12 Tips for At-Home Hair Color

Follow our DIY hair color advice the next time you break out a box of dye.

1. Buy two boxes if your hair is shoulder-length or longer. (If you don't use both, you'll have a box for next time.)

2. If you've never colored (or haven't in over a year), color your roots last. Heat from your scalp causes color to process faster, which can create an uneven result.

3. If you have colored before, apply dye on prominent gray areas first. Leave on for about 20 minutes, then apply to the rest of your hair for 10 more minutes.

Related:DIY Hair Color: It's Easier Than You Think

4. Cover your hairline (where gray often appears) thoroughly. Don't skimp on dye due to fears of staining; that can create a line of demarcation.

5. Try two formulas: For natural-looking color, the pros use permanent to lighten the roots first, then demi-permanent next to brighten the tone.

6. If you can't choose between shades, mix them. Stick with options in the same color family - for example, two blond tones next to each other on the shelf.

Related:11 Expert Hair Color Tips

7. For even application, don rubber gloves and use your hands to massage in the color. If your hair is longer, divide into four sections and do the front pieces first.

8. Shampoo less, condition more to keep blond or red from fading: Damaged blond hair won't retain color well; red color molecules easily slip out of the hair shaft.

9. Wear your hair as you normally would (pulled back, down, in a ponytail) while coloring: This ensures that you apply dye to the areas that are most visible.

Related:Color Your Hair Like a Pro

10. When using dark dye, apply Vaseline around the hairline to prevent stains. Swipe with a baby wipe to remove color on your forehead or around your ears.

11. It's best to avoid drastic changes, but tweaking your shade slightly once or twice a year will prevent mousy-looking color - especially for brunettes.

12. Try different tones that you like (within your color family), but always check the shade guide on the back of the box to get the truest sense of the end results.

- By Melanie Rud

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