How to Get the perfect hair color and save money by doing it yourself .

Do you want to spice up you look this fall even on a tight budget ? Well here is a great way color your hair . I have always loved to color and high light my hair. I have tried every color from a light blond to a dark brunette. The beat part is I have never paid over 10.00 .So here are a few of my tips to help you do the same .

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Hair Dye
• A Hair Brush
• A Deep Conditioner
• Hair Dryer
• A Little Thought as to the color you want
• Things you may need for highlights
• Brush/colmb
• A Frosting Cap with hook
• Plastic Bag
• Someone to help you oull your hair through the cap

1. 
    

   Think about the color your hair is now and your skin tones . If you have really dark hair and dark skin tones you wouldn't go to light only one to two shades .If you are very fair skinned with light hair only go one or two shades darker . If you are unsure of what color to pick go on to links like www.clairol.com . They can help you pick the right color for you.

2. 
    

   Once you have decided on your color it is time evaluate your hair .Does it need cut or do you have split, dry ends or is it dry all over ?If any of these ring true get a hair cut before you color your hair. Now it is time to go get you also need to get a deep conditioning treatment like VO 5 hot oil or Aussie Deep treatment .
   Two or three days before you plan on coloring your hair use the conditioning treatment. Do not use it the day before or the day you are going to color . It needs a few days to work.

3. 
    

   Now you are ready to color your hair . Make sure your hair is clean of all styling products or the dye may not take as well. You will want to wear old clothes for this and use older towels.
   
   Brush your hair so you have no knots or tangles . Mix up hair dye as directed on box . Now you need to realize that where you start may turn out darker than the rest if you take very long. Start at the roots and work your way to the ends of your hair using your fingers to work the dye in . I go from the front of my head to the back. Once your hair is covered with the dye wrap in a plastic bag or with cling wrap. I use a blow dryer on mine for the first 10 of the 30 minutes you will need to let the dye set on your hair.

4. 
    

   I check my color every ten minutes to make sure it is turning the shade I want. Once the 30 minutes are up rinse all the dye from your hair. Keep rinsing till water coming off your head is clear. Then I rinse my head in cool water this helps the hair follicles to close . Now wash with your shampoo as normal and dry.

5. 
    

   What if you do not want to go all the way ?? You only want a few highlights well that is simple too. All the rules still apply for getting your hair ready. You will need a good highlight kit and some one to help pull your hair through the cap that comes with it . Most off the caps have an out line for you to pull hair through but if not you use every other hole in the cap. If you want a lot of high lights pull a fair amount through each hole. Mix high lighter as directed on the box . Wrap in plastic once all your hair is covered . You want to use a blow dryer till you get your desired color instead .

Tips & Warnings

• Once you have colored your hair avoid direct exposure to the sun for long periods of time . It makes your hair color fade faster.
• You may want to buy a Shampoo/Conditioner that is made for color treated hair.
• After I color my hair I use a shampoo/conditioner like Pantene Pro V Expressions that helps to keep the color looking fresh
• if you want highlights just a shade or two lighter than your hair color I use the frosting cap and hair dye to get that effect.
• For stubborn gray hair it may take longer than 30 minutes for dye to really cover your hair.
• If your hair is very dry or brittle use a deep conditioner for 5 days before coloring and 5 days after .
• The first time you dye your hair yourself I do not recommend anything drastic if you are looking for a major change have it done at a salon
• If you feel an intense burning on you scalp after applying dye rinse at once .
• Avoid getting the High light/ frost kit mix on skin ,if you do rinse at once it can cause a chemical burn if left for long .
• Do not color your hair more than every 8 to 12 weeks if roots start to show use a root touch up kit .
• Remember if you dye or highlight your hair they are both hard on your hair . High lights bleach the color from your hair so be sure to keep An eye on it .
• If your hair has been over processed from perms or dyes let it get healthy again before you do any more to it .If you get it to light /dark or it is just not for you wait 5 to 7 days and let a pro fix it to avoid damaging your hair.

[kaseysviewblog]

on 9/7/2008 Excellent tips, thanks for sharing