Love it or hate it, your hair can make you feel sexy one day and frumpy the next. According to a new survey, many of us try to spend our way to better tresses, snapping up expensive collections of shampoos and styling products and shelling out for haircuts and other salon services. The average woman spends about $195 a year on haircuts and $260 on color alone. But over one-third are trying to save money by going to the salon less often.
The biggest complaints women have about their hair is the thickness and the color,” said Lisa Lee Freeman, editor-in-chief of ShopSmart. “The good news is that hair products can be found at rock-bottom prices and at-home hair color kits have improved greatly.”
Top Colorists Share the Best Tips to Get Great Color at Home
1. Choose the Right Color. If you’re a first-timer looking for the right hue, ask your hairdresser’s opinion, browse hair color Web sites like Clairol’s and L’Oreal’s, and choose a semi-permanent color.
2. Avoid Allergic Reactions. Hair color contains chemicals, so in addition to a strand test to check color, it’s important to perform a patch test to make sure you’re not allergic to an ingredient.
3. Prep Yourself. Before you jump in and do the dye job, you should take a few important prep steps. Read and reread package directions.
4. Glop it On. Apply the dye according to directions, making sure to aim the applicator at your head and away from the shower curtain, bath mat, and walls. And set a timer.
5. Fix Mistakes. If your results aren’t what you expected, call the hotline number on the box or check the company site. If that doesn’t help, don’t be shy about turning to a pro.
Below are the 3 Best Hair Color Kits
Clairol Textures & Tones
2N Dark Brown
$7, 45 minute dye time
L’Oreal Paris Superior Preference
4 Dark Brown Natural
$9, 30 min. dye time
Clairol Natural Instincts
28 Nutmeg Dark Brown
$9, 20 min. dye time
Daily Venus Diva -- Daily Venus Diva.
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