Dyeing your hair by yourself at home can be a real gamble. Even with the best instructions, it can be hard to predict how your dye job will turn out – different brands produce varying results, and the characteristics of your own hair also have something to do with how your hairdo turns out. However, there are some common mistakes that people often make when dyeing their hair at home, and avoiding the mistakes can help you achieve a better result. Take a look at some mistakes that you should definitely take care to avoid.

Conditioning Before You Color

When you're getting ready to color your hair, you may want to wash it first to remove any product or buildup that may be lining your locks. However, if your normal hair washing routine involves conditioning after you shampoo, make it a point to skip that step.

The problem with conditioner is that it coats the hair, even after you rinse it out. That coating makes it hard for your hair to absorb the dye. As a result, you could wind up with hair that's splotchy, or the dye might not take at all. Make sure that your shampoo is not a conditioning shampoo, or you may wind up with the same result.

Dyeing Your Whole Head At Once

Your first instinct when you mix up the dye is probably going to be to squirt it into your hands and rub it into your hair like shampoo, coating every strand. However, if you're going for a natural appearance, this is not a good plan.

The problem with the whole head approach is that all the dye stays on your hair and processes for the same length of time, so it's all the same shade when you shampoo it out. But natural hair isn't all one shade – it's usually lighter at the ends. You can achieve this look by putting the color on the roots first, and saving the dye on the ends for the last few minutes of processing. This is especially important if you're dyeing your hair a dark color – overly dark ends too close to your face can wash out your complexion.

Staining Your Skin

It's pretty easy to spot a home dye job when there's a big spot of inky color on your forehead, your ears, or your neck. It can be tough to avoid this when you're on your own – when someone else applies the dye, it's a lot easier to get those hard-to-reach spots without getting dye all over you.

However, there is a way to avoid stained skin even when you're applying the dye yourself: petroleum jelly. Spread some around your hairline and on your ears, and it will prevent your skin from absorbing the dye and leaving you with telltale stains. If you end up with a dyed spot anyway, an oil-based makeup remover will take it off.

If you absolutely can't afford a mistake or a less-than-perfect outcome, you're always better off dyeing your hair at a salon. But if you don't mind a little risk, dyeing your hair at home is a low-cost and fun way to try a new style. 

For more information, contact Sadie's Salon or a similar location.