Hair Coloring HELP

I've been coloring my own hair for a couple years b/c I just can't bring myself to pay over $100 every six weeks. I use Preference by L'Oreal. I am a red/brown haired person so I get a couple different shades: a medium brown/copper or brown/gold and also a auburn color. I combine the two so I don't get a harsh red tone for my hair. I do the roots first then fill the rest at the end (as per instructions on the box). My hair comes out with different shades of reddish brown. Sometimes I also use "Color Breaks" to put a few highlights around my face. I am happy with the results and people are always surprised that I do it myself. Good luck!

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I worked nearly two decades in the beauty biz, with my specialty being color, so there are a lot of what I like to call "x" factors that go into good color. A lot of it depends on what color you are trying to attain, overall condition of the hair, texture of the hair, how much, if any grey you have and are trying to cover, and the list goes on and on. Some suggestions I have made to my clients in the past in similiar situations is to have it professionally colored back to your natural color, then switch to touching up the roots yourself. My reason for reccomending it be professionally colored back is that nine time out of ten this involves "filling and priming" the hair so it does not turn a funny color. Highlighting can be a great option, as can low lighting. I could go on and on, but without knowing more about your hair, it is hard for me to advise you in any one direction. One thing I will tell you is to make sure you do not buy any metallic base dyes, as most salon dyes are ammonia based, and the two do not mix well (actually will heat the previously treated hair up to boiling and cook it). Some over the counter dyes that I know for fact are metallic based are Garnier, Hydrience, Ferria, Sun- IN, and many "natural" colors are also metallic based. Please feel free to email with more specific info., I'd love to help in any way that I can without actually seeing your hair. One last thought, last I checked Hair Cuttery does a cut/color/blow dry combo for $56. The one in Oak Park, and he one up on Fullerton do great work. Good luck, and don't turn your hair green :)

1 mom found this helpful

Hi K., I started going through this a awhile ago, both my husband and I are self employed and work has been scarce. First thing you should do is go online to Craigs List under FREE offerings and keep an eye out the High end Salons have Stylists who are getting certified in coloring ans they give free color ( I usually tip a little). You can also call Mario Tricocci University, not sure where you are but you can google and they offer haircuts for about $15 at the school and you can ask about how much hair coloring costs, it can't hurt to call the salons and ask if their is anyone who is going for color specialist or who is studying to be an instructor, they also give free cuts and color for that. I have also gone to Regency Beauty School ( there is one in Darien, ut they have a few others, their hair color is $22). They try to sell the deep conditioning, do not do it, go home and do your own deep conditioning, I was at Big Lots and found a VO5 deep conditioner for $2, I have short hair that little one use bottle lasted me for 5 uses.

If you are having a friend color it then I would recommend Garnier Nutrisse (their website has step by step video on how to color). If you go this route, I suggest you add half of the conditioner into the color mix and let it condition as it colors, it is great, I did this by accident once, my niece colored my hair and I mixed in conditioner thinking it was the color and then realized I goofed, added in the color and applied my hair was never felt softer.

I can honestly say that I have had free haircuts and coloring done for the last 6 months. Even if I had to drive to Chicago ( Lincoln Park and Wicker Park) for the free color at Arts and Sciences, it pays. Good Luck and Happy New Year

Hi, for 30 years I have used nice and easy. It has not damaged my hair in that time. Its easy and not expensive. Give yourself a good conditioner the day before and follow the instructions. I USE IT EVERY SIX WEEKS you cand play with varying the shades each time until you find the right one. Give it a try . Hope you'll feel perky after it.

I also really like Loral Natural Match. I choose a shade that is just a tad lighter than my own, which gives decent coverage of the gray, ends up looking a bit like natural highlights, and keeps the roots from looking so awful as it grows out. I like golden tones, so started with the "warm", but after several applications ended up looking red. So I switched to the "neutral" and ended up with just what I wanted.

I always go with whatever i have a coupon for. However recently my m-in-law suggested a washout color. That way you never have unsightly roots, it might be worth a try if i can ever get a coupon for those :)

good luck

I've been a suicide brunette for many years. Like you it began when I wasn't working, but I continued because I liked saving the money. I think what you use depends on what's going on with your hair. For me I'm almost entirely gray - the reason I began dying my hair to begin with - so there are some colors or shades I have to stay away from because the gray picks up color differently. For a brand I like Preference by L'Oreal. It lasts the longest and covers my gray the best. Do pay attention to the "ash" and "golden" on the boxes and as someone else mentioned. If your skintone is cool, stay with "ash" and if warm stay with "golden" it will make a huge difference in the overall look of your hair.

Call the Clariol hotline. Clariol has tons of products from semi-perm to perm and they are known for having the best blondes in particular (Nice 'n Easy has been around forever for a reason). Explain you situation and they will give you ideas and send you coupons.

Good luck!
M. G.

I've always colored my own hair. I hate to say it but I use whatever is on sale or if I have a coupon. I don't go for the expensive boxes of hair color. If you have long hair make sure you're just using enough of the same color to do the roots. Otherwise you'll need more than 1 box.

I used to go to Great Clips too, but my hair would always start growing out oddly. They used the scissors to thin my hair and then they would start sticking out. Hate to say it but the $50 at Mario Tricoci every 3-4 months is worth it. At least my hair grows out in better shape. If you use a Discover Card, you can get CashBack Bonus $ and get a Mario gift card once you reach $40. That helps if you use credit cards.

Good luck. If you are not sure on the color to use, try talking to someone at Sally Beauty supply, they "may" be able to help you pick the right one.

Hi there - I have the same dilemma. It's just a fortune to get your hair colored at a salon. I use either Feria or L'Oreal Preference, as several other moms mentioned below. Just go easy on the range of color you jump to - too drastic from your natural or current color will sometimes look odd when you use box color. That's why I really like using Feria, because it gives you a range of tones in 1 coloring that looks more natural and is more fun than 1 all over color.

Not sure if this an alternative you would be interested in pursuing, but you might want to see if there is a beauty/cosemtology school near you. It might cost a little more than box color but definitely not as much as a typical salon.

While the whole metallic to ammonia issue may exist, let's face it girls... $60 (as a minimum!) vs. $10 (or less!) is a huge difference. And I'll be honest with you, you'll notice more of a difference and be unhappier, I think, if you go somewhere to color your hair that is not as nice as you are used to... rather than just save the money and do it yourself. You won't be expecting perfection for $10 in your own bathroom so you're more likely to be satisfied with it... unless you are a light to platinum blonde. If this is the case, I wouldn't try to do it myself. It's almost impossible to keep brassy tones out of your hair with a box DIY kit if you want light blonde tones.

However, if you are looking for a dark blonde, red, brunette or black, go for it! It's easy, affordable and totally fixable if you screw it up. Today's hair color kits have very specific instructions, are user friendly, include everything you could possibly need and I love them! (You can even do high lights and/or low lights!) I've been coloring my hair for 17 years, have had some bad experiences and with a few teenaged "expressing myself" years, have always gotten good results, compliments and felt good about it.

I'm a big fan of Loreal Feria and for years used Nice N Easy. I like the conditioner that comes with Feria and my hair never feels nasty and dried out afterwards. There are a lot of shade options, depending on where you buy it (Don't settle.. if you don't see what you are looking for, look at another store!) I do recommend, like other posters, that you absolutely do the test... especially since you are a first-timer. Make sure you like the color you see before trying it on your whole head... and that you are not allergic!

And get a girlfriend to help you! It can be tiring, (especially if you have a lot of hair!) to get the back. Don't be afraid to use your plastic combs, etc to make sure you get the color all the way through. Coat your hairline skin with vaseline to protect it from staining and wear a button-up junk shirt you can easily shed. Use dark colored towels to dry your hair after rinsing and make sure you clean up any splatter right away! (Have a wet washcloth ready in case you need it for clean-up! Dyes can stain your countertop, sink, floor and/or walls.) RINSE RINSE RINSE!

Don't be afraid! You can do it! It's fun and mostly fool-proof these days... Good luck and keep us updated!

I use Nice N Easy from Clarol. It's simple to use, just put it all on your hair like you are washing your hair (it will feel weird because your hair is dry). Let it sit on your head for 20-25 minutes after you are finished, then wash it out in the shower and use the conditioner provided in the box. Your hair will feel sooooooo soft, and their colors last a long time. They say to re-color every 4-6 weeks, but I can go 3 months without coloring and it doesn't really fade. I am naturally brunette and I have been using their natural pale blonde color for 20 years. Good luck!

Hi K., I was a hairdresser for 35 years and I know how costly it can be going to a beauty salon...yes, you can get a box color at the drug store that will work well for you...the best is Loreal, and it's easy to apply...you can just read the easy directions and achieve the results you are looking for in the privacy of your own home...good luck with the coloring...another less expensive way might be trying a Beauty School...Jo

Hi, K.. To me, all brands are about the same. I think the newer ones with the little plastic brushes are overpriced. My suggestions woud be: Make sure your choice is permanent instead of wash-out, since you have color in your hair already; have some Vaseline or skin cream ready to apply to your face(especially at the hairline and the back of your neck) BEFORE you start; find a beat-up towel that you won't cry over if it gets a permanent stain on it; as soon as you have the color on and you start timing, have a damp paper towel ready to catch any drips on your skin; when you go shopping for color, see if you have coupons and if anything is on clearance(yes, you can use a coupon on a marked-down item that won't scan in most cases); most importantly, HAVE FUN!!! If the color doesn't come out exactly the way you thought, laugh it off as an adventure. Let me know how things go, and have a Happy New Year in spite of everything!

I've used Clairol Nice n Easy for doing my color inbetween needing a hair cut and it has always worked out great. I love the conditioner that comes with it.. they just finally started selling that conditioner separately after 20 years of me wanting them to. I'm very excited about that. I'm red and I tried some others that just ended up looking like a freaky unnatural dye job which is not what I wanted. I didn't read the other posts, so I may be repeating, but definitely pay attention to the color guide on the side of the box rather than just the model on the front for a better guide of what your hair will look like. I always go one shade lighter than what I think I should be using so it's not too dark. Wear junk clothes that you can get out of without going over your head so you can rinse in the shower (or wear nothing!). If you do go with Nice n Easy (can't really speak for the other ones) I've found that if you have a spray bottle of water and make your hair a little moist, it will make it easier for the coloring to get rubbed in evenly - I have a lot of hair too so maybe it's just for me that i need this. I need 3 boxes to cover. Speaking of, depending on hair thickness and length get an extra box just in case. And also speaking of nice n easy, when I messed up and tried a new color that didn't work out for me, I was able to recolor the next day without damaging my hair. So have fun with it!

I think Garnier Nutriiesse is EXCELLENT. I have always colored my hair myself - I can't bring myself to pay someone to do it. It is so easy. Don't be nervous. If you have any questions call the company directly-they are extremely knowledgable about color. Good luck!

Another great option is to find a beauty school by you - they do all the same services as regular salons, but they are done by students. Their teachers are there to supervise so the chances of you getting an incorrect color or cut are very slim - same as a regular salon. I have tried every color brand out there and I prefer Feria or Loreal Preference. Good luck!

Loreal Natural Match is the best. I have been coloring my hair since high school (I am now 35) and at this point I have a lot of gray/white. I have used several brands, and gone to salons, but I even prefer this to a salon! It has no ammonia, so you don't get the icky scent. And, I find that it works just as well as the ones with ammonia! It's relatively new, so I'm not sure who carries it and who doesn't, but I know I've seen it at CVS. Good luck!

I had been coloring my hair at home for years, and as I get increaasingly more gray (really, it's white), I was getting more and more frustrated by the roots that are such a stark contrast to both my natural color and the color I dyed it, within 2 weeks. You may be really surprised by the results after a very short time if you're used to salon results. My daughter's friend works in a salon, and streaked in color for me, and I'm trying to get used to my "natural" highlights and embrace my gray. I'd suggest going to a beauty school, striking up an acquaintance with one of the students, and following up with her/him after graduation. Good Luck!

I also color my own hair-though it takes on a color of its own anyway. I just don't want gray. You definitely want to stay within a shade or shade and a half of your own color. Since you have had your hair colored at a salon, ask if they can look it up to see what color they used. A box from the store may be off a little but should not come out horribly different. I have used Clairol but both times my hair was dried out. I stick with Loreal, either Preference or Excellence. They are both great with my hair. I would stick with those in the range of 6 to 9 dollars. You do kind of get what you pay for. Stay away from the special boxes that let you highlight until you are comfortable with doing it yourself. Loreal has a customer service number that can help you choose the right shade.

I like Preference by Loreal. Not sure how much of a color change you are doing. I only went a shade lighter than I am but I really like it and it is under $10.

If you use hair color that deposits color ( covers grays or adds color to your hair, not lightens) I found a great semi-permenant color at Sallys Beauty Supply. I used to get my hair colored with Redken Shades EQ- same thing happened, hubby lost his job and I started doing the box colors- they were really rough on my hair so I started using Clairol Radiance from Sallys. You buy whatever color you like and the developer and mix it equal parts. All you need to buy is a tint bottle to mix in and some gloves. I love it- it reminds me of Redken's product, my hair feels great. Some trial and error finding the right color but nothing too scary! This is only if you are adding color, it does not lighten.

Hi!

I have been coloring my hair at home for 15+ years and no one ever knew it. Seriously, I had a girlfriend who didn't know until I was pregnant and stopped. I use Natural Instincts which is a semi permanent, it fades out. I don't get horrible roots and it has great conditioners, my hair always feels better after coloring it then before! It also (at least for me) looks natural because I have lots of varying colors in my hair (naturally a dirty blonde with lots of sun highlights) and the color keeps that...just to varying lighter degrees.

hope that helps!

Hello
I did not read all of the responses but be carefull if you have light hair and you get a color with ash shade in it you can get a green or blue tint I don't do hair this is from experience so if you are going to die your hair you should always get a couple of malibu treatments on hand you get these at Sally's hair supply what this will do is if you don't like your hair it will strip the bad color out and leave you with what you started with I have done this a couple of times and my hair dresser gave me the malibu and the blue was gone.
V.

Hi K.,

I'm a home coloring hair junkie and have had great success and a few 'oops' so this is what I know. First, determine if you are 'cool' or 'warm' if you are cool, as I am, you tend to look best in blues, purples, silver jewlery, etc. If you are warm, you probably look best in earth tones, reds, browns, etc. You will want to select a shade with the 'tone' that works best for you. For example, I'm a 'cool' blonde so I look best in colors that say 'ash blonde, beige blonde' If I use a color that says 'golden' My hair color tends to come out really brassy and orange(learned that the hard way!) Are you a brunette, red head or blonde? I can probably give you more advice if you are a blonde and even recommend some shades and brands. whatever you do, do a patch test first to make sure you don't end up with an 'oops' moment(though, I've managed to rescue myself a time or two and eventually, it all grows out and you'll look fine!)

good luck

I have had really good luck with clairol nice and easy. also, the nice and easy root touch up works great. You can get coupons in the paper, and the hair color is on sale this week at Jewel for $5.99 a box. my hair is a light to medium brown.

I have been coloring my hair using the "Box" color for many years now. In most recent years I have been using Loreal Natural Match. Not sure what color you are looking for but I use a reddish brown color and have been very satisfied with the color, product and result. Sometimes I have a hard time finding the color I like. I can only get it at Walgreens but it is also very reasonably priced. Hope this helps!

Feria is a gentle, great product to color your hair. I wouldn't recommend you doing it yourself if by coloring you mean bleaching. Bu for just coloring, Feria is gentle and non damaging and reasonable. Read the directions and use the gloves. Throw the bottle and gloves where kids can not get at them. Good luck. Go to Walmart, they're most resonable.

I've been coloring my hair at home for over 15 years and have used a couple different brands. I think all of the mid-price range brands are just as good. I might not go for the $3 one, but the ones I get are between $6-$8. I just asked the stylist who did my hair what color she was using and then tried to find something similar in the at home colors. I've had great luck with them and also don't have the money to pay $30 to a salon to color mine. I wish I could, but it works just as well to do it at home. I wish I could remember all the different brands I've tried, but I haven't had any problems with any of them.

Hi K.,

I've colored my hair several times over the years. I've noticed that the results have more to do with the colors I've chosen, rather than the brand. I don't do it all the time, so I'm not loyal to any one brand. Good luck!

I'd like to know what others think as well since I'd like to start coloring at home instead of the salon for lack of $$ too.

Though I prefer to go to a salon and get it done I do mine at home because we are trying to make it on one income. I think highlights camo greys better, but I can't do that myself so I've been getting the Perfect 10 coloring kit. My hair looks very shiney and I like the color so it works for me. It is super easy too.