04 Feb Best Tips: How To Color Your Hair At Home And Get Salon-Like Results
Obtaining an affordable, easy and manageable dye job may seem like a daunting task. With today’s economy, many have decided to DIY when it comes to beauty and haircare — whether it be an at-home manicure, or, what we’re here to talk about today, dying our hair without running to the salon. The secret to a great dye job that anyone can achieve involves three steps: selecting the right color, applying the color evenly and, finally, maintaining the color. Read on as we discover the best products to get the job done from some of the hair industry’s most reputable stylists.
The first step usually involves running to our stylist for assistance, but it doesn’t have to be. Walking into any hair dye aisle in the drugstore can be scary, but if you keep one major rule in mind the aisle somehow becomes less intimidating: The most important concept when deciding on a color is that at-home coloring kits have limitations.
Frédéric Fekkai, who recently launched Salon Color — a line of at-home hair dyes, advises that “you should never go more than 2 shades lighter or darker than your natural color.” When we stray too far we usually end up needing color correction at a salon. Clairol Professional colorist Nico also warns that dye reacts differently on “virgin” hair than previously color-treated hair. On color-treated hair the dye will show up with a “darker and more vibrant hue.” Keep this in mind and finding a color should only be a struggle due to indecisiveness.
Next is the actual application. Nico shared some great product tips on how to achieve the best results. He recommends using Clairol Professional Beautiful Collection Semi-Permanent Hair Color. This product is gentle, “simple and intuitive.” Another tip is to apply Vaseline or moisturizer to the skin around the hairline to prevent color staining. This is crucial for any color job, but more important when you are going darker. Lastly, colorists suggest using a bowl and brush application procedure like salons do. These types of products are available at beauty supply stores and according to Fekkai give “consistent, even results.”
Finally, after all that work, those salon worthy tresses must stay healthy and maintained. This is often the step that can make or break a look. Here is where the brilliance of keeping the dye close to your natural color comes in. Because at-home color has limitations, the roots are not as visible as a brunette going platinum. This means more time between touch-ups and less work. Both great things! If you need routine touch-ups, Clairol’s Nice ‘N Easy Root Touch-Up is a great product. Also, for a faster solution, our favorite editors at Allure recommend Colormark Temporary Liquid Hair Color Wand. According to these ladies it is “easy to paint on and amazingly natural.”
Simplicity is often the easiest way to master something and these tips should break down the complexity of the at-home hair dye dilemma. Master the basics and you will have great, affordable hair color for life!
– Yiannoula Choros
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maribel
Posted at 19:24h, 04 FebruaryI dye my hair at home. Going to the salon just costs to much to have my hair dyed and with the economy every penny saved is important. This is great advice. Thanks
Joelle Birknes
Posted at 23:28h, 05 FebruaryI also dye my hair at home, unless I am going for a serious change that I know will require abilities far beyond those I possess, as I value hairstylists as artists, they truly have a gift!
In any event, I digress, when simply vamping up my color, I look for a “good” product, I’ve recently discovered John Freida’s new hair color. It’s easy, the colors are very close to what one would consider natural…by that I mean no crazy intense red auburns, or the like.
But, I always suggest to friends and colleagues, when it comes to highlights, lolights, or streaking; get thee ass to a beauty station and have a professional do the job!
Jo’elle
Colleen Dundas
Posted at 15:08h, 22 FebruaryI attended a Clairol Hair colour school on Tue. Feb. 21/12 in Barrie, On. Luis was amazing with his teaching techniques with simple easy to understand technical terms. His knowledge in the hair colour proffession is quite obvious as he teaches with confidence and sincere honesty. Keep up the great work Luis you deserve a COSA award.
Dawn iorlano
Posted at 19:29h, 13 JanuaryI used to do my color @home and then go to the salon a few times a year for them to straighten out color and/or get highlights. I had a bad accident a couple of years ago and haven’t been able to work since. I can’t afford the salon now. I was wondering if there is a way to home color and not have the roots come out lighter than the rest of my hair. I wouldn’t mine the roots darker that the rest, but the other way is just ridiculous. Let me know which brands and type I should use.
Thank you, dawn iorlano
Carol
Posted at 01:11h, 18 JanuaryI color at home & use Revlon. I buy light ash brown & dark ash blonde. then I mix half & half in one developer bottle. Save the other half of each for next time. Do not mix in developer until ready to use. It makes the perfect color for me. I do the roots first with a bottle with a multi end almost like a comb at the end but a toothbrush dipped in the color also works good for the grey roots. Then after 20 minutes apply the rest all over the hair & then wait another 10 min or 15 if it takes your hair longer. Then step in the shower, lather as per directions, rinse & condition. All done.