Swell Hair: DIY Haircolor Tips

I used to be a hairdresser. I loved the job, but quit working in a salon once I had children. I've continued to do hair since that time, haircuts for friends and family, also doing the occasional coloring process. I love to use color.


Yesterday, I colored my daughter, Bay's hair. She has gone through a few changes in the last 6 months. First, I took her medium brown hair to a champagne blonde. She enjoyed that for a little while, then she asked if I'd put some of the dark back in with lowlights. At the same time, I added some even lighter highlights. It was a fun project and her hair turned out great, but she grew bored and wanted to go back to dark.  Here's a photo of her freshly colored hair (she's with her boyfriend, PJ).

It's best to have a professional do your color work if you are going for an extreme change. Choosing the right shade can be tricky and everybody has some sort of color horror story, but doing something simple like a highlight, going a shade darker or lighter, or gray coverage can be done with a kit from the store. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when coloring your own hair at home.

*Make sure you have enough color. If you are coloring your entire head and your hair is shoulder-length or longer, purchase more than one kit. The only way to get even coverage is to have enough product.

*Don't scrub your scalp with shampoo before applying haircolor. The chemicals in the color can irritate your skin. Applying color to dirty hair is fine, just make sure you've combed the tangles out first, for ease in application.

*Start in the front. Apply to hairline, (use a towel or tissue to remove the tint from your skin), then move to the top. In order to get a uniform color, I do front, top from middle to right ear, then middle to left ear. I follow with the crown, then the nape. Move quickly.

*After application, use your fingers to lightly move color through the hair. Use a wide-tooth comb to work it through long hair ends, gently.

*If you do have stains on your face, apply a bit of shampoo and rub it into the tint, then wipe off. There was this saying back when I was in beauty school, "Tint removes tint." It attracts the color and helps to pull it off your skin.

*When you are finished processing, rinse, rinse, rinse, rinse, and then rinse again. Shampoo, rinse, then apply a deep conditioner. Treat your hair gently. Use a wide-toothed comb when wet, let your hair dry naturally when possible.

*If your shine fades, use a clear glossing product to brighten the shine. Natural Instincts by Clairol makes a good one, plus their product smoothes the cuticle and makes your hair appear healthier.

Image credit: Bailey Smith