DIY hair color

[Frwinkley]

I've always colored my own hair, but as I get older I have more gray and the color fades or turns brassy within just a few weeks. I'm also having to color my roots way too often. I now want to go from golden blonde to more of my natural color (light to medium brown).

Any tips on products, aftercare, etc? My hair stylist knows full well that I color my own hair. Our plan is for me to do the overall coloring and than she's going to add some lighter highlights.

 

[aaarcher86]

Are you using a sulphate free shampoo? That would help with the color stripping. Is your hair damaged from the bleach? Cold water and less frequent washing help.

Maybe see if your stylist can add some Olaplex to the bleach to help re-strengthen everything when you go in for highlights.

 

[hsmamato2]

I have dark hair and it is awful to keep the greys away in dark hair! I was using either drugstore colors or (a few times) professional colorist at a salon...no matter what I tried I got no more than one week without greys showing. usually with any drugstore brand it was within a few days. (sigh) Then I tried Madison Reed haircolor, you can only buy it on their website,it costs about 20.00 per box and it is AMAZING. I know I sound like an ad for them, but I am a convert. I now get a solid 3 or so weeks with no greys! And I got their little compact hair powder thingy (kind of like blush but for your stray greys) that I use a bit from weeks 3-5.... a HUGE difference!
I won't ever go back to anything else! I actually can't stand their special color shampoo I bought,so I won't recommend that, but the color itself is OUTSTANDING. No brassiness, the website helps you choose a color that suits you best, it smells good when you use it..... it's really incredible. They give about a million discount coupons to share with people on every order,but I can't do that on here.....

 

[hsmamato2]

Also second using only special for dyed hair shampoos in between.... I am looking for a good one myself.... right now im using Loreal sulfate free....

 

[thesugarpixie]

When I was getting my hair dyed by a stylist I was frustrated by how much I needed to touch up my glitter hairs (read: gray) in between all over coloring. I went to Sally's and explained what I was looking for, and showed them my natural hair color and they suggested some Wella Color Charm demi-permanent colors for me. I find I color about about every six weeks, but really depends on how fast my hair grows. I no longer get my hair colored at the salon, but may again in the future and this feels the least destructive to my hair - better than box colors. (So touch up my roots/1" growth, let it sit for 15-20 minutes, then pull the remaining color through my hair and let it sit for 5 minutes. Follow up and use color friendly shampoo and conditioners.)

As an aside, if you're looking for fun mermaid hair colors I like Sally's brand of colors for those too!