Ash is often misconstrued as meaning gray, which is probably the last thing you want when coloring. However, Corbett assures us that ash is good. "Don't be afraid of choosing ash shades because ash kills brass," he says. "The underlying warmth in your hair -- which shows up as gold, orange, brassy tones even if your hair does not look warm before coloring -- will contribute to your final result." Therefore, the only people who should skip ashy shades are those trying to cover a lot of gray.
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Hair Color Mistake: You Try to Make a Major Color Change
At-home hair color can do magical things -- but that doesn't mean it can take a dark brunette to a platinum blonde in a matter of minutes. "When coloring at home, it's important to stay within two shades of your natural color," says Corbett. If you're looking to go significantly lighter than your natural color, you'll need bleach -- and bleach should be left to a professional.
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Hair Color Mistake: You Skip Sectioning
While it's tempting to slap some hair color on your head and spread it with your (gloved) fingers in the interest of time, Corbett's motto is "section for success." It will ensure that you do a thorough job and don't miss any spots. Because the speckled look isn't cute.
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Hair Color Mistake: You Don't Read the Instructions
Any time you use boxed hair color you should read the directions -- or else your hair may end up like your lopsided Ikea dresser. Even if you've used a particular hair color before, check the insert -- you never know if the formula or processing time has been updated. "When in doubt, pay attention to the manufacturer's instructions," urges Corbett.
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Hair Color Mistake: You Color All Your Hair the Same Way (Roots to Ends)
If your roots are full-on gray and the rest of your hair is chocolate brown, you're going to need to treat the roots and ends differently. "When your hair has been colored previously, it's important to focus your touch-up on regrowth only," says Corbett. This is the time to turn to a root touch-up kit -- not a regular box of color. Corbett recommends Clairol Root Touch-Up, $6.99, which covers regrowth and grays for up to three weeks. Anderson's pick is dpHue At-Home Root Touch Up Kit, $30, which he says provides multidimentional color and is extremely gentle on the hair.
