Advice on DIY haircoloring

[Ginger0314]

I just cannot afford to have my hair done at the salon anymore - at least as often it seems to need it and they want me to get it done. I have never done my own before. Currently me hair is a light brown with 3 different highlights going through it. Any advice? What products? How to go about it? Thanks for any help.

[signora]

Originally Posted by Ginger0314

I just cannot afford to have my hair done at the salon anymore - at least as often it seems to need it and they want me to get it done. I have never done my own before. Currently me hair is a light brown with 3 different highlights going through it. Any advice? What products? How to go about it? Thanks for any help.

I use to use Clariol Nice & Easy years ago, which was okay. But the problem w/coloring your hair especially if you have brown hair and has red pigment in it, your hair will sometimes turn out in a orange/redish shade. Whereas a hairdresser knows how to mix the coloring to prevent that (if your trying to go w/a light brown or have blond highlights).

[getbent]

I color my own at home but I have never done highlights. I wouldn't lighten your hair more than a shade maybe 2 own your own. I usually go a shade lighter in the summer and a shade darker in the winter. I usually use Loreal Preference but I have been known to use others if they didn't have a shade I wanted. I always follow the directions and have had no problem. I've heard good things about the new 10 minute color and that's what I'm getting next. Some have a really awful ammonia (sp?) smell so do it in a well ventilated place. I have thick and long (past my shoulders) hair so I use 2 boxes. Hope this helps. Good luck.

[Ginger0314]

Originally Posted by getbent

I color my own at home but I have never done highlights. I wouldn't lighten your hair more than a shade maybe 2 own your own. I usually go a shade lighter in the summer and a shade darker in the winter. I usually use Loreal Preference but I have been known to use others if they didn't have a shade I wanted. I always follow the directions and have had no problem. I've heard good things about the new 10 minute color and that's what I'm getting next. Some have a really awful ammonia (sp?) smell so do it in a well ventilated place. I have thick and long (past my shoulders) hair so I use 2 boxes. Hope this helps. Good luck.

I don't necessarily need to have the highlights. It is just what I got done this last time. With this many colors perhaps the gray will not show as much. Thanks

[Ginger0314]

What is the difference in the permanent, semi permanent and 10 minute? hair color? What type should I start out with

[getbent]

semi-permanent usually lasts a certain number of shampoos, permanent can last several weeks. The 10 min color is just the amount of time you leave the hair color in before you rinse. Most hair colors are anywhere from20-30 mins.

[Ladybug76]

Originally Posted by signora

I use to use Clariol Nice & Easy years ago, which was okay. But the problem w/coloring your hair especially if you have brown hair and has red pigment in it, your hair will sometimes turn out in a orange/redish shade. Whereas a hairdresser knows how to mix the coloring to prevent that (if your trying to go w/a light brown or have blond highlights).

So true! I used to have the problem with the brassy orange when lightening my hair, but then I learned to use the "cooler" shades and haven't had a problem since. It has taken me quite a few years to get it right, but I think I finally have. I have had a few mishaps, one including turing my hair swamp green. Hint--don't keep coloring your hair (in one day) if you don't get the color just right. It ended up costing me $$$ to get it fixed.

I have also used the at-home highlighting kits. It was much easier than I thought it would be. Sometimes I feel like I should just go gray gracefully, but it just makes me feel old. I started to get gray strands at 19 and it has been downhill since!

[Dye Tied (Premo)]

Originally Posted by Ginger0314

I just cannot afford to have my hair done at the salon anymore - at least as often it seems to need it and they want me to get it done. I have never done my own before. Currently me hair is a light brown with 3 different highlights going through it. Any advice? What products? How to go about it? Thanks for any help.

If you go to the salon for color because your grey is resistant, over the counter coloring kits will not cover your grey. You probably cannot do all the colors your salon does, don't even try. Go for one color.

[signora]

Originally Posted by Ladybug76

So true! I used to have the problem with the brassy orange when lightening my hair, but then I learned to use the "cooler" shades and haven't had a problem since. It has taken me quite a few years to get it right, but I think I finally have. I have had a few mishaps, one including turing my hair swamp green. Hint--don't keep coloring your hair (in one day) if you don't get the color just right. It ended up costing me $$$ to get it fixed.

I have also used the at-home highlighting kits. It was much easier than I thought it would be. Sometimes I feel like I should just go gray gracefully, but it just makes me feel old. I started to get gray strands at 19 and it has been downhill since!

I use to go w/the light browns w/the blond highlights (like the box shows), but my hair rarely came out like the box color. I'm lucky I never had a green mishap I have used the highlighting kits in the past, but found the brush on type was messy and the ones w/the cap - it's better to get someone to help you, but mine always came out more like my hair was frosted. So even though it's sometimes expensive to get the coloring, foils, etc. done @ a salon, I prefer it because as long as the hairdresser is good & knows what they are doing - you know it will be done right.

Bummer about the gray, I'm fortunate where I'm in may 40's and still none. But my hairdresser is funny, when I go for coloring, etc., she will look for them.

[BS Gal (Premo)]

I can tell you that Cinnaberry by Natural Instincts is a sucky color.....