With salons across the country (open in new tab) officially closed for COVID-19, many are opting to make good use of their gloves in house and dye their own hair. While it is true that people are tired of beauty, dying your own hair comes at a cost if done badly. Don't let the pressures of these uncertain times cause you to fall into panic mode and make impulsive and ignorant decisions. No one wants to see their hair color in the mirror. Instead, follow these simple steps, guided by a celebrity colorist who is an expert in dyeing hair.

Full disclosure before reading any further: some things should be left to the professionals. Dyeing your hair at home can lead to permanent damage. The following color commandments speak to semi-permanent and temporary hair dyeing. 5 Color Commandments to Follow at Home.

"Before attempting to color your roots at home, it is important to understand what color your starting hair color is," advises celebrity colorist Nikki Lee. 'Is it medium warm brown or light cool blonde?' Most home color boxes have detailed instructions. It certainly depends on the technique. I would keep it simple and start with a basic root touch up. You don't want to try a new color or technique at home just because you're bored."

"Most home color is permanent," Lee explains. 'Permanent color can be difficult to remove if you make the wrong choices at home.' Semi-permanent color is the safest option because it will eventually wash off over time. You need to pay attention to the sides of the box. If your current hair color is not on the side of the box, the shade will not work for you. It is easier to go a little darker than lighter. Lightening is complicated and often requires color correction, so it should be left to the professionals."

Sticking to semi-permanent shades is especially important if you are dealing with damage. Editorial stylist Pepper Paster warns (opens in new tab) that "damaged hair will grab color and create uneven spots." If possible, stick to gentler, semi-permanent formulas. And don't be overwhelmed by the endless drugstore hair color section. Pastor advises, "Save yourself a lot of time and money by first ruling out what doesn't work for you." Manage expectations and focus on color swatches, not hair models, when choosing shades. Other considerations Permanent dyes are great for covering grays, while sheer glosses are ideal for lightening shades or adding new shades. Blondes can be made strawberry blonde with red glosses, and brunettes can be warmed up with blonde glosses.

"It is important to separate hair properly before dyeing to ensure total coverage," says Paster. Divide the hair into four equal sections and secure the sections with large alligator clips. If you have bangs or very thick hair, create a separate section in the front to allow the color to get into this important area. Before dying, smear lavender oil on the ends of the hair so that the dye scent will not be noticeable.

To dilute color that is too dark or too light, make a paste with one part shampoo and one part powder bleach from a highlight kit. Apply to wet hair and rinse off when the color changes.

To make the color last longer, a moisturizing hair mask once a week is essential. The thicker the hair, the more hair washing can be omitted. Dry shampoo is a strong friend of color," adds Pastor.

Lee also preaches the gospel of all that hair masks and treatments can do for your color. Lee explains, "Masks and treatments can really help promote healthy hair after coloring." "Garnier's new Nutrisse Color Reviver is the perfect treatment for post-coloring hair. Because it instantly restores softness and smoothness to the hair while refreshing the color. This is especially important when you can't make it to the salon."

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