Home hair coloring

Elizabeth_C34

Well, the time has come for me to start coloring my hair. I'm 27, and I am prematurely going grey (salt n' pepper type). About half my hair is now silver/grey evenly distrubuted around my head. It makes me look like I'm about 10 years older than I am. My natural hair color is a very dark brown (almost black).

I really don't have the money to pay a salon to do my coloring on a regular basis, so I'm looking for recommendations for home permanent hair coloring. I'd like it to look as natural as possible and not cause damage. My hair is very fine, but I have a whole lot of it. It's also naturally wavy.

Suggestions?

april_beth

well it depends...Sallys Beauty Salon is cheap and has TONS TONS of colors.

if you dont have a Sallys do a Loreal - like im sitting here with bright red coloring my hair right now. 10 bucks.

radicalreader

Go a shade lighter than your natural color. Your dark brown hair won't really change color, but the silver hair will give you nice highlights. If you try to go your natural color (especially with dark hair), you could end up too dark and very flat looking.

I've been doing this for years and friends are surprised to learn that I dye my hair because it looks so natural.

Emma422

Garnier is really good for thick full heads of hair like us and its only about 7 bucks at target :happy:

catshark209

well it depends...Sallys Beauty Salon is cheap and has TONS TONS of colors.

if you dont have a Sallys do a Loreal - like im sitting here with bright red coloring my hair right now. 10 bucks.

This.
I go to Sally's and buy 10 peroxide, which is deposit only. I have hard to color hair. I have medium brown hair but dye it black (eff the "rules" about black being too "young" for a 30 something). I also have the Sally's Club card...I end up spending around $10.

treehugginpam

I just started using Henna hair dye because I wanted to stop putting so many chemicals on my hair. It's a little bit of a messy process, but the color came out great, my hair felt soft afterwards, and it looks much more natural then colors I'd had done in salons or at home. You can find different kinds online...I got mine from Lush. Here's the link:

http://www.lushusa.com/shop/products/haircare/henna-hair-dyes/

ETA: Also, even though this hair dye seems expensive compared to others it's actually pretty reasonable -- it comes with 6 blocks and I only had to use two for my hair, so one big block could last you 3 dye jobs, depending on how much and how often you use it.

Elizabeth_C34

Go a shade lighter than your natural color. Your dark brown hair won't really change color, but the silver hair will give you nice highlights. If you try to go your natural color (especially with dark hair), you could end up too dark and very flat looking.

I've been doing this for years and friends are surprised to learn that I dye my hair because it looks so natural.

That's a good idea about going slightly lighter. I don't want to go medium brown or blonde though as I don't think it would look good on me.

What products do you use?

Punkedpoetess

I like Garnier Nutrisse, John Frieda, and Loreal Preference dyes. They cover up roots well and contain conditioners in the kit to help keep hair healthier. Also, they are easy to apply and look great. Some people who don't know me think my hair is its natural color and I have been dyeing my hair for over 8 years.

swaymyway

Make sure you do a strand/skin test before you cover your whole head in whatever dye you choose - seems like a hassle but trust me it's worth it to not chemical burn your whole scalp/face and damage your hair forever.

april_beth

show previous quotes

well it depends...Sallys Beauty Salon is cheap and has TONS TONS of colors.

if you dont have a Sallys do a Loreal - like im sitting here with bright red coloring my hair right now. 10 bucks.

This.
I go to Sally's and buy 10 peroxide, which is deposit only. I have hard to color hair. I have medium brown hair but dye it black (eff the "rules" about black being too "young" for a 30 something). I also have the Sally's Club card...I end up spending around $10.

i was dying my hair black last year and im in my 30s...gasp on those who think age matters LOL

DWilbanks

yep, put a small layer of vaseline around the hair line (just before you get to the hair stop). This will help you if you get coloring on your forehead, it will be easier to wipe up. Also I leave mine on about ten minutes longer than the directions say. But then I have a lot of gray hair. It make it color the gray better. And contrary to what people have said on here, I find that if you go a shade darker, you get better gray colorage.

radicalreader

show previous quotes

Go a shade lighter than your natural color. Your dark brown hair won't really change color, but the silver hair will give you nice highlights. If you try to go your natural color (especially with dark hair), you could end up too dark and very flat looking.

I've been doing this for years and friends are surprised to learn that I dye my hair because it looks so natural.

That's a good idea about going slightly lighter. I don't want to go medium brown or blonde though as I don't think it would look good on me.

What products do you use?

I think it's L'Oreal. My hair is naturally soft black/very dark brown. L'Oreal has different shades available in dark brown. Regular Dark brown is 4. Then other shades are 4 plus a letter. I use maybe Warm Dark Brown or Soft Dark Brown. Sorry. I can picture the box, but not what it's called. I bought the plain dark brown once and made all my hair too dark with no highlights.

The soft/warm/whatever dark brown is just enough lighter than the regular dark brown (but still close enough in color) that it gives highlights without changing the basic color or giving a calico cat look.

elfie9863

I think I would go have it professionally done the first time...then you can now get just touch up kits for the roots that are pretty cheap and easy to use. Gray hair is very hard to cover, no matter what the box says. I have had my hair highlighted for a long time just to keep the gray covered up. I like it much better than coloring it all dark. Probably get it re-highlighted every six months or so.

mrtentaclenun

Another tip for box dye since you said your hair is so thick: buy two boxes! Nothing is worse than running out of dye halfway!

Elizabeth_C34

I think I would go have it professionally done the first time...then you can now get just touch up kits for the roots that are pretty cheap and easy to use. Gray hair is very hard to cover, no matter what the box says. I have had my hair highlighted for a long time just to keep the gray covered up. I like it much better than coloring it all dark. Probably get it re-highlighted every six months or so.

About how much does it cost to get yours done at a salon?

3ur3ka

When I can't afford to go to the salon or go to Sally's I use Revlon Colorsilk. I was actually told by the lady who does my hair that it is one of the better home hair dye kits. I use it quite often, and my hair is never dry or damaged. I have fine curly hair and a LOT of it. At Wal-mart it is usually around 3 bucks. I started getting white hair when I was 16 so I more than feel your pain. =(

I have really dark brown hair. I usually end up getting the Brown Black because it fades to my natural hair color so I end up not having to recolor quite as often. They have some really pretty colors. All pretty natural looking.

Elizabeth_C34

Sounds like I'll be making a trip to Sally tomorrow.

kym117

I often use home colours as it can be expensive at the salon, I am 37 and I am fortunate enough to have no grey hairs but I do like a change of colour now and then. I can't really reccomend brands as I am in the UK and the same brands are probably not avalible but you have plenty of choice, Semi Permanent colours are great if you are not used to dying your hair some brands have great coverage of grey but semi permanents will only last up to 28 washes and will not lighten your hair only the same colour or darker, good to try if its your first time though. Permanent colours are also very good and you have the option to go a few shades lighter but you will need to touch up your regrowth regularly (every 4-6 weeks) and you should keep an eye on the condition of your hair, use conditioner etc regularly. They are all easy to use but you should always do the skin test as stated on your instructions in case of allergy's.
As for the too old to dye your hair Black in your 30's **:grumble: ** I dye my hair dark sometimes I think the only problem you have with that is that your skin tone lightens with age therefore being Black/Dark haired in your 20's/30's might not suit you in your 50's/60's but we won't worry about that until we get there :laugh:
Good Luck!!

live2dream

I refuse to use chemical dyes. I use henna and add indigo and amla. They are freaking amazing... they are natural permanent plant dyes that make your hair healthier, thicker!, stronger, and shinier with NO chemicals. Smells good too, IMO. Only thing is, you take a risk not knowing how it will turn out, so you have to do tests on hair from your hairbrush. And you have to experiment with colors- henna is red so if you want brown, you have to mix in indigo and amla. If you want black, you use henna, then indigo. I use 3 parts henna, 2 part indigo, 1 part amla to get a rich burgundy-auburn. I love it. You need patience and time and it is messy, but I think it's worth it. Make sure you read carefully about it if you decide you want to do it- and only use Body-Art quality henna for hair. Lots of info on this site... http://hennaforhair.com/

california_peach

I use a semi-permanant hair color. I have some white hairs, but not too many. The semi-permanent covers them well. I have very thick very long hair and I use two packages of color. I pick up my hair in sections and do a section at a time for better coverage. I just cannot bring myself to pay someone to something to dye my hair. Of course I have not had my hair cut in over a year.

daydream58

I use Garnier Nutrisse golden/brown or red/brown in summer and usually a very bright magenta red L'Oreal Feria in winter. Once per summer I use a L'Oreal expert express color/highlight kit - usually in June. This seasonal rotation is very natural looking - even tho the magenta/red tone is extremely bright in the sun and obviously fake - people just LOVE it and I get a lot of comments, but inside out of the sun it's pretty natural looking anyway.

My skin tends toward redness so the hair color actually makes that seem like less, not more. It's a little counter-intuitive, but there you go. The creme kind (Garnier) is considerably easier to deal with than the Feria - so until you feel pretty comfortable I'd stick to the creme kind. My first few years I did a non-peroxide one that I can't remember the name of, but a very popular brand. If they cover your grays well enough there's no reason to go to peroxide right off the bat.

What I do is get a couple paper towels and wet them and wring them out and set them on either side of the sink along with my large tooth comb and some hair clips. Then I start at one temple and then flip over to the other temple, paying particular attention not to get any on my ears or use the paper towels to touch up if I do along the way. I squeeze out a line of color with one hand and mush it around with the other, alternating and keeping the mushing hand from getting too wet with color so it doesn't splash around the room... keep checking your ears and shoulders, back of neck for any drips. Wear something easy to get off without going over your head too.

Actually I bet there's a kazillion youtube videos that show it better than I could ever describe it... but I remember when I started I was just terrible at it but after a few times it got really easy - so don't get discouraged, it will get easier.

StrengthIsBeautiful

Bumping this to research the henna suggestions later. I have very fine thin hair, and as I get older I'm finding the chemicals to be way to harsh on my hair! I've had the best results using Loreal Excellence Creme for a more natural look (read non-flat color). But the amount of hair I see in the drain after I've colored (using any product) has me searching for a less abrasive option. I'm going to try the henna!

FearAnLoathing

Henna check out hennahut.com,its where i buy mine. You dont have as many choices,but its all natural and your hair actually comes out healthier. I love henna since im alergic to hair dye

cantjustcant

OMG! I have been dying my hair since I was 12! So that is like 31 years now! I use colorsilk too! My stylist told me it is better than most hair kits. I avoid anything word ASH in the title as it turns my hair a lovely shade of green!

Dying your hair is one of the easiest things you can do. I put my dye in and then take a bubble bath and get out and rinse! Great home spa day!

FearAnLoathing

Last time I used Henna I used red,my natural hair color is medium brown to dark brown this is how it came out

madisonsteelex

I use Garnier Nutrisse in "darkest brown"
It makes my hair so so so soft

sgoldman328

My sister is a chemist. She says that from a purely chemical based look at the formulas that the Revlon Colorsilk line is the best quality.

It's also the cheapest! Added bonus!

photo_kyla

If you pick a permanent color, when you do touchups make sure you follow the directions and aren't just dyeing over the long part a bunch of time.
I have super thin, straight, fine hair and completely wrecked mine doing this for years. I went in to get a perm and ended up with a chemical haircut instead. The stylist who fixed it for me told me "if you insist on dying your hair yourself and coloring the entire length (not just touching up roots), use a deposit only dye. It will gradually wash out, but it doesn't have the peroxide or ammonia that wrecks your hair." She recommended Clairol Professional Beautiful Collection form Sally's Beauty Supply. It costs about $6 and has a ton of color options. I've gone blond now but I used to use Cedar Red Brown. It was a beautiful auburn in indoor light and had some serious red in the the sun.

3ur3ka

My sister is a chemist. She says that from a purely chemical based look at the formulas that the Revlon Colorsilk line is the best quality.

It's also the cheapest! Added bonus!

That is exactly what my hair stylist told me.

Lisa_222

Do not do it yourself. It's worth the money to do professionally. It might come out ok the first time, but cheap color fades and is harsh on hair. Then your roots grow out and you try to color just the roots but the faded color needs a refresher so you end up doing the whole head and after four or five times, you have to cut off all your damaged hair. I see this time and time again. I've done it myself and I never believed people who said there is a big difference between professional and store color until I finally sprung for a good professional job. First, it doesn't fade. Second, when you go get your touch up, they don't have to keep recoloring over the old hair and damaging it. Yeah, if you want foils and stuff like that, it runs into money, but a straight color or touch up isn't a real lot of money if you can find a reasonable shop.

Elizabeth_C34

If you pick a permanent color, when you do touchups make sure you follow the directions and aren't just dyeing over the long part a bunch of time.
I have super thin, straight, fine hair and completely wrecked mine doing this for years. I went in to get a perm and ended up with a chemical haircut instead. The stylist fixed it for me told me "if you insist on dying your hair yourself and coloring the entire length (not just touching up roots), use a deposit only dye. It will gradually wash out, but it doesn't have the peroxide or ammonia that wrecks your hair." She recommended Clairol Professional Beautiful Collection form Sally's Beauty Supply. It costs about $6 and has a ton of color options. I've gone blond now but I used to use Cedar Red Brown. It was a beautiful auburn in indoor light and had some serious red in the the sun.

I had a perm that ended up in a chemical haircut as well. The stylist left the solution on way too long and my hair was completely fried. I ended up having to pixie cut my hair, which was over 2 feet long at the time and down my back. I'm slightly terrified of abrasive chemicals in my hair now.

Good to know about the ammonia and peroxide.