How To: Dye Your Own Hair

--By Jules Newmark

One of the biggest head turners - literally, for me - is perfect hair. When I first see a fashionable woman and she has lush locks I start the wondering process. Are those extensions? Did she curl/straighten for hours this morning? Is it bleached? It's crazy really how much one can self-question about someone else's hair, but I think it's a make or break point, so it's important. If you're reading and agreeing, thank god I'm not alone! If not, that's okay, I guess inner beauty exists somewhere... For all those self-absorbed, let's talk color.

Garnier Hair Color
$7.99
Available at: drugstore.com

According to the March issue of Women's Health mag, you can dye your own hair and save hundreds of bucks! I know, this big reveal might be scary... I know it scares me as I've seen the disasters on my cousin when we were teens, but they do recommend for those big alterations, aka brunette to white blonde, to see a colorist pro... I agree 100%! If you're just looking for some umph, semi-permanent dye is gone in 10 washes, demi-permanent 25 washes and permanent... well let's just say I hope you like the color! Don't just look at the Garnier box and decide your mousy brown would suddenly be gorgeous, blonde and Sarah Jessica Parker... it's probably going to turn some horrid shade of red, again consult the pros. But you could have that Eva Longoria chestnut brown, yes you can.

Don't wash for two days previous to dying so your hair's natural oil is there to protect your scalp and try this trick - "apply a thin layer of Vaseline along your hairline--from earlobe to earlobe and along your neckline--to prevent the dye from staining your skin," advises Harry Josh, celebrity colorist and a creative consultant for the John Frieda Collection. And you're off, get out those gloves, make the right parts to get it everywhere and make it work! It might be messy, but it is cheaper and you don't have to suffer through that odd moment when the colorist doesn't quite get what you wanted and you're suddenly in tears! Read this month's issue of Women's Health, or check it out at WomensHealthMag.com. I'd tell you which box is my fav... but that would give away my magic, so try each brand and find your own true beauty!
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Jules Newmark is a contributing writer for Adventures in the Stiletto Jungle. Jules is currently based in sun drenched San Diego, California, where she works, and works the scene, as a modeling agent. Jules's beauty must-haves include mascara by Dior, perfume by Calvin Klein, and a really good sunblock.