Hair colouring

[pampam]

Because of budget restraints, I now have to colour my own hair to hide the grey, instead of getting it done professionaly. What products do you like and why? I have brown hair, with about 40% grey.

I tried using homemade colour made with sage, rosemerry, and strong coffee, but it doesn't hide the grey very well, and it seems I have to do it daily.

 

[Cherbear013]

Have you looked into a local beauty school? I just got my hair colored for $20 and she did a great job. I've tried doing it myself but I am horrible!

 

[mamalle]

I have used loreal preference for years for my brownish/red hair. I have alot of gray also. I have tried different products but they either do not last as long of have the shine like loreal has.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Garnier - Nutrisse? The green box, the one that Sarah Jessical Parker advertises (no, NOT because of that, but because I like the colors!).

Yep. Nutrisse. CVS and KMart have it on sale through tomorrow, for $4.99 and $5.99 respectively.

In a (financial) pinch, I have used Colorsilk. I like it, but the selection of shades is small.

 

[ElizK]

I've been using Nice N Easy for several years. I'm covering my 50-60% gray. It's usually $5.99 at Walmart.

 

[lisaross]

i've been coloring my hair myself for years - i buy any that says permanent color - i also have dark brown hair i usually buy medium tone browns or else it looks so dark my hair - to me they are pretty much all the same - i need to re-color about every 4-5 weeks!

lisa

 

[StephMK]

I just tried one I like so far - red box $14.99 & comes w/a highlighting portion, don't know the name. I did the color one night & highlights the next. I like it & usually use Nice & Easy. I wanted some highlights & this has hid the gray very well imo.

 

[i3utterfli82]

I just used natural instincts tonight in hot cocoa...love it!!

 

[Handbag Lady]

I use ColorSilk only. I was told a few times by hairdressers that it doesn't matter what it is, really.

If anyone has conflicting info, I'd gladly listen!

 

[patsal]

I used to use Colorsilk, but I have almost 100% grey hair and it really didn't cover that well. I now use Nutrisse, I prefer the green box, and on sale with coupons it is a very good price. I also like the herbal essesnce but it goes kind of dull faster than the Nutrisse. I have to color about every three weeks to keep the roots from making me look like a skunk, but I only touch up the roots 2x between full colorings BTW so long as the color isn't mixed, you can split a bottle in half. I use 1 oz to 1oz (color to developer and get great touch up results for 1/2 price!

 

[Tink-n-MrIncredible]

If you have a Sally's beauty store near you I would try this. Clairol Professional gray buster hair color ( they have swatches for you to try and match your current hair color, the girl in the store helped me pick out mine). You also need Clairol Professional pure white 20 cream developer. The people in the store will tell you how to mix it or the directions are on the bottle. I also bought an applicator bottle and gloves as it gets messy. The above items go on sale sometimes, I buy several of the hair color at one time. The developer last a long time. I usually color my own hair every 4 weeks or as soon as it gets too bad. I also use a shampoo that is for color treated hair as I find the color does not fade as fast before the next color.

If after the 1st time you try this and there is alot left over (short hair) you can use 1/2 of the amounts so you are not wasting. Just make sure the amounts you use are equal.

 

[Inigo]

I use Clairol Natural Instincts Brass-Free Brunettes in medium brown. It's a semi-permanent, and I color about every month. I like the Brass-Free since my hair does grab the brassy tones.

My hair feels wonderful, and I get a lot of compliments on this color. I've been just about every color from red to blonde to every shade of brown imaginable. This is actually my real hair color. Well, real except for the gray.

The permanent dyes always left the ends feeling like straw after a couple dye-jobs. This stuff doesn't.

 

[8esther8]

I have a GREAT recommendation. I have been using Robert Craig for several years. It can only be bought online at robertcraig.com. It does not harm the hair at all- no peroxide, ammonia, doesn't smell bad, and it's permanent. A box is $9.95, and if you're touching up, it's powder, so you only have to use 1/4 of the box or so, so it's $2.50. You mix the powder and water in the bottle and shake it until it becomes a "mousse". The only downside is that you cannot use it to lighten your hair- you must use your hair color or darker. You CAN use a lighter color and it will only color your grey hair into "highlights". If using your regular color, it covers grey wonderfully. Two colors can also be mixed. It lasts as long as any other brand. Other haircoloring damaged my hair- it's fine- my hair would break off and was in horrible condition. None of that with Robert Craig. There are lots of tesimonials on the website. They are trying to expand to health food stores. If you call the number, he will even answer the phone and help you with coloring questions. Shipping is $4.95 for any number of boxes, so I usually buy 6 or so, and it lasts me all year. I highly recommend them.

 

[Pigeon]

I've colored my own hair for many years. I think most of the major brands of permanent color work perfectly well. It's a matter of finding lines have colors you like. It's simple to do.

I've used L'Oreal, Nice & Easy and Garnier Nutrisse and all work equally well for me. I also usually do highlights, and have bought the L'Oreal kit that includes the highlights and the Garnier highlights and both are fine.

 

[ceecee]

I use Garnier, it's in a yellow box. I tried colorsilk last time (Target had it marked down) my hairdresser noticed immediately I used something different and suggest I get a protein conditioner and switch back! I wouldn't use it again anyway because it didn't cover the gray for more than a week.

 

[IluvKingLouis]

I use Feria by Loreal, because the low lights and highlights makes it look very natural and I don't need to fuss with a second application (I'm wand challenged). I have very little grey but it's all concentrated in one area and it does a good job covering it.

I'm a medium brown too, and like the #60.

 

[Shyvioletisme]

I only use the Loreal colors...I find they work better on my hair and typically last longer than any of the other brands.

 

[ajk912]

I use Feria by Loreal, because the low lights and highlights makes it look very natural and I don't need to fuss with a second application (I'm wand challenged). I have very little grey but it's all concentrated in one area and it does a good job covering it.

I'm a medium brown too, and like the #60.

I LOVE Feria. I don't have any gray that I know of (I have been dyeing my hair so long, I probably have some starting but it's covered under many layers of dye at this point! ). I have brown hair naturally but I use #91 which is light beige blonde and mixed with my dark hair it makes my hair dirty, dark blonde (pretty much very light brown, the result I am going for).

 

[PatMcDuck]

Garnier nutrisse here, I have 80% gray I would guess. BUT I do switch to Feria, or another brand once in awhile, it seems to work better that way. But Nutrisse seems better, less brassy over time.

 

[ragtopday]

I've been coloring my hair sporadically over the last 10 years or so, mostly with Clairol Natural Instincts (semi-permanent, since I don't like roots), but I've also tried other brands. I find the flat one-color all over is looking less natural as I'm getting older (and greyer), and so have tried playing with varius highlighting kits. I'd love to get some suggestions on those! I don't have anyone to help me, but I love the results. I've tried the cap, but it takes me about an hour just to pull my hair through the holes (I have medium-short hair) and I've tried the kits where you jsut paint on the highlighting, but I can't seem to get close enough to my scalp for that to look natural, and the "stripes" end up being thicker than I want.

I had my hair colored professionally this week and it will be the last time. While it's not a bad color job, it was $65 (plus tip) and it came out no better than when I do it at home (and no highlights at that price either).