Store-bought hair dye - is it ever okay?

[FuckingHateRats]

In usual times I get my hair trimmed and my roots done every seven weeks. The last week of that period I need to use the spray root product to cover greys.

I'm desperately overdue an appt (as we all are, I know). I'm considering a box dye to tide me over, but also wondering if they're decent, if I could move to doing my own colour and getting a proper cut less often (every ten weeks or so). The saving in cash would be great.

Do you think shop bought hair dye can look good? And if so, what do you recommend? I have very dark brown hair.

Very dark brown hair?

Piss easy. Don't waste money at the hairdressers on that.

I don't have that many greys so use Majirel .i think it was,recommended on here.

Mum is the same but with lots of grey. She uses Nice n Easy or John Frieda mousse.

Of course it can if you find the right product although I'm sure a hairdresser will be along soon to tell you that home coloured hair always looks shit

Do it. I use nice n easy permanent hair dye. I go for an ash blond. After years of professional dye at hairdresser I'm a bit at all the money I've spent at six weekly appointments.

Do your skin patch test though! I have friends who have had terrible reactions. Not worth the risk for sake of waiting couple of days.

I have been using garner nutrisse for years and even my hairdresser says it looks good.

It's maybe not VERY dark brown but brown enough. Have attached pics.

Yeah, it'll be easy. Try a semi permanent and buy a shade or two lighter than you think you need or it'll come out black.

I’ve done it myself in the past and have been doing it at home due to lockdown. Easy with a bit of practice. My hairdresser is impressed. I use a quality box dye (currently an auburn shade from Olia - not sure of the spelling), and ensure I condition regularly.

I’m going to be the voice of caution - I used to use temp dyes in between hairdresser appointments but now my grey roots just go orangey and I’ve tried multiple brands - always the same. I’m very grey though.

In the first lockdown my hairdresser sold me what he uses and gave me instructions and I’ve since bought the same online from Sally’s. I just bought a mixing dish and brush off Amazon. It’s just the base colour obviously, no highlights but it’s easy to do.

Yes Your colour will be very easy to achieve with a box colour.

I did home kits for years, never had any problems. I only started going to the hairdressers more for a treat s I got older and to get away from the kids. Plus I cut my long hair short so it needed more maintenance.

I last had mine done Christmas week and really hated the colour so I’ve been washing it with head and shoulders to strip it, I finally gave up as it was turning red (natural mousey/goldeny blonde went drown with blonde highlights ) so I bought something to get rid of all the dye, which has done a great job, will be putting a home kit on in a few days. If it takes well I may just start doing it myself or even teach my DH & DCs to do it 😀

I'm not a hairdresser and used box dyes for years but can I make a better suggestion?

Buy a professional colour from amazon and a bottle of developer, plus a mixing bowl and a brush.

You will absolutely notice the difference.

I order Wella Koleston colour and the matching peroxide.

I use olia , rich chocolate (5.35) and it works well.

My hair is more of a mid brown .

Try L’Oréal excellence. Leaves a great shine

@nevernotagain

I'm not a hairdresser and used box dyes for years but can I make a better suggestion?

Buy a professional colour from amazon and a bottle of developer, plus a mixing bowl and a brush.

You will absolutely notice the difference.

I order Wella Koleston colour and the matching peroxide.

This sounds great but I wouldn't know where to start! I'll have a google and YouTube search and see if I can work it out :)

Semi perm colour left on for 20 min will do the job and wash out in 2 months so v low risk

I have no advice whatsoever to give you about hair dye, I just want to say you look glam AF on that second picture! your hair/nails/dress look fab 👌🏻

@nevernotagain

I'm not a hairdresser and used box dyes for years but can I make a better suggestion?

Buy a professional colour from amazon and a bottle of developer, plus a mixing bowl and a brush.

You will absolutely notice the difference.

I order Wella Koleston colour and the matching peroxide.

I would to know how to do this @nervernotagain? Ive been looking at the colour online but do you just by developer to go with it and mix the same amount of colour with developer? Ive got nearly all greys- do I mix a different ratio of colour to developer?

Id appreciate any advice. Im quite fascinated by it all!
thanks

Naturally, my hair is dark brown. It's a very dull and ashy brown with no warmth to it at all. I have a few greys in my parting. I dye my hair with a box dye at home about every 3 months. I use the Schwarzkopf Live XL in 'Urban Brown'. It lifts it a couple of shades lighter, and adds shine and a coppery warmth which I like. I asked my hairdresser if it looked ok in her opinion and she said something along the lines of 'If your hair is brown and you just want to dye it another shade of brown all over, I probably couldn't do it much better!'. I have read that box dyes can be 'bad for your hair', but I don't think my hair is in bad condition. Plus I'm not doing it that often. I am definitely going to give the Olia chocolate brown, mentioned by a PP, a try next time

Really easy to do and I always feel like mine is in better condition when I do it myself. Do the patch test and if you are deciding between colours, always go for the lighter one.

So what's a good semi permanent hair dye brand? I'm after the same effect as OP, but am quite grey underneath. Usually have a semi permanent "gloss" at hairdresser which I prefer when its slightly faded. Not brave enough to go for permanent.

If you've never used a box dye before I'd start with semi permanent. Definitely do the patch test for allergies. It's pretty simple to mix the bottles and apply but you might need help with the back. Always put vaseline around your hairline and back of your ears so any stray bits of dye don't stain. Using a brush to apply is better, and a long handled comb for sectioning.
I dyed my hair at home for years and it was always fine.

I use home hair dye between hairdresser trips. I have dark brown hair . I find the home ones do make my hair a bit orangey after a few weeks and prefer the hairdresser one. I often just use the roots only one as I have short hair and I can put it through all my hair whilst focussing on the roots

@LunaHeather thanks for the tip! I only have a few greys in one patch! Can the Majirel be used over several sessions, or do you have to use the whole tube in one go? Also, I can see two types on sale on Amazon - different packaging (white container or coloured) - some comments about (separate?) developer being needed for one of them?

Basically, I’m looking to use a small amount of dye every couple of weeks (so perhaps the same tube spread out over time?) and don’t want any developer faff... is this what you do? And if so, which variety of Maj do you use? Thank you :-)

@2021ComeAtMe

I have no advice whatsoever to give you about hair dye, I just want to say you look glam AF on that second picture! your hair/nails/dress look fab 👌🏻

Aw thank you! The last Christmas night out before Covid shut everything down :) I wore a plunging LBD with white trainers