1. Follow the instructions: This may seem obvious, but different brands and colours will have different time guidelines and recommendations so always double check.
2. Buy more than what you think you’ll need: You don’t want to run out of dye halfway through the process and it’s better to have too much than end up with a patchy finish.
3. Don’t wash your hair immediately before dying: The natural oils on your scalp can act as a protective barrier against irritation and damage.
4. Always do a strand test: To check for allergic reactions apply the product to a small section of your hair. This also lets you see how the colour will take to your hair and makes sure it matches your expectations.
5. Wear gloves and old clothing: Box dye can stain, so make sure you protect your hands and don’t ruin any clothes. You can also use an old towel for extra protection. Speaking from experience, without this red dye will look like a crime scene.
6. Use Vaseline to protect your skin: Spread Vaseline along your hairline, ears, and the back of your neck to prevent staining your skin.
7. Section your hair: This makes applying the dye more manageable and even. I prefer to section half-way down the middle but if you have thick hair, you can divide it into four or more sections.
8. Use a dye brush: Rather than lathering the dye on like shampoo, using a brush will give you even and precise coverage.
9. Work somewhere with ventilation: Box dye has a distinct smell that can be overpowering so work in a bathroom with a fan on or window open.
10. Rehydrate your hair afterwards: Box dye can dry your hair out so using a leave-in conditioner afterwards will leave it soft and silky.
11. Know your limits: if you have dark coloured hair and want to go platinum, it may be best to see a professional. Blonde can be the hardest to achieve at home due to the strength of bleach, but it is hard to go wrong with colours!