The Dos & Don'ts of Dyeing Your Hair at Home By Vanessa Osbourne

Are you considering a change in your hair color, but are uncertain about how to dye hair at home?

You are not alone.

PHOTO COURTESY OF @CHARYJAY

Fall is a perfect time and a popular time at that to consider a change of color, although the process

can be daunting. For one thing, there are so many brands and shades that it can take a lot of research to decide on the perfect one for you. And then, your final hair color almost never seems to end up looking like the color of the lady smiling up at you from the box. It is enough to make you want to tear your hair out, but then you'd be bald and no closer to your dream color. Here are some do's and don'ts, in no particular order, to help ensure success the next time you dye your hair at home.

Do...

Start with healthy hair

This is very important as your color will look better and your hair will feel better and respond better throughout the process and after. Hair that has been colored requires a lot of maintenance so you should be willing to spend the time necessary to give your hair all the nourishment it needs to remain healthy during the process. Use color safe cleansing products, like the Ouidad Superfruit Renewal Clarifying Cream Shampoo, and avoid sulfates as they will strip the color from your hair quicker than it would otherwise fade.

Find your hair color inspiration

Trusting the model's hair color on the box can lead to serious disappointment; a real-life example is the best way to figure out how the color will look on you. Look online for someone with your skin tone as this is likely to be more helpful in figuring out how the hair color will compliment yours. Once you have found your hair inspiration and research the products they used to achieve your goal color, you are one step closer towards having a successful hair coloring experience. Reach out to them to find out how they achieved their hair color and what, if any advice they have to offer you. You should also seek the color range chart on the top of the box that shows what your results should be from different starting points.

Trusting the model's hair color on the box can lead to serious disappointment

Seek out information

Read the instructions included in your kit. I know, it can seem like an unnecessary delay when you are so excited to get your new color, but knowing how to dye hair at home and any specifics that relate to the products you are using will be helpful to you and is critical for success.

Get yourself two boxes of color

Unless your hair is fairly thin or shorter than shoulder-length, one box of color is unlikely to be sufficient. Do not use metal containers or utensils for mixing. The "no metal" rule also applies to any hair clips or bobby pins you might need to use. Be prepared; use plastic containers and accessories while dyeing your hair.

Work in sections

Curlies are adept at working in sections and are aware of the reasons it is beneficial for us to do so. Working in sections will ensure complete coverage and prevent patchiness in your dyed hair. Start at your nape, working your way towards the front. Your hair texture matters -- curly, frizzy hair tends to already be porous and absorbs color quicker than straighter, finer textures. Make sure to not over-process your hair or the final color will not be what you wanted.

Condition your hair after coloring

No curly would ever forget or choose not to condition her hair after using hair dye -- that's just not how we roll! When it comes to dyeing our hair, our penchant for conditioning is definitely a good thing. This will close the cuticles of and terminate the coloring process. If you skip this step, the cuticles will remain open and the hair color will keep working. This will result in your hair becoming darker than intended.

Do not...

Skip the sensitivity test before using hair color

Whether this is your first time coloring your hair at home or your tenth, you must not skip this very necessary step. It is possible to develop allergies at any time, so doing the doing the allergy patch test is necessary each and every time you dye your hair.

Dyeing your hair?