At-Home Hair Coloring: 5 Essential Rules for Success

Lynda Churilla

Hair Color Rule #1

Don't stray far from your color family. Forget trying to go platinum blonde if your strands are midnight black. Pick a kit that's within one to two shades of your natural tone. The most goof-proof kits: Those that come with applicator combs or brushes.

Hair Color Rule #2

Do a test run. Start by coloring a small piece of your bottom layer of hair. You'll be able to see how the dye develops before tackling the more visible outer layers. Use clips to pin up sections so that you can maneuver the strands strategically.

Hair Color Rule #3

Apply color to new growth only. To mask silver streaks or just touch up your existing shade, focus the pigment on the roots at your scalp. This move ensures that you don't over-process hair that's been dyed in the past.

Lynda Churilla

Hair Color Rule #4

Think thin. The smaller the chunks of hair you highlight, the more natural the finished look will be. Kelly Van Gogh, a celebrity colorist based in Miami, suggests sections of about 10 hairs spaced at least half an inch apart.

Hair Color Rule #5

Once a week wash strands with a tinted shampoo. Limit washes to every other day with a color-protecting rinse, such as antioxidant-rich Garnier Fructis Color Shield Shampoo ($3.99, drugstores). Always condition to maintain your style's shine and vibrancy.

Learn more about Garnier Fructis Color Shield Shampoo