Shades eq and even color?

I just need some advice. I am applying a deposit only color from shades eq and I want to make sure that I get even color. What should I do to make sure the color is even throughout. I have previously had my hair bleached but since then have deposited color on my hair so it is curretly a dark blonde. I used Natural Insticts a few weeks ago and it seems as if my ends are darker (soaked up more color) than my roots. The color that I am planning on using from Shades is the same color as my natural and close to what my current hair color is. I am just afraid that it may come out spotty. Should I do a protein treatment prior to applying the color? Also, does anyone know if Shades comes out darker than what the color is? thanks for any advice!