Colour it today!

Tempted to try a new tone? Then check out our handy hints to get well clued-up



1 Be realistic about the results. If you have black hair, your colour range is limited, so platinum may be just one step too far.

2 Consider your eye and skin tone when choosing a shade. Some hair colours will wash out pale skin, while others will warm it up.

3 Think about your wardrobe and personality – plumping for a red tone can change the impression you make. Are you the kind of person who play the head-turning redhead?

4 If you’re thinking of going more than three shades lighter than your normal colour, you’ll probably need to use peroxide. But be aware that it’ll almost certainly dry out your hair.

5 New to colouring? Not sure which shade will suit you? Try a wash-in, wash-out or semi-permanent colour first – these will rinse out after up to about 12 weeks.

6 Permanent colours are absorbed into the cortex of your hair, which is where its natural colour is determined. If you go for this method, your colour will be more vibrant and longer-lasting.

7 Always read the instructions on the packet carefully, so that you’re 100% sure of the procedure before you begin.

8 Permed hair? We recommend that you steer clear of home colouring and seek the advice of a salon expert.

9 Always wear the gloves provided in the box. Dye may look nice on your barnet, but it looks grubby under your nails!

10 Prevent the wrath of mum or ruining your own towels by keeping a ‘colouring’ towel for that purpose.

11 Smear some Vaseline around the edge of your hairline and on the top of your ears to prevent staining.

12 If you have to mix two bottles together during the colouring process, this indicates that you’re adding a certain level of peroxide to your hair.

13 When applying dye, add it to the ends and mid-lengths before the roots. The roots are closer to your warm scalp, which helps the colour develop more quickly.

14 With all-over dye, ask a friend or family member to help you massage it in so that every part of your hair is covered.

15 Half way through the processing time, replace the gloves, dampen your hair, and massage the colour in once more, covering up those areas you may have missed out.

16 Try ‘undertoning’ at home: just roughly part and clip up your top lengths with a large barette or beak, then apply your chosen dye to the underneath section. Any unevenness will be hidden when your hair is dropped down.

17 Before you leave the bathroom, make sure you’ve cleared any drips of colour from any enamel or plastic surfaces – they do stain.

18 After colouring, replace lost moisture with a high-quality deep conditioning product to keep your hair looking healthy.

19 If you’re thinking about trying something completely radical, see the advice of a salon colourist first. Extreme colouring should really be left to the experts.