switching from salon hair coloring to home coloring

[cepmom]

what do I need to know??

I have been having my hair colored for years at my salon, mostly to cover my grays. I usually go every 5 weeks for a color and trim, but for the past 9 months or so I have been trying to grow my hair out so I only have her do a trim every other visit but still color every time. (actually I could use a color every 4 weeks, 5 weeks is my max time limit)

On the color only visits I get charged for only the color, but it's $70 plus tip...I'm wondering if it's possible to just do my own color at home and just go in for trims when needed. I hate spending that much for just color but I'm afraid to do it myself

Is it ok to use at home color over my already salon colored hair? Im not sure if what I already have is semi permanent or what. Help!

 

[Mermaid02]

What color? Blondes and reds are hard.

 

[cepmom]

Its brown

 

[msmayor]

I color at home all the time...its actually gotten much easier the more I do it.

My hairdresser is very supportive of my home efforts...she helped me pick the right color and offered tips to getting it done correctly. Once or twice a year (usually for special occasions) I'll treat myself and let her do it. She has the formula that matches the box color I use really well.

Saves me a fortune, and I get lots of compliments on my hair.

I use Loreal Excellence because I like the comb applicator.

 

[MickeysMommy]

I color my hair all the time at home. It's not hard once you get the hang of it. I have thick, long hair so it takes a bit to do but so much better spending 8 bucks as opposed to the over $100 at my salon!

Good luck!

 

[clarabelle]

Some tips:
I don't wear a shirt. I put Vaseline along my neck, ears and hairline
Have a damp towel to wipe off the counter top handy. I use whatever medium brown is cheapest.

 

[lizzi6692]

I've always colored my hair at home. Just avoid colors with red in it because they're a huge pain to get rid of on your own if you decide to switch.

 

[tennisfan]

Some tips:
I don't wear a shirt. I put Vaseline along my neck, ears and hairline
Have a damp towel to wipe off the counter top handy. I use whatever medium brown is cheapest.

Never thought of that so a great tip, thanks

OP: I have only ever coloured my own hair and have found it really straight forward to do.

 

[cepmom]

thanks for all the replies...anything else I need to consider when coloring over a salon color?
The color I have now is brown, not red, but sometimes I see bit of copper type color to it. I'll check it outside in natural light today, it could be the bathroom lighting (no window in the bathroom)

 

[msmayor]

Again, strongly suggest that if you have been getting your hair salon-colored, you speak to your colorist about choosing the right color...don't just guess. With your hair already chemically treated, if you choose the wrong box you could have unintended results.

A professional colorist knows what tones have already been put on your hair and will help you match it up.

 

[cepmom]

Again, strongly suggest that if you have been getting your hair salon-colored, you speak to your colorist about choosing the right color...don't just guess. With your hair already chemically treated, if you choose the wrong box you could have unintended results.

A professional colorist knows what tones have already been put on your hair and will help you match it up.

I'll have to try and call her then...I have an appointment for next Friday that I need to cancel and I was hoping to color at home myself instead of trying to reschedule it

 

[okeydokey]

I went from Salon to home coloring a couple of years ago and never looked back. I an using John Freida mousse color. Super easy to apply.

 

[FINFAN]

I "box" color all the time due to finances. Biggest pain to me is I use hairspray and mousse most days so I need to make sure NOT to use them on a day I plan to color,(or day before if coloring in the morning) Since I usually forget the exact type I used last( even tho I cut the box top off I still forget in the store~don't ask) I try to buy 3-4 of the same one at a time. If I can't find the same product, I sort of "streak" in the color instead of a whole head covering, using a bit more at the roots. I get shades as similar to what my hair currently is (usually medium brown) but they all have a little different tone to them. Even if I did remember the box top, the manufacturer's change their products a lot. I also put on the grey area first. DON'T throw any leftover out until after you have rinsed/styled your hair. If you see greys, re-apply the solution to those areas again. I know it's a pain time wise, but you will be happier. I usually have the baby grey around my temples that are a PITA I have been known to us e a tiny paintbrush to get those I also do the vaseline trick, but it is a double edge sword as those tiny greys are right where I need to protect the hairline from looking like a helmet lol.I wear an old tshirt that I slit the neck wider on and use an old towel around my shoulders. Also, you may want to put a shower cap on while the color sets. Drafts can affect how it takes on hair. I tend to be multitasking while waiting so I do the shower cap thing since I am walking around etc. Final tips since doing this for the first time I would have paper towels, q-tips handy to wipe up any drips or splotches. Also throw an old beach towel on the floor in case you spill any. Wash the tshirt/towels separate after wards to be on the safe side. It sounds like a daunting experience but it really isn't It really saves a ton of $. Basically if I wasn't coloring my hair myself, I wouldn't be coloring at all.

 

[RadioNate]

what do I need to know?? I have been having my hair colored for years at my salon, mostly to cover my grays. I usually go every 5 weeks for a color and trim, but for the past 9 months or so I have been trying to grow my hair out so I only have her do a trim every other visit but still color every time. (actually I could use a color every 4 weeks, 5 weeks is my max time limit) On the color only visits I get charged for only the color, but it's $70 plus tip...I'm wondering if it's possible to just do my own color at home and just go in for trims when needed. I hate spending that much for just color but I'm afraid to do it myself Is it ok to use at home color over my already salon colored hair? Im not sure if what I already have is semi permanent or what. Help!

What about ordering from eSalon or similar?

I didn't color at home because my hair pulls orange & it can get dicey but I've heard good things about them!

 

[lakelandgal70]

I box color and have since I was in high school. Was a long time Clairol gal but have recently switched to Garnier. I only color every 2-3 months at home and in the summer time I do get my hair dresser to highlight my hair. That is something I feel I couldn't do myself lol. I always get compliments from my hairdresser and other people in the shop on my color. I am doing a darker blonde right now but have been dark brown to different shades of red.

 

[Disneychick75]

My hair is almost all gray and it grows really fast. I was having to go to the salon 3-4 times/month = $300+ to $400 just for color. I began coloring at home. It took a few tries to get the right color. My hair is dark brown but dark brown hair color is almost black and even some medium browns were too dark. My hairdresser recommended I try a medium ash brown and that worked great.

 

[Airship Ariadne]

What about ordering from eSalon or similar?

I didn't color at home because my hair pulls orange & it can get dicey but I've heard good things about them!

DW uses esalon and has been happy with the results she gets. She likes it better than the stuff in the boxes at the store. But it took her a couple of tries to get teh color exactly how she wanted...but it was close the first time, just a bit darker than she was going for.

Even though I'm a guy I feel qualified to talk on it since I color it for her...so technically have used the product.

 

[krcit]

I'm lucky in that my friend is a colorist so. She gave me my formüla and I buy the professional stuff on ebay and mix it and do it myself. Ôtherwise I would use a box. It's just too expensive yo go to the salon once a month.

 

[lucas]

I've been using Natural Instincts forever. I get it at CVS or Walgreens and I will only buy it when it is on sale AND I have a coupon. (It goes on sale almost every other week at one of them.)

And, something I learned the hard way - pick up any floor rugs you have in the bathroom. As someone else said, put down an old towel on the floor.

 

[okeydokey]

My hair is almost all gray and it grows really fast. I was having to go to the salon 3-4 times/month = $300+ to $400 just for color. I began coloring at home. It took a few tries to get the right color. My hair is dark brown but dark brown hair color is almost black and even some medium browns were too dark. My hairdresser recommended I try a medium ash brown and that worked great.

That's my color as well. It doesn't turn brassy on me. In John Fredia it's a 5A.