Semipermanent Color
WHY YOU SHOULD TRY THEM
It's ideal "if you want to stay within two shades of your natural color, or you have 10 to 30 percent grays," says Hazan. It's also easy to do yourself, and you can coast for up to three months between touch-ups.
WHAT'S INVOLVED
To keep ends from getting too dark, a colorist may massage dye into only the top half of your hair, let it process under a heat lamp for half the time (10 to 15 minutes), then comb it through the ends for the rest. Afterward, expect a thorough rinse and a shampoo.
AT-HOME ADVICE
When you're shopping for a kit, says Backe, pay attention to shade names, not just photos on boxes. If you want to go lighter, he suggests looking for the word ashy (it implies a cooler tone). If you're going darker, look for golden (which means warmer).
DIY Tip
To get the most natural-looking result, Backe likes to apply dye to damp (towel-dried) but unwashed hair. "It's absorbed a lot of water, which dilutes the color, so it's not as intense." Try Clairol Natural Instincts ($10, Drugstore.com).
Next Page: Make It Last
