Applicator-Bottle Method

• 1). Obtain a plastic applicator bottle from a beauty supply store. Make sure that it is large enough to hold both the hair color and the developer, with enough air space left in the bottle to shake the mixture.
  
  
• 2). While wearing gloves, pour 1 oz. of hair color into the applicator bottle. Increase the amount of color when working with long hair.
  
  
• 3). Add developer. The amount of developer necessary will depend on the desired results. For most hair color, a one-to-one ratio is ideal, so add 1 oz. of developer to the applicator bottle. However, when lightening your hair several shades, or going blonde, use a one-to-two ratio: add 2 oz. of developer to the applicator bottle.
  
  
• 4). Shake the applicator bottle until the mixture is uniform in color.
  
  
• 5). Use the applicator bottle to apply the hair color to your hair.
  
  

Bowl-and-Brush Method

• 1). Use a nonmetallic mixing bowl to mix the hair color. Mixing hair color in a metal bowl can cause a chemical reaction; always use glass or plastic.
  
  
• 2). While wearing gloves, pour 1 oz. (more for long hair) of hair color into the bowl.
  
  
• 3). Based on the information in Step 3 of the applicator-bottle method, pour the appropriate amount of developer into the bowl.
  
  
• 4). Stir the hair color mixture with a tint brush until it is uniform in color.
  
  
• 5). Apply the hair color to your hair with a tint brush.