I've read that salon and home hair coloring is essentially the same product, just different expertise applying it. I have red hair that's only now at 40 going to need to be colored to cover grays. The thought of paying $60+ at the salon (not even including my $60 haircut every six weeks) seems silly because I'm not aiming to even change hair colors, just go for roughly the same color and no gray. My hair is only chin length. I've highlighted my hair at home for years with no problem and it looks just like when I got it done at the salon.
I just don't know how complicated it is to color hair entirely. What have been your experiences? Which store brands are easiest to use and truest to the color on the box? Or should I just cringe and pay $120+ to get my hair done now?
I think I'm going to try doing this myself. Apparently red hair is NOT in right now because there were very few color & brand options available for me, so I went with a L'Oreal Excellence Cream in a strawberry blonde shade close to mine. Will probably try it this weekend and hope for the best! Not too worried about any orange or brassy tones because those are in my natural haircolor. Thanks for all of the great input. I appreciate it.
I've always colored my hair at home and I've never had problems with the outcome. I even buy the "cheap" kind (Revlon Colorsilk for about $3.00). It just seems like a huge waste of money when you can achieve the same results at home. I think I'd rather get a massage instead.
Having red hair and wanting to stay red, you could probably do it at home with no problem. The problem arises (I've found out too many times!) if you have brown hair with red undertones and try to lighten at home...you could easily end up with red...or ORANGE hair because some of it just can't get "through" the red tones in a brunette.
Good luck! I cringe at my bill at the salon next week!
I am a hairstylist. I have also been coloring my hair since Junior High School. But since I am a stay at home Mom and do hair out of my home, I can not afford salon color. I have paid as little as $4 for Colorsilk at Dollar General with awesome results.
The biggest difference in salon hair color is you don't have to do it. I do use salon quality hair color on my clients. But that is because that is what they want.
Coloring your hair is not hard at all. Start with your roots and the greyest areas first. Let it sit on those areas for at least 10 minutes then proceed to color the rest of your hair. Let it sit for approx 15 - 20 minutes, then rinse... making sure you don't get it in your eyes. If your hair is not long, one box will do. If your hair is past your shoulders, you will need more than one box.
Anything by Revlon is great. Nice and Easy is a wonderful brand. You don't have to pay 120 to get salon colored looking hair.
I have been coloring my hair at home because of grays since I was 17, so, exactly half my life! I have found that the times I do pay the $60+ to get it done professionally it looks precisely the same & also lasts the same amount of time as when I spend $3.50 on Color Silk by Revlon at Wal-Mart. Seriously. I do my roots right now about every 3-4 weeks because my hair grows really fast & it's more than half gray at this point. I only ever do my whole head when the seasons change & I go either a little lighter or a little darker. It's very, very easy to do, just be careful to wipe it off your forehead, ears, neck, etc. after you finish & while you wait for the color to develop.
I too have been coloring my own hair for years. Usually once a year I will treat my self and have a salon color it for me, because their color does seem to last a really long time. Other wise I use L'oreal Paris, I prefer this one because of the comb like applicator. The comb applicator seems to cover more hair at one time and is very easy to use. I have tried other brands and find that I end up coloring more often than when I use L'oreal. I only do the entire hair every other month or two and in between I use the 10minute root kit when needed. You need to make sure to wipe off any color that gets on your skin (or under fingernails that puncture the gloves) or you will be stained for a few days. Since you have short hair it should be really easy for you to do and if you are unsure of the exact color to use, you can ask your stylist and they will usually tell you what to get.
Good Luck
I'm in my mid-30's and I've been coloring my hair myself for over 10 years. My mother does her own hair too. Maybe that is why I started coloring my hair. Now, I do not have a beauty license or anything like that, so I'm sure a beautician will tell you otherwise. Maybe I'm just cheap, but when I do color my hair, I'm not paying 60+ to do it. The only thing I can think of, you may need two boxes instead of one depending on how thick and long your hair is. My mom likes to mix colors, I use the same two boxes.
I think you could do it yourself, but if you feel more comfortable going to a salon do it.
When I color my hair myself, it turns a brassy orange color within weeks. It doesnt look nothing at all like the orginal color, not even a natural shade. Its cheap products. At the salon, the color does change a bit over time, but we are talking months vs. weeks. I really think you get what you pay for, thats why I do the salon. I only need it done probably 3 times a year.
I have had good results with Clairol Natural Instincts in the past. It is demi permanent and very easy to do. Not sure how it would work with highlights though.
I really recommend henna. Yes, it takes longer (you need to let it sit for 3 hours), but it is beautiful, and would fully compliment your own natural color. And there are no worries about harsh chemicals. If you want to explore the option, check out free e-book at http://www.hennaforhair.com/ and other info on the site. I buy my henna from the San Francisco Herb Co, in bulk, I got a 2-year's supply for about $30, if I'm remembering right. You mix the henna with an acid (lemon juice, lime juice, white vinegar) and let it sit. The acid releases the dye from the plant. Then you rub the mixture into your hair and cover with saran wrap and let sit for 3 hours or so. Then rinse.
I buy a box of henna at Whole Foods for about $20 and it's enough to color my graying shoulder-length hair twice - averages out to $10 a pop.
Henna is a plant dye, doesn't damage your hair, and since it doesn't contain ammonia, doesn't make my hair and my house smell like a week-old diaper while I'm applying it.
I only had it colored at the salon once. True, it did look better than when I did it at home, but not $50 better. I'm a brunette with red highlights. I've had good luck with Nice-N-Easy.
If you can, have a friend come over and help you out.
I got my first gray hair when I was around 18. Looking back on pictures I see how terrible my hair looked. I had auburn hair and colored it much darker to avoid looking brassy, but ended up looking pale and tired. If you are not familiar with the process it might be wise to go to a salon and tell them you have never colored your hair and intend to continue coloring your hair at home. The colorist should offer some tips and possibly give you an incentive to return periodically.
Now 20 years have passed and I have a lot more gray hair to cover. I got tired of coloring my own hair and have my hair done by a colorist. Once I settled on a hair color, I only go in for touch ups and sometimes add low or hi-lights.
Not to say there are not great hair color kits that are relatively easy to use. When I color my hair at home, I always wear a shirt I don't care if I get hair color on and put down an old towel just in case some dye lands on the floor or sink, then clip up my long hair while waiting for it to cover the gray.
Good luck on your decision!
I do mine at home. I use Ferria, it does a good job.
My mom went gray early and used home hair coloring for decades without problems. This might sound strange, but she and her friend would have girls nights where they colored each other's hair. It really helped to get the back and the sides and they had a blast laughing and telling stories. Sometimes they would even drink a little wine and you could tell because they would be a little "sloppy" and have stains outside the hairline. Now, my sister colors my hair and we have some of our best times as well. As far as brand, we are an Excellence by L'Oreal family, but I'm sure the other brands would work well. The colors are generally true to the box, but I use medium-to-dark browns. Sometimes it has a bit more red than I expected, but that should be fine for you. Good luck and thanks for letting me share.
I've only had my hair colored at the salon one time because I wanted to see if it was any different than doing it at home and it wasn't. So, I would buy the home dye and go for it. Especially with short hair, it's pretty easy. In fact, that's my plan for tomorrow. Just put on an old button-down shirt (so you don't have to pull it over your head with dye on when you get ready to rinse, which i do in the shower) put an old sheet on the floor (in case some dye drips and go for it.
Looks like you've already made plans to try this, but if the brand you bought doesn't work out, you can try the brand I use. When I wanted to do this myself I asked my very kind hairdresser for recommendations, and she suggested Wella. They sell it at places like Sally Beauty Supplies or places that sell professional supplies. It's reasonably priced, easy to use, and I've had great results. Can't testify for how good their reds are, but their light brown/dark blond is excellent!
I only spend about $7.00 every 6-8 weeks, and couldn't be happier.
Good luck!
I've had good luck with L'Oreal products. They are easy to use and last for quite a while. Good luck!
