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At-Home Haircolor Done Right

By Melissa Matthews and Maggie Blaha

At-Home Haircolor Done Right
At-Home Haircolor Done Right

"Unlike selecting a shade of lipstick, coloring your hair is a big commitment," says Garnier hair color expert Chuck Hezekiah, who gave us some helpful tips on how to pick the right shade to achieve the best results. So, before diving into that box of color, please read on.

1. Let the experts handle drastic changes. Sometimes it's OK to be dramatic, but not when it comes to coloring your hair at home. When shopping for your color, stay within one or two shades of your natural hue. The color guide on the side of the box is a good indicator of the results you can expect. So, if your current hair color is not pictured on the box, the color won't work for you.
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2. Don't use haircolor past its prime. Unlike wine, haircolor does not get better with age. Check the box's expiration date before buying, because the color will not develop properly if it's old.

3. Prep. Create an at-home haircolor kit by gathering the essentials: a wide-tooth comb, four hair clips, a kitchen timer, a jar of Vaseline and an old button-down shirt. Place the items in a bucket under your bathroom sink so that they're always on standby.

4. Read the instructions. This is the easiest but most ignored tip. "Would you cook a new dish without reading the recipe?" asks Hezekiah. He suggests taking 5 to 10 minutes to read the instructions-don't just rely on the pictures.

5.Stay inside the lines. Line your hairline with a layer of Vaseline. This will help prevent the dye from running and staining your skin.
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6. Color by sections. Use the wide-tooth comb to help divide your hair into four sections (down the middle from front to back and then side to side). Then, twist and clip each section of hair into place. One section at a time (starting in the front), unclip your hair and apply color to the roots. Use your gloved fingers to run color through to the ends.

7. Set a timer. Once you've finished applying color to your last section of hair, start the timer for the amount of time the box indicates. This will ensure that your haircolor has time to develop properly.

8. Rinse, shampoo and condition. Always apply a deep conditioner (most brands include one in the box) after coloring your hair. This is the final step for achieving great at-home color results. The conditioner will help seal in color and smooth down the cuticle to promote shiny strands.

9. Wet hair looks different than dry. Always dry your hair after coloring to see the final shade results. If you're unhappy-don't panic! Before running out to the store to buy more hair dye, Hezekiah recommends utilizing the toll-free number on the box. A haircolor expert from the company will be able to help you fix and save your color.

10. Keep it going. Maintain your beautiful new color by using shampoos specifically made for color-treated hair. They're formulated to keep your hair moisturized and will help boost shine. Regular touchups will also keep the color looking fresh, especially when roots begin to grow.
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Original article appeared on WomansDay.com.

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