Before dyeing your hair at home, consider these stylist-approved tips

Caroline C. BoyleUSA TODAYShow CaptionWhether you’re on a budget or don’t have time to sit in the hair salon, sometimes dyeing your hair at home is your best option for changing up your hair color.If you're adamant on skipping the salon, you don’t need to sacrifice achieving salon-quality results. But if you're ready and willing to take matters into your own hands, there’s a few things to consider.Is box dye ever a good idea?If you’re dead set on coloring your own hair, proceed with caution if you’re tempted by that $15 box dye. No matter the shade, it’s always best to use professional-grade hair color, recommends David Connor, a stylist and owner of ANTI-GRAVITY salon in New Orleans. Lower-quality hair colors contain direct dyes, which have a greater likelihood of staining your skin and fade much faster than professional-grade products. Ideally, find a color that’s formulated with low amounts of ammonia, or none at all. Bonus points if it contains extra conditioning agents that will h...