Dying Hair at Home??

I've been dying my hair at home for the last 16 years. I used to do it myself or have a friend, now my husband does it. I use Loreal Preference or Excellence depending upon which one is cheaper though I prefer the one that is no-drip and has the comb applicator - much easier. I have quite a bit of gray to cover up even though I am only 34. I usually have to do it every 8 or 10 weeks.

lots of people color at home -I've never done it on my own -but I can give you the number for my traveling hairstylist -she's great!
Veronica ###-###-####
I have recommended her to many people over the years and they love her. In my case, she cuts my hair, then puts on the box color that I buy and then she leaves and I take a shower and wash out the color -I'm always happy with it.
good luck!
M.

I have no advice but would love to know if there are any hairdresser moms that would be interested in doing hair for us moms that cannot afford the salons! Willing to pay of course, but not the prices that they ask for. Just a thought!

Hi K.,
You have already got a lot of great suggestions but I work where we have a Cosmetology classes. We do not charge for our services. Other local beauty schools either charge a few bucks or nothing. The students take longer but they are supervised so you are "safe". We also offer facials, manicures, pedicures and waxing. People do tip the students but it is a win win for all. Call and ask what their policies are and rates if any. Some are even open in the evenings.
Good Luck

Hi K.,
I totally understand what you mean. I've been a SAHM for 5 years and it was really hard to stop going to the salon. Plus I've now started getting gray so doing a box color doesn't seem to cover it as well. What I've found where I live (in CT) is a hairdressing school. These girls are going to school to become a hairdresser but they do appts for the public and it's super cheap. I was just there and got a single process color, cut and blow dry for $31 and she did an excellent job! I've been going for about 3 years now and I've never had a bad cut or color. They are supervised and everything must be approved by their teacher. The only negative I can say about getting it done at a school is that they take longer. I'm usually there for at least 2 hours, occasionally 3. I try to schedule my appts for when my daughter is in school. Good luck!

Hi K., I have been dying my hair at home forever. I do not think you should go lighter if you have a wedding to go to. Stick to something closest to you natural color. You can experiment at another time. If you try something light you natural pigment may turn your hair red. Red is nice but it may not be what you want. I use Revlon color silk. The cost is right. L'Oreal Excellence or Preferance are also good. Some have no ammonia. Read the directions and have fun. Grandma Mary

I always dye my hair at home.What you need to watch out for is the Clairols with metallic dye in them.

I think my natural hair color is md. brown. I dyed it black once and went to dye it lighter months later. All that dyed was the new growth..so my roots ended up being auburn while the rest stayed black. Not pretty.

You can always buy the color stripper at Wal-mart and do that first if you want to go lighter.

Nanc

Hi K.,

I've been doing it at home for years. I had it done once professionally and I'll admit it looked better, but not $50 better.

It's really not very hard.

A few tips...
Don't color hair that's been recently shampooed. I usually color the day after.
Stick to a color thats only a shade or two lighter or darker.
Wear old clothes, you're sure to get some on your shirt. I wear just my bra and cover my shoulders with an old beach towel.
The box usually contains 2 cheap plastic gloves, the gloves aren't bad, but I highly recommend using the latex ones.

Something else you may want to consider...
They make semi permanent dyes, that only last like 2 weeks. You may want to try that first to see if home coloring is for you.

Have you considered going to a cosmotology school? They'll do it for a fraction of the price, but it usually takes a bit longer because the work is done by students. A good school will always have an instructor close by supervising the process. Same rule applies about shade, only one or two shades different than your current color.

Hi K.. I have gone down that road myself. I used the drug store brands, semi-permanent, which were ok, didn't seem to cover the gray hair long enough. I did it in between salon appts when I just couldn't get to an appt. Then, I went to Sally Beauty Supply and purchased more salon type hair color, again, semi-permanent. I would still go to the salon as well. My mistake was, having dark brown hair, I picked a dark brown hair dye, and would comb it through and leave it in for more than 5 minutes. My hair became very dark, almost black. Especially when I went to permanent color. So, I would recommend you visit this store, the women there are actually knowledgeable, and if not, they always ask another employee who seems to know the answer. I am now using a product that you add to the hair color to strengthen the gray hair coverage, I think it's called Magic Drops or something similar. The woman who colors my hair works out of her home, so I bring her the color and she only charges me for the application. In between, if I feel like it, I do my own touchups. Good luck!
J.

I have been dying my hair at home for years. Usually I have one of my daughters actually do it. I have long dark brown hair with a lot of gray. I can't remember the name of the hair color I use (usually my daughter picks it up for me) but it is a name brand and is meant for covering gray. Because my hair is so thick and long I have to use at least 2 bottles. I always use a color as close to my natural color as possible. I have never had any problems with coverage. Even the gray covers. I can't even imagine trying to actually do it alone because of how much hair I have. I doubt I would get an even coverage.

When my daughter does mine, I usually do hers also. And sometimes I do my other daughters hair also. We kind of make a party of it. lol We do our hair about every 6 weeks unless something is coming up and we feel a touch up is needed. BTW One of my daughters is a blond the other is a redhead. None of us has ever had problems with doing it at home. Just be sure to get a name brand product and use the cream rinse that comes with it after wards. Usually you also get a tube of cream rinse to use for the next several washes. Be sure to use all of that too. It really makes your hair feel so soft and manageable. Even if I decide not to dye my hair again I would still want to use that cream rinse.

I was a hairdresser for many years and I would not suggest over the counter hair dyes. Some things you can give up like, nails, pedicures, but not your hair. There are things you can do to save money. I am not sure but some salons charge for a blowout. You can leave with your hair wet and save some money there. Or just check out other salons make a few phone calls and see what their rates are. Good luck!!

Hi K.,
I used to have my hair dyed in a salon until I got married and had kids. Just can't justify the money they charge for it. For years I have been dying it myself. The other day I was getting my hair cut I was making another appointment and the gal at the desk asked me if I wanted coloring and a hair cut, I had to tell her I color it myself. I had to laugh. She couldn't believe it she loved the color.
What would have cost $40 or more cost me $8 (and sometimes less if you have a coupon) I have purchased hair color for $4 with a coupon. This is a great way to save money.
I usually pick a color and save the top of the box incase I really like the color. I don't always use the same color.
The only time I had a problem was when I picked a color that was too dark for me. But in a few weeks I was able to change it. I also called the company and they told me to use a clarifying shampoo to help lighten the color.
Good Luck,
J.

Light never covers dark, ever, it's a bit impossible. Speaking as a professional Hair Stylist, if you plan to do your color at home try to match your current color with one on the swatch a the beauty supply store. At home hair color, boxed ones, usually use a level 10 developer which means they deposit color only. If you wanted to lighten your hair color only do it be a shade or two at a time. If your hair is DARK and you want a blond tone it is best to get it lightened at a salon. If your hair is a medium tone and wanted it a bit lighter you can pick up the color and developer separately. Developers range from 10v to 40v, each volume of developer lifts hair ONE level. So if your natural color was a level 5 on the swatch and you wanted to be (on the same tone) a level 7 then you would pick up a 20v developer. Sounds complicated, if you stay in the same tone as your natural or current color it should be quite simple. I suggest if you have a SALLY'S Beauty supply in your area ask one of the employee's for help in suggesting/choosing a color. They are usually quite helpful.

Its trial and err. I have always did my hair at home i also do my friends. Use loreal or nutrisu my favorites.
Start with whats closes to the color you have now and slowly lighten or darken I do mine every 4 weeks. Good luck.

I was a hairdresser for 14 years who is now a sahm and understand far to well how hard it is to get out of the house and how expensive things are expecially when your not working. I would not use the at home color you could end up spending more time and money trying to have it fixed. Talk to your stylist she maybe able to help you get a color that has less up keep and ive you some ideas of how to keep your cost down. If you have a darker haircolor in you hair right now and put on a lighter home color you WILL have a disaster on your hands, you would end up with lighter roots and the same dark ends you have now. Color should be left to the professionals there is way more thought and science to it then you would ever think. Good Luck

Hi K.,

While I can understand the guilt factor of spending all the money and time away from home, I just thought I'd throw in my two cents that if you're like most other moms I know, you probably deserve a little splurge, and $100 every couple of months, along with a couple of hours on your own is probably well deserved.

However, I also know the feeling of wanting to save, both time and money. So here's my take on at home hair-dying.
I've almost always done it at home, and no one has ever been able to tell the difference. In fact, often times I get asked where I get my hair colored because people like it.

I use Feria, but most of the brands are pretty good.
A tip that I read somewhere is to put Vaseline around the edges of your scalp so that the dye doesn't adhere to the skin (it's easy to look like you painted your hairline for the day after you dye it).

Other Tips-
1.Use a towel over your shoulders that you're okay with getting dirty and stained.
2. have plastic clips to hold your hair up while it's setting in the color.
3. Cover any light colored cabinets/areas that you wouldn't want stained... an old towel is good. (just in case you drip)

Have fun!

(i'm not sure about going lighter, as I tend to go with a slightly darker shade myself)

I have been doing my hair for 25 yrs! I am 45 and, unfortunately, grayed early. I am almost completely gray at this point and color my hair every 4-6 weeks.

It's easy and I totally recommend it. I suggest you look into a local beauty supply store. They will also help with color choices and things you will need.
1. I find buying the hair color and the peroxide separately and mixing at home well worth it --- it's better then the products at the drug store.
2. I really like the Ion brand.
3. A shade slightly lighter then natural is a good choice because you won't notice grays coming in as much --- the darker you go the harder it is to go longer btw dyes.
4. Purchase a cover stick (it looks like lipstick) and apply it to the visible gray roots so you can go longer in btw coloring.
5. Use a bottle and a brush to apply. If you wondering what kind ... in a pinch I have purchased the clariol root touch up. It worked ok when I needed it but it certainly didn't work as well to cover my grays. WHat I love is the little tray and brush. I use it all the time know.
6. Buy a cream peroxide.
7. Only do the roots. When doing the roots stop just before your un-gray hair because the hair color will migrate slightly outward as it sits. You don't want to cover your un-gray hair because then you get a darker line sort of forming. I know this may sound complicated but really you almost can't screw it up.
8. Buying from the beauty supply store give you the opportunity to mix your own color and AMOUNTS! I use the 3oz bottle of color 2x! I use 1.5 oz mixed with 1.5 oz of cream 20% developer and have enough to cover my gray roots. I measure in a plastic bottle with measurements on it.

I always had mine done in the salon, then one time decided to do it myself, but never again. The color was much flatter and less natural (I too am a mid to dark brown), plus I got the stuff all over the bathroom and it took ages to clean it all up!! I went right back to going to the hairdresser. I really like being looked after and having a chance to read a book while it is being done, since I spend the rest of my time looking after other people!
As a SAHM I think you need a bit of pampering and shouldn't feel guilty unless you flat out cannot afford it.

Hi! I'm a hairstylist and run into this issue a lot. A single color process is easy to do do if you can ask your colorist to recommend a good "boxed" color. The only bad thing is, boxed color is usually never accurate to what it looks like on the cover mostly because of the way it interacts with your hair (if you're dark it probably will end up reddish or brassy) which is why going to a professional is the best route. Some women I cut have been tdoing their own single processes and they usually have it down to a science. It's easiest when your going all over blonde and the worst botched jobs are usually women trying to go chocolate brown. There really is a science and art involved so if you're close to your colorist she can help you find either the perfect
boxed color or suggest a public beauty supply that carries pro color and can tell you what to get. Good luck!

I have dyed my hair at home for years, I have even streaked my own hair. The salons are crazy with the prices for coloring. It is not hard to do, but I do suggest going to a beauty supply store to purchase.

Although nice to be pampered, who can afford it these days? Dying your hair at home is very easy. If you can raise children, you can certainly handle this. It may take some time to figure out the right color, but stick with one close to the current color and it shouldnt be a problem. Take your time putting the color on and dont leave it on longer than they tell you. L'o'real Preference and Garnier Nutrisse are both good and moderately priced. Try it, you can do it! I always get compliments from my hair stylist on my color and she has NEVER colored my hair! If you can afford to go out and have it done, get over the guilt and pamper yourself! If not, try it at home. You can do it!Good luck!