Are box dyes really that bad for your hair?

[Tinks15]

I hear lots of people say they aren’t good for your hair…is this true?

I use to box dye my hair all the time when I was younger now I get in done in a salon but occasionally I am tempted to go back to box dying. Tell me your thoughts?

@angela99999 but my hair stays nice in between visits?

I box dyed during the lockdowns as I was really unlucky with timing of haircuts so for about 18 months and it left my hair a really weird and not nice reddish colour despite me using a conker type brown box dye. I've recently paid an absolute fortune at a new hairdresser which I think was due to her stripping all the old colour out and it looks so much better and has really made me wary of box dyes.

[quote Helpstopthepain]@angela99999 but my hair stays nice in between visits?[/quote]
@Helpstopthepain
I think perhaps some products smooth and seal the hair cuticle back down again better than others after it's been lifted to let colour into the hairshaft. Also I suppose it depends how long you go between visits and whether you use a gentle shampoo?

@angela99999 4 months between appointments. I use a gentle (free from rubbish) shampoo and hair mask but only wash twice a week.

@Beautiful3 Could you tell me what kit you use please?

@helpstopthepain
I agree with you about not washing your hair too often, it definitely makes the colour last longer. But I find that if I leave my hair for too long and it gets greasy this lifts the colour out a bit. Which hair masks do you like?

I love boxed colours, I certainly wouldn’t be paying 50 odd pounds at my hairdressers for a block colour

I think it’s easier and more cost effective just to buy hair dye and developer. I’ve done this for a few years now and I think it’s much more similar to a salon (less brassy on me) and there is less packaging to dispose of. Sally’s has most products or you can buy online.

Best box colour on the market
Superdrug’s own brand
Semi permanent
2 for £5
Hair looks and feels fabulous ..

Most cosmetic products are very well regulated. If you look at the first 7-8 ingredients (99% of the entire product) it’s all the same stuff. Main difference is fragrance and the addition of some oils.
Same applies for hair dye. Shampoo and conditioner is the absolute worst for this, where a 5 quid one is pretty similar to something considerably more expensive.

I use Olia ammonia free intense red and have done for years. My hair is in great condition, and I use Cantu shampoo and conditioner.

Just make sure you’re banging on olaplex 3 after , it’ll help mend hair that’s been frazzled

Thanks everyone - I can’t decide what I want to do with my hair!

When you get your hair dyed regularly at the hairdresser, they only colour the regrowth. When you do it at home, even if you have seen your hairdresser doing it and she has given you advice, it is hard to get the dye on the regrowth only especially at the back where you can't see what the hell you are doing so the already coloured hair tends to get over coloured.

I had brushes to apply the dye and managed to do well at the front but at the back it was a case of pot luck and hope it all got covered. I know i used too much and my hair was over processed as a result.
Going to the hairdresser is much more expensive but worth it if you can afford it

My hairdresser told me to keep using the one I was as it looked great. Was surprised as the conversation started with "have you done this yourself" and assumed it would be followed up with well never do it again, and instead got a "great job, just come for a cut".

@schoolsoutforever which one do you use?

I just can’t understand how people afford to get their hair done so regularly at hairdressers! My hair needs doing every 5 weeks, I would be forking out ££££ a year.

@Beautiful3 I'd also love to know what blonde tint you're using.

At almost 50 I only started to dye my hair a couple of years ago. I didn't have a clue and went to the hairdresser for that.
Then I realized it looked like a rip off, as it seemed to be a very straight forward process.
For the last year I tried so many different brands and colours...no one was right. Either too light or too dark, many fading very quickly.
I returned to the hairdresser and she got it right the first time, and it looks so vibrant and good even 3 weeks after she applied it!

Honestly, I don't know if they are worse or better for your hair - I don't think they were bad for mine - but choosing the color and applying it is another matter.

I used to get mine dyed at hairdressers but honestly highlights take hours and they always yank the foil out rather than unwrap each bit of hair caflrefully so it’s like mild torture. So I got fed up wasting half my Saturday, being uncomfortable and spending loads to boot. Also the way they applied the highlights I would leave the salon with roots!
Been box dying for 15 years now as I like the convenience of it taking 30 mins at home, during which time I can be doing other jobs, and it gets right to the roots. Does it look as good as the salon (bar the immediate salon roots)? - probably not. Condition - probably the same (dry and shit TBH).
Am intrigued by the home balayage kits @SocksAndTheCity and @Bobsyer - are these easy to do? Probably not for me as I just slap the box dyes on Willy nilly, but didn’t know balayage was possible at home.

I dye my hair black. Have done for many, many years. I've had it done at the hairdressers and done it myself with box dye at home. There is no difference in colour. Black is black I've found. The only major difference is in price, I can pay the hairdressers a small fortune to do it or I can do it myself for £4.79 and get the exact same colour. I choose to do it myself.

If I was a blonde however, I would let a professional do it.

My hairdresser said the main problem with the box dyes is people re-dying over previously dyed hair, ie doing whole head every time.

I use box dyes and she said the condition of my hair is great (long hair).
I only do the roots and do a full head every couple of years.

Usually use Superdrug own brand also.

@DeadButDelicious what dye do you use?
Been thinking of changing to black but don't want it harsh, thanks

I have tried millions of box dyes over the years as well has having lots of colour done at hairdressers.

I have come to the conclusion that for all over colour - box dye is FINE but for anything more complex - hairdressers.

I use Josh Wood 6.0 light brown for my all over colour (Garnier Olia when I'm feeling a bit skint) and both are really good.

Things that makes a big difference:

Sectioning hair properly for full coverage
Squeezing all the dye into a plastic bowl and applying with one of those small plastic brushes with stiff bristles like they have at the salon. It means it goes right to the end of the roots.
Olaplex 3 once a month

In the summer, when i want a more multi-tonal/light colour, I get it done at the hairdresser.

[quote MrsVeryTired]@DeadButDelicious what dye do you use?
Been thinking of changing to black but don't want it harsh, thanks[/quote]
I use Schwarzkopf live in deep black. If you want something a little less harsh you could go for a natural black, superdrug do a good range of colours too.

This is a good photo of my colour, it was a bit longer here, I've recently had it cut much shorter.

The only thing I will say about black hair @MrsVeryTired is that it's hard to get rid of if you decide you want a change. Especially black box dye. It's definitely a commitment.