How to Dye Roots

So you've taken the plunge and dyed your hair a new color. Let the maintenance begin! Touch up your roots every four to five weeks to keep your new color seamless.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Old Children's T-shirts
• Timers
• Old Towels
• Combs
• Deep Conditioner
• Hair-coloring Products
• Shampoos For Color-treated Hair
• Tight-fitting Rubber Gloves

1. Touch up your roots with the same color you originally used to dye your hair. Select the same brand so that your roots will blend in with the rest of your hair.
2. Wash and towel dry hair.
3. Slip into an old T-shirt and gather your tools: hair-color kit, fitted rubber gloves, butterfly hair clips (for easy hair release), a comb and an old towel.
4. Part hair evenly down the center, then from ear to ear. Clip each quadrant up.
5. Put on plastic gloves, and prepare hair color solution following the instructions on the box.
6. Slip the towel underneath your work area to catch any drips of solution, as permanent dyes may stain countertops.
7. Trace along the parts in one quadrant as you gently squeeze your bottle of coloring. Release clip and, keeping the tip of the bottle very close to your scalp, stripe thinly spaced lines over entire area. Re-clip colored section.
8. Continue until you've treated all four quadrants.
9. Check the clock or set a timer. Knock five minutes off the suggested treatment time and then relax with a book or magazine.
10. Apply remaining solution to your entire head for the last five minutes of your treatment. This will brighten the rest of your hair's color and make the most even seam between regrowth and ends.
11. Rinse as indicated.

Tips & Warnings

• Deep-condition your hair the day before you touch up your roots to replenish lost moisture caused by color treatments, perms and heat styling.
• It is always best to consult your stylist or a hair care professional before proceeding with coloring, especially if you are doing it for the first time.
• Avoid chlorine and salt water for a few days after coloring your hair, as contact may alter your hair color.
• Remember that the sun's rays can fade your hair color faster than normal. Wear a hat when in the sun.
• Avoid getting solution into your eyes at all costs. Should this occur, rinse well with tepid water and consult a physician.