Hair Care

The Best At-Home Hair Color Tips

At last -- beauty salon color experts divulge secrets of coloring hair at home

by Emily Kate Warren

1 of 14

Tip No. 1: When selecting at-home hair color, never go more than two shades lighter or darker than your current tone. Jason Backe, co-owner and head colorist at Ted Gibson Salon, warns that if you do break this rule it could lead to disappointing or disastrous results because unlike at the salon, the product is pre-mixed, so it's impossible to control the volume of peroxide.

SEE NEXT PAGE: Tip No. 2:

EDITORS' BEST OF

12 Best Acne Products for Your Clearest Skin Yet

11 Best Tinted Moisturizers for Easy, On-the-Go Coverage

products mentioned

Garnier 100% Color

7.3

L'Oréal Paris Excellence Cremelights

8.7

Roux Clean Touch Haircolor Stain Remover

0.0

Clairol Nice 'n Easy Root Touch-Up

7.9

leave a comment

Older comments

i already color my hair at home all the time for about a year now! these are great tips! some of them i have learned the hard way.

by 92jess11 Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 11:33PM Report as inappropriate

I want to try L'oreal healthy look creme gloss new and improved for my dark brown hair. I think they should make a hair color product for curly girls.

by lin44 Wednesday, March 27, 2013 at 03:13PM Report as inappropriate

Semi permanent will not lighten my hair enough for my liking.

by EricaC123 Saturday, February 16, 2013 at 02:47PM Report as inappropriate

I've been thinking about dying my hair for a while - very helpful, thanks!

by schien Sunday, September 30, 2012 at 11:18PM Report as inappropriate

I am SO happy that I've never had to resort to the dishwashing liquid trick! It also really helps to have that "hair color" towel, gloves, bowl and brush.

by alictasia Monday, July 16, 2012 at 10:58AM Report as inappropriate

Very informative, thanks!

by LittleBunny Tuesday, April 17, 2012 at 09:56AM Report as inappropriate

Awesome tips

by elph37 Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at 03:12PM Report as inappropriate

great tips

by Nicole2814 Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at 03:07PM Report as inappropriate

every time I colour my hair at home its a mess and never turns out right!

by Bon_Bon Monday, August 15, 2011 at 02:03AM Report as inappropriate

My hair does not do well with @ home hair color.

by MissPurple Tuesday, August 2, 2011 at 03:35PM Report as inappropriate