Providing that your hair and scalp are in good condition to begin with, colouring your hair at home should ensure vibrant, professional-looking results without damage, at a fraction of the cost of going to a salon.
Advances in colour technology, pioneered by industry giants such as L'Oréal and Wella and celebrity hairdressers including Jo Hansford, Daniel Galvin, Nicky Clarke and Charles Worthington, mean that formulas are of a high quality, with an excellent colour choice.
So far so good, but to really get the most out of your purchase, thorough preparation, the techniques you employ and appropriate aftercare are key. The same level of effort should go into colouring your hair as goes into applying fake tan - streaky, patchy effects will be about as unwelcome and unattractive, so you should never just slap it on.
If a strand or skin test is recommended then do it 48 hours before colouring your hair. This is particularly important if you're using a permanent dye which contains the sort of chemicals that can trigger an allergic reaction from slight to life-threatening, so don't take any unnecessary risks in the name of vanity. Dab a small amount of the product on to a patch of skin in the crook of the elbow and if any irritation, swelling or redness occurs, wash it off immediately and don't use it on your hair. A strand test will also give you an idea of the final colour result before you commit yourself. Don't be tempted to dye your hair if you're suffering from any scalp disorders, cuts or scratches.
Just skimming the detailed instructions that accompany the products is a recipe for disaster. Colour guru Daniel Galvin, whose celebrity client list includes Nicole Kidman, Kylie and Anna Friel, recommends carefully reading the instructions through twice before making a start. Also, if you're dyeing your hair during office hours don't forget that you can take advantage of the dye brand's helpline number - usually printed on the pack - if you have any queries.
Prepare the area you're planning to use (most likely the bathroom) by removing anything precious within dye-splashing distance and putting an old towel on the floor before you mix up the colour. Wear old clothes and remove your jewellery. Apply a layer of cold cream or Vaseline around the hairline and over the tips of the ears will to stop the skin from staining. Use another old towel to dry your hair with afterwards, as there's always some colour residue. If you do end up with dye stains on your skin, rubbing on cigarette ash works wonders - no, it doesn't sound particularly appealing, but top colourists swear by it!
Take your time and try to work section by section, using a wide-toothed comb rather than just rubbing dollops randomly into your hair. Keep your head upright and watch what you're doing in the mirror when working through the top sections rather than being upside down over the sink the whole time. Try not to rub the dye into the scalp; work towards middle lengths and ends of the hair. If you can get a friend to apply it for you, so much the better. Stick to the development-time guide and rinse hair thoroughly to remove any residue. Finish with a long, cool rinse. Most brands contain a fabulously rich conditioner as a finishing touch and this should be applied as instructed for optimum results.
If you use a permanent colour and want to retouch any regrowth every four to six weeks, apply the product carefully and precisely, to the dark roots only rather than overlapping on to the already tinted hair. This will minimise damage and prevent a weird mottled tortoiseshell effect.
After hair has been coloured don't wash it or go swimming in a chlorinated pool for at least 48 hours. If you're planning a holiday in the sun, colour hair a minimum of four to six weeks before departure so it has time to settle before being exposed to all that sunlight.
Remember that hair requires gentle handling after chemical processing. After giving hair a quick blast dry, use your hairdryer on a lower setting. Don't use too many heat-styling appliances such as straighteners, tongs or heated rollers without first prepping the hair with a product such as Superdrug Gum Hair Re-hab Milk (£3.99) or Redken Spray Starch Heat Memory Styler (£8.50, call 0800 444880).
However, a word to the wise: if your hair is overprocessed through too much bleaching and peroxiding or you have a mass of split ends or summer-parched locks then you're not going to end up looking anything like the fabulously coiffed model on the box. The words 'get thee to a hairdresser' should be your mantra.
