With the price of everything climbing higher every day, you may find it’s not in your budget anymore to visit a salon for a “Dye Job”. I know when I think about the cost of having my hair professionally colored- $30 to $50- with how many packages of “do-it-yourself” hair color kits I can buy with the same amount of money- 3 to 6- I don’t have to think twice to determine which method best fits my budget. As a “do-it-yourselfer”, I’ve learned some helpful do’s and don’ts. Here are some tips for successfully coloring your hair at home:
Note: If your hair is extremely damaged, it’s permed or relaxed, or, you want a radical change, such as going from being a brunette to a blonde, then you should have things like this done by a professional beautician.
Tip #1 Choose a Name Brand Hair Coloring Kit
I shop often at bargain stores so I can find products cheaper and get good deals. But one thing I pass by, no matter how low the cost is, are hair coloring kits that are made by companies I’m not familiar with. You can trust names like Revlon, L’Oreal, Clairol or Garnier, but stay away from cheap brands you’ve never heard of. Not only can they damage your hair, but they can burn or otherwise injure your skin too.
Note: If your hair is long, you may need two boxes of hair color instead of one. Read the box to determine how much solution you’ll need to buy.
Tip #2 Real Short Hair? Then “Think Outside the Traditional Box”
My hair stylist gave me this tip for coloring my hair at home- if you have very short hair, instead of wasting your money buying a hair coloring kit and throwing away half of the solution, buy a coloring kit for men. Brands like “Just For Men” contain the right amount of coloring solution for a man’s short haircut... and for a woman’s short hairstyle as well!
You won’t be able to choose from many colors, but, you can always add highlights to make the color your own.
Tip #3 Prepare Your Hair Days Ahead of Coloring
Another tip for successfully coloring your hair at home is to prepare your hair a few days ahead of time. That means, three days before you plan on coloring your hair, give your locks a “deep conditioning.” You can buy deep conditioning creme rinses that will do the trick.
The conditioner will help protect your hair and scalp from the hair coloring chemicals you’re about to use. It will also help the color to “take” better.
Tip #4 Before You Color – Read!
Before you color your hair at home, especially for the first time, read and follow the instructions completely. If you don’t understand any of the directions, look for the 1-800 Customer Service number and call it for advice.
The instructions will recommend conducting a sensitivity test a day or two before you plan on using the home coloring kit. If you’ve never colored your hair at home before, or you’re using a new brand, then by all means, do this!
Finding out that you’re allergic to that brand of hair color on a small area of your skin can save you problems later!
And, you should also do the “Strand Test” if you’re not sure you’ll like the hair color you’ve chosen. Read the instructions included in the home hair coloring kit for details.
Tip #5 Gather the Materials You’ll Need
Before I color my hair at home, I gather together everything I’ll need. This way, once I start the process, I don’t have to stop and go get something. I cover my bathroom floor with old newspapers, put on an old tee shirt, grab an old towel I use specifically for hair coloring, retrieve my kitchen timer, a hand mirror so I can see the back and sides of my head and I also get some paper towels to wipe up spills with.
Tip #6 Color Once, Then Only Retouch Afterwards
Another tip for how to successfully color your hair at home is to color all your hair if: a) It’s the first time ever, or b) It’s the first time you’re using a certain color. Otherwise, when you color your hair again, all you need to do is touch it up the roots. If you reapply color to your hair from the roots to the ends every time, you’ll end up with darker hair at the ends. Because, the newest hair, which is towards the roots, will only get one application, while the rest of your hair will get colored time and time again.
If you must apply color to all your hair, (to cover gray, for example), then apply the solution to the roots first, wait five minutes, then color the remaining hair.
Tip #7 Make Your Color Last Longer
The final tip for successfully coloring your hair at home will help the color you choose last longer. After you shampoo your hair, add two teaspoons of your hair color to your regular conditioner, then gently work it through your locks. Allow it to set five minutes before you rinse it out.
