coloring your own hair?

[ez]

I am almost 47 years old and I am thinking about trying to color my own hair. Up till now I have ad it done at a salon with highlights and lowlights put in, about every 6 months. Its been 3 months now though and more and more gray is coming in and I just can't go as long as I used to. I'm thinking its time to color the whole thing...the salon is 120 bucks a pop...I was wondering if any of you like the results you have gotten doing it yourself and what you recommend. Thanks!!!

 

[Cindy B]

I've been doing it myself for about 3 years. I use the Loreal Colour Experte which has color and highlights in it. Of course the highlights won't be the same, but it does give a similar effect.

I can get the color for about $10-13. It's more expensive than some of the other boxes but it is a brand I like.

 

[dizluvah]

I was nervous the first time I colored my hair at home. I now do it regularly. I like Excellence Cream by Loreal - it is easy, doesn't drip all over and I have been very happy with the results.

For me the hardest part is picking the color - but after a couple of times I figured out which shade I prefer and love covering up my grays for little money.

I say give it a try.

 

[Evil Genius]

I've done my own coloring for a long time. I'm with Cindy B on the L'oreal. Make sure you do a sample test before you color. I've saved myself alot of tears by not coloring my whole head with something I didn't like. Take your time, follow the directions, you'll be fine

 

[Aliceacc]

I also like Excellence by Loreal.

 

[Nancy for Disney]

I too am thinking about coloring my own hair. I used to do it all the time but it really didn't look as good. My hairstylist for many years had quit to stay home with kids and when she came back I let her highlight because she was an upscale hair dresser and I was a little embarassed. Boy does it look better when she does it. She was an old friend of my husbands from grade school up and had cut his hair since she was 16 yrs old. She gave me a discount as she knew that I am a little cheap. While I went to her for the last time this week as she is moving out of state. The prices for highlights is crazy. I think she had been gradually taking my discount away too as each time I would have it done it would be a little more. I don't blame her a bit for it as I know she was giving me a good deal. Now I am trying to decide if I should go back to the "do it yourself" mode. It sure does look better when a professional does it. I told DH what it was going to cost for highlights now and he wanted to know how necessary it is. Right now I get it done every 12 weeks. I don't think I could go much longer than that. I found someone that cut my daughter's hair that I really like. She is incredibly expensive. Does anyone ever go to less expensive salon for color and then a more upscale place for the cut?

 

[Meriweather]

I used to go to the salon, but too expensive to go as often as I need to
I have used Preference by L'Oreal for years now. It covers well, and leaves great hightlight.

 

[Ohiodislover]

Another Preference user here.

I think alot of the trick is to not go too dark. Always pick a little lighter than you think you want.

 

[kathie859]

Colour Experte! A great product. Like a pp said, choosing the right color is the challenge and I like how you can choose the placement and size of the highlights. I will pay for a professional cut but paying for salon hair coloring is just too over-the-top for me Expecially when I get such good results at home for a fraction of the cost.

I think haircoloring products have changed over the years and are more "user friendly" and comparable to what is used in the professional environment.

Good luck!

 

[Ohiodislover]

Colour Experte! A great product. Like a pp said, choosing the right color is the challenge and I like how you can choose the placement and size of the highlights. I will pay for a professional cut but paying for salon hair coloring is just too over-the-top for me Expecially when I get such good results at home for a fraction of the cost.

I think haircoloring products have changed over the years and are more "user friendly" and comparable to what is used in the professional environment.

Good luck!

Just went on the loreal website. They have a $2 coupon for Experte

 

[kathie859]

Just went on the loreal website. They have a $2 coupon for Experte

Thanks...I don't have any coupons right now and need a serious touchup. Too much sun and no hat have lightened my highlights WAY too much. Occasionally in the Sunday paper, there will be a $5 one for Colour Experte and I stock up

 

[Jeafl]

The most important thing I learned is that the color never looks like the color on the box. It all depends on the color you start with. I made the mistake (more than once) of choosing a color that looked like I thought was the same color as my hair. It ALWAYS turned out way darker.

The woman who does my hair highly recommended Natural Instincts by Clairol for people who aren't sure. It is a temporary color (washes out in about a month), but it leaves your hair in better condition, and it gives you a good idea of what color you want. I tried several colors before I decided on which color I wanted to do permanently.

 

[disney4metoo]

Colour Experte! A great product. Like a pp said, choosing the right color is the challenge and I like how you can choose the placement and size of the highlights. I will pay for a professional cut but paying for salon hair coloring is just too over-the-top for me Expecially when I get such good results at home for a fraction of the cost.

I think haircoloring products have changed over the years and are more "user friendly" and comparable to what is used in the professional environment.

Good luck!

I agree! I use Feria, by Loreal.

 

[debf]

I color my hair too. DH actuallt helps me do the back. I use Loreal Preference.It's so much cheaper than going to salon to get it done. I do it about every three to four months.It always comes out great.

 

[WDWBarb]

I was just considering buying some Henna solid dye from LUSH.

Looks like it may be a pain to do but I don't like putting chemicals on my hair.

Anyone tried this, by chance?

 

[disney4metoo]

I color my hair too. DH actually helps me do the back. I use Loreal PreferenceIt's so much cheaper than going to salon to get it done. I do it about every three to four months.It always comes out great.

My DH helps me too! However, I have to color my hair every two months! I think mine comes out great too, especially having my DH help with the back of my head!

My stylist once said that is how she can tell people who color their hair at home...they forget to color the back of their head.

 

[Ohiodislover]

My DH helps me too! However, I have to color my hair every two months!

I wish I could go 2 months. Mine is every 4 weeks.

 

[Meriweather]

I wish I could go 2 months. Mine is every 4 weeks.

Me too!! Dang gray hair!!

 

[lsyorke]

Loreal Preference user here! I did the "highlight, lowlight" thing for years, then realized I was looking like a german shepard with all the colors, LOL!

 

[Amelia Peabody]

I love Feria - Medium Golden Brown. Was lucky the first color I tried looked exactly like the special mix from the hairdresser! Now that I'm older I may try a shade lighter. The way my hair is cut I only need to color about every 3 months.
Easy to do too.

Don't forget - put lotion around your scalp line and all over your ears, even in the rims....makes any color super easy to wipe off.

And - TMI for sure - I don't wear anything while coloring - too many spotted bras! Good luck!