Home hair dye - should I risk it?

[TheProvincialLady]

Can anyone who knows about hair help me out please? I normally get my just below the shoulder length hair cut and highlighted every 8 weeks, but due to lak of time and then funds, I haven't had it done since February. My natural hair is 'dark blonde' (ie a bit mousy) and I get it highlighted it to the colour it used to be, ie mid blonde. I've no grey yet.

Anyway, I'm going on holiday in a couple of weeks and need to get my hair cut and coloured before then (as SIL is going too and is the ultimate in groomed glamour because she has no children). I was wondering about trying a home hair dye kit from the chemist. Is it going to make a total mess of my hair? I have about 2.5 inches of darker growth and don't want to end up with an obvious line. I don't want to make a mess of it and end up having to spend a fortune getting it sorted.

Is it worth the risk and can a home dye virgin do it properly? Please help this total hair imbecile.

I really wouldn't but maybe someone braver will be along soon

Why not go to your local hairdressing college or academy and get a reduced price hair colour and cut? Or ask local good salons if they need a model?

I'm a hairstylist and wouldn't recommend you doing this yourself. There's too much contrast in the colours. Even darkening it is risky as it can end up green if you don't pre-tone it.

Oh Lordy, I'm not risking green hair! I'll have to either find the money and the time (unlikely) or put up with looking rubbish. Thanks for not letting me make a mess of it.

Shame you didn't live near me I'd do it for you. Can you not just get some highlights put in your parting? That shouldn't be very expensive? Perhaps go and get a quote and consultation?

Can you post a pic perhaps of how it is now and how it was? Then maybe I or someone could recommend a way of home colouring it? Or if you want to tone it down (lengths and ends) to match in with the roots then do a semi permanent in a dark blonde perhaps? That won't damage your hair and will wash out eventually.

Oh you are sweet! I'll try and post a photo later when the children are in bed and I'll pop back on this thread to let you know. But a semi permanent in dark blonde sounds like a good idea...where would I buy such a produt?

Boots or any decent chemist. Go for a natural base so dark natural blonde unless you want a warmer tone? Then go for golden or beige. I'd be wary of ash tones though unless your lighter hair is very warm?

What about trying this one? It only lasts 8 washes so if you hate it you know it'll soon fade?

So sorry not to have replied before now CuriousMama. I was trying to upload photos but there's something wrong with my uploading software.

Anyway, I went to Superdrug on my way to work this morning and bought the exact same product you suggest, same shade and everything. I'm going to try it tonight - will let you know what I think when I've washed and dried it!

Oh good luck with it. At least it won't be dark.

Hi! I recently had the same thoughts as you re dying own hair to save time and money.
3 home dyes later I ended up shelling out £85 at the hairdresser to get it fixed.

I think home dyes are fine If you are going darker, but going lighter should alway be done by the pro's!!! The roots just never come out right and I find the blonde looks brassy after a couple of washes. (nb - that may be just because of my awful dying skills)

What's the latest on your hair OP?

Still not done it as a family crisis came to light on Monday so I have spent every evening on the phone Fingers crossed for tonight. I am feeling a bit nervous, I'm such a hair coward!

Awww sorry to hear that I hope all will be well?

You can do a strand underneath with a bit first if you want? Or get someone to put a bit on for you? Although tbh it's not going to be drastic anyway will add some tone though.

I'm not sure it will be well to be honest, but we'll wait and see. My brother has been admitted to a mental hospital.

The good news is, I'm doing the strand test right this very moment!

OK well there was no difference whatsoever that I could see, but I did have a good laugh dyeing, washing and then blow drying a 1" width of hair

I will do the whole lot and see what happens.

ok good luck

So sorry about your brother I hope he can get some good treatment?

Thanks, so do I.

I did the full dye this morning and left it on for longer, and I'm pleased with the results. It evens out the roots/blonde and makes the blonde a bit more honey than bleached IYSWIM? Thanks ever so much for the support

Oh that's good It's not a dye as such so will wash out, possibly quickly? But if you like it you can get a permanent dye in the same shade for hols and put it on your roots first for 20 to 30 mins then ends for last 10 mins.

This L'oreal one would work ok. It's tone is natural so no fear of going to warm on the roots.

Too warm!!! pah!

You like to help me push my boundaries don't you! I think I will just go to the hairdressers when I get back from my holiday. I'll have been paid then and can definitely afford to blow £100 on frivolous things. Oh yes, definitely.

£100!!! Blimey where do you live?

Enjoy your holiday

Clearly I need to live near you - everywhere near me charges roughly the same amount and it's nowhere glamourous. East Midlands.

I am really looking forward to my holiday thanks. It's in the uk though so hoping for much improved weather!

Well it's just nice to get away, change of scenery.

I'm in the NE.