At Home Hair Color Tips

It's a new year and women make new hair a part of their changes when making resolutions. Many celebrities have embraced new hair colors for 2011. Last week Kate Beckinsale, known for her chestnut brown locks, is now a bright shade of blond. Lauren Conrad kissed her blond hair goodbye for a darker, taupe brown shade.

We all love getting pampered, but a trip to the salon for a new hue can easily cost anywhere between $100-$200. So why not give hair coloring at home a try? You can use at-home hair color to stretch time in between professional coloring or just eliminate it altogether. There are some great products out there to try, like henna or semi-permanent, where you don't have to sacrifice the health of your hair for a new look.

Here are some of my picks for affordable at-home hair colors:

Herbal Essence Color Me Vibrant Long-Lasting Color ($9) - It has a pleasant smell and the color on the box is the actual color you get. It has a lot of vibrant tones and covers your hair evenly. The conditioner it comes with helps seal the color for up to six weeks.

Lush Hair Hennas ($22) - Henna is an alternative to the cancer-causing chemical dyes out there and is a safer option if you are pregnant and need a touch up. It's a little pricier than regular boxed dyes and is a little more complicated to use, but it's worth it if you want to avoid using chemicals.

Clairol Natural Instincts ($9) - This is a great semi-permanent hair color and is super easy to use if it's your first time coloring your own hair. It lasts up to 28 shampoos and is rich in antioxidants and ammonia-free. If you're looking to subtly deepen your natural hair color or add a layer of color, this would be your best option. It comes with a color refresher to revitalize your hair color after two weeks.

L'Oreal Superior Preference ($8) - This fade-defying dye claims to keep its color and shine for up to eight weeks. It does a good job of covering gray hairs and the blond shades never go brassy. With almost 50 shades to choose from, you can have different color hair every week for almost a whole year (although, I wouldn't recommend doing so).

Revlon Frost & Glow Highlighting Kit ($8) - An easy-to-use, at-home highlighting kit that delivers natural-looking, salon-quality highlights. Whether you're looking to create subtle or dramatic highlights, I'd suggest using a MagiCap from the beauty supply store (the cap it comes with can be a little flimsy). It's ammonia-free for gentleness and has deep conditioners to keep your hair soft and shiny.

Some DIY tips you should follow…

• Always read and follow the directions on the box. Every brand has a different method for application, so don't assume you know how to use it if you've done it before.
• Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly at hairline to avoid staining your skin.
• Do a patch test on a small portion of your hair before you apply it to your entire head. This way you can see if the result are what you expect or if you have any allergies to the dye.

If you have a favorite at-home hair color brand, share it with us below.