In today’s challenging economic times, it can be difficult to find room in the average household budget for expensive coloring trips to the hair salon. Thankfully, companies like Clairol and Redken offer home hair dye kits which can give you the appearance of having natural highlights or appear as if you underwent a professional hair color session. Using home hair color kits can help you save money and get beautiful results.

Use these tips to learn how to get the best results with home hair color products.

1. Choosing Your Hair Color Shade: One of the most important parts of the home hair color process is choosing the shade of hair color you want to try. If you’ve colored your hair before, you can simply use the same color kit you used during your last at-home coloring session. However, if this is your first time coloring at home, you need to be careful and take your time to choose the best shade for you. Take a look at your current hair color and try to match it up to the shade samples from the hair color boxes to get a natural blend. If you want to try a completely new shade, consider looking at the skin tones and eye colors of the models on the hair color boxes. If you choose a color where the model has a similar skin tone and eye color to yours, you’ll likely be fine with the results. It’s always suggested those who color their hair at home not go for dramatic results more than two hair color shades away from their current color. For example, someone with black hair could not effectively dye their hair blond using a traditional over the counter, inexpensive at-home hair color kit.
   
2. Read The Hair Dye Instructions: Before you even think about applying the hair color, be sure to read through and review the entire instruction booklet in full. While you may think all you need to focus on is the steps of application, it’s important to know what you need to do to prepare for the home hair color process. In addition, most hair color kits require users to undergo a 24 hour allergy skin test, which is vital if you want to protect your health during home hair color sessions. While rare, hair color allergies can be deadly and this test will help you avoid any major problems.
   
3. Home Hair Coloring Technique: While the basics of applying hair dye include mixing the solution, applying the solution to the hair, waiting a pre-set amount of time for the color to process and washing the hair with the included shampoo, there are a few things you can do to ensure easy application and results. If you’re doing the application yourself, be sure to start by separating your hair into four sections (using clips or rubber bands to create four taut buns of hair). Then starting at your hair line, apply the solution and work it around the scalp area. When you have the scalp saturated, begin by taking one of the buns down and massaging color into the hair. Repeat with each bun. Lastly, pile all of your saturated hair into one bun at the top of your hair. In addition, be sure you wait the exact amount of time the box instructs you to wait to get the best results