DYING HER BANGS PURPLE

Dear Jellybean,

Here's my situation: I have really adorable, thick side bangs that I LOVE. I cut them originally really thick and coming 3/4 across my face. They grew and I love them now. Anyway, not the point. I've been thinking about dying them purple. [not a scary purple!] A dark dark, purpleish red, but more purple. [think Joss Stone's latest hair adventure] My hair is naturally dark brown, nearly black. Do you have any tips or do's and dont's before I go through with it? Thanks!
Ellen

Dear Ellen,

My suggestion is, try out the color before you take the plunge, with a temporary color gel or wash-out dye. That way, if you don't like it, you can wash it out - instead of being stuck with it for weeks, or having to go to a salon to (expensively) correct the color. Good products to try include Manic Panic DyeHard Temporary Hair Color Styling Gel (bonus - it acts as a strong-hold gel too), got2b Color Heads Colored Spiking Styling Glue, and Jerome Russell's Temporary Spray-in Natural Color Highlights.