Changing your look can be an exciting and fun experience, but it is very easy for your dramatic, or even slight look change to go very wrong. Here are 10 tips that are key to know before entering the world of box hair dye.

1. Start Close to Home “Use your current color (even if it’s dyed) as a gauge when selecting your formula and never lighten or darken your hair more than two shades at one time,” says Rachel Glenn of Chicago’s Prink Salon.
2. Keep it Cool Going for a lighter look from a darker shade with a “warm” formula dye can lead to a brassy look instead. First time lighteners should look for boxes labeled ‘cool’ or ‘neutral.’
3. Grab too Much, not too Little It is common to run out of dye for many people, which leads to frustration and unevenness. Since the amount in one box is made for a person with about shoulder-length hair, those of you with thicker and longer hair should definitely buy more than one box.
4. Use Great Tools to ensure Great Results Box dyes do provide you with the tools that you do need however, these are never very good quality. Dying your hair is something for you, so make it easier and better quality by getting your own tools at a beauty supply store. i.e.- Spontex Vinyl Gloves, Color Trak Caddy Bowl and Brush
5. Test and Don’t Regret Well, usually. Do a test on a little bit of hair from root to tip underneath all of the rest to see how it will actually look against your hair color.
6. Touch up with Caution Roots with a different tone than the rest of your hair is a dead give-away that you do your own hair. Take extra caution. Having a reliable friend help or a three-way mirror will help you to get just the roots. If your whole head needs to be freshened then add dye to the rest of your hair during the last 5 minutes.
7. Love your Locks Maintaining your dyed hair will help it to keep its fresh color more vibrant. Find shampoos formulated for your color-treated hair and conditioner to use at least once a week.i.e.- Kerastase Reflection Bain Miroir Shampoo and Chroma Masque
8. Aging IS Beautiful “To cover grays, choose an allover shade that falls between your new silver strands and the color you had as a child,” says Patty Slattery, director of L’Oreal Technical Center. “This softens your face and camouflages regrowth.”
9. Cosset Your Curls Curlier hair tends to be more sensitive than straighter hair, so the dying process should be more mild. Curls usually tend to become dryer and are more porous, so it absorbs dye faster and is more susceptible to damage. To get the results you want without hurting your lovely curls, dilute your hair dye by replacing a quarter of the activator with distilled water, says Ouidad, of Manhattan’s Ouidad Salon. Continue the rest of the process as the instructions say.
10. Be Bold and Fearless “Hair color is like an accessory,” says Marcy Cona, Clairol’s color director. “Play with shades lighter, darker, or redder than you usually choose. You might make a pleasant discovery.”

Thank you, Marie Claire

Image c/o Jaincotech.com

Tags: color, dye, hair color, hair dye