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Q: I want to try one of those drugstore highlighting kits, but is colouring your hair at home always a big no-no?

A: If you are looking to highlight your hair at home, please, please proceed with caution. The idea leaves me with flashbacks of a 14-year-old girl with black hair grabbing a shiny box of "medium-brown" colour and imaging a new world of shiny, lighter hair in 30 minutes - only to end up with a brassy-orange tinge instead.

Colouring your hair at home is great for root touchups and trying out a shade or two darker than your current hair colour, but trying to highlight your hair at home is a different venture. If you are hell-bent on giving it a go at home (and possibly re-living my teenage nightmares), then make sure to do a colour test to see what colour you'll actually end up with. Unsure of where to place the highlights, how long to leave them on or where to start? Put down the peroxide and seek the advice of a professional! You'll get solid, honest and educated advice on what is achievable for your hair type/colour and great info about after-care and maintenance.

Bahar Niramwalla is a celebrity makeup artist. Have a beauty question? E-mail style@globeandmail.com .

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