Write an article based on this "Get a haircut. Consider your natural hair color. Choose a color that suits you. Assemble a hair dyeing kit. Find a friend to help you."

Article:
Dyeing your hair, especially a unique color, requires some steps. The last thing you want after going through the trouble to dye your hair is to realize you want a new hairstyle. If your natural shade is dark, it will be harder to get the color to show through. You can always go for a darker shade, but the color may not be as vibrant than if your hair was a lighter hue.  Lighter hues can also affect the outcome of a dye job. For example, if you are yellowish-blonde and try for a shade of red, your hair may come out orange. Go for blue, and you may end up with green instead.  White or grey hair can also make dye much brighter than it actually is. A blue-black shade, for example, could become bright blue.  To prevent these mishaps, it would be best to do a test strand before coloring your entire head because it will give you an idea about how the color will turn out. A common recommendation is to never go two shades lighter or darker than your natural hair color. The best thing to do is start with a lighter shade. You can always go darker later if you want.  Some shades may not work with your skin tone. If you have a tendency to blush, for example, you may want to avoid going with any pink or red tones. If you have pale skin, bright greens, and yellows could make you appear to be glowing. To see how shades look on you, visit a Halloween store and try on a few wigs to see how the colors look. Aside from your hair dye of choice, you'll need to gather a few items to make the process easier. Keep these stored in your bathroom for future dye jobs.  Plastic hair clips: These are useful for holding large sections of hair out of the way.  Rubber gloves: Hair dyes can contain some pretty harsh chemicals. Wear gloves to keep your hands safe. They'll also protect your skin from taking on the same color as your hair.  Vaseline: Spread a thin layer on your hairline and on your ears. Put it anywhere the dye might come in contact with your skin. Vaseline prevents the dye from staining your skin.  Old clothes and towels: Dyeing hair gets messy. It's always a good idea to use materials you don't mind ruining. Other items such as a kitchen timer, q-tips, spare gloves, and extra dyeing brushes are also good. While you could dye your hair on your own, the process will be much easier with a friend. Having an assistant who can get to those hard to reach spots will make for a smoother dye job.