NBR: Hair dye

blessedandhopeful · February 2014

Up to this point in life I have only gotten my hair dyed by a professional. I do enjoy getting it done, but it would be nice to save some money if I could get a nice result from doing it myself. I know there are varying opinions on the quality of box hair dyes, so if anyone has more knowledge about the different kinds of hair dyes available, and which would be the best to use at home, could you help me out? Also, is it terribly obvious when someone has dyed their own hair? I don't want to be pitied for having bad hair (lol), but if this is somewhere I could save some money and people not think I look like a wreck, that'd be great. Is it possible?

Thanks!

britab · February 2014

I do my own because I'm cheap. I don't think people think it's terrible and obvious.

My favorite kind is Perfect 10. You might want to start out trying a temporary and then if that does well a permanent. I'm blonde and color mine every few months when the roots start to bug me. GL!

That+One+Girl · February 2014

I did box color for years but I always had help. Usually just a girlfriend over telling me I missed a patch, but it helped a lot. The one time I did it without help I had a huge patch that was not quite the same but it was on the underside so it was not too bad.

Also I recommend putting something (Vaseline) on your forehead and ears so you don't accidentally color them.

ThereBeDragons · February 2014

I've only had my hair dyed once professionally- a week and change before my wedding I had a bunch of highlights put in. Wasn't willing to chance even the possibility of a disaster. Of course since I'd never had a stylist do my hair before- she wound up putting in more highlight than I intended- I came out more blonde than light brown. It looked great- it was just a more dramatic change than I intended.

I don't dye often though. More when I was in my 20s. In my experience with light brown hair- going darker is pretty easy and consistently looks nice. I did a dark cherry for a year in my mid 20s and got tons of compliments. When I get bored with my hair and its long enough to make me wary of permanent dye, I like to throw a bottle of darker brown temp dye to change things up- by the time roots grow in its already washed out.

Going lighter... Not as consistent. My hair turns orange with home dye bleaching and stays a shade of bright orange until it finally bleaches out to white-blonde. But once I get to the white-blonde stage my hair is completely fried. So I can go any shade of red from strawberry blonde up, but nothing else without help from a pro. I spent several terrible months with carrot orange hair before cutting it to the roots- twice.

CamrynnsMommy · February 2014

Eek, this is hard. It depends on what color you are attempting to go. Going lighter is tricky, as is going red or auburn.

Some people have hair that tends to pull different colors, like orange, gold, etc., so certain types of hair color can bring out those colors and cause a nasty shade, which would need to be toned (isn't readily available at stores).

If you're a brunette and just want to freshen up the color I think you'll be fine.

Mamazon2014 · February 2014

Look into a reputable beauty school! It's cheaper than a salon, less likely to cause a snafu than a box kit and honestly, usually ends up looking as good if not better than the higher priced salons. I know with the Paul Mitchell schools you can choose a senior student and that the instructors keep a close tab on the entire process to ensure a decent job.

Some of my best dye jobs I've had done were at a beauty school and I paid between $35 to $100 depending on the level of processing (the $100 color was a multi-shade color weaving on long, thick hair and probably would have cost at least $350 at my usual salon).

blessedandhopeful · February 2014

I would be starting out with a medium brown red-toned color, looking to dye it a rich brown. I don't think it would be too far off from what I have now. Maybe a shade? From memory I currently have a 5/6 shade. I am looking up brands, and Wella Color Charm has a lot of good reviews. They seem to sell it at Sally's. Also maybe considering L'oreal Excellence. We'll see....

sheriot · February 2014

I have a friend who is an Aveda professional and when she was in school (read: broke) she used to swear by Nice n' Easy. Apparently it's not as harsh on your hair/scalp as some of the others. I just used it to dye mine last night and I can't say I'm not impressed with the outcome. But, as pp's have noted, going lighter is tricky...I'd probably go to a colorist for that. I just went with an all-over natural brown and it came out nice and shiny.

GL!

ksyknelvr73 · February 2014

I think it depends on what color you are doing and how comfortable you are at doing it. I am blonde and I typically get highlights professionally, but whenever I can't really afford it and do it on my own, I use Feria. I like theirs the best b/c I feel like it keeps my highlights in there and kind of "updates" them. This is just my own personal experience.

Mittens14 · February 2014

I do my own when I can't get to the salon, my stylist gave me the formula that she uses on me and I buy the same exact dyes online and do exactly what she does, it comes out totally the same, but I prefer getting my hair done so I just keep some of the dyes on hand at home for last minute/emergency situations when I need to do it myself. My advice would be that if you like the color your stylist does for you simply ask her for your formula, she shouldn't have any issue giving it to you.

ETA: I just saw your other post about the Wella Color Charm and it's funny because I use Wella Color Touch. It's semi-permanent and really rich in color. I'm a bit darker than you though, a milk chocolate color. I like the semi-permanent because it doesn't leave that horrible line where it's growing out and I don't have any gray to cover (yet.) I've never used color charm, but color touch is a great product!

whimsy515 · February 2014

I've been dying my own hair since the 8th grade (already had greys, I know!) so if my young teenage self could do it with no problems, so can you! I've used all sorts of brands, and the easiest would be Clairol Perfect 10. The application bottle with comb is awesome. But unfortunately I began getting allergic to it all those dyes. So I began using Surya Brasil Henna (the one already in the bottle) it makes your hair super soft and lasted 6 months. Since being pregnant and trying the cheaper route, I started using Garnier Olia. I like it a lot. I haven't had a bad reaction to it and it stays in my hair for a super long time!

Ladiebug710 · February 2014

If you are going darker it shouldn.t be a problem. I use the semi permanent Natural instincts and it does a great job. I just like how much better my hair behaves with dye than without. Also if your hair has any length buy two kits, one never seems like enough.

Want a personalized experience?

NBR: Hair dye

Re: NBR: Hair dye

Choose Another Board

Search Boards