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Nothing is more frustrating than roots popping out to ruin your perfect coif. When you’ve dyed your hair a gorgeous light blond and darker roots come out to rain on your parade, it’s time for a touch-up. Sometimes it’s difficult to choose a color to lighten your dirty blond hair, but with your beauty instincts you’ll make the right choice.
Covering Your Roots
Roots are super frustrating to cover. Never-dyed hair does take color well, but roots are so new that the follicles aren’t open to accepting the dye. Touch-up kits are made to color your roots between colorings, but the dye only affects the very top of the strand and doesn’t penetrate the shaft. If you need a longer-lasting color, stick with permanent dyes — just use a little less and be sure the color will blend perfectly into your tresses.
Colors
The shade of blond you need is dependent on the shade of dirty blond your roots are rocking. If it’s darker, you’ll need a lighter blond to bring it down to a color in between. If your dirty blond is closer to a true blond, it’ll hop down a shade with a less intense color choice. Most boxes of dye have a color guide that helps you figure out where your shade will end up after the application of the dye. Use it as a guide.
Application
Prepare the dye, according to the instructions. Use a comb to cover your roots with the dye — keep it off the rest of your hair unless you want to change the color of that as well. Once it’s had time to sit and process, use a cup of water held above your head to rinse out the dye. The dye won’t damage your hair too much as it’s removed, but try to rinse off most of it with the cup. You can finish off with a total-hair rinse.
Tips
If you’re having trouble coloring your roots, the dirty blond might be dark enough that you need to lighten it first. Check out lightening products that go on like dye and leave you with a lighter version of your original color. After it’s done, apply the shade of blond you want and you’ll have the perfect look.

