Question for those that highlight/color your own hair

[DISNEYFANRI]

I just got back from getting my hair cut....baby fine - very straight so I keep it short. I absolutely love going to the hairdressers but this time took the easy route and had it cut at the no-frills barber salon as I was taking DS there anyway. So - it's short - for those that might remember - it could be referred to as a "pixie cut" or ...just a boys haircut. My questions is this....my natural hair color is blond but the years have changed it to very dull and (yikes) I can see a little bit of gray. I have had it highlighted professionally before - sometimes liking it - other times not (when it came out "white blonde")...anyway - I have never tried it myself and was wondering how easy it would be....

Any input...suggestions??

 

[snoopy]

I highlight mine when I'm pressed for time and can't seem to make an appointment with a hairdresser. I just pull it through a cap, throw the bleach on there for 15 minutes or so (whatever the package says) and wa la, I'm done.

The only thing I will caution you on is be sure you pull out very thin strands of hair when doing it yourself. With baby fine hair, its VERY easy to mess up because the mistakes are more noticeable.

 

[Disney Doll]

I do my DSIL's hair with a color kit called Feria, and it comes out very nice. It has a little comb thing instead of a cap, and I feel like it makes it easier to control the amount of color and places you put it.

 

[Margie J]

I've been coloring my own hair for years. First, with the semi-permanent stuff such as Natural Instincts. Then I got brave and tried Feria.

I LOVE Feria. I use the regular kit (their highlighting one has the comb). The color looks natural and shiny, not dull. It also doesn't give you that one shade look. It covers what grey I have and highlights the rest of my hair.

With short hair it will be easy for you to saturate all your hair with the color solution if you go for a regular color and not a highlighting kit. You could always ask a friend to help you too. I have waist length hair and usually just touch up the roots as needed. For that I use a paint brush to color sections.

After the coloring time rinse your hair very well. A hand held shower helps the process. I often find some color coming off with the first few shampoos too so I have a set of towels just for "new color" time.

 

[Jenzebelle]

Having my hair colored professionally is torture because my hair only seems to take the caps, and expensive because it needs to be done twice for my short thick hair.

So I just color it myself. I have very dark brown hair and lots of greys - Feria seems to work the best for me and it's very easy to do

 

[Pugdog007]

To reiterate and reemphasize other's posts:

all over color = easy to do at home... go for it!
highlights = don't try it... call a professional!

 

[faith]

I was a natural blonde too...until the gray started creeping in.
Loreal Excellence is a great product. The color doesn't fade.

 

[FOJMO]

How coincidental -- I'm going tomorrow to have my hair highlighted for the first time! I go to a regular hairdresser at JCPenney and last week had my hair permed. I, too, have very short hair and some gray. I'm getting highlights (blonde/gold) and I'm looking forward to it.

Our 22nd anniversary is tomorrow and we leave for Orlando for O/N and a dinner theatre. So, I hope the new "look" will be romantic and attractive.

 

[annemariec]

I have been getting just highlights.

I'm going to *try* two of the John Frieda blonde gels. I just got them today from Walgreens. (First time I've ever been to Walgreens.) I found out about the products online. I bought: Beach Blonde Lemon Lights Fresh-Squeezed Highlighter & Beach Blonde Sun Streaks Heat-Accelerated Highlighter. They are supposed to be mild & good for touch ups. So we'll see!! (I'll try it either today or tomorrow.)

I usually go to the salon. I've had trouble getting an appointment lately, plus I really don't want to sit for hours to have the foil done anyway. And if it works, I'll save about $80 to boot. Not bad!

Here's some information on the products:

http://www.walgreens.com/store/subcategory2.jhtml?CATID=100852

If you see a product you are interested in click on it, there is a small description available.

Annemarie

 

[FOJMO]

Well, after reading your post, Annemariec, I felt that I needed (as a loyal employee) to give equal time to Eckerd.

My DH and I both work for Eckerd and they have a wonderful website too --

http://www.eckerd.com

Our DD has referred to Walgreens as "the bad name place" ever since she was little - LOL!

 

[Serena]

I use one of the mid range color kits. It washes out in 24 shampoos or something like that. I use a lighter color than my hair. It looks pretty good or so I've been told. It adds shine, color to the gray, or the gray that allows itself to be colored. It just brightens it up some.

 

[nuke]

I just ventured into highlighting myself and I tried Herbal Escense. It has a rake type comb that you fill with the color and comb down your hair. It's pretty easy and it looks pretty good. Only $8.99 intead of $89.

 

[annemariec]

Hi FOJMO! I love Eckerd & I go there frequently. No problem with the equal time.

I just basically walked into Walgreens, went directly to what I needed, paid & left. I have no partiality to Walgreens at all. It's just the only store I know of that sells the John Frieda products.

Annmarie

 

[DISNEYFANRI]

Thank you all so very much for your thoughts and opinions - I am going to Target this weekend so wil most likely browse int eh color/highlighting isle.
I'll keep you all posted.

 

[DISNEYFANRI]

Update....I bought the Feria highlighting kit today. I'll try it tomorrow and will post the results.

 

[DISNEYFANRI]

I did it - I bought a feria kit and did it myself. Unfortunately no digital camera so there will be no before and after pics.
Now...for the details - I bought a Feria Quick Shimering Highlights kit - I think I may have put it on a little too generously becaue it looks more all over colored than highlighted. But.....I have gone from dull, mousy used-to-be blond but now graying to a very light strawberry blonde. Of course this was not without stress - my DS (14) has been teasing me all day.
The good part.....my DH of 23yrs (the 19th is our anniversary) says he loves it!!

 

[annemariec]

Thanks for the update, Paula!

Was the kit easy? I haven't had a chance to try my products yet! I want to do it when I have plenty of time and no distractions. (I wonder when that might be...)

Sounds like it turned out great! Glad your DH likes it.

Happy Anniversary!!!
Annemarie

P.S.- Your anniversary date is also my birthday!

 

[DISNEYFANRI]

Annmarie,
It was very easy - not messy at all.
An early Happy Birthday to you!! My DH birthday is the 18th - but he says he's not having any more of those - lol!!

 

[annemariec]

Thanks Paula. I'm kinda like your DH. I'm going to be 29 again.

I'll keep the Feria kit in mind!

Annemarie