Hair Color Tips and Tricks

I'm a stylist. It's best to use color on clean, dry hair. I'm giving this direction assuming that the gray is mostly colored on your hair and you are mostly needeing the roots covered. Apply a bit of vaseline to your skin by the hairline and ears to prevent staining, careful not to get it in your hair.

Apply color to the hairline first, then apply to the regrowth (roots) of the hair until the timing is done. I can't remember what it is with Wella, about 30 minutes I'm guessing. Then, lightly spritz the rest of your hair with water (just a tad bit damp), add a small amount of conditioner to the color you have left in the bowl, and apply it to the rest of your hair and comb it all through very well with a wide comb. Wait about 10-15 more minutes and then rinse it out until the water runs clear. Then shampoo and condition your hair.

If you are needing to apply it over your whole head and not just the roots, than apply roots to about 1 inch from the ends, again on very lightly damp hair. After about 30 minutes, comb the color down to the ends, wait about 10-15 more minutes than rinse/wash/condition it out.

In general you should not color or perm just washed hair. It should be a "day dirty" for oil to protect the scalp. Most color goes onto dry hair, but maybe there's a Helpline number on the box to call for more specific instructions.

I've never used Wella brand, but here are my tips. As long as you are matching your current hair color, and not going for something totally different, it's really quite easy. I stand on an old towel in case of drips, and wear an old shirt that will get stained. I also put conditioner on my skin around my hairline and on my ears so they don't stain. My hair is dry and relatively clean - I've shampoo'd in the last 24 hours, but not immediately before.

I start putting the color on at the roots, then work it through the ends. Then, I stand in the shower (because this part will splatter a little) and use a wide-tooth comb to make sure I've got the color through my hair evenly. Then I put my hair up into a clip to wait out the 30 minutes (if your hair is short, you wouldn't need the clip, but mine is to my shoulders). After that, just rinse out in the shower. I don't shampoo until the next day.

I'm not familar with Wella. You should read the instructions carefully.

I've used several of the brands sold in the box at mass merchandisers. All of them are used on dry hair. I find that it works better is my hair is slightly dirty (hasn't been washed in 24 hours to 48 hours).

Start by applying to all the roots first, especially where you have the most grey, then work your away around the entire head.

I don't know about home haircolor, since I get mine professionally done (too chicken to even attempt it), but my hairdresser wants my hair unshampooed, at least one day, when she applies the color. The natural oils in your hair help the color stick and also keep it from drying out in the chemical processes.

Is there a Wella website you can visit?

Momma L. gave great tips! I used to color my own hair all the time, but now I like more complicated high-lights and low-lights in addition to all over color, so I go to a stylist. I still love coloring hair, though, so I often help friends color their hair. I am by no means a professional. ;)

I would suggest that you have a friend help you if possible. I know you said your stylist friend lives too far away, but maybe another friend could come over. You can certainly do it yourself, but it's easier to get even coverage all over if you have a friend to help, and it's more fun, too!

Good luck; I'm sure you'll be lovely! :)