How to Color Hair at Home

By eHow Fashion, Style & Personal Care Editor

I Did This Rate: (5 Ratings)

In today's day and age, changing your hair color is as easy as changing your clothes. Whether you need to hide grey, brighten blonde or want a totally different, bold, new look, there's a product out there for you. For much less time and money than a trip to the salon, you can easily color your hair in the convenience of your own home.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Step1

Choose a hair color product. There are an abundance of choices available at drug and grocery Stores as well as large retailers like Target and Wal Mart. Choose a color that complements your skin tone. Red and gold hues look best on warm skin tones while ash hues are best for cool skin tones. Choices are available in permanent, semi-permanent and temporary varieties.

Step2

Read the instructions that come with the product. Not all brands are the same and they require different amounts of time to process. Be sure to perform the suggested strand test to determine the exact amount of time needed for your hair.

Step3

Put on the included gloves and mix the hair color solution. Most require you to add the color formula to a developer and shake.

Step4

Apply the color mixture to dry hair beginning with the roots and working your way down to the ends of your hair. Part your hair in sections to make sure you saturate and cover every strand.

Step5

Pile your hair on top of your head and if included, use the plastic head wrap to cover it and secure with a hair clip. Begin timing the hair color using the time indicated by the strand test.

Step6

After the indicated time has passed, rinse your hair until the color product is removed and the water runs clear.

Step7

Condition your hair with a deep conditioning product. Most at-home hair color kits come with a specially designed conditioner to soften your hair and replenish moisture.

Tips & Warnings

At-home hair color products work best for subtle changes. You'll have better results going one or two shades lighter or darker than completely changing your color.
Instead of re-coloring your hair every 4 to 6 weeks, consider coloring just the roots. It will prevent damage to your hair and many hair color brands have a product line just for touch-ups.
Do not use the model's hair color on the box as a guide. Always go by the product guidelines grid on the box to determine how the color will look on you.
Even if you do not get the desired results, wait at least two weeks to re-color your hair in order to prevent damage.