If you're wondering how to apply hair color for a salon-at-home finish, here's a step-by-step guide:
• Choose your hair color. If you have mid-length or long hair, be sure to get two boxes to avoid running out halfway through
• Do a patch test and a strand test
• No one wants to get hair dye on their hairline while coloring hair at home because it can take ages to come off. Apply barrier cream to your hairline to avoid this common issue
• Brush hair and part it into four sections: From ear to ear across the crown and down the middle
• Use a mixing bowl and color brush the apply the dye, start from the roots, and cover to get your desired result
• Wash hair with cool water and a shampoo and conditioner for color-treated hair to keep it hydrated and vibrant
• Regularly use a hair mask to feed thirsty hair and lock moisture in
If you're not sure about which hair color to select, try out Aveda's virtual hair color try-on tool.

The best home hair color products contain ingredients that work alongside your hair color to neutralize unwanted tones and maximize shine. Hair color care products should be free from sulfate cleansers, which can strip away hair dye, and free from silicone, which builds up and causes dullness. Aveda's blonde revival™ shampoo and conditioner include violet toning pigments that mute unwanted brassy or yellow tones to keep blonde hair looking shiny and bright. Aveda's blonde revival™ purple toning shampoo and blonde revival™ purple toning conditioner are made with Acai and Passionfruit Oils to help keep color-treated hair soft and hydrated.

Not sure how to choose the right hair color? Take a look at Aveda's virtual try-on tool, which uses AI to show you what you'll look like with different hair colors. Whether you're looking to frame your face with simple highlights or go all-out and transform your brunette locks into blonde or red hair, you can get peace of mind that you're making the right decision before jumping straight in. What's more, you can play around with shade and tone to get your perfect color match.

The best shampoo for color-treated hair is the one that's formulated for your specific hair type or color. Aveda offers a range of shampoos specifically for dyed hair, such as color conserve™ shampoo, a plant-infused blend that gently removes impurities without stripping away color. People with brown and honey shades can use Aveda's Clove Shampoo, made with organically grown cloves to enhance warm brown tones. Blondes might try Aveda's Camomile Shampoo, which illuminates lighter shades and is scented with jasmine and rose.

When should you wash hair after coloring? There's a myth that waiting a few days prevents color from fading, but this isn't the full story. It's not when you wash your hair that matters, so much as the temperature of the water and what you use to wash it. Hot water opens up the hair follicle and allows color to leech out, so it's best for people with color-treated hair to avoid scorching baths and showers. You should use a specially formulated shampoo, like blonde revival™ purple toning shampoo that's free from parabens, sulfate cleansers, silicone, and other chemicals that might cause hair color to fade. Finally, you should avoid washing hair too much, and opt for dry shampoo in-between to keep it looking fresh.