IDENTIFY YOUR OWN NATURAL HAIR COLOR

Your natural hair color first determines where to start when you're choosing your desired shade," says celebrity colorists who have worked with Julia Roberts, Kate Hudson, and Nicole Kidman. People with warmer base tones, like Emma Stone, who is a natural blond, can take on different colors than someone with a cooler starting hue. Ask your hairstylist, who will be more attuned to identifying nuanced tones.


BE REALISTIC

Rome wasn't built in a day-and drastic hair color can't be achieved overnight, either.

The more pronounced the change you attempt, the more likely the results will be brassy, ashy or just plain disappointing. A subtle shift, on the other hand, is completely and easily attainable.


TRY ON A WIG

If you plan on making a dramatic change, that is, more than three shades lighter or darker than what's natural,

our advice is that you try on a wig close to your desired color. It's a quick, painless way to determine if the shade is right for you.


BUY MORE THAN YOU NEED

Depending on the length and thickness of your hair, you should always buy a few boxes of dye.

Someone with longer hair, may require three boxes to get full coverage. It's better to have too much hair dye, than to realize you need more halfway through


STEER CLEAR OF THE POOL
Chlorine strips away the hair cuticle, allowing minerals in the water to get into the hair shaft and alter your color. Rather than diving in, sit pretty poolside, for at least two weeks before and after dyeing your hair.


7. BUY A SHADE LIGHTER THAN YOU WANT
Hair dye always comes out darker than the image on the box. Buy one or two shades lighter than your desired color.It’s always easier to amp up a color's intensity than it is to tone it down


8. SKIP THE SHOWER
The scalp's natural oils work as a buffer to prevent irritation. Translation? Dirty hair is ideal for dyeingIt's also much easier to section second day hair, which ensures even color distribution. We suggest skipping the shampoo a day before you plan to color.


9. SWAP YOUR SHAMPOOS
Certain shampoos, like clarifying or dandruff-fighting formulas, can strip away hair color with sulfates and harsh chemicals. Get a color preserving shampoo, which is more gentle.


10. PREPARE FOR THE DAMAGE
Hair always gets a little damaged when applying color, even if you're going back to your natural hue.

Both permanent and semi permanent dyes contain hydrogen peroxide, which chemically changes the color of the hair pigment