Home Hair Color Basics

Whether you want to cover gray, get a new look, or add some brightness to your face, hair color is a great way to experiment. According to experts, most American women color their hair at home. The great news is that home hair color can look just as great as salon color -- if you follow these rules:

Rule 1: Stick close to your shade. Colorists recommend you color only one to two shades lighter or darker than your natural hue. Keeping within your natural shade range minimizes the possibility of mistakes.

Rule 2: If you want to go blond, head to the salon. Lightening dark hair is tricky, and takes expert technique to achieve good results.

Rule 3: Do the patch test. Even if you've been coloring for years, follow the product's instructions on doing a patch test every time. Allergies to hair color chemicals can develop at any time, leaving you with an itchy rash or a burned scalp.