Do's and Don'ts For Coloring Your Hair At Home


“Don't put color on your hair. Once you start, you'll never get it back to the way it was ever again.”

This is what my late mother told me when I told her I was considering coloring my hair. It wouldn't have been anything drastic-just a shade darker than my already-dark-brown hair. Like most teenagers, I didn't listen. Also, like most teenagers, I lived to regret it. It wasn't that I shouldn't have done it at all so much as that there were a lot of things that my 17-year-old self didn't consider beforehand.

Normally I would say go to a salon if you want to color your hair, but I understand that it's not always within your budget. This is especially true if you are like me and have gray roots that won't go away-at least, not for long. If you must color your hair at home, though, here are some 'dos and don'ts;' to consider.

Dos-

-Go to a professional if you want streaks or highlights. It might also be a good idea to ask a stylist to suggest a color for you, or at least give advice about the color you're considering. If you're not sure where to start looking, here's a basic guide: http://www.totalbeauty.com/content/quizzes/hair-color-for-your-skin,

-If you are coloring your hair at home, follow the directions on the package to a T. Do whatever 'patch tests' are recommended, and don't leave the color on longer than it says to. Otherwise you might end up with bright burgundy hair like I did the day of my high school graduation. I liked it, but my mom wasn't too happy.

-If you are experimenting with colors, only use temporary or semi-permanent dyes. That way, the color will gradually fade from your hair as you shampoo it rather than having to deal with roots. Also, since they don't penetrate the hair follicle as deeply (if at all) as permanent dyes, you're less likely to have lasting damage.

-Use shampoos, conditioners, etc formulated for color-treated hair. The reason for this is that colored hair needs gentle cleansers and deep moisturizers that 'regular' products don't have-at least, not in the necessary balances. The best products also protect your hair from the sun's UV rays and help enhance its shine.

-Do use root touch-up kits if that's really all you need. I say this because doing all-over dyes too often can damage your hair. There are some out there that aren't very expensive and are easy to apply at home.


Don't

-Don't go directly from dark to light, and vice versa. At least, not by yourself. Always use a salon for drastic changes, because a lot of the 'recipes' or 'suggestions' you find on the internet can really do a number on your hair. For instance, my sister used Sun-In (heat-activated peroxide spray) to go from brown to platinum blonde. It looked good once she achieved her intended color, but there were stages in between when her hair was orange. It was equally disastrous when she tried to go from the light blonde to dark brown-her hair turned purple. Also, her hair felt like straw for the next few years. Long story short-if you want a drastic change, just go to a salon.

-Don't color your hair on a whim. Take your time to pick out the right color so you won't end up with a head full of If you're doing something like dyeing your hair for a special occasion or trying out a new or outrageous color, use temporary dye.

-This might sound obvious, but don't use color to dye your eyebrows or eyelashes. This can cause blindness.

-If you screw something up, don't try to fix it on your own. Go to a salon.

There's nothing wrong with coloring your hair; in fact, it can make you feel like a completely different person. If done correctly, it can really help your confidence. It's not always as easy as the commercials make it look, though, so you need to do your homework beforehand.




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