Colouring your hair: At home vs at the salon

A fresh colour can be the ultimate pick-me-up, and a way of signalling a new phase in your life. You need to decide if you want to do it yourself at home, or go to a salon to have it professionally done. There are pros and cons for each - here is a guide to colouring at home versus going to a hairdresser.

If your hair is dark and you only want a slight change - say, a hint of auburn - then there is no reason why you can't do it yourself. Home hair colourants are quite sophisticated these days, and you'll achieve good results from either a semi-permanent or a permanent dye. Just make sure you choose a reputable brand, for example L'oreal or Garnier, and follow the instructions to the letter.

If, however, you desire a big change - like going from dark brown to blonde - then you're far better off going to a salon. Going blonde at home is not recommended as any number of things can go wrong, including getting a brassy yellow colour instead of the natural-looking shade you wanted. Hairdressers rarely get it wrong - most have been colouring clients' hair on a daily basis for years - and they'll give you a far greater choice of colours and colouring techniques than what you would get with a home hair colourant.

If your hair is blonde and you desire a change to brunette, then it's also best to go to a salon, as a toner will need to be applied to your hair before colouring, to avoid a green look.

Also, if you want streaks or highlights, then it's also best to get them professionally done. You can buy streaking kits for home use but they can be tricky to use, especially if you don't have a friend on hand to help. You're far better off being in a relaxing environment where it's guaranteed to be done right, even if you do have to pay more.

So unless the change you want to make is minimal, and only a few shades different to your current colour, then it's recommended that you get yourself to a salon. It's more expensive than doing it at home, but for peace of mind and getting the look you desire, it's worth it.