How to Colour Your Hair at Home Without Making Mistakes

Few things are as difficult — and as rewarding — as learning how to dye your own hair at home. However, as anyone who has used a salon knows, there is a reason why salon appointments are so expensive. Coloring your own hair necessitates skill, dexterity, and a basic understanding of science. To assist, we’ve gathered tips from our favorite hairstylists on every DIY hair decision, from allover color to subtle highlights.

Whether you’re going platinum blond or pixie-dust purple, one hair color rule never changes: Always follow the directions on the dye box. According to experts, failing to do so is a leading cause of women returning to the salon for costly repairs.

Is It Safe To Colour Your Hair At Home?
It’s generally safe to color your hair at home as long as you strictly adhere to the product instructions. However, colorist Lauren Grummel advises that before picking up a box dye kit at the drugstore, you should consider both your end goal and the condition of your hair.

Bleaching your hair at home is not safe at all especially if it’s been through a lot of processes. Grummel says. Or if it is already damaged severally, you have to be honest with yourself, or your hair will fall out. She adds that touching up your grays at home is generally a good idea, as it will go two shades darker than your current base color. Every other thing should be left to a professional.

When shopping, look over the “before” shades on the box labels to get the exact results you want—and make sure your starter color is a match.

You will require:

Box dyeing

Sweet’N Low packet (optional)

Color brush for hair

Step 1: Wait two days before dying your hair before washing it. “You want the natural oils on your scalp to act as a barrier against irritation,” says celebrity colorist Kiyah Wright. If you have extremely sensitive skin, mix in a packet of Sweet’N Low to help prevent the drying effects of ammonia.

Step 2: First, perform a strand test by applying color to a small section of hair. This will assist you in determining timing. Your hair texture will play a role here: The finer the hair, the faster it will lighten—you may need 5 to 10 minutes less than the box suggests; if you have coarse or dry hair, stick to the recommended time.

Step 3: Read, reread, and meticulously follow the instructions on the box. (Note: Do not apply color from roots to ends all at once; see step 4.)

Step 4: When dying your entire head, this tip will help you achieve consistent color every time: “First, apply dye a half-inch away from your scalp and work toward the ends—the heat from your head causes the color to develop faster at the root,” Wright recommends. “Then go back and cover your roots halfway through the processing time.” To achieve more professional, precise results, apply the dye with a color brush.

How to highlight your hair:

You will require:

Highlighting kit or box dye

Brush your teeth (optional)

gleaming sheen

Step 1: After performing a strand test and reading the instructions, blow dry, style, and part hair as usual. This will aid in determining which pieces to highlight.

Step 2: This is where you should deviate slightly from the instructions. Rather than pulling out random strands, you should start from the front and work your way back toward your crown, sectioning out 10 quarter-inch-wide pieces spaced a quarter-inch apart. However, do not space them evenly. Asymmetrical highlights look the very natural.

Step 3: If you don’t have a pro-level highlight kit, try painting on the solution from root to tip with a toothbrush, which can be more precise than some brushes. To keep the color from bleeding, use a cotton ball to prop each piece up away from your head.

Step 4: Allow the dye to sit for the time specified (if you’re nervous, rinse one piece five minutes early and check the color, suggests Hazan). To help seal the color and boost shine, wash and finish with a clear gloss treatment.

How to dye your hair blonde

You will require:

Blonde coloring

Treatment for bond repair

Step 1: Before you begin, go over the first three steps in the Allover Color section. Then, starting forward from the back of your head, apply the solution, keep it one inch away from your roots. Massage the color into the hair, making sure that every strand is covered.

Step 2: Set it aside for 20 to 30 minutes, but check on it every 5 to 10 minutes. “Don’t be concerned if you notice a tinge of red; hair exposes in stages as it lightens,” Robinson says.

Step 3: After 30 minutes, apply the remainder of the solution to your roots and wait another 10 to 30 minutes, depending on how light you’re going.

Step 4: Gently pull on a strand above your ear to ensure it doesn’t break. If it does, immediately rinse your hair and apply a protein mask or bond repair product like Olaplex. If your hair still has a golden tint, Robinson recommends leaving the dye on for another 10 minutes. If the color looks good, rinse your hair with warm water before shampooing.

What to do if you hate your new hair colour:

If it is too light…

You will need to add more dye. Jennifer suggests that if your hair is just a tad too pale, go one shade darker than you started with and only apply it to the areas you believe are too pale. Allow the color to remain on for half the time specified on the box, and keep an eye on it to ensure it doesn’t go too far. Consult a professional if your hair is far too light.

If it’s a little brassy…

You’ll need to tone down the warm tint in your hair. If you used semipermanent dye, Robinson recommends using a lavender-colored shampoo (such as Clairol Professional Shimmer Lights Shampoo) for the next few days. If you used a permanent formula, paint a two-tone darker shade just on the orangey spots. Choose cooler tones with a blue base the next time.

How to make your hair colour last:

Make use of the appropriate products.

Treat your hair the same way you would your skin. Use a sulfate free, color-preserving shampoo and conditioner, and stick to alcohol-free (as the label will state) stylers that won’t dry out your hair. Here’s a foolproof guide to deciphering the ingredients on your shampoo bottle.

Shampoo less frequently.

Water is the worst enemy of hair color, so skip washing on days when you can and blast roots with dry shampoo (find the best one for your needs here). On days when you can’t, use as little shampoo as possible or, even better, rinse your hair with warm water and only use conditioner.

Cover it up.

Commit to using a deep conditioner once a week (we like this one from Amazon) to keep your hair hydrated and soft. Allow to air dry if possible.

Make a glaze.

Think of color enhancing glosses as a hair topcoat. They add luster and a transparent coat of color. Every week, try a lightweight formula like one of these.