage, all of which is totally normal. The best way to combat these issues is to use a weekly deep-conditioner to restore hydration and nutrients to your hair.^[15]
- Hair masks are also great for restoring moisture.

EditThings You'll Need

Bleach kit
Boxed hair dye
2 pairs of gloves
Old towels
Large bowl
Mixing utensil
2 applicator brushes
Hair clips
Deep conditioner or hair masks

EditRelated wikiHows

EditSources and Citations

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How to Apply for a Visa for South Africa

Posted: 10 Oct 2018 05:00 PM PDT

South Africa is a beautiful country with bustling cities and picturesque landscapes. To see these, though, you may need to apply for a visa before you embark on your trip. Passport-holders from many countries are not required to get a visa for a trip shorter than 30-90 days. If you're going for a longer trip, though, or if you're studying in South Africa, you will need a visa before you depart.

EditSteps

EditQualifying for a Visa

Check to see if your home nation is exempt from visa requirements. Citizens of certain countries do not need to apply for a visa in advance of arriving in South Africa. Instead, these individuals may present their passport when entering the country at a customs or border control station. You can check online to see if you need a visa at http://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/immigration-services/exempt-countries.^[1]
- Passport holders for most countries in North and South America, Western Europe, Israel, Singapore, and Japan do not need a visa for a visit less than 90 days.
- Passport holders for most of the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, most other African nations (excluding North Africa), Hong Kong, South Korea, Thailand, and Turkey do not need a visa for trips under 30 days.
- Passport holders from Angola, Namibia, Tanzania, and Zambia have 90 days per annum to visit South Africa without a visa. These 90 days may be part of the same trip or spread across multiple trips.
- Individuals with an African Union laissez-passer do not need a visa for trips shorter than 90 days.
Check visa requirements for your home country if you are a foreign permanent resident. If you are a permanent resident of a country where you do not hold citizenship (such as a Green Card holder in the U.S.), check the visa requirements of your home country. Whether or not you need a visa will depend on the country issuing your passport, not where you reside.^[2]
- If, for example, you are a citizen of China with permanent resident status in Canada, you will need a visa before entering South Africa. While Canadian citizens do not need a visa, Chinese citizens do, even if they don't currently reside in China.
Get a yellow fever certificate if necessary. If your journey starts or passes through the yellow fever belt in Africa or South America, you will need to get a certificate of vaccination prior to entering South Africa. Yellow fever vaccinations are good for up to 10 years.^[3]
- The yellow fever belt in Africa includes Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Togo, and Uganda.
- In South America, the yellow fever belt includes Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guyana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela.
Verify the reason for your trip. Visas are granted in most cases for South Africa, but the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) does have some guidelines regarding what trips will be approved for a visa. Visas may be granted for:^[4]
- Tourism
- Visits to friends or family
- To join a spouse or parent in South Africa on a work or study permit
- To join a fiance you intend on marrying in the next 90 days
- Short-term study (not to exceed 3 months)
- Volunteer work or charitable activity
- Research, academic, or conference work
- To work on a movie or show production
- To participate in a sporting event
- For medical purposes (not to exceed 3 months)

EditSecuring a Tourist Visa

Gather all the documents necessary for a visa. Before you get a visa, you will need a valid passport with at least 2 blank pages for endorsement. You will also need a couple documents to verify your stay. These may vary depending on your home country and the reason for your visit, but they always include:^[5]
- A return ticket or onward ticket out of South Africa
- Evidence of sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay
- A medical report from the past 6 months
- 2 passport-sized colored photos showing your full face
- Your yellow fever certificate, if applicable
- Documents proving your relationship to a South African citizen, if applicable
Fill out visa application form BI-84. BI-84 is the standard application form for a Port of Entry visa. Fill the form out completely with your basic identifying and contact information. This form is only available to print out as PDF from your country's South Africa consulate or embassy website.^[6]
- The form should be filled out in black ink and using block letters rather than cursive.
Make an appointment to submit your visa at a South African mission. To submit your visa application, you may first need to make an appointment with your nearest South African mission (either an embassy or a consulate). Check the DHA's website at https://www.dha.gov.za to find your local mission and see if an appointment may be necessary.^[7]
- Some missions have designated hours for accepting and processing visa applications where you can drop off your application without an appointment.
- South Africa does not currently accept visa applications online or via mail.
Submit your application and documents in person. Once you've completed your necessary documents and your BI-84 form, you can submit your application to your local consulate or embassy. Where you live will determine which mission you need to visit, so check online or call your country's South African embassy to find your nearest mission.^[8]
- If your local mission does not require an appointment, check before you go to see if they have restricted hours for their Visa, Immigration, and Passport sections. These offices are not open all days at all missions.
- You will need to submit your passport along with your application and all your other travel documents. It may take up to 10 business days to get your passport back, so make sure you have another form of ID for that time period.
Pay your application fee. Application fees are payable when you submit your application or via mail to the mission processing your application. Fees must be paid as a money order or certified bank check. The fee is subject to change annually, so check with your local mission to verify the fee cost in your local currency.^[9]
- Your application cannot be processed until your fee is received.
Pick up your visa 5-10 after you finish your application. After your application has been processed, you will be notified directly regarding your visa status. If your visa is approved, you will be able to pick up your passport containing your visa at that time. If your visa is rejected, you will be able to pick up your passport.^[10]
- You will pick up your visa from the same mission at which you dropped off your application.

EditReceiving a Student Visa

Schedule a medical exam about 3 months prior to your departure. Students applying for visas to study in South Africa need to get a physical exam and radiological report before submitting their visa application. Make an appointment with your doctor for about 3 months prior to your departure to make sure you have enough time for your visa to process.^[11]
- You will need to bring forms BI-806 and BI-811 with you, both of which can be downloaded from your local South African mission website. Your doctor must complete and sign them for these forms to be valid.^[12]
- The required radiological exam is comprised of a chest x-ray to check for pulmonary tuberculosis. You may also submit evidence of a TB skin test in lieu of an x-ray.
- If you need to get a yellow fever vaccine, you can also request that during your physical appointment.
Gather the documents you will need for your application. Getting a student visa in South Africa requires roughly the same documents as getting a tourist visa. These will also vary by country, but always include 2 blank pages in a valid passport, as well as:^[13]
- Evidence of sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay
- A medical report and radiological report
- 2 passport-sized colored photos showing your full face
- Your yellow fever certificate, if applicable
- A letter of acceptance or enrollment from your institute in South Africa
- Proof of enrollment at your current institution (if taking a semester or year abroad)
- An official birth certificate
- A criminal background check from your country's security administration
Fill out form DHA-1738. Form DHA-1738 is the Application for Visa to Temporarily Sojourn in the Republic. Complete the form in full, checking Study Visa (> 3 months) in the "Category of Permit Being Applied For" section. The form is available for download from your local South African mission's website.^[14]
- This form should be completed in block letters and black ink.
Submit your application 10 weeks prior to your departure. You must submit your application in person at your nearest South African mission. Visa applications typically take 4-8 weeks to process. However, it's advisable to submit them 10 weeks in advance in case any information needs to be clarified or you need to provide additional documentation.^[15]
- Some missions may require that you make an appointment prior to coming in to submit your application. Check with your local mission to see if that's necessary.
- If you do not need an appointment, check with your mission to see if they have designated Visa, Immigration, and Passport section hours. If they do, you will only be able to drop off your application during that time period.
Pay your visa application fee. You can pay your visa application fee by certified bank check or money order when you submit your application. Since the fees are subject to change from year to year, check with your local mission to get the most current fee in your local currency.^[16]
Pick up your visa 8-10 weeks after you submit your application. Once your visa has been approved, you will be able to pick up your passport with your new visa from your local mission. You will need your visa prior to your departure, so make sure you have time to pick it up before you leave.^[17]

EditSources and Citations

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How to Keep Ducks Out of a Pool

Posted: 10 Oct 2018 09:00 AM PDT

Ducks are a massive annoyance to pool owners around the world, as they love few things more than a nice place to float and swim in. On top of this, they'll go to the bathroom in your pool and make it unhygienic for you to swim in it. Some ducks also carry parasites and some of these parasites will be left behind in your pool when the ducks are long gone. Using a pool cover is by far the best long-term measure you can take to keep ducks out of your pool. More temporary solutions include leaving inflatable "predators" in the pool and using ultrasonic devices.

EditSteps

EditInstalling a Pool Cover

Measure the size of your pool. Before you go out and buy your pool cover, you need to figure out what size your pool is. If your pool is square or rectangular, measure the length and width and multiply them. That will give you the area of your pool.^[1]
- If your pool is circular in shape, measure the distance from 1 side of the pool to the opposite side. This will give you the diameter. Divide the diameter by 2 to find the radius. To find the area of the circle, use the equation 3.142 multiplied by the radius squared.
- Other shapes like ovals and pools with curved walls are very difficult to measure. If you have a pool that's not square, rectangular, or circular, get a professional to measure the pool.
- Search online for pool installation companies in your area or use the phone book to find them. Ask them if they could measure your pool as you're considering getting a cover. It shouldn't cost more than $80 or so for a professional to measure your pool.
Opt for a mesh safety cover for basic protection. These are the most common pool covers and will keep children and animals out of your pool. These covers are easy to store and clean. If you can't decide which cover you want, get this type of pool cover.^[2]
Get a heavy-duty safety cover if you want a more durable cover. These covers are similar to the mesh safety covers except much thicker and much heavier. Heavy-duty covers are much more expensive than mesh safety covers but are also more durable and long lasting.^[3]
Buy a solid safety covers for maximum protection. These covers will prevent all light from reaching your pool. These are by far the strongest type of pool cover. It's overkill to get this type of cover just to keep ducks out of your pool, but if you have other problems with things getting into your pool, this type of cover might be worth it.^[4]
Buy the pool cover at the local pool store. Bring the measurements of your pool to the local pool store and tell them which kind of cover you want for your pool. They will make your cover and should deliver it to your home when they are done if you ask them to.^[5]
- Search online to see if you can order a cover from a manufacturer. If you have a square, rectangular, or circular pool, it will be easy to order a cover for your pool.
Get the tools you need to install the pool cover. You will need brass concrete anchors to install the cover. You will also need a very powerful hammer drill and a drill bit. Get buckets or brick to hold the cover in place while you work.^[6]
- You can rent the drill and drill bits from a local tool hire store instead of buying them.
- Get 20 to 25 buckets or bricks at the local hardware store.
Drill the center strap and attach springs to the cover. Find the center strap of the pool cover and drill holes about from either side of the cover. Drill 1 hole on each end of every strap on the pool cover. Put the concrete anchors in the holes and secure them using cement. Once they're secured, attach the straps.^[7]
- Follow the cover's instructions to attach the springs to the cover. Covers will have different instructions depending on the manufacturer.
Lay the cover over the pool and hold it in place using the buckets or bricks. Get a friend to help you place the cover over the pool. Make sure that you lay it out so that it's fitted properly on all sides.^[8]
- Place the buckets at equal spaces around the cover to hold it in place.
Drill holes near the other straps and attach them to the concrete anchors. After you've attached the center strap, drill 1 hole at each end of every strap. With the cover laid over the pool, find each strap and drill a hole about away from them on each side. Hammer the brass concrete anchors into the holes you've drilled. Secure them in place using cement.^[9]
- After you have 3 or 4 straps installed lengthwise, install 3 or 4 width-wise before returning to the lengthwise straps. This will make sure the cover doesn't develop wrinkles.
- Straps come in different shapes and types. Some straps have buckles on the end. Place these buckles around the anchor and secure. Other straps have loops at the end which can be placed over the anchor to secure the cover.
- Once your cover is completely attached, you should put it over the pool whenever you're not using it. This will stop ducks from entering your pool.

EditUsing Other Devices

Put inflatable toys in your pool to scare the ducks. Ducks are scared by inflatable toys that look like predators. Beach balls and other toys won't work anywhere near as well as toys that look like predators.^[10]
- Buy toys that look like crocodiles, snakes, dolphins, or whales to keep ducks away from your pool.
Buy an ultrasonic pest repellent device to frighten the ducks. These devices will play the noises of predators at ultrasonic levels to scare away pests. You can also switch the device so it makes noises that you can hear. Each device is different, so you'll have to read the manual to find out which settings scare which pests.^[11]
- Most of these devices come with motion detectors. If the device detects movement or sound in its proximity, it'll play the noise of the predator to keep pests away from your garden.
- Place the device in the branches of a tree to make it difficult for the ducks to see where the noise is coming from.
- If you don't have a tree in your garden, place it in any area that's hard to see, like a flowerpot or in a hedge.
Keep your pool clean to make it look less like a pond. Floating leaves and other debris will make your pool look like a pond to nearby ducks. These types of debris will make your pool smell like a pond as well and dilute the smell of chlorine. A clean pool will smell like chlorine and this should deter ducks from swimming in it.^[12]
Set up plastic owls around the perimeter of the pool to keep ducks away. Owls are a natural predator of ducks and the sight of an owl from distance should be enough to keep ducks away from your pool. Buy plastic owls at your local garden store and set them up in visible areas.^[13]
- You can also buy electronic owls. Electronic owls will hoot and turn their head which will make them seem more realistic to ducks.
Get a dog to scare the ducks. Dogs don't like other animals intruding on their property and ducks are afraid of dogs. If ducks land in your pool, your dog might bark at them and chase them away. The sight alone of your dog should be enough for ducks to steer clear of your home.^[14]
- Obviously you can't keep your dog near your pool all the time to keep ducks away. However, dogs are a great preventative measure for when you're at home.
Add a duck repellent chemical to your pool to make it difficult for the ducks to swim. You might want to use this as a last resort if you can't keep ducks away from your pool by using the other methods. These chemicals break the surface tension of the water in your pool and make it incredibly difficult for ducks to float or swim in your pool.^[15]
- Duck repellent chemicals are actually safe to use in your pool, but it's understandable if you want to steer clear of chemicals.
- You can buy these chemicals online or you might be able to find them in your local garden center. Follow the instructions on the side of the container to find out how to add it to your pool.