Avoid these missteps to get salon-worthy color at home.
By Mary Clarke, Good Housekeping
1.
You start with super-clean hair.
Don't wash your hair on the same day you're coloring. A little oil on your hair and scalp will help prevent irritation and stinging.
Don't wash your hair on the same day you're coloring. A little oil on your hair and scalp will help prevent irritation and stinging.
2.
You go for a drastic dye job.
Stick to a change of one or two shades lighter or darker when coloring at home. Enlist a professional for more dramatic changes — better to be safe than sorry.
Stick to a change of one or two shades lighter or darker when coloring at home. Enlist a professional for more dramatic changes — better to be safe than sorry.
3.
You try to match your brows.
It can be tempting to use your hair color on your brows, but don't. It isn't safe to use dye so closely to your eyes. Plus, your brow hair is different than the hair on your head, so it won't end up looking the same.
It can be tempting to use your hair color on your brows, but don't. It isn't safe to use dye so closely to your eyes. Plus, your brow hair is different than the hair on your head, so it won't end up looking the same.
4.
You don't leave the dye in long enough.
If you know you have resistant grays, conduct a strand test to determine the amount of time you'll need to achieve your desired color. That way, you won't have to go through the whole color process just to find out you don't have the gray coverage you need.
If you know you have resistant grays, conduct a strand test to determine the amount of time you'll need to achieve your desired color. That way, you won't have to go through the whole color process just to find out you don't have the gray coverage you need.
5.
You deviate from the directions.
Read the box carefully: When it comes to the rinsing stage, many brands direct you to first add water and create a lather. This step is important because it helps to spread the color and makes it easier to rinse out — skipping it could cause some of the dye to remain in your hair.
Read the box carefully: When it comes to the rinsing stage, many brands direct you to first add water and create a lather. This step is important because it helps to spread the color and makes it easier to rinse out — skipping it could cause some of the dye to remain in your hair.
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6.
You overdo it on grays.
If your hair is less than 30% gray, you don't need to use permanent color. In our testing, we've found that demi-permanent color can be pretty effective in covering grays at this concentration. It's also far less damaging, and can actually improve hair's shine and smoothness. And be sure to look for colors that have "natural" or "neutral" in their name — they offer a better spectrum of shades to cover grays.
If your hair is less than 30% gray, you don't need to use permanent color. In our testing, we've found that demi-permanent color can be pretty effective in covering grays at this concentration. It's also far less damaging, and can actually improve hair's shine and smoothness. And be sure to look for colors that have "natural" or "neutral" in their name — they offer a better spectrum of shades to cover grays.
7.
You only use one color.
By using two different shades, you can make your at-home hair color look more natural. "The dreaded 'wig effect' happens when repeated application of permanent color causes ammonia to build up on strands," says James Corbett, Clairol color director in New York City. "They become extra-porous and the pigments oversaturate hair."
By using two different shades, you can make your at-home hair color look more natural. "The dreaded 'wig effect' happens when repeated application of permanent color causes ammonia to build up on strands," says James Corbett, Clairol color director in New York City. "They become extra-porous and the pigments oversaturate hair."
To
add dimension without dye overload, first hide growth by applying your
regular permanent, ammonia-based color on roots only, as directed.
Towel-dry, then do a single process all over with a demi-permanent
non-ammonia formula a shade lighter. Leave on 10 minutes, rinse, and
condition.
See More:
- The Latest Hair Color Trend Is Straight Out of the '90s
- Bridezilla Tells Redhead Bridesmaid to Dye Hair for the Wedding
- 8 Best Shampoos for Colored Hair
