You see Beyoncé's new hair color. You become (slightly) obsessed with Beyoncé's new hair color. You decide you need Beyoncé's new hair color. Awesome—we feel your enthusiasm. But how to get Beyoncé's new hair color at home, in your bathroom, with no next-day regret? Simple: Use this guide, full of advice from our favorite pros about every DIY hair decision, from subtle highlights to allover platinum. Rule number one sounds self-evident but isn't: Always follow the directions on the dye box. You can buy it at online stores, ex Ebay.com, Amazon.com, etc + use Ebay coupon codes for saving!
(Experts say not doing so is a top reason women wind up at the salon for pricey fixes.) Beyond that, read up, have fun—and tweet us a pic at @get_lipstick.
How to Do Allover Color
To get the exact results you want, pore over the "before" shades on the box labels when shopping—and make sure your starter color is a match.
Total Time Needed: About one hour
Step 1: Don't wash hair for two days before you dye—you want your scalp's natural oils to act as a barrier against irritation, says Clairol Professional celebrity colorist Kiyah Wright. If you have supersensitive skin, add a packet of Sweet'N Low to the dye to help stop the drying effects of ammonia.
Step 2: Do a strand test first by applying color on a small section. This will help you work out timing. Your hair texture will factor in here: The finer it is, the faster it'll lighten—you may need five to 10 minutes less than the box says; if you have coarse or dry hair, you can go by the recommended time.
Step 3: Read, reread, and follow the box instructions to a T. (Exception: Don't apply color from roots to ends in one go; see step 4.)
Step 4: This tip helps get even color every time when you're dyeing your whole head: First, apply dye a half-inch away from your scalp and work toward ends (the heat from your head makes the color develop faster at the root). Then, halfway through the processing time, go back and cover your roots.
