By Christina Heiser
Avoid a dye disaster with our expert guide to prepping your hair for at-home color.
Having your hair professionally colored at the salon is a major commitment — of time and money. Instead of spending both in a pro’s chair for a new hue, try an at-home hair color kit in your own bathroom. To ensure that you avoid a dye disaster, professional colorists offer their expert advice for coloring your hair at home.
Before you grab a box of dye, follow these at-home color commandments for a glossy, flawless shade that will look fresh from the salon.
Rule 6: Do Damage Control Before You Dye
“A good thing to do the day before coloring is to use a clarifying shampoo to remove any product buildup, and to help even the hair’s porosity so color takes evenly,” says White. “You should follow that with a deep conditioner to replace any moisture that may be lost during coloring.” But skip shampooing the day you dye your hair. “Shampoo doesn’t make the color take better,” says Rhys. Additionally, by not shampooing before you color, you’re allowing the natural oils in your hair to protect your scalp from the irritation that can be caused by the ammonia in many dyes.