Avoid DIY hair colour disasters

(13/10/2008)

Who can forget Amy Winehouse’s disastrous foray into the world of blonde? What about Lily Allen’s toxic pink shocker? Or even Joss Stone’s fight-with-a-paint-box look? It’s a worry when even celebrities get their hair colour so dreadfully wrong – how do the rest of us avoid such DIY dye disasters?

Fear not, by simply following the advice of Naturtint Colour Consultant Marc Ramos, you can avoid falling foul of colour disasters like these countless celebrities.

So, what’s his secret to gorgeous salon-perfect colour at home? “Choose a colour that’s no more than two shades lighter or darker than your natural colour. You can still create dramatic looks without the risk of looking like a clown!” says Marc.

Marc has just launched a range of hair colouring guides online in conjunction with Naturtint – the leading range of chemically-light hair dyes free from ammonia, resorcinol and parabens. The videos include step-by-step instructions on how to create beautiful all-over hair colour at home and even include how to achieve different colouring techniques with the help of a friend, without paying a fortune to a salon.

“One of the most important steps when colouring your hair is doing a skin test. There’s nothing worse than having an allergic reaction to the chemicals in a colourant: you won’t be worrying about the colour when you’re suffering from red, itchy skin or a pus-filled, weeping scalp. Always do a skin test!”

The best way to avoid a nasty reaction is to choose a chemically-light colourant like Naturtint, or use a semi-permanent, like Naturtint Reflex – it doesn’t permeate the scalp like permanent dyes and has even fewer skin-harming chemicals. If you’re still worried about toxicity, drink lots of water before, during and after colouring.

Patchiness is another problem that can be encountered when colouring at home: while the top of your head is that beautiful chocolate brown shade you desire, the ends bear more resemblance to old dish water.

“To ensure you get an even colour, use a comb to separate sections of your hair and apply the dye directly to roots, ideally with an applicator brush. Do this all over before applying colour into the ends of your hair.”

All of these tips can be seen in Marc’s online hair colouring guides; and armed with Marc’s practical tips you’ll feel ready to swap the salon world for the comfort and lower cost of dyeing your hair at home in no time. Why not branch out and do something a little more creative than just a block colour?

Naturtint, £8.99, is available from independent health food stores, Selfridges, Harrods and Holland & Barrett stores and via mail order. Naturtint Reflex, £10.99, is also available from all good independent health food stores, Selfridges & Harrods and via mail order.

Related categories:  Beauty products for hair   Hair colouring 

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