Tips on how to dye your hair at home

With the tough economic times, we are all looking into saving every possible coin. One way of doing this is by dyeing your hair at home to save on the hairdresser's fee. However, doing this can be tricky as there are many variables and chemicals involved. Your hairdresser should be on speed dial just in case you need assistance. Here is the best way to colour your hair at home:

Colour: Most often we buy hair dyes based on the picture on the box. Be sure of your natural hair colour. People with darker tones like jet black, need different colours from those with lighter hues. Hair dye always comes out darker than the picture on the box. Buy a shade or two lighter for best results. Otherwise, you will end up with results different from the one on the box. After all, it is easier to boost colour intensity than it is to tone it down.

Seek help: Do not just guess. Take your time and research on a shade that best suits you. The Internet and your hairstylist will come in handy here. Humbly tell your salonist that you would prefer to occasionally colour your hair at home. Guesswork will give you disastrous results. The more pronounced the change you try, the more likely it is that you will end up disappointed. A subtle shift is completely attainable; change is gradual. You may not achieve a drastic hair colour overnight.

Test with a wig: If you are keen on a dramatic colour change, more than three shades lighter or darker than your natural hair, try on a wig that is close to your desired colour. It is a quick and affordable way to determine if the shade suits you.

Buy more than needed: Always buy a little more dye than required depending on the length and thickness of your hair. Someone with longer, thicker hair, may require three boxes to get full coverage of the dye. It is better to have too much hair dye, than to realise it is not enough when you are halfway done.

Start at the front: Always work from your forehead going backward to your nape when colouring your hair. Most kits will guide you on how to section your hair to make the process easier, but won't guide you on which part of the hair to begin with. The hair at the front is typically the most resistant and requires the longest processing time that is why you should always start there.

Avoid the pool: Swimming pools contain chlorine, which can alter your hair colour. It strips away the hair cuticle, allowing minerals in the water to get into the hair shaft. Avoid swimming for at least two weeks before and after dyeing your hair.

Skip shampoo: Dirty hair is the most ideal for dyeing as the scalp's natural oils buffers it and prevents any irritation. It is therefore better not to wash the hair a day before you colour it.

Change shampoo: Some shampoos such as anti-dandruff and clarifying shampoos can strip away hair colour since they contain sulfates and harsh chemicals. A colour preserving shampoo is ideal as it is gentler and provides a protective shield over the hair shaft.

Grey hair: This can be very stubborn when it comes to dyeing. You need a minimum of 45 minutes to process as grey hair is very resistant thus needs longer time to process.