Now that the global economic recession has reached its peak, the majority of us are cutting back on our outgoings, including what we spend on clothes and beauty treatments. One of the first things to go is our regular cut and color at the hairdresser and we're now in favor of a tri-monthly trim and home dye kits. Here are our tips on how to ensure you don't end up with a hair full of straw and a bathroom covered In permanent dye...

Firstly, spend some time in the shop with a friend ensuring that you're buying the right color. If you regularly have the same color applied then this shouldn't be too hard, but if you keep changing your mind then it might be a good idea to get the opinion of a stylist of beauty specialist on what tones suit you best first. Once you've found the right one, make sure you have the right type – semi-permanent will wash out and so this is better for if you're experimenting with colors. For those who have already decided, permanent is what you're looking for, but remember you have to wait for it to grow out or dye on top of it to change.

If this is your first time dyeing your own hair then take some time to read through the manual carefully. There's a reason why they give you gloves, so use them! Line to floor around around you with an old towel or even better, newspaper. Right at the end of application you're likely to have some drips. Wear an old t shirt to catch some of them too. Have cotton pads and cleanser nearby to rub off any drips that get on your skin and kitchen cleaner with bleach so that if you spill dye on tile grouting you can get it off quickly. Applying Vaseline to the hairline is a good way to make sure you don't look like a Lego man when you've finished.

Time your application to what it recommends on the packet. You'll be astounded at how long it takes for the water to run clear, but don't be alarmed if the next time you wash your hair the shampoo is dye-color. Run your hair under the tap and massage your scalp to get the worst of the dye from your roots first and it shouldn't take as long. If there's no intensive conditioner included within the dye packet then use one that prolongs colored hair.

Finally, don't be tempted to cut your hair yourself, or ask someone who's unqualified to do it (unless you want it to look less than perfect). You can trim your fringe, but make sure you do it with hair scissors, hold the hair between your middle and index finger and cut up into it. This way it will still look feathered and not simply as if you've chopped it. Stand back and look at yourself before you keep trimming; there's nothing worse than having a fringe that looks embarrassingly short!

Stan Tian

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