As men age, their hair tends to gray at the temples and sideburns first. Dying your sideburns, whether to cover the gray or to match your hair color, differs from coloring the hair on your head. That's because sideburns have coarser hair that doesn't hold color as well. Choosing a product specifically for sideburns will ensure the best results.

Choose a product specifically designed for dying sideburns. Study the color chart to find the shade closest to the hair color on your head. Choose the next lightest color so that your sideburns don't go too dark.

Complete the allergy patch test. Mix a small amount of color and place it on the inside of your elbow. Wait 48 hours and examine your skin for any redness or irritation.

Mix the color, following the product instructions. Put on the gloves that came with the hair color kit and squeeze equal amounts of the color and developer into the tray. Using the plastic end of the brush, mix color until well blended.

Apply color to dry hair using the brush. Brush gently up and down, covering all the hair. Set the timer for five minutes. Using a damp paper towel or cotton swab, remove any hair color that's gotten on your skin.

Rinse the color off in the shower using warm water. Shampoo your sideburns and rinse. Dry hair as usual.