How long does it take for hair colouring?

[frydae]

How long does it take you for your flour at the hairdresser and what do you get?

I have only one experience of having a colour done and it was 30 years ago, I sat for 5 hours while they fucked about opening and closing foils and panicking because it wasn't working. So, I haven't been to a hairdresser since until recently when I got a cut. I would love to have a colour properly done again but I'm autistic, anxious and can't bear the idea of sitting for that long!

My hair is salt and pepper now with dark brown and loads of grey and I usually box dye it at home so I guess that will have an impact too :(

I had mine coloured professionally once almost exactly 20 years ago. It took nearly 4 hours which I absolutely hated and have never been back since

Little practical help for you but i empathise!

I had balayage last week and that took about 4 hours. if imagine it would be quicker if you're having an all over colour and not foil highlights.

No it's good to know, I don't want to sign up for something and find out it will take that long, I would rather just stick to box (it's just becoming more difficult as I age!)

I have thick, just below shoulder length hair, have a balanced every few months, takes about 2 hours

Balayage! Not balanced!

With my hairdresser a balayage is 2hr 30mins plus a 'finish' so cut & blow dry etc add (45min) or self dry (10 min )

Find a home hairdresser?

I had just a colour - darkish brown - this week and it took about 60 minutes for the colour alone. I was probably there more like an hour and a half because I had a good chop and blow dry too. I also had a box dye on it and underneath that it had been highlighted. I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was. And cheap as they had an offer on.

When I've had highlights in the past it took a lot longer.

I have some foil highlights, a full tint at the roots and balayage. Plus cut, I’m there for at good 4 hours, often 5.

About two hours for colour on roots, cut and blow dry for me.

If you’re in the UK you could try the website secret spa and get a hairdresser to come to your home :)

Wow 4 -5 hours ! I had no idea these things took so long ! The last time I went to a hairdresser she spent all her time talking to someone else and messed up my hair ☹️

I’m exactly the same, f I could wave a wand and have the highlights or whatever done I’d do it but I can’t stand the thought of spending that long sat in a hairdressers. I’m going grey, have given up on box dye as it needs doing every three weeks. Am trying to embrace the grey.

My full head of foils on my shoulder length hair takes about 2 1/2 hours in total, including the wait for the colour to develop and the blow dry finish.

If you wanted to save time, you could ask for a half head (where they just do the top half of your hair and not the underneath half), or ask for a rough dry (where they just quickly blast it with the hairdryer rather than properly blow-dry it)?

If you want to, you can also walk around in between having the foils in, and having the dye washed off. You don't have to stay sitting for that bit if you feel fidgety.

And for me a home hairdresser would be no better, it’s not actually been at the hairdressers…..it’s having to stay in one place for so long and not being able to leave. Makes me feel quite claustrophobic

I have a full head if highlights then a toner, wash and blow dry and I'm usually there about 3 hours, sometimes 3.5.

About two. Though I'm so grey it grew out so quickly that it's back to Boots and L'Oréal.

It depends what you have done Op, if you have a simple all over colour that will be much quicker than something like high lights or balayage.
The box dye shouldn't be a problem unless you want something drastically different or lighter and need it removing first.
You could ask for a free consultation with a hairdresser to determine what you need, run through the process and get an idea of timescales before you commit to an appointment.

It really depends what you ask for and how long your hair is, as well as if you are after a dramatic change. When I had a balayage on my very long hair that took 4-5 hours but most recently a cut, colour and rough blow dry for my shoulder length hair with one colour all over was 1.5 hours. I also just ask them to rough dry it as for me the time with the hairdryer is the worst and my hair is curly. Otherwise to dry it fully and then faff takes ages.

Thanks to everyone for replying.

What I want done - whatever is fastest

Hairdresser to my house - adds more issues than it solves

I'm leaning towards keeping the box dye

Also the consultation would be difficult so I would rather just discount the idea from others experiences rather then have to go through that communication. I really do find it very hard.

Mine takes around 4-5 hours with a cut

I have an all over due and it takes about 10 minutes to apply. About 40 minutes in hair then washed and cut and styled. All in all about 1 and a half hours

Dye not due

I had half head and quick blow dry today and it was 2.5 hours. At another hour for full head.