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Tips for Coloring Your Hair at Home

There are many reasons to color your hair at home. It’s convenient, it’s affordable, and it’s a great way to experiment with your look. However, coloring your hair at home can be risky, especially if you’re new to it. But don’t worry, we’re here to help! Whether you’re a first-time at-home hair colorist or you’re looking to improve your technique, we’ve got the tips you need to color your hair at home like a pro. 

7 Tips For Coloring Hair at Home Like a Pro

1. Choose the Right Shade 

When it comes to choosing a hair color, the options are nearly endless! However, it’s important to remember that not all shades will look good on you. The key to choosing the right hair color is to determine your skin’s undertone. If you have warm undertones, you’ll look best in shades like golden blonde, caramel brown, and copper. If you have cool undertones, you’ll look best in shades like ash blonde, chestnut brown, and cool black. 


Remember that hair color trends are just that - trends! Just because a hair color is trending, that doesn’t mean it’ll look good on you. Try to keep that in mind when choosing a hair color.

2. Prep Your Hair 

When it comes to tips for coloring hair at home, preparation is key! Before coloring your hair, it’s important to start with a clean slate. This means washing your hair with a clarifying shampoo to remove any product buildup, oil, and dirt. It’s also important to avoid using a conditioner before coloring your hair. Conditioner can create a barrier that prevents the hair dye from penetrating the hair shaft, ultimately resulting in an uneven color.

3. Protect Your Skin and Clothing 

Before you start coloring your hair at home, it’s a good idea to put on an old t-shirt that you don’t mind getting stained. It’s also important to protect your skin from hair dye. You can do this by applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly along your hairline. This will act as a barrier that prevents the hair dye from staining your skin.

4. Section Your Hair 

One of the easiest tips for coloring hair at home is to think of the experience a lot like painting your hair. In order to achieve an even color, it’s important to section your hair. Start by parting your hair down the middle and then divide it into four sections. Clip each section out of the way and then unclip one section at a time as you work through your full head.

5. Invest in Quality Hair Color 

When it comes to DIY hair coloring, our greatest tip for coloring hair at home is to invest in a quality hair color product. Opt for a hair color that has conditioning properties and minimal concentrations of ammonia, peroxide, and other harsh chemicals. At Optima Beauty we carry a variety of hair colors that offer salon quality color. Whether you’re looking for a fun semi-permanent color to mix it up or a permanent color that offers a natural looking finish, our selection of hair color has something for everyone!


Our top recommendation for semi permanent hair color is the Adore Creative Image Shining Semi Permanent Hair Color.


When it comes to demi permanent products to color your hair at home, we recommend the Wella Professional Color Touch Multidimensional Demi-Permanent Color.


Lastly, for a permanent at home hair color, we recommend the Alfaparf Milano Evolution Cube 3D Permanent Coloring Cream. This hair color is deeply conditioning and offers a healthy and natural looking reflective shade!

6. Follow the Directions 

This might sound obvious, but it’s important to follow the directions that come with your hair color. Following the instructions is one of the easiest and most overlooked of all our tips for coloring hair at home, despite being one of the most important! The processing time, in particular, is important. If you leave the hair color on for too long, you’ll end up with a darker color than expected. If you leave it on for too short of a time, the color won’t develop properly, and you’ll end up with an uneven color.

7. Rinse and Condition 

After the processing time is up, it’s time to rinse the hair color out. Rinse your hair until the water runs clear. After rinsing, apply the conditioner that came with your hair color and leave it on for 2-3 minutes before rinsing. This will help to seal the hair’s cuticle and lock in your new color. 

Conclusion 

Coloring your hair at home can be intimidating, especially if you’re new to it. However, with the right tips for coloring hair at home, it’s easy to achieve a salon-quality color at home. Start by choosing the right shade for you and then prepare your hair for the coloring process. Protect your skin and clothing, section your hair, invest in quality hair color, and most importantly, follow the directions. By following these tips, you’re sure to achieve a beautiful at-home hair color. If you’re looking for a high-quality hair color that’s gentle and conditioning, we’ve got you covered! 


At Optima Beauty, we carry a wide range of hair color products from Clairol, Wella, and Adore. Shop our hair color products online today and don’t forget to follow our blog for the best tips for coloring hair at home!