Has anyone ever found a box dye that's as good as hairdressers'

[ProjectGainsborough]

Just that, really.

Trying to curb my spending, but hair is looking a bit brassy. I need a cool ash brown tone, but am wary as have had quite a few box dye fails, now!

[ProjectGainsborough]

It could be the light. DH came home and said it's not much different, which while it would usually be annoying, is kind of what I was after - my natural colour but without the now brassy balyage / grey threads on top.

What was a 5.12? I thought I'd get my head around the basics this time and then maybe venture into the extra numbers next time round.

[ILostItInTheEarlyNineties]

Root glow is caused because the heat of your scalp causes the peroxide in the dye to develop more quickly than the rest of your hair. To avoid it, apply the solution to your roots last or use an ash toned dye with no red undertones, esp if you have natural red in your hair.
It may just be that you are studying it under an overhead light, e.g. bathroom and the light is catching the top of your head. In which case, it will look fine in natural light.
Glad you are pleased. It was worth doing a bit of research as home dyes can be a bit of a gamble.

[HeyMacWey]

Excellent - thanks for the feedback.
I'm still dithering over 5.1 or 5.12.

Could it be 'root glow'? No idea what that is but have read about it on t' interweb.

[ProjectGainsborough]

Reporting back. Very pleased with the result. The result looks natural and not at all scary or flat. I feel like myself again!

The only criticism I can think of is that the roots may have 'lifted' a bit too much - not sure how to describe it, but it looks slightly red in s a certain light for about half a cm near my parting.

I will see how it settles after washing etc. I will definitely do again - is as good as the hairdresser, for sure.

[duckbilled]

I recently discovered Loreal prodigy, i used the almond shade and was really impressed.

[HeyMacWey]

Yes report back project

[HeyMacWey]

I think I'm going to order the majirel 5.12 as I think the 5.1 might be too flat.

If I'm using 5c nice and easy this should be OK just to do the roots and then blend through or should I do the whole head?

[ProjectGainsborough]

Thanks Crevice for the advice. I have ordered. Will update...

[StatisticallyChallenged]

The ratios vary depending on the tint you are using - you can google e.g. colortouch mixing ratio and find it.

In terms of the peroxide it depends how much lift you want. How dark is your hair currently?

[CreviceImp]

I only use Majirel and that is mixed 50ml to 75ml cream peroxide. The cream peroxide is 20 vol not 40. 40 will trash your hair and should only be used for highlights.

Ratio is 1 part Majirel to 1.5 parts Cream Peroxide.

[cheapandcheerful]

I use this Garnier Nutrisse one.

The 'multitonal technology' makes it look like I have actual highlights and I am always asked where I've had it done.

[LittleRedSparke]

Thanks, i have bowls and stuff, but not sure what to buy (mixture wise) I mean i buy a tube of colour and some peroxide?

like one of these
www.capitalhairandbeauty.co.uk/hairdressing/colour-bleach/semi-permanent-colour/loreal-professionnel-diarichesse-50ml.html

or
www.capitalhairandbeauty.co.uk/hairdressing/colour-bleach/permanent-colour/nxt-colour-100ml.html




which one of these?
www.capitalhairandbeauty.co.uk/hairdressing/colour-bleach/peroxide-developer/capital-cream-peroxide-1-litre-10vol-3.html
or
www.capitalhairandbeauty.co.uk/hairdressing/colour-bleach/peroxide-developer/capital-cream-peroxide-1-litre-40vol-12.html

and how do i know?


and then what are the ratios?

[CreviceImp]

You use a plastic bowl for hair tinting that you can pick up anywhere and use a tint brush. Gloves too.

For light brown you are looking at level 7 or 6 depending on how light. Next if you want it cool toned you want .2 or .3 next to it. .3 is golden and .5 is warm red. .7 and you start getting into purple territory.

Google the shade and you will see a swatch on images which should give you an idea.

[LittleRedSparke]

If you buy from sallys how do you mix the stuff?

And what parts would you actually buy? To get say a light brown hair dye?

[CreviceImp]

Hi project yep that's the stuff however do not put it straight over blonde or it will tinge green. The blonde bits need red introduced first before you go over them with the cool tone. You need to use the same level but with .5 so a 6.5 just over the highlights, leave it a couple of days and then go over it and the rest of your hair with the 6.1 for a good result. Should dodge a khaki bullet that way 😀

[ILostItInTheEarlyNineties]

I find that light brown box dyes are always too dark so to acheive a light ashy brown colour, I use dark ash blonde dyes.
Dark blonde is essentially a light brown colour and bearing in mind your existing highlights, I think this would be the best option for you.

My favourites are; L'Oreal Casting in dark ash blonde or medium ash blonde and Nice n easy age defy in medium ash blonde.

The colour guides on the back are a vague indicator of the colour you will achieve but they can be very misleading. The dye is always darker than you expect.

I apologise if I'm late to this thread and you have already dyed your hair!

My other tip would be to use an ash toner after dying if you want to cool the shade of your hair and cancel red tones.

[Mumelie]

Loreal Preference colours have some with cool tones. I use the dark brown 4.01 Paris but there is also a 6.21 Opera (light brown)
Here www.loreal-paris.co.uk/hair-colour/permanent-hair-colour/recital-preference/6-21-opera

I do find them tricky to get hold of - wish they had a cool tone one in a level 5

[HortonWho]

I do nice and easy but I always buy 2-3 different shades and blend them, so I get just the right colour and it doesn't look like it came out of the box. I stick to either measuring by capfuls or a simple 1/2 of this 1/2 of that, so I can replicate the colour again.

[ProjectGainsborough]

I should mention that I am dying out blonde highlights in the lengths. That's probably important...

[ProjectGainsborough]

Crevicelmp having done some research, I've found loads of MN threads raving about Majirel. Am going to give it a go.

Can you tell me if I've got the right stuff, please? I don't want to stuff it up!

colour

peroxide

[HeyMacWey]

I use nice n easy 5c and never had a problem with it going darker. I only ever do roots and then quick refresh through the lengths 10 mins before the end.

I'm interested in using majirel as last time I used nice n easy my roots didn't go as brown as normal.

Can I just use this first time as I do the nice n easy - ie roots only?

[ontherightpath]

I use the L'oreal preference 6.21 Opera. Although its a 6 (light brown), it comes out darker, more of a 5. It fabulous though, no red or yellow tones at all, just a really cool brown. I leave it on the roots for 35-40 mins (longer than recommended) to cover the grey, bur the colour holds well - providing I use shampoo/conditioner for colour treated hair.

I agree with crevice that the nice & easy med cool brown can randomly turn black!

[DoesAnyoneReadTheseThings]

Another vote for nice n easy!

[MrsCocoa]

Have found the Vidal Sassoon the best for cool tones on dark hair by a mile. The serum you use to dilute when doing the area that is already coloured seems to prevent build-up on lengths.

[Rainatnight]

I read about this recently, which claims to deliver salon dyes at home but I've not used it so no idea what it's like.

yourcolour.com