Hair colour DIY tips

Want to colour your hair at home? Don't get started until you read Woman and home magazine's expert tips on DIY hair colour

If you are going darker, use a semi- permanent rather than a permanent colour. Semi colours fill your hair with colour without lightening the colour underneath.

If you're going lighter, choose a shade that's no more than two to three shades lighter than your own. Check on the box what your result will be and if it's not possible on your hair colour, PUT THE BOX BACK ON THE SHELF!

Highlights are always best tackled by a professional. Be sure to have several shades of highlights rather than one. This will make the result look more natural and will give less of an obvious regrowth.

Read the instructions carefully before using a colour product, stick to the development times and do a skin test 48 to 72 hours before you colour if you're going to apply it to your scalp. We use Colour Start Skin Tests in the salon that are like a temporary tattoo. Ask your salon if they stock them.

Do be careful when reapplying regrowth. Don't let the roots get too out of control or you're likely to get a “banding” effect on the next application.

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