I have a question that I really need answered: how do others do their own hair coloring? Are there websites or blogs that teach you how?
I have always gotten my done at the salon, but I’m not able to afford that right now and I can’t stand the grays that are coming in!
There are so many deals on hair coloring kits, but there are so many different kinds, I just don’t where to begin and I’m terrified of doing it wrong and ruining my hair. -Carol
A friend of mine highlighted my hair one time using a coloring kit you buy in a box, but that’s the extent of my knowledge when it comes to at-home hair coloring. And, as I shared with you all not too long ago, we save money in many areas so that we can splurge in a few — one of them being my hair. So I’m probably not the person to be asking about at-home hair coloring, but here are two ideas I had for you:
1. If you know someone who went to beauty school or is a hairdresser, I’d suggest asking them about bartering. Maybe you could make them freezer meals or clean their house or teach them a skill in exchange for their willingness to do your hair? Get creative and you might be able to come up with a way to still get your hair done, without breaking your budget to do so.
2. If bartering wasn’t an option, then I’d ask your friends if any of them dye their own hair. You might be able to get some hands-on help to learn the ropes.
I did a quick Google search on “How to Dye Your Own Hair” and it looks like there are quite a few great articles and videos available online to help you color your own hair without ruining it. However, there’s no guarantees that what you read on the internet will work for you!
My readers are much more reliable than Google, though, so let’s open up the floor to them: Have any of you colored your hair (or someone else’s) before? What advice, tips and suggestions do you have for Carol?
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Ask around & see if you or anyone knows a hairdresser that works out of their homes. They usually have cheaper rates b/c they don’t have to pay the chair/space rental fee to the hairdressing place they work from.
I use a lady back at home (small town) who used to work in a salon but now works out of her home for the past 5-6 years. She cuts and highlights my hair for $45!!! I couldn’t get that done where I live for less than $150!
I highlight as I feel it looks more natural & I can go longer between appointments. Also – since this lady lives in my hometown I get a nice family visit in at the same time I get my hair done!
I started going gray 22 years ago. I colored my hair with every brand imaginable till I became sensitive to the chemicals. Ahairdresser friend suggested I try using henna, which is all natural. I love it! I get so many compliments on my hair color. You can order Persian henna or Light Mountain henna brands from Amazon or Chamberlains health foods. You can add chamomile for highlights, olive oil for conditioning, and the great thing is it is all natural. The color also lasts longer for me than any of the chemical colors I ever used. Plus, your hair gets a great conditioning treatment!
Oops, forgot to mention that you can buy the henna in colors, I use a medium to dark brown, as my hair has red undertones. Also, I have shoulder length hair and a box or container usually lasts two uses, and one box/container costs around $7.00, so thats 3.50 each time I color, woohoo!
@Marla,
I LOVE Henna! I have dark brown hair, and use Henna to give it deep auburn tones and keep my hair so so healthy and luxurious (to toot my own horn, lol!) Just FYI, the henna color kits contain other plants besides Henna, such as amla, cassia, etc. True henna only can dye your hair one color. A great henna website is hennaforhair.com, which also sells real pure henna and has lots of information on it.
One quick thing about henna, is that is doesn’t behave like other colors. You can’t color with henna and then color with a chemical color and get predictable results. Often the henna needs to be cut out before you can do much else with your hair color.
This is a very good book that I checked out at the library once. It has tips, recipes and recommends which products to use. It also has pictures of celebrities and how to achieve their looks with at home color. The Hair Color Mix Book: More Than 150 Recipes for Salon-Perfect Color at Home by Lorrie Goddard-Clark.
I do my own coloring as our finanaces allow for salon treatments. I have found that Clairol Perfect 10 is astounding! I get loads of compliments and keep the grays away for 4-6 weeks at a time. You can highlight your colored hair as well! GOOD LUCK!
I’ve been coloring my own for years. My hairdresser told me the color to get and the type to get. She was very helpful. Coloring my own hair is not just a money saver, it’s a huge time saver as well.
I do my own coloring at home too and have always found the best results when I don’t try anything drastic. I don’t use the plastic gloves that come w/ the kits though – they’re too flimsy – so I use other disposable gloves. I also keep a supply of old, clean towels on hand to use just for hair coloring, and plastic shower caps to gather up my hair (it’s long) while the color sets. I rinse out in the tub, kneel down, bend over and stick my head under the faucet! No mess!
2 Pieces of advice: start with a demi or semi permament color. A few grocery store brands make them. If you can’t find them there, you can find them at a beauty supply store. Try the color. It will wash out and fade away gray. If you like it and want it permanent, usually you can buy the same color in a permanent dye.
Also, look into whether you have a beauty school nearby. Now, look into it carefully. I went to one once in college and got my hair butchered. But in the town I live in now there is a fancy beauty salon that has their training academy here. Friends have gone and said it was good. The teachers go over everything with the student and as the salon’s brand name is on the line, they wont let you walk out with something insane done to your head. I recently went and had my hair colored there. It turned out great and it cost $35 instead of $100!
I would second what the others said about finding one of the gentle brands for gray coverage – start simple and with something semi-permanent. Consider having a friend help you apply it for even coverage. Wear a cover or work clothes that you can stain. Hair clips are good to have while you work. Just start small and be cautious!
@Beeb,
Great advice
Thanks SUPER COUPON GIRL
It’s too funny you posted this today! I just turned my hair orange yesterday!
If you have the same problem here is what they said to do.
Get a slightly darker shade and mix
1 oz. color
1 oz developer
1 oz of mild shampoo
then let it sit for up to 20 minutes checking every 5 to see when it’s the right color. Shampoo and move on with life.
You can see the full post here:
http://www.livingonadime.com/blog/?p=4574
If hair color gets on your forehead/neck/where ever, dab some SEA BREEZE on a cotton ball and wipe it off immediately.
That was one tip I was told at the salon the only time I paid $60 for coloring.
By the way, Perfect 10 only takes 10 minutes to process; I love that I can apply it, shower and rinse it off in less time it takes to drive to the salon.
I started dying my waist length hair in November and I have to say – I was TERRIFIED! I did it on a Saturday morning and had my cell phone beside me – with my hair dresser on speed dial. I was sure I was going to wind up with green hair or something. It turned out so well that I am still doing it ever other month.
I will say that I matched my natural color as closely as possible as I was only trying to cover those ugly grey’s. I used 2 boxes of L’Oreal. And my husband did the back for me. Now that I really only do my roots, I only use one box. I don’t highlight as the grey’s come out a little lighter than the rest so I wind up with natural highlights. I have found that using the “special” shampoo’s that are for colored hair makes the color last a little longer – but honestly, I use whatever shampoo and conditioner I can get for pennies at CVS.
Be brave – and go for it!
I’ve been coloring my hair for about 15 years. I’m probably about 50% gray. I stock up when certain brands go on sale (I like Loreal’s Preference, Clairol’s Hydrience and Perfect 10). I have light brown (with lots of gray!) hair, that I color to a dark blonde. To keep it from going brassy, I alternate each time from a golden light blond, to an ash light blond, and sometimes neutral. This also helps my hair look more natural, as it has lots of different tones and looks like the sun lightened it. I color it about every 3 weeks because I can’t stand to see the gray at the temples. I use an old button down shirt of my husband’s that I just store under my sink with my boxes of hair color.
I agree with all the comments the hairdressers made. I would only add that a good stylist will “strip” your hair of build up. A homemade reciepe is to make a paste out of your shampoo and baking soda. Also remember your hair needs to be dry, not damp for a good color hold.
Also, if you live in IL, you can not buy any professional chemicals (color/perms) without a license. So forget that trip to Sally’s in IL without on. With that said, I would love some freezer meals.
Finally, if a beauty school scares you, check out if any major market professional lines have schools in your area. In Chicago we have an Aveeda school (lincoln park), Redkin School and a couple others. Doesn’t hurt to check out. These students already have their state licenses, just like your standard salon, but are in for brand specific training.
I color my own hair all the time. We simply can not afford an $80 trip to the salon. I smiply pick a color, Most of the time I go with red, and apply. It’s not hard, but if you like a certain shade, make sure you write down the name, so you can get it again the next time.
As a cosmetologist, I’m actually asked this a lot. Beauty schools offer huge discounts on color/highlighting services (usually 15-25 bucks) and everything is supervised by the instructor. If you must use box color, never more 2 shades darker, or 1 shade lighter than your natural color. The developer in boxed color is a set percentage, and can do some crazy things to your color. In salons, we have 4-5 different developer percentages that we can choose from. If I have to recommend something, it’s Miss Clairol or Wella from Sally Beauty/Marlo Beauty. (Actually professional products that a lot of salons still use) You can choose from dozens of shades, and buy the developer separately. It usually costs less than buying box color from Walmart. The normal/most used developer used is 20 Volume. That is good for 1 shade lighter/2 shades darker. The bottles tell how to mix them, and how long to leave them on for. It’s very simple, and more predictable than Walmart boxed color. If you’re thinking of going beyond 1 shade lighter/2 shades darker, please check into a Beauty school.
@Heidi,
Well is great and Miss Clairol from Sally Beauty supply is as well
I recommend “moonhaze” Dark Ash Blonnd. Its like a light ashy brown
Great color!
I color my own hair every 6 weeks, and it’s so easy. I was scared when I first tried, but it’s no problem! Pick something that’s one shade lighter than your natural color, and once you find a color you like, STICK WITH IT. I think it’s a mistake to switch back and forth between brands; that’s how you end up with weird, multi-colored roots. The brand I’ve always had the best luck with is Loreal Excellence Creme; they have the biggest color selection. It’s also good to use a color-safe shampoo and conditioner; shampoos that aren’t color-safe will really bleach the color out and make it look much, much lighter as the weeks go by. You can usually find some great deals on color-safe stuff with coupons and sales, and almost every name brand (Pantene, Garnier, etc.) makes a color-safe line. Good luck, and fear not!
@Emily, I agree with you about sticking to one brand. I had my hair done in a salon for 15 years, love my stylist, but with current financial stress I can’t justify $100 every 6 weeks. So I bit the bullet and tried L’Oreal Excellence to Go — I love it! I chose a color very close to my own — or, at least, what it was before I turned 80% grey (prematurely of course
). The color is great, and the conditioner that comes with it makes my wiry greys soft. One time I used a different brand root touch-up, and you could see the difference in color. 
So now I just use the same color. I’ve tried a few shampoos for color treated hair, and I like Pantene the best. So — give it a shot!!!! 
Never, Ever, Ever, Ever, Ever, Ever, Ever use metal clips on or around your hair while you’re coloring it… Not even on the plastic bag. It reacts with the haircolor… Been there. Done that.
I have my husband roped into coloring my hair. Last year I went from my natural color (I had gone many years without coloring it) which is a dark blond, all the way to a bleach blond. I was a bit scared of the strong bleach but even though we had to do it twice the first time to get rid of the red tones in my hair it didn’t damage it. We’ve done touch-ups about every 8-10 weeks. Just last night I went the opposite direction and used Natural Instincts to go jet black.
The tips I have are:
a. Use clips to section your hair off and have your helper start at the neckline and work their way up (even though most kits tell you to start at the top and work your way down), doing the top last. This way they don’t have to keep working around or under where the dye already is. It makes it easier to get everything and not miss any spots. This also helps to get the roots very thoroughly, as they are usually darker and require more dye time.
b. If you’re using a dark color, before you start, rub a thick layer of vaseline all along your hairline and your ears so that when the dye gets on your skin it doesn’t sink in.
I use John Freida’s Color Glaze. It’s perfect for covering greys and adding subtle highlights & shine. Best part – it’s done in the shower!! The cost is around $10/bottle, but if you use it only 3x a week, it will last for 4-6 months (depending on hair length).
I go to Sally Beauty Supply, the prices are so much cheaper than Clairol, etc. and the staff are super nice and full of wonderful tips for those of us that aren’t beauticians. Plus one bottle of color (I actually mix two colors, trial and error on my part) will color your hair twice.
I have been getting my hair cut & colored for FREE for several years. I am fortunate enough to have a Supercuts training center close by. Every 2 weeks they have a cutting class and there are monthly color classes. Call your local Supercuts and ask where the nearest training center is or if their store uses models. Supercuts company policy is that all new hires, regardless of previous experience, have to go through the Supercuts training. I have never had a bad experience….the stylist is closely monitored by the instructor. The majority of the time, my hair is done by a stylist that has many years of experience.
I’ve been coloring my hair for quite a while now as well and I am very glad to be able to save money and color the grays!
The only mishap that I could give you some advice from is to really take stock of your natural hair color. When I color with coloring that has any type of “Golden” in the title of the color, I’m doomed to be orange – apparently I have lots of reddish lowlites in my hair. So, I always look for color titles with “Ash” in them and know I’m good to go! (You don’t even want to know how much it cost me to figure that out!!)
@Jennifer,
yes great advice
Stick to ASH or NEUTRAL or you might wind up with a big red orangy mess!!!!!!!
I keep within a shade or two of my natural color and have had no problems. My FIL colors MIL’s hair at home since she is blind. If he can do it anyone can. He is the least DIY person I know. He “hired” me to change a lightbulb.
I’ve been doing my own at home (sometimes with hubby’s help) for 16+ years now. One thing I highly recommend is going to Sally Beauty or another store like it getting the mixing bowl with handle and a hair color brush with which to apply the color. This makes it SO much easier to get the roots even than simply using a bottle. I think these two items cost me about $3 total and have lasted well through many hair color jobs. The handle on the bowl makes it much easier to hold than a regular kitchen bowl.
I do both—store box and going. I only use Natural Instincts–nice semi-permanent. If you screw it up, use bumble and bumble’s Sunday wash. It will pretty much take it out in three shampoos. I fixed my hair a couple of months ago when the colorist went too dark and I didn’t want the roots to grow out before my wedding in September.
Ask around at church or in your community for someone who does hair out of their home instead of in a salon. Without the overhead they often charge less. While I don’t color my hair (I don’t mind the grey) I get a terrific $50 cut for $15 from a professional who works at home.
Hi! I began coloring my own hair about a year ago. I just explained to my stylist that I couldn’t afford to pay for cut and color every 6 weeks. She told me exactly what to purchase at the beauty supply store. So I would suggest asking the stylist who has been coloring your hair for help. Also I found that ladies at my local beauty supply store were licensed cosmetologists and were able to help me find a substitute color one time when my usual one was out of stock. So now instead of $90-150 for a cut and color I spend under $15 every 6-8 weeks for my color. Hope this helps.
Anytime I have colored my hair it has been at home with box color. I always feel more comfortable having someone put the color on, my sister, mom, friend. Maybe you could find a friend who home colors her hair too and have a fun night of coloring each others hair.
Like others, I suggest having some old towels to use, dark dye stains them light die bleaches them. Wear a button shirt (something easy to get out of and don’t care if it gets stained)so you can take it off to wash the dye out-I just get in the shower and wash it out, make sure the water runs clear before you are done, and then I just take a shower, it helps get any dye you may have gotten on your skin off. If you have someone rinse the dye out-use a towel or wash cloth to put over your eyes. It will help keep all the water from getting in your face and eyes.
usually there is enough of the conditioner in the box that you can condition it a couple of different times which really helps your hair stay nicer. Also, make sure you buy 2 boxes right off-even if your hair isn’t thick or long.- it really sucks to run out of dye and if you don’t use the 2nd box you can use it the next time.
After if you are using permanent color, I like to use Vive shampoo and conditioner which is for color treated hair. They have a kind that is made to keep the color in longer. It works awesome-even on red hair dye-It keeps the color in your hair for much longer than anything else I’ve used. As a matter of fact one time after I stopped using it people kept asking me if I dyed my hair because that is when the color faded.
Also, buy your own latex gloves…depending on the brand of dye will depend if it comes with rubber gloves or plastic gloves, the plastic gloves always break and you don’t want to dye your hands or nails. Also, wear gloves anytime you will be touching the dye in your hair.
Don’t dye your hair more often than it says, I did that when I was younger and my hair started getting thinner.
Oh, and some of the brands are made to have more highlights and lowlights than others even without a highlight kit.
I think that is all for tips from me. It’s really not as scary or difficult as it seems. I’m confident that all will go well.
if you are only wanting to cover grays and refresh your color, go to sally’s and buy a demi permanent color and demi perm developer. For example, look at a few color swatches in the store (any brand is fine) and see what your natural color/level is. Say its dark reddish brown, so you would probobly be around a level 3G. So look for a level above or below in that shade. If you want more golden tones, go with a G, to play it safe I would stay nuetral or N. If you want your color to be less red and more cool toned pick an ash. Refer to the color wheel for advice too. To illiminate an unwanted tone pick a color with the opposite tone (red/green) but be careful. Coloring your hair is really. I definitly suggest a demi because it does not lift your hair. It is deposit only. Meaning less damage. You will prob have to redo the color every month or so, depending on how often you wash your hair. Hth!
I dye my hair at home. I wait for sales and combine with coupons. Just make sure you follow the directions on the box. I would add that it is a messy job, so wear an old tshirt and have a raggedy towel ready. Be careful that you don’t squirt the dye on your door or floor, etc, and clean up spills right away, or you will wind up having stains throughout your dying area.
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